Local man arrested for animal abuse related charge after killing two pet hogs
The Pearl River Sheriff’s Office (PRCSO) made arrest of a local man on charges related to animal abuse after the suspect allegedly shot two boar hogs owned by another Pearl River County resident during two different incidents over the past two months.
According to PRCSO Chief Investigator Marc Ogden, on February 25, 2019, the PRCSO responded to a call from a resident on Joe Smith Road in McNeill in reference to animal abuse. Upon arrival, deputies spoke with the owners of the hogs, Melinda Shaw and her son Anthony Vitale, who said that someone had killed one of their boar hogs who were penned up on their property.
Ogden said that through investigation, it was learned that someone had shot one of the two hogs in the head. At that time, Ogden said that there were no leads as to who might have shot the hogs.
On April 24, 2019, Ogden said the PRCSO received another call from Shaw stating that someone had shot the other hog. Upon speaking with Shaw and a neighbor, it was learned that Connor Taylor, age 18, of 87 Holliman Cemetary Road, Carriere, MS., had been seen near the area of the hog pen approximately two to three weeks earlier.
Further investigation led the PRSCO investigators to speak with other individuals who provided information that Taylor was actually the person who shot and killed both hogs.
Ogden said that the owners of the hogs stated the hogs were like pets to them and responded to the names of Taz and Peanut.
Taz and Peanut
Ogden said that PRCSO investigators contacted Taylor via phone and he later came to the PRCSO to speak with investigators. After interviewing Taylor about the hogs, Ogden said that the PRCSO determined that there was enough probable cause to arrest Taylor for the killing of both hogs.
Ogden said Taylor was booked with two counts of Malicious Killing of Livestock. Taylor was given a $5,000 bond on each account and he bonded out on Friday, April 26, 2019.
Ogden stated there was no prior connection between the suspect and the victims (Shaw and Vitale).
