Elk City man jailed for allegedly abandoning kittens
A 63-year-old Elk City man has made bond after being charged with one count of abandoning any live domestic animal along the street or highway or in a public place.
The investigation began on August 27 when the Elk City Animal Control supervisor contacted an ECPD detective in regards to someone dumping kittens at the Animal Control Shelter and leaving them.
The supervisor provided video of the alleged incident.
The kittens were taken to the vet. All the kittens had “medical issues” and one was pronounced dead.
On August 28, the detective learned the three surviving kittens had a contagious virus known as herpes.
The kittens were humanely euthanized.
Tips through Facebook led the detective to David Rupp.
Rupp reportedly stated that the kittens had been left at his property in a box by others, so he put food in the box and took them to the shelter.
Rupp reportedly told the detective that he had to leave the kittens at the shelter while it was closed because he had to work early with his friends doing odd jobs.
He also stated that he has three cats and a dog of his own who are taken care of “religiously.”
Rupp claimed the kittens had just showed up that day.
He said he thought what he did was right and insisted that he is not an animal hater.
The detective reportedly explained that it was the lack of communication and also that the sick kittens could have contaminated the area for other animals, the affidavit states.
However, his wife allegedly stated that the kittens had been with them for a week and a half.
