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February 9, 2010

Animal cruelty charge not Gritts’ first

By BOB GIBBINS



A Cherokee County man charged last week with cruelty to animals for allowing a bulldog to starve to death is on probation for another animal cruelty charge.

Charles D. Gritts, 72, is listed on a Feb. 22 felony sounding docket on his newest charge, which was filed last Thursday. It stems from Gritts’ alleged failure to feed and water the bulldog between Nov. 1 and Dec. 22, 2009.

The animal later died from the lack of food and water.

Gritts told sheriff’s investigators he had been caring for the dogs on his property, and he knew he could be prosecuted for neglecting them.

Gritts complied with a request from law enforcement to feed the animals while they were at the location.

Cherokee County court records state Gritts was charged in 2006 with cruelty to animals for failing to feed and water horses on his property. Gritts accepted a plea agreement with prosecutors last year.

In June 2009, his charge was reduced to a misdemeanor cruelty to animals count. He was placed on a suspended year-long sentence, and was ordered to pay a fine and court costs totaling $325, as well as $89.55 in restitution to the sheriff’s office.

Gritts could face revocation of the year sentence based on the new charge.

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