UPDATE:

Prosecuting attorney will not pursue case against Templeton or neighbor

 

CHESAPEAKE — Lawrence County Prosecuting Attorney Brigham Anderson said there would be no charges in an incident involving Chesapeake Mayor Tommy Templeton and two neighbors.

Anderson told the Tribune on Tuesday evening that his office will not be pursuing the case.

Lawrence County deputies had visited the home of Elden and Patricia White on Kelly Lane on Aug. 29, after receiving a call from them in which they claimed Templeton had beaten their dog in the street with a broomstick.

Patricia White told deputies that Templeton had also charged at her while waving the stick.

Templeton told deputies that the dog, which had gotten loose, had mauled his cat in his backyard. He said he had struck the dog with the broomstick, but denied threatening White in any way.

On Friday, the sheriff’s office had recommended charges of cruelty to animals and aggravated menacing against Templeton and a charge of animals running loose on public roads against Elden White.

Anderson said that neither would face charges in the incident.

“We reviewed the witness statements and, in these circumstances, we will not be pressing charges,” he said.

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Sept. 1, 2017:

Animal cruelty, menacing charges recommended against Chesapeake mayor

Another village resident could face charge for animal running loose

CHESAPEAKE — The Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office is recommending charges of animal cruelty and aggravated menacing against Chesapeake Mayor Tommy Templeton, following an incident on Tuesday.

According to a report from the sheriff’s office, a deputy was called to residence of Elden and Patricia White on Kelly Lane.

The deputy said Elden White told him that his dog, a pit bull, got loose and ran off from home. He said he was sitting on the porch with his wife, when he saw his dog run in front of Templeton’s house.

Patricia White stated Templeton came out into the street and started hitting her dog with a stick. She told the deputy that she started to grab the dog, and Templeton charged at her with the stick in the air.

She told the deputy, after grabbing her dog, she noticed it had injuries and asked Templeton “Have you been beating her with that?” She said Templeton replied, “Yes, I have, and I’ll do it again.”

The deputy said she told him that she feared for her safety and that Templeton kept waving the stick at her and stated, “I better never see that dog again.”

She told the deputy Templeton turned back toward his property when he saw Elden White coming.

The deputy said Templeton told him he was in his residence when he heard a scuffle outside, went to his window and saw the dog had pinned his cat under a truck. He said he came out of his house with the broomstick and the cat ran into his backyard, chased by the pitbull.

The deputy said Templeton told him the dog started mauling his cat and that he struck the dog several times with the broomstick to get it off the cat, at which point, the dog released his cat and the dog ran away.

Templeton told the deputy he chased the dog down Second Avenue, about four houses, when Patricia White grabbed it.

The deputy said Templeton told him, when asked by White if he hit the dog, he replied, “Absolutely, I did. And if I ever see it running loose again, it will be taken.”

Templeton told the deputy, at no point, did he threaten White with the broomstick.

The deputy said he spoke with a neighbor, who said he observed Templeton beating the dog with the stick in the street.

The deputy said the dog had several injuries to its body and that photographs were taken.

Nancy Huff, of the sheriff’s office, verified the recommendation of charges against Templeton. She said the sheriff’s office had also recommended a charge of animals running at large on public roads against Elden White.

Following an investigation, the report was turned over to the Lawrence County prosecutor’s office on Friday. The prosecutor’s office said an investigation is pending.