Report: Dog starved, froze to death

SANDUSKY — A Sandusky man faces a felony after police discovered a starved, dehydrated dog died of hypothermia on his property.Police also discovered two other dogs on the property without food. The water in their bowls was frozen solid.Officers charged T.J. Payton, 87, of Harrison Street, with fifth-degree felony animal cruelty on Jan. 29. Payton's case was filed in Sandusky municipal court Tuesday and a summons was also issued, his court docket states. Police and members of the Erie County dog warden's office responded to Payton's home, in the 1900 block, after an anonymous caller reported a dead dog in a kennel, according to a Sandusky police report. A man at the home told an officer the dogs belonged to Payton, who was in the hospital.The man told police he had nothing to do with Payton's dogs and that "some guy" was taking care of them but no one came to check on and feed the dogs in about three or four days, the report states.Police found dogs in kennels attached to a garage, with outdoor and indoor sections, the report states. They found two dogs in good health, but with no food and their water bowls were frozen.Another dog, a female beagle, was found dead, according to the report. A veterinarian told police the dog was dehydrated and starved but likely died of hypothermia.The dog warden's office contacted Payton, who said the man at the house had nothing to do with the dogs, the report states. The two other dogs were seized by the dog warden's office.Police and the dog warden's office decided not to charge the man at the home but agreed they would charge Payton, according to the report. The report said he'd be served with his charge when he was released from the hospital, but would not be taken to jail because of his age and health.Visit our Sandusky police hub for more storiesReach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegister