Abandoned Dog Died; Jury Finds Canton Man Guilty Of Cruelty To Animals: Report

CANTON, GA — A Canton man was found guilty of cruelty to animals after he left his dog in a house when he moved, ultimately causing the dog to die.

On Dec. 10, 2021, a Cherokee County jury found Randall Keith Lathem, 55, of Canton, guilty of one count of aggravated cruelty to animals. On Jan. 24, Senior Judge Frank C. Mills III sentenced Lathem to five years, with the first two years to serve in confinement and the balance on probation.

The charges relate to a 2017 discovery of a dead female dog in a home where Lathem lived. The property belonged to a family member who asked Lathem to move out so the house could be sold. Cherokee Sheriff’s Office deputies joined Lathem’s brother to the home to execute a writ of possession, which had been served on Nov. 13, 2017. The family believed Lathem was still living in the home with his dog.

Deputies found a dead, small black and brown dog inside a room, surrounded by multiple piles of feces. The dog had no access to food or water and was trapped inside the empty house.

At some point, Lathem moved out of the house without telling anyone, abandoning his 2.5-year-old dog inside the home.

The dog was taken to the University of Georgia Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratories for a necropsy, which determined she likely died of starvation due to her body condition and lack of subcutaneous and visceral fat stores.

During the one-day jury trial, Assistant District Attorney Rachel Clark, who prosecuted the case on behalf of the state, presented evidence that the dead dog was Lathem’s pet and sole responsibility.

“This defendant blamed everyone but himself for his actions. Initially, he blamed his brother. Later, he claimed he gave the dog to someone he met in a grocery store,” Clark said. “The fact is, he refuses to accept responsibility and simply makes excuses for putting his own pet in a situation where she suffered untold pain until she died, alone and uncared for.”

While on probation, Lathem will be subject to general conditions of probation, including no possession of firearms, alcohol, or illegal substances. He must also complete an evaluation for emotional, mental health and substance abuse and seek treatment. He must avoid contact with his brother, may not possess a pet of any type, and must pay restitution and attorney fees.

“This defendant has never admitted his guilt, so we have no way to determine how long this little dog suffered before she died, hungry, thirsty, and probably very scared,” District Attorney Shannon Wallace said. “Pets are not objects to be left behind and forgotten. They rely on human companions to care for them and provide the basic necessities of life.”