Ex-Officer Indicted on Animal Cruelty Charges

John Leggett, 44, of Jessie Hood Lane, was indicted on eight counts of animal cruelty. A patrol officer since 2002, he left the Fayetteville Police Department last week, but officials declined to say whether he resigned or was fired.

Cumberland County Animal Control officers were called to a home in the woods about three miles from the Bladen County line on Sept. 15 to respond to a report that puppies had been buried alive.

Two coonhound puppies were found dead at the property – authorities haven't said how they died – and another seven 1-week-old coonhound puppies, along with their mother, were seized and placed in the care of animal control.

Leggett was issued nine civil citations at the time by animal control officers, charging him with animal cruelty.