Trenton man charged after litter of puppies dumped on rural property

LIVINGSTON COUNTY, Mo. (KCTV) - A Trenton man has been charged with neglect after he allegedly dumped a litter of emaciated puppies on a rural property.

Livingston County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Sunday, May 25, indicate that Patrick L. Behen, 24, of Trenton, has been charged after a litter of puppies was dumped on a rural property.

A probable cause statement filed by the Livingston County Sheriff’s Office revealed that around 9:30 a.m. on March 3, law enforcement officials were ed about the abandonment of half a dozen puppies.

A witness and victim reported that around 8 p.m. the night before, a vehicle stopped on the victim’s property. When the victim’s dogs continued to bark, the pair looked outside to find the puppies had been abandoned.

Throughout the investigation, law enforcement officials said it was alleged that the puppies had been put in the back of Behen’s pickup as he did odd jobs for the Amish community in Jamesport. The puppies were then posted for sale on Facebook in February, however, Behen claimed he then sold them to a man at a small animal auction.

Investigators noted that Behen could not provide a phone number or last name for the man who allegedly bought the puppies. As the puppies were also found to be emaciated and Behen only took ownership after the community identified him on Facebook, he has been charged with animal neglect and abandonment.

The misdemeanor charge carries a maximum sentence of 15 days in jail and a $750 fine. A criminal summons was issued for Behen to appear in court on Tuesday. An initial appearance is expected to be held at 9 a.m. on July 2. No further information has been released.

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