Nelsonville Man Charged with Felony Animal Cruelty and Evidence Tampering After Dog's Death
ATHENS, Ohio – Scott McCall, 54, of Nelsonville, Ohio was arrested on December 21, 2024, for a superseding indictment charging Cruelty to Companion Animals, a felony of the fifth degree and Tampering with Evidence, a felony of the third degree.
McCall is accused of shooting a dog with a pellet gun, ultimately causing the death of the animal. McCall is further accused of tying items to the animal and discarding of its remains in a pond in an attempt to conceal the death of the animal.
McCall appeared via video before Judge Patrick J. Lang on December 23, 2024, for arraignment. The State of Ohio requested bond in the amount of $100,000 with no ten percent allowed plus standard conditions of recognizance bond should he post bond with the additional condition that he have no animals of any kind under his control, possession or custody. The Court ordered McCall released on his own recognizance with standard conditions and ordered that he have no animals under his care or control. A status conference was scheduled for January 16, 2025,
The maximum penalties allowed for a felony of the fifth degree are a prison term of six to twelve months. For a felony of the third degree, the maximum penalty is a prison term of nine to thirty-six months.
This case was investigated by the Nelsonville Police Department and the Athens County Humane Society.
