Pennsboro Police chief charged with animal cruelty after allegedly leaving K-9 in cruiser

WEST UNION, W.Va. (WBOY) — The Pennsboro Police chief has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly leaving his K-9 in his police cruiser in Doddridge County.

According to a criminal complaint filed by the West Union Police Department, on June 20, Travis Ray Snuffer “did in fact leave his police K-9 (Judge) in the back of his 2009 Dodge Charger police cruiser.”

The complaint notes that the vehicle “wasn’t running” and that “all the windows were up with no air conditioning” while the outside temperature “was between 85 and 90 degrees with the hot sun beating down on the car.”

During that time, Snuffer “left his residence within the town of West Union and went to Clarksburg,” officers said.

Information from the West Virginia Judiciary website states that Snuffer entered a plea of “not guilty” on June 22, and that he posted a personal recognizance bond of $6,000 on June 24.

He has been charged with cruelty to animals.

Snuffer’s significant other told 12 News that K-9 Judge was left in the vehicle by mistake and that Snuffer told the West Union Police Department to bust the window out of the cruiser for Judge’s safety after he realized what happened. She also said that all of the dogs living in their home, including Judge and K-9 Dexter—Snuffer’s previous K-9 partner who retired last year —have been taken since Snuffer’s arrest but are safe.

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