According to dog owner Lisa Bailey, 22, her neighbor Richard Lambert,had never complained about her dog. "With his being a law officer, heshould know to call the owner. Why he didn't ever come over is beyond mybelief," she said.
Lambert has agreed to pay the veterinary bills, and he faces a $100 incivil court.
Richard Rowe, Wake County's environmental health director, said thecounty attorney's office and animal control officer Donnie Barham decidedto pursue only a civil charge against Lambert.
Bailey said, however, that when Barham was investigating at her homeand at Lambert's property, he had said he was going to prosecute theperson responsible with both civil and criminal complaints.
Bailey said she thinks the county is trying to take care of its own.
Baker said he would "have to look at the whole situation, but I wouldthink that what happened is that he acted as a private citizen."
The dog, named Tiger, was a black and tan female that was given to herabout eight months ago. "She was real timid and shy," Bailey said. "Wewere very attached to her."
Tiger had appeared sick when Bailey returned from work Monday. The dogwas immediately taken to a veterinarian but did not respond to treatment.She was euthanized Wednesday night.
Wednesday morning, Bailey had found a plastic container in her yardthat held hamburger in green liquid. A trail of trash led her toLambert's yard, where Bailey said she found another container ofanti-freeze spiked food near where Lambert puts his garbage.
Bailey photographed the containers and setting, and then calledauthorities. "I didn't think anyone would believe me," she said.
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