JOPLIN, Mo.—A joplin country man He has been charged with animal abuse and threatening police after more than 50 animals were taken from his property, Newton County authorities said.
The man was being held for a 96-minute mental health evaluation when he threatened to “blow up the police department” if any animals were taken from his south Joplin property Tuesday, The Joplin Globe reported.
Newton County Deputies and the Missouri Humane Society workers took 57 dogs and some cats while serving a search warrant Tuesday.
Many of the animals were malnourished, had inadequate shelter and little or no access to water or food, officials said. Various dead animals. some recently killed were also found on the property, according to probable cause affidavits.
Newton County Prosecutor Will Lynch charged the 24-year-old man with misdemeanor animal abuse and felony count. making a terrorist threat Wednesday while he remained committed for the 96-hour hospital wait.
