SUMMERS COUNTY, WV (LOOTPRESS) – The Summers County Sheriff’s Department has arrested two individuals in connection with an animal cruelty investigation launched earlier this month.
On March 5, 2025, Chief Deputy T.S. Adkins began investigating a case involving a dog named Gideon in the Jumping Branch area.
The following day, he obtained warrants for two suspects.
On March 14, he executed arrest warrants for Tiffany Gill and Dylan Dick, both from the Nimitz area.
Authorities say the investigation is ongoing, with several unrelated animal cruelty cases under review. Additional arrest warrants remain outstanding, with more expected.
In response to public concerns about animal welfare, Sheriff J.L. Faris highlighted key provisions of the Summers County Animal Control Ordinance.
- Impounding Dogs at Large: Owners have up to five days to reclaim their impounded dogs by paying associated fees. A “dog at large” violation alone does not justify permanent seizure.
- Vicious and Dangerous Dogs: It is illegal to own a dog known to be vicious or dangerous. If a court determines a dog poses a threat, law enforcement may be authorized to euthanize the animal.
- Lawful Killing of Dogs: Livestock and pet owners are permitted to kill dogs that are actively chasing, attacking, or killing their animals.
Sheriff Faris also addressed concerns about the county’s animal control resources.
Summers County currently operates five indoor and two emergency outdoor kennels, but space remains limited.
To address this, officials are working with the Humane Society to expand kennel capacity, including the installation of an additional indoor kennel.
Since partnering with the Humane Society, 390 dogs have been rehomed, including 140 from animal control call-outs.
Sheriff Faris expressed pride in the progress made and thanked the community for its patience and support in improving local animal welfare services.
