Cecil County Animal Services doors are always open to furry friends in need.
Abigail Lightning-Bingham is the Chief of Animal Welfare Enforcement, and she’s working what she called one of the most egregious acts of animal cruelty that she’s seen in her two years on the job.
She said that a 4-month-old puppy was strangled and beaten to death at a home on Harrisville Rd. in Colora.
“For any animal lover or for just any human being in general to think that an innocent creature that cannot speak up for itself suffered so egregiously and at the hands of someone he trusted,” said Lightning-Bingham. “There’s nothing worse then that, harming something that can’t speak for itself or defend itself.”
According to court documents, 36-year-old Todd Corron was charged for Felony Aggravated Cruelty to An Animal for the incident that happened on June 16.
WMAR2 News’ Eddie Kadhim went to Corron’s home on Harrisville Rd. in Colora to get his side of the story, but nobody answered.
Someone who lives in the neighborhood called the news heartbreaking because they had seen the innocent puppy before and returned it to this home.
“It really makes me sad,” the neighbor said. “It makes me want to cry knowing what that animal went through and that they feel the same fear and pain that we do. It’s as upsetting as if I heard it happened to a person”
Corron is a Physical Education Teacher at Elkton High School.
The Cecil County Cecil County Public Schools Associate Superintendent Robert Buckley said they are investigating the incident and will take appropriate action at the end of their investigation.
Kadhim sent a list of questions to Buckley that included the following:
What is his employment status and how long has he been with the district?
Is administration aware of these charges and several other charges against Corron?
Has the district or school issued any disciplinary action against Corron in the past?
What correspondence has there been between the school and Mr. Corron since you found out about the charges?
Are you conducting an investigation of your own and if so what can you tell the people about it?
Is he still working with children right now/ while the investigation is ongoing?
When you hired him were you aware of any criminal background?
They wouldn’t tell us specifics of their investigation or disciplinary actions.
Here is Buckley’s full response:
"Cecil County Public Schools has been made aware of the situation. We are currently investigating the incident and will take appropriate action at the conclusion of our investigation. Cecil County Public Schools understands the serious nature of the charges and will support the judicial process. We are unable to discuss personnel matters. We are following our protocol and conducting an investigation into this situation. He is currently not working with students as it is Summer break."
We talked to some Elkton High School students who say they weren’t surprised by the charges.
“Little small issues, but he would get mad easily when there was no need to get that made for,” Jacob Buskell a soon to be Senior said.
If convicted Corron could face up to three years in jail and a $5,000 fine.
If someone is accused of animal cruelty they are not allowed to adopt from Cecil County Animal Services, and they send their information to neighboring communities.
Corron has a court hearing set for August 28.
