South Dakota State University’s Chief of Police has been arrested on animal cruelty charges.
According to the Brookings Police Department, they received complaints about unseen barking dogs and a strong fecal odor at a home owned by SDSU Police Chief Timothy Heaton.
Brookings Police obtained and executed a search warrant.
Brookings County State’s Attorney Dan Nelson says police found the home in an unsanitary condition with up to a foot of feces in some areas as well as no heat in the home.
Police said they removed five German Shepherds for a veterinary evaluation that found multiple signs of neglect and abuse, including gingivitis, broken teeth, malnourishment, sores and an ear abscess.
Police did arrest Heaton, and he made his first appearance in court on Friday.
South Dakota State University has released a statement saying that the university is cooperating with the investigation and will be naming an interim University Police Department Chief.
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