Owner Of MWC Severely Neglected Dogs Turns Self In

The man at the center of an animal abuse investigation turns himself in to authorities on two counts of felony cruelty to animals.

Wednesday, July 23rd 2014, 11:23 am

By: News 9

Owner Of MWC Severely Neglected Dogs Turns Self In

The man at the center of an animal abuse investigation turns himself in to authorities on two counts of felony cruelty to animals.

Midwest City police said while they were waiting on Corey Harrison’s arrest warrant, one of the dogs he is accused of starving passed away.

Police said Harrison left two dogs caged up in an empty apartment possibly for more than a month.

Harrison moved to another apartment in the same complex, and police said he admitted he left the animals in his old apartment, because they needed to be bathed.

An arrest warrant was issued Tuesday, and Harrison turned himself in on Wednesday.

“We think that the justice system certainly will run its course, and we're glad,” Cherokee Ballard with The Bella Foundation said.

7/16/2014 Related Story: Two Dogs Found Nearly Starved To Death In MWC

The Bella Foundation is a non-profit that stepped in to help pay for the medical expenses for the two dogs.

On July 11, police said a maintenance worker at the Willow Creek Apartments found the dogs sitting in their own filth, with no food or water in their cage.

The smaller, younger pit-bull mix, named Sarge, was too weak to lift his head and required bottle-feedings.

Ten days after being rescued, Sarge passed away.

“Many tears have been shed all through this process and then for little Sarge not to make it, that was really tough, you know that's a hard thing,” Ballard said.

The other dog, Payton, is with a foster family now. Ballard said Payton was a service dog. Payton is now recovering and putting weight back on.

Ballard said the vet bills will be several thousand dollars for the two dogs, and The Bella Foundation raised much of that in a few days thanks to donors.

The agency wants pet owners to reach out to the foundation for help before conditions get the point described in Harrison’s old apartment.

“There are many cases unfortunately like this, but we really hope that people will pay attention and learn from this,” Ballard said.

Harrison bonded out of jail on $10,000 bail.