New camera system helped investigators find suspect in Lexington animal cruelty case
A camera system recently implemented by Lexington police helped to identify a suspect accused of dumping a dead dog last month, according to police.
The dog was dumped behind businesses on Russell Cave Road. The entire incident was caught on surveillance footage. Police said they were able to grab a partial license plate number from the footage, and the Flock Safety Camera System was able to match the suspected vehicle and obtain a full license plate.
The suspect’s name is Caldwell Smith, according to Lexington-Fayette Animal Care and Control. He has been charged with second degree animal cruelty and could face a $500 fine and up to one year in jail if found guilty.
Investigators started looking into the case after surveillance footage appeared to show someone in a mask throwing the dog and a crate out of the back of a pickup truck. Animal care and control confirmed the dog died via starvation.
Bluegrass Crime Stoppers offered $1,000 for a tip that led to an arrest of the suspect, according to animal care and control.
This story was originally published April 4, 2022 at 2:42 PM.
