A Henderson man, Randy Lee Katz, 60, has been charged with felony animal cruelty after his dog, Baily, was found barely alive inside a sealed trash bag in a neighborhood bin last Tuesday. Police said a witness heard “labored breathing” coming from the bag and found the injured dog, according to News 3 LV. Baily later died at a veterinary hospital, where staff reported signs of bruising and a puncture wound. Katz told police the injury came from a coyote and said he placed the dog in the trash bag because he did not want his girlfriend to know. He was released on bail and is scheduled for a court hearing on December 2.
Investigators were led to Katz through Baily’s microchip, which showed the dog’s ownership had been transferred to him by a prior owner. Search warrants at Katz’s home uncovered trash bags and blue disposable gloves similar to those found with the dog, while body camera footage from an October 27 call about Katz’s unresponsive mother also showed a dog resembling Baily.
“Randy attempted to pick up Baily and he believed that Baily was deceased as Baily appeared to be lifeless and had been previously bleeding from what appeared to Randy as a bite wound from a coyote,” Katz told investigators, as reported by KTNV. Police are awaiting necropsy results to determine the cause of death, and two other dogs have since been removed from Katz’s home for their safety.
