DECATUR, Ill. (WICS) — We are following up on the investigation into the deaths of five dogs in Decatur.
39-year-old Jason Simpson has been officially charged in their deaths.
We spoke with Decatur police to get an update on the next steps in this case.
Decatur police said the preliminary necropsy findings show the dogs appeared to have suffered from starvation and neglect.
Simpson was arrested on March 14 on animal cruelty charges and he has been issued a notice to appear in court.
The five pitbulls were found dead in a home on the 1000 block of East Lincoln avenue on February 5.
Officials said Simpson originally told police the animals could have died from carbon monoxide poisoning.
But police said the necropsy results show the animals died from starvation.
Officials are now waiting for blood tests to determine if carbon monoxide poisoning played a role in the dogs’ death.
“The pathologist, after doing the examination of the dogs, determined that despite any other factors that may have occurred, the emaciation in the animals was enough to cause death,” said Decatur Police Sgt. Brian Earles.
Earles said Simpson is currently charged with a misdemeanor of animal cruelty. He said those charges be upgraded to felony charges based on the results of the blood tests.
Earles said Simpson has not been booked because of the pre trial fairness act, saying he is scheduled to appear in court on March 28.
Decatur police said Simpson could be facing a year in prison if found guilty of the misdemeanor charge.