WINSTON-SALEM, N.C. — A malnourished dog was euthanized after a woman was charged with animal cruelty in Forsyth County, according to deputies.
The Forsyth County Sheriff's Office said after receiving a complaint on March 8 about a dog being neglected in a backyard, deputies went to investigate.
When deputies arrived at the home, they found a bony dog with its ribs, spine, and hip bones prominent due to a lack of muscle fat. Deputies said the dog was obviously malnourished as it was kept inside a chain-link kennel with no food or water.
Forsyth County deputies said once they contacted the owner, they said the dog was very aggressive and had not received veterinary care since 2018.
The dog, Diamond, was taken into custody by deputies and immediately transported to a local veterinary hospital for evaluation. Due to Diamond's condition upon arrival at the hospital and on the veterinarian's recommendation, Diamond was euthanized within a week of being rescued by the deputy.
The investigation is still ongoing at this time. Forsyth County deputies said more charges could be presented to a judicial official.
Deputies said Maquana Trinishe Wiyonda Simmons, a 20-year-old woman of Winston-Salem, was charged with a misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals for intentionally causing the depriving of necessary sustenance to an animal.
Anyone with information related to animal cruelty – or any other criminal activity – should contact the Forsyth County Sheriff’s Office directly at 336-727-2112; anonymously text information, photos, and video via Text-A-Tip at 336- 920-8477; or anonymously call Crimestoppers at 336-727-2800 for English or 336-728-3904 for Spanish.
