A DeKalb County man is accused of moving out of his foreclosed home and leaving his dog behind to die.
Without access to water or food in the home, the dog was forced to eat styrofoam before eventually dying of malnutrition and dehydration, Wes Talon, Douglas County spokesman, said Friday.
"The dog was trapped in the home," Talon told the AJC. "She ate anything she could find."
Corey Batey, 35, was arrested this week after the dog's skeletal remains were found inside the Villa Rica area home, Talon said.
Batey, who now lives in Lithonia, was charged Thursday with felony animal cruelty and abandonment of a domesticated animal, a misdemeanor. He was released from the Douglas County jail after posting $10,000 bond, according to booking records.
Batey lived alone in the Poole Road home after he and his wife separated, but Batey eventually lost the home to foreclosure, Talon said. Batey moved out of the home, but he left behind a brindle and white female pit bull that had been the family's pet.
The dog's remains were found in December by a bank representative, who then called Animal Control. Animal Control investigators turned the information over to the Douglas County Sheriff's Office, Talon said.
At a court appearance Thursday, Batey told Judge Barbara Caldwell he was sorry, the Douglas County Sentinel reported.
“It’s too late for the dog,” Caldwell said. “You wouldn’t want anybody to do you like that would you?”
Batey allegedly told his wife he taken the dog to a shelter, but that was not the case, Talon said. The county's animal shelter is located within minutes of the foreclosed home, he said.
"We would have taken the dog, no questions asked," Talon said. "Anyone may bring an animal to us and we will take care of that animal. He knew this was an option."
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