Duct-Taped Dog's Owner Charged With Cruelty to Animals

The woman accused of duct-taping her dog’s mouth shut over Thanksgiving weekend and posting a shot to Facebook now faces a cruelty to animal charge.

Katharine F. Lemansky, 45, who posted under the name Katie Brown, was tracked to Cary, N.C. There authorities have charged her with a Class 1 misdemeanor after they say she admitted the incident took place in that town. The charge carries a fine and the possibility of up to 150 days in jail.

The photo Lemansky is accused of posting showed her chocolate Labrador retriever with its snout taped shut. The post stated, “This is what happens when you don’t shut up.”

Lemansky’s Facebook profile listed her town of residence as South Daytona. The Friday posting sparked outrage throughout Volusia County. The sheriff’s office there was flooded with calls and emails about the post. That agency contacted the South Daytona Police Department, which kicked off an investigation.

See Also:

• Viral Photo of Duct-Taped Dog Under Investigation
• Search Continues for Duct-Taped Dog’s Owner

It was later learned that Lemansky no longer lived in Florida and might be found in Avon, Conn. Authorities there also began looking for the woman and her dog before it was discovered the incident took place in North Carolina.

“Taping the dog’s muzzle shut was a terrible decision on Ms. Lemansky’s part, and charging her with animal cruelty under North Carolina law was the right thing to do,” Cary Police Capt. Randall Rhyne said in the statement following the arrest. “At the same time, it’s important to also note that our animal control officers who physically examined both Brown and her littermate found the dogs to be very well cared for, which is why we did not and could not remove them from the owner. The dogs are current on their shots, spayed, and microchipped. They are clean and well-nourished and appear to be comfortable in their surroundings. And there were no signs of injury to Brown’s muzzle, not even detectable hair loss.”

Lemansky is scheduled to appear in Wake County court on Dec. 14.

Patch editor Tim Jensen contributed to this report.