Investigation Reveals Suspects Behind Animal Cruelty Incident

August 13, 2024

An investigation has uncovered new details in a disturbing case of animal cruelty involving sick Doberman puppies abandoned at the Elk City Animal Shelter. The case, which began with a video capturing the incident, has led authorities to a local residence and identified three suspects.

Warrants have been issued for the arrests of 27-year-old Jackie Liu, 31-year-old Lin Dong Dong, and 33-year-old Liang Chen. Each has been charged with one felony count of cruelty to animals in Beckham County District Court.

A probable cause affidavit revealed that on April 22 at approximately 10:16 p.m., a white Toyota Sienna van was captured on surveillance footage dumping a crate of sick Doberman puppies at the shelter. The Elk City Animal Control Supervisor discovered the puppies the next morning. The puppies, estimated to be around 10 weeks old, were found in a crate covered in feces.

The supervisor reviewed the video footage and reported that the van had Texas license plates and was driven by a masked individual. The footage showed two additional suspects, also masked, unloading the crate and leaving it by the shelter’s front door before quickly fleeing the scene.

On May 1, the supervisor identified the van, which matched the description and Texas plate number, at a residence that appeared to be a marijuana grow operation in a rural area outside of Elk City. A search warrant executed on May 14 confirmed the identities of the suspects. During the search, the suspects claimed they were unaware of the puppies’ illness and stated that they had been unable to find alternative solutions due to shelter restrictions.