Man Kills Dog Because of Name, Felony

MARTINSBURG, W.Va. – A man has been charged with killing his family’s dog with two pickaxes because its name – Felony – reminded him he had recently been charged with a felony.

Kenneth James Watkins, 22, was charged Wednesday with a felony count of animal cruelty for killing the 11-year-old black and white border collie on Tuesday.

Watkins told his family and a neighbor what he had done, said Berkeley County Sheriffs Deputy Terry S. Shetley. An aunt kicked Watkins out of the house and called police. Watkins’ brother showed deputies a sign over the dog’s fresh grave in the yard that said, “Don’t Kill No More Dogs.”

Watkins is being held in the Eastern Regional Jail on $20,000 bond.

On Feb. 17, he was charged with a felony count of grand larceny in connection with the theft of a pickup truck, according to court records. He was released on bail Feb. 25.