July 14, 2010
Faces charge of animal cruelty
The Times-Tribune
CORBIN — By Becky Manley / Staff Writer
A Corbin man police said killed his ex-wife’s dog now faces a felony animal cruelty charge.
Kevin M. Rose, 45, was originally charged with a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge as well as third-degree criminal mischief, according to Whitley County District Court records.
Rose was arrested after Corbin police were called on Memorial Day to the Fifth Street residence where Rose lived with his ex-wife, Shirley Philpot, 49.
Philpot said while she was in Ohio that holiday weekend, Rose beat her 13-year-old Chinese pug to death.
Rose, who has been held at the Whitley County Detention Center, appeared Tuesday in the Corbin courtroom.
Whitley County Assistant County Attorney Gary Brittain asked for the amended charge.
“It’s the torture of a dog, Your Honor,” Brittain told Whitley County District Judge Jason Price.
The upgraded charge came as a few protesters gathered across the street from the courtroom, waving signs that read, “Punish animal killers, it’s the law,” “Stop animal cruelty,” and “Justice for Princess.”
Philpot was among those protesters until she left to attend Rose’s hearing.
As she prepared for the protest, Philpot said she and Rose divorced in 2001 after a 10-year marriage.The two reconciled in May 2009.
While they were married, Philpot said Rose abused her and her family members. A few months after they reconciled, she said the abuse resumed.
Princess, whom Philpot said Rose never seemed to like, was a six-week-old pup when she was purchased by Philpot from a Tennessee breeder.
“He (Rose) was jealous of the dog,” Philpot said. “He thought I paid more attention to the dog than him.”
While she was in Ohio on Memorial Day, Philpot received a series of texts from Rose. At one point, she said she sent a text telling him she wanted to end their relationship.
Rose sent more texts, some in which he pleaded for Philpot to take him back. Shortly before 7 p.m., Philpot said she called Rose. During that conversation, Philpot said Rose told her “your dog’s acting weird” and that he should “finish her off.”
At 7:11 p.m., Philpot said she got a text from Rose that read, “Your dog’s dead.”
Another text Philpot said Rose sent at 8:20 p.m. read, “Princess is going out with the trash tomorrow and I’ll be gone.”
Philpot said police were called to her home and that her son arrived. After her son found Princess’ body in the yard beside the house, he cleaned her and wrapped her in a blanket.
The next day, Philpot came home and, after examining Princess, she took photos and talked to Brittain, who she said advised her to have an autopsy done on the dog.
An autopsy report dated June 10 from Eastern Kentucky University indicates Princess died from blunt force trauma. The report also indicates blood was found in her abdomen near her ribs.
On Tuesday, after Rose’s animal cruelty charge was upgraded, Philpot left the courtroom, returning to the group of protesters across the street. That group included several friends and family members.
As she waited for traffic to clear, Philpot shouted to protesters, saying, “We did it. Felony. Class D felony.”
Rose appears next in court July 21.
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