Dog found starved to death; couple charged

Deceased animal found chained in basement; two children placed  in relative’s care.

Submitted photo Patricia Profitt, 27, was charged with animal cruelty after a dead dog was found in her basement.

Submitted photo Clyde Wright, 40, was charged with animal cruelty after a dead dog was found in his basement.

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By Jessica Heffner, Staff Writer Updated 12:34 AM Wednesday, November 18, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — A local couple has been charged with animal cruelty and child endangering after police reportedly found a dog starved to death in their home.

Patricia Profitt, 27, and Clyde Wright, 40, both of 107 N. Leibee St., were arrested Nov. 4 after a dead dog was found chained up in their basement. The discovery was made while police responded to a report of a theft of a 32-inch flat-screen television from the residence, according to police reports.

The dog’s body was extremely thin and bony, making it difficult to tell how long it has been deceased, police said. A foul odor permeated from the basement and gnats were flying around the body, according to a police report.

The animal appeared to be a pit bull and German shepherd mix, said Liza Lucas, Middletown police animal control officer.

Although this is not the first time police have found a dog starved to death in a home, it does not happen often, Lucas said.

“Once is too many times as far as I’m concerned,” she said. “Residents can take them to a (shelter) before it becomes this far-gone, so there is no reason for people to allow stuff like this to happen.”

In addition to the animal cruelty charges, Profitt was charged with child endangerment and Wright was charged with obstructing official business in connection with the incident.

During the robbery investigation, police allegedly observed food spilled across the carpet and feces on the floor. Two children, a 5-year-old girl and 7-year-old boy, have been placed into the custody of their grandmother, according to police reports.

Both Profitt and Wright will appear Friday, Nov. 20, for a pretrial hearing in Middletown Municipal Court.

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