HAMPTON, VA. — The Hampton Police Division has arrested Vernon Alonzo Silver in connection with an Animal Cruelty complaint that occurred on March 6, 2017.
At 9:53 a.m., Public Safety Communications received a call in reference to an unusual odor coming from a residence in the 200 block of Pochin Place. Upon arrival, officers located twenty-one deceased canines and one living canine inside of the residence. The Hampton Animal Control Unit responded to the scene and removed all canines from the residence.
The surviving canine was transported to the Peninsula Regional Animal Shelter where it will undergo an extensive screening process (medical, temperament, etc.) to ascertain if it is deemed adoptable or not. This process is expected to take several weeks to complete.
Vernon Alonzo Silver, a 58-year-old Hampton man, was arrested on the evening of March 8, 2017 without incident. He has been charged with 22 counts of Felony Cruelty to Animals, 22 counts of General Duties, and 21 counts of Disposal of Dead Companion Animals. Silver remains in custody at the Hampton City Jail.
