HILLTOP, W.Va. — A Fayette County man is facing multiple felony charges of animal cruelty following the execution of two search warrants at his home near Hilltop in Fayette County.
Police arrested William Harvey Kincaid III, 36, early in the morning hours of Friday, May 5 after a Fayette County Sheriff’s Deputy and Animal Control Officer went to a residence on Prudence Road near Hilltop to investigate reports of animal cruelty.
The initial search led to the capture of 13 pit bulls, which included nine adults and four puppies.
“There was no signs of evidence that he was fighting dogs on his property,” Sheriff Mike Fridley said. “Now, where he’s going to and what’s he doing with these dogs? I don’t know. That’s part of the investigation we still need to do.”
A local veterinarian established the dogs had injuries consistent with forced animal fighting.
“The dogs are safe,” Fridley said. “They are at the animal shelter here in Fayette County being cared for.”
According to the Sheriff’s Office, Kincaid told investigators that he had only recently acquired the dogs and denied knowing of any animal fighting ventures.
Kincaid has a prior conviction for animal cruelty in Fayette County from June 2012. He was barred from owning animals for five years, but was convicted in 2016 of illegal possession of animals.
“It doesn’t matter if it’s in my county or out of state,” Sheriff Fridley said. “The concern to me is that someone would treat the dogs like this. I’m an animal lover; always have been, always will be.”
During the execution of a search warrant, police found a fourteenth dog concealed in a garage and a “breaking stick” with fresh blood on it.
“It’s our job to get to the bottom of it,” Fridley said. “And if he is doing it in this county, we’ll find out one way or the other and he could be charged with more charges.”
Kincaid is charged with multiple counts of animal cruelty, illegal possession of dogs, and failure to register a dog or kennel.
He is free on bond.
Sheriff Fridley requested anyone with any additional information contact the Fayette County Sheriff’s Department either on Facebook or by phone at (304) 574-4216.