A Sodus man has been charged with animal cruelty following an investigation into a welfare check last year, according to the Wayne County Sheriff’s Office.
Deputies arrested 44-year-old Belton Dunagan III on March 2 after a welfare check conducted in December 2025 at his Curtiss Avenue residence.
A dog locked inside a crate with no access to food or water was discovered inside Dunagan’s residence, according to authorities. It was determined the animal had been confined for at least two days without sustenance and appeared to be suffering.
The dog was removed from the home and turned over to the Wayne County Humane Society for immediate care and rehabilitation.
Dunagan was charged with overdriving, torturing, and injuring animals and failure to provide sustenance.
He was taken to the Wayne County Jail and was scheduled for CAP arraignment Tuesday morning. He was later issued an appearance ticket and is expected to return to court in Sodus, New York at a later date.
Deputies were assisted in the investigation by the Lyons Vet Clinic and the Wayne County Humane Society.
