Rickels faces multiple animal charges

     Dustin Rickels, 31, of Scotch Grove was arrested over the weekend for animal abuse. Rickels is being held in the Jones County Jail.

     The Jones County Sheriff’s Office received a call at around 9:30 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 9. The caller referenced a Facebook post that claimed Rickels strangled a dog.

     The dog, an 8-pound shiatsu/maltase, belonged to Krystal Keppel. She apparently witnessed Rickels strangling her dog.

     When officers arrived, they found the dog, Khloe, outside in the backyard of the home. The dog was severely hurt, bleeding from its eyes. The dog’s right eye was popped out of its socket.

     Officers spoke with Rickels, who was inside the home, about the incident. They said he admitted to strangling the dog.

     Rickels also faces animal neglect charges and animal torture charges.

     The dog was taken to the Monticello Veterinary Clinic. Its condition is not known.