DUNCAN Okla_ A Duncan man has been
charged in a animal cruelty case we first brought to you in November.
Carl Immerdino
has now been charged with cruelty to animals, nearly three months after they
found nearly a dozen animals living in deplorable conditions. In November,
police were called to a home on north
22nd Street just south of Beech. Concerned neighbors
told police they witnessed Immerdino beating his dogs with sticks and 2X4
boards and even throwing one of them into a basement.
Police said Immerdino
was arrested and jailed, but he was able to bond out. They said unfortunately,
he hasn't shown up for either of his court hearings and hasn't been at the home
where the animals were seized. Police said they don't know his whereabouts. They
have issued more warrants for his arrest. His neighbors said for now, they're
just glad he's gone. They said they're happy that his former pets are in new
homes.
"We saw
him beat them with whatever he could put his hands on. "He beat the
animals."
Every neighbor
that surrounds this home is an animal lover with pet cats or dogs of their own.
They said what they witnessed in Immerdino's backyard is despicable. They said
it's something they refused to just stand by and watch.
"We were all screaming at him to stop beating the animals. My
husband was so mad, I said, "Do not jump the fence and beat on him, ‘cause
you're going to jail yourself if you take it into your hands.'"
Court documents
show rotting carcasses buried in shallow graves in the backyard. Neighbors said
had it not been for them, more animals would have been found dead.
"She was
putting dog food over there for those dogs. We were trying to take care of the
dogs, throwing scraps and whatever we had to those animals."
Police say Immerdino had been living in the home without running water or
electricity. Neighbors said they saw him move through his home via candlelight.
