Deputies Investigate Animal Abuse, Solve Burglary Case in St. Francois County

St. Francois Co., Mo. (KFMO) - St. Francois County deputies responded to an animal abuse complaint in the Doe Run area, where they discovered multiple dogs abandoned and in poor condition.

The property owners were not present at the time, prompting deputies to obtain a search warrant. With assistance from the Farmington Animal Control Officer and the Humane Society of St. Louis, five dogs were examined and taken into protective custody for their safety and well-being.

Formal charges are expected to be filed against the property owners through the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.

In a separate case, deputies responded to a reported burglary at an unoccupied residence in the southwest part of the county. Reviewing video footage, deputies identified a suspect and quickly located him, still wearing the same clothing seen in the surveillance video. The suspect admitted to the crime, and further investigation led to a second suspect. Authorities recovered and returned most of the stolen property to the rightful owner.

Felony charges are being sought against both suspects through the St. Francois County Prosecuting Attorney’s Office.