Jerry Lynn Thompson, Jr., a 66-year-old resident of Hawkins, was sentenced to eight years of probation after pleading guilty to twelve counts of cruelty to animals. Thompson faced charges for drowning nine puppies and attempting to drown three others.
The arrest followed Thompson's admission to law enforcement that he took such drastic measures out of fear that his daughter, who owned the dogs, would set his house on fire. The incident occurred on June 18, 2023, when deputies responded to a call and discovered that Thompson had drowned nine dogs, placing them in a trash can. Three other dogs were found alive and were turned over to Thompson's daughter.
Thompson entered a guilty plea on December 7 in Judge Brad J. McCampbell’s court. As part of his sentence, he was placed on eight years of probation and mandated to complete 160 hours of community service. Thompson had been held in the Wood County Jail from the date of his arrest in June until his sentencing and subsequent release on December 7.
