BEDFORD – A Lawrence County man is facing multiple charges of animal neglect and abandonment after a probable cause affidavit was filed in connection with the mistreatment of three dogs under his care. David Kaiser, 32, of 424 Rivervale Cabin Road, Bedford, is accused of abandoning and neglecting his animals in early September 2024.
The charges stem from an investigation initiated after a report of dogs running at large near Kaiser’s property on September 3. Lawrence County Police responded to the complaint and discovered that the dogs involved belonged to Kaiser. The caller informed police that Kaiser had not been seen or heard from in approximately two weeks.
Upon arriving at the residence, deputies observed one deceased dog inside the home and another still alive but confined to a kennel without food or water. The surviving dog, a red Pitbull, appeared in poor condition, with its body visibly underweight and exhibiting signs of neglect.
On September 5, 2024, police obtained a search warrant and entered Kaiser’s home. Inside, they discovered additional signs of neglect, including a coyote pelt mistaken for a deceased dog and multiple areas of dog feces throughout the house. The surviving dog was found in a kennel without basic care, and two additional dogs were found roaming outside the property. The animals were impounded and transported to the White River Humane Society for care.
The three dogs — identified as “Noah,” “Bella,” and “B” — were photographed and weighed upon their arrival at the humane society. Each dog exhibited signs of malnutrition and poor physical condition. One of the dogs, a black and white male Pitbull, was microchipped, and records confirmed it was registered to Kaiser.
During interviews with Kaiser and his estranged wife, it was revealed that David Kaiser had not lived at the residence for some time. She stated that she had left the property in June 2024 and had verbally agreed to leave the three dogs in David’s care. However, she confirmed that she had not contacted him since late August.
In a phone conversation with law enforcement, David Kaiser admitted that he had not been staying at the house and that a female was supposed to take the dogs. He acknowledged that the animals were neglected but denied any intentional cruelty. He also claimed to have contacted the White River Humane Society in an attempt to surrender the dogs, though no records were found to support this.
Following the investigation, a warrant was requested for Kaiser’s arrest on charges of animal neglect and abandonment, and he was arrested on November 4.
All criminal defendants are to be presumed innocent until, and unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law
