Fayette County Man Sentenced to Prison for Animal Cruelty

FAYETTEVILLE, WV (LOOTPRESS) – Teddy E. Wood, 44, of Ansted, West Virginia, was sentenced to prison for cruelty to animals, announced Fayette County Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Jr. Circuit Judge Thomas H. Ewing handed down the sentence, imposing a term of no less than one and no more than five years. Wood, who pled guilty to the felony charge on August 12, 2024, will be required to serve at least one year before being eligible for parole. Additionally, West Virginia law prohibits Wood from owning, possessing, or residing with any animals for 15 years.

The incident that led to Wood’s arrest occurred on February 27, 2023, when law enforcement responded to a disturbance at a residence in Ansted. Neighbors had reported hearing Wood yelling and a dog yelping in distress. Upon investigation, witnesses stated they saw Wood striking a young dog with a metal pole and his fists. When they attempted to intervene, Wood reportedly claimed that the dog was his, and he could do as he pleased.

Authorities located a female, mixed-breed puppy outside the residence. The dog appeared extremely frightened and unable to walk. An animal control officer took the dog to a veterinarian, where it was discovered that the puppy had suffered a fractured pelvis, a broken tooth, and multiple cuts and abrasions. Despite her injuries, the dog recovered but was left with a noticeable limp. She was later adopted through a rescue organization.

The case was investigated by the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department and the Ansted Police Department and was prosecuted by Prosecuting Attorney Anthony Ciliberti, Jr.