Danville father and son charged with animal abuse

By BERNARD BAKER
Danville Register & Bee
Published: March 27, 2008

A father and son have been charged with animal cruelty after Danville police officers went to serve an arrest warrant at a Ross Street home last week.

Richard W. Adams and his son, Brandon J. Waddell, were arrested by an animal control officer after the police officers discovered a severely injured pit bull at the house, according to Paulette Dean, director of the Danville Area Humane Society.

Officers B.N. Jones and W.C. Shivley went to the house to serve a warrant on Waddell for probation violation and heard dog noises coming from the house once they got there, she said Tuesday.

They asked the two men if they could see the dog and saw that the female pit bull had a severe injury to her back left leg, Dean said. She said the pit bull had been kept in a crawl space of the house for a few weeks.

Jones and Shively called for help from animal control. Animal Control Officer D.B. Dockery took the dog to the animal shelter.

Dean and Dockery then took the dog to Animal Medical Center, where her leg was amputated a day later.

Dean praised the officers for their work and their concern for the animal.

“If they had not asked to see the dog, she would have died from her injuries,” she said.

Lt. John Henderson said animal cruelty happens more often than it’s detected. He said officers are quick to respond to these calls once they’re reported and work with prosecutors to develop a case if there’s enough evidence.

Dean said the 3-year-old dog is doing well after surgery. The animal could be available for adoption if the court decides to take the animal away from the family.

“If custody of the dog is given to the Humane Society during the cruelty trial, she will be placed for adoption,” she said.

Dean said pet owners should pay attention to situations such as this one when an animal needs medical care.

“Under Virginia law, owners of companion animals must provide veterinary care and treatment to prevent suffering,” she said.

Henderson said an animal cruelty conviction brings up to 12 months in jail and a $2,500 fine.

Contact Bernard Baker at or (434) 791-7986.