Court date set for Blackwell man accused of dumping dead puppies in trash bags

NEWKIRK — A court date is set for Seth Dwayne Clark, 45, Blackwell, in Kay County District Court.

Clark is facing three felony counts of cruelty to animals and eight misdemeanor counts of unlawful leaving or disposing of a carcass.

Blackwell police report that on Aug. 10, officers received a report of dead puppies left in a trash can located in the 300 block of west Lincoln Ave. Animal control officer Cindy Yinger reportedly showed police a wood trash can holder full of trash bags. A torn bag was on the ground and inside was two dead puppies. Officials report that both puppies appeared to be emaciated. In all, officials report that they located eight dead puppies in various stages of decomposition.

Police made contact with Clark who reportedly said he was responsible and that the mother dog and three puppies were still alive.

He reportedly agreed to surrender the German Shepherd and puppies to animal control.

Police report that the puppies were malnourished and covered in fleas.

Veterinarian Kaitlynn Funderburk, Blackwell Animal Hospital, reportedly told police in a written statement that Clark is a client of the facility but that she has not treated a German Shepherd nor puppies. 

Funderburk examined the surrendered puppies and reported that they were extremely malnourished and anemic from the fleas. Clark is free on $5,000 bond.