Man charged with animal cruelty

A Neshoba County man faces eight charges of animal cruelty after Sheriff’s deputies seized six emaciated dogs from his property.

The man, Tyrone Collier, 52, 10241 Road 402, was served with a court order early Monday evening on the eight misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty, according to Neshoba County Sheriff Eric Clark.

He said Collier has until the end of the week to request a hearing to determine if he can adequately provide for the animals.

On Monday, Oct. 21, at about 5 p.m., Neshoba County Sheriff’s deputies seized the six dogs from Collier’s property.

Clark said the dogs were “in urgent need of care.”

Clark said the deputies seized the dogs with an animal rescue following the Neshoba County Justice Court order. 

Mississippi Code 97-41-2 gives authority for law enforcement to immediately seize animals being cruelly treated, neglected or abandoned.  

The rescue shelter has not been identified because Clark said he did not want them harassed by Collier, who was “passionate” about his animals being taken. 

He said the rescue shelter is based in Leake County and has the knowledge and equipment to feed and care for the dogs and provide necessary medical treatment.

Clark said they were first notified of the animals late last week when a CrimeStoppers tip brought deputies to the property on Saturday.

The tip described a group of abused and abandoned dogs in western Neshoba County near the Leake County line. The tipster reported that several dogs were tied in the woods at the Road 402 address.

“The tip described crying and moaning and starvation and pain,” Clark said.

On Saturday, deputies documented eight dogs that were chained to trees in the woods with large logging chains. 

Clark said the dogs were provided limited shelter and water, but food was absent on the deputies’ three visits to the property.

Subsequent visits were made on Sunday afternoon and Monday before the court order was obtained early Monday evening. 

Six dogs remained on the property and were seized by deputies late Monday afternoon. 

Clark said he believed the owners of the other two dogs had removed them from the property after they heard of the law enforcement investigation.

“These dogs will receive medical treatment as well as nourishment,” Clark said.

If you have any information on criminal activity in Neshoba County, call (601) 656-1414 or East Mississippi Crime Stoppers at 1-855-485-8477.