Deputy Frank Holder of the McDowell County Sheriff’s Office has charged Charles Travis Hollifield, age 40, of 1559 Hankins Road in Marion, with felony cruelty to animals. On Wednesday, March 28, two fishermen located a pink camouflage drawstring bag floating in the waters of the Catawba River at the Yancey Bridge. Inside was the body of a dead Chihuahua mix dog. Tips and a thorough investigation led Holder to Hollifield, who is acquainted by marriage with Michelle Autrey, the owner of the dog, who was named Princess. An arrest warrant alleges that the suspect drowned the dog by placing it in the drawstring bag, along with a rock, and throwing it in the river.
