Bikers offer to take in abused dog

Henderson, N.C. — A group of bikers based in Connecticut has offered to take in a dog whose Vance County owner was arrested for abuse.

The county Animal Shelter has been giving veterinary care to the dog since animal control officers took him from a home at 902 Park Ave. in Henderson on Oct. 13.

Animal Control Chief Alex Hargrove said the dog was tied a tree and was emaciated. The flesh of the dog's neck had grown around a web collar and a chain, and his left hind leg was swollen.

The Bikers Against Animal Cruelty nonprofit has agreed to take the dog after it is healthy enough to travel.

BAAC came together September 2007 during the aftermath of Michael Vick animal cruelty case. The group works with rescue groups, raises money to defray veterinary costs and conducts educational activities.

Henderson police arrested the dog's owner, Samuel Fields, 46, and charged him with depriving the animals of necessary sustenance and denying medical attention.

Animal control officers also found six more dogs in one pen at the house. None of the animals had access to food or water, officers said.

Fields told animal control officers that he fed the tied dog daily, that the dog would not let him remove the collar and that its leg injury occurred when it tried to jump the fence.