Webster man arrested for animal cruelty, fundraiser launched for dog

Webster police arrested a man who allegedly abused two dogs on Wednesday, the department said.

Cordell Gignilliat, 26, faces three counts of animal cruelty, the department said in a statement. Each felony count carries up to seven years in prison, court documents show.

Court documents show police initially went to Gignilliat’s home on June 10, after a neighbor across the street allegedly heard someone beating a dog. Officers conducted an investigation and found that Gignilliat allegedly abused two dogs under his care, a police report shows. The report said Gignilliat allegedly struck, kicked, screamed at, and threatened the two dogs multiple times over the course of several different incidents.

One of the dogs, named Ziggy, has suffered “extensive medical issues” due to the alleged abuse, the statement from Webster police said. Treatment for Ziggy will likely cost around $6,000, which would “cripple” the budget of Webster Animal Control, the department said.

“We are hopeful that Ziggy can recover but we are mindful of the extensive costs associated with ensuring that and Ziggy’s future is uncertain,” the statement said.

Webster Animal Control said they were unable to create a GoFundMe, but asked for anyone who wished to make a donation to write a check or money order written out to “the town of Webster” with the memo “animal control.”

However, a Webster resident created a GoFundMe to cover the costs of Ziggy’s medical care. As of Sunday night, the GoFundMe had raised more than double of its initial $6,000 goal.

Any remaining funds after Ziggy’s treatment will go to other animals in need, Webster Animal Control said in a social media post.

Webster police urged anyone with knowledge of incidents of animal cruelty to contact them at 508-943-1212.