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Last updated on Wednesday, September 14, 2016
(SULLIVAN) - A man has been arrested and charged with 17 counts of abandonment and animal neglect after police discovered 21 dead rabbits and two dogs that had been bludgeoned to death.
Police arrested 38-year-old David Weger who possibly rented the home in the past where the animal were found. He is being held in the Sullivan County Jail on at $68,000 bond with 10 percent allowed.
Acting on community tips and information from the Sullivan County Humane Society, Indiana State Police Detective Angie Hahn was able to secure a Sullivan County Superior Court search warrant Saturday for the two-story condemned house at 311 East Washington Street in Sullivan.
The home is owned by a Florida based company, but is currently condemned by the Sullivan Building Commissioner.
At approximately 1:12 p.m., officers from the Indiana State Police, Sullivan Police Department, and the Sullivan County Sheriff's Office entered the home, along with members of the Sullivan County Humane Society.
Immediately officers discovered numerous amounts of animal feces and urine, flea infestation, dry animal food scattered about and no running water. Further check of the residence revealed one male pitbull, one pregnant female pitbull, two other mixed breed dogs, four live rabbits and twenty-one deceased rabbits. All of the animals appeared emaciated and were taken into the custody of the Sullivan Humane Society.
In the backyard of the residence, officers discovered two burial sites which contained what appeared to be two bludgeoned dogs and one rabbit.
ISP and the Sullivan Police Department are continuing to investigate leads related to this case.
Witnesses have reported seeing two males dressed in hoodies arrive at the home between 2 a.m. and 3 a.m. on various mornings driving a faded red to maroon older model four-door car.
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