Courtesyof Melissa Braun Sun Staff Writer
New Brockton Mayor Lenwood Herron touted his innocence Monday evening just hours after being arrested on the charge of animal cruelty.
Herron was arrested at the Coffee County Jail shortly after 4 p.m. Monday and charged with cruelty to dogs and/or cats in the second degree for his alleged role in the treatment of five dogs housed at the New Brockton Animal Shelter.
He was arrested after being indicted by a Coffee County grand jury and was later released on $300 bond.
Following a regularly scheduled New Brockton council meeting Monday, during which no mention was made of the animal shelter or Herron’s arrest, Herron confirmed rumors of his arrest.
Though hesitant to comment about the arrest, Herron said he believes that his arrest was part of a cover up of alleged corruption that has occurred in the town since 1986.
Herron’s attorney, Letta Dillard Gorman, echoed Herron’s sentiment.
“I feel this is politically motivated,” she said.
Gorman has not yet viewed the indictment, but said, “As soon as I’ve seen the indictment I will make motions to dispose of this.”
Controversy has swirled around the New Brockton Animal Shelter since law enforcement officials received a complaint about the facility May 19.
Officers received reports that numerous canines were being mistreated and were malnourished at the makeshift New Brockton-owned animal shelter.
When officers arrived at the shelter, they found four dogs living in feces inside a cage. Each animal, including two puppies, was found in need of medical attention, with undrinkable water and insect-infested food.
An additional dog was chained outside the shelter without food or water. The dog was observed eating insects and grass.
About 24 hours after the shelter was discovered, a puppy died.
Dr. Jake Hendrix, a veterinarian with Animal Health Center in Enterprise, treated several of the other dogs for malnutrition and injuries that included a broken jaw.
The animals are now reported to be recovering from their injuries.
They are each available for adoption from the SOS Animal Shelter, a no-kill shelter located on Highway 84 East.
While at the New Brockton shelter in May, Coffee County Sheriff Dave Sutton voiced a warning that those found to be responsible for the shelter would be prosecuted.
Following an investigation by the sheriff’s department, Sutton said investigators identified two individuals allegedly responsible for the shelter.
One of the individuals was Herron.
Officers sought warrants for the arrest of both men through the Coffee County Circuit Clerk’s office, but received approval for only one warrant.
The decision was made to instead present evidence gathered during the investigation, including statements from several New Brockton residents, to a grand jury.
“I feel both people were responsible and the evidence shows that,” Sutton said. “A law has been broken and the canines suffered. This issue now lies in the hands of my district attorney now.”
If convicted of second-degree animal cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor, Herron could face a fine of not more than $6,000 and a maximum sentence of a year in jail, according to Alabama criminal codes.
Additional arrests are expected.
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