Webster man arrested for animal cruelty, fundraiser launched for dog

Local news

Webster police arrested Cordell Gignilliat on Wednesday on three counts of animal cruelty.

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

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

Court documents show police first went to Gignilliat’s home on June 10, after a neighbor across the street allegedly heard someone hitting 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 punched, kicked, yelled at and threatened the two dogs multiple times during several different incidents.

One of the dogs, named Ziggy, has suffered “extensive medical problems” as a result of the alleged abuse, the Webster police statement 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 aware 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 anyone who wanted to make a donation to write a check or money order made out to “the town of Webster” with the memo “animal control.”

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

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

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