Man charged in connection with alleged animal abuse at southeast Mo. dog pound

DUNKLIN COUNTY, Mo. (KFVS) - A man was charged in connection with alleged animal abuse at a southeast Missouri dog pound.

Harry L. Hatton, Sr. faces five misdemeanor charges of animal abuse.

According to online court records, he posted bond on June 20 and made his first court appearance on Thursday morning, July 6.

During that court appearance, according to online court records, Hatton waived a formal arraignment. His next court appearance was scheduled for August 3.

Hatton, Sr. is/was the only humane officer for the city of Campbell, Mo.

According to court documents, a Campbell police officer requested an investigation from the Dunklin County Sheriff’s Office on June 4 regarding complaints of animal neglect.

Hatton, Sr. is accused of neglecting five dogs at the dog pound. Court documents state he failed to provide the dogs with needed veterinary care, sufficient food, water and proper shelter, including protection from the heat.

Investigators say two of the five dogs died. The remaining three dogs were reportedly malnourished with signs of weight loss, skin/coat issues and weakness/lethargy.

According to court documents, Hatton, Sr. told investigators the dogs were malnourished because he was out of town that weekend and said the dogs had been at the pound for more than a year.

Investigators say the National Weather Service reported temperature highs in Campbell that weekend as 93 degrees on June 2, 92 degrees on June 3 and 93 degrees on June 4.

They say the AC/ventilation system for the dog pound facility was not working, making the room temperature inside the facility hotter.

KFVS reached out to the Dunklin County prosecuting attorney about the case against the former humane officer.

Nick Jain said animals deserve to be protected, especially when they are in a licensed facility like a city dog pound.

Jain said that if convicted, Hatton could face up to a year in jail on each count.

On Monday, Sept. 25, Jain said the attorney for Harry Hatton asked for a change of venue and the judge agreed.

His case will now be handled in New Madrid County.

No new court date has been set but will be decided when a judge is assigned in New Madrid County.

He heads back to court August 3.

As of Saturday, Campbell has a new humane officer, her name is Lisa Murphy.

“I want to be more visible in the community and that’s the beginning,” Murphy said.

She said she has big plans for this tiny shelter, currently she has a full house.

“We have two that are set for rescue tomorrow, and then we are hoping that two more will go with them we are just kind of waiting to see if the rescue can take them.”

Murphy said she wants to get the community involved with the upkeep of the pound. That includes signing up volunteers and working directly with the community.

“There’s an individual here in Campbell who has started a new Facebook page called the Campbell Peach Pups which has been very helpful,” said Murphy

“And I feel very confident with the volunteers that we are going to get set up that we are going to have a good facility.”

Copyright 2023 KFVS. All rights reserved.