Anne Arundel Police Beat / HEROIN HIGHWAY TO HELL Junkie James Huckaby ’s dog put down after police find it half dead; Huckaby found out and allegedly made threats to shoot cops

SEVERN, MD. – Anyone looking for another reason for all of the heroin junkies in the region to be put on an old junk freighter and set adrift to float forever out to sea need look no further than this story from the Anne Arundel County Police.

Anne Arundel Police report that on July 12, 2017, at approximately 9:11 p.m., officers responded to the Walmart located on George Clauss Boulevard in Severn for an animal neglect complaint.

During a search of Huckaby’s vehicle, officers located five clear capsules of suspected heroin and two cut straws with a powder residue believed to be used to snort heroin.

Police say that citizens advised that a male appeared to be passed out or sleeping in his vehicle, a silver Nissan Titan, with a dog in the back seat. They also advised that the dog appeared to be in distress. When officers arrived, they observed the suspect allegedly dragging his bulldog on a leash in the parking lot.

Officers interviewed the suspect, James Rufus Huckaby, 38, of 8144 Harold Court, #2, Glen Burnie, Md., who stated that he fell asleep in his vehicle while waiting to give his friend a ride when they finished work. During a search of Huckaby’s vehicle, officers located five clear capsules of suspected heroin and two cut straws with a powder residue believed to be used to snort heroin.

….emergency veterinary clinic after witnessing the dog attempt to get up, stumble and collapse. Due to the rapid deterioration of the dog’s health and the poor prognoses, the veterinarian’s recommendation was to euthanize the dog to alleviate further suffering. 

Officers observed that the dog appeared dehydrated and suffering from heat exhaustion. Animal Control was contacted, responded to the scene, and immediately took the dog to an emergency veterinary clinic after witnessing the dog attempt to get up, stumble and collapse. Due to the rapid deterioration of the dog’s health and the poor prognoses, the veterinarian’s recommendation was to euthanize the dog to alleviate further suffering.  The dog, “Diesel”, was humanely euthanized in accordance with veterinary recommendations.

James Huckaby was charged with possession of heroin, possession of paraphernalia, and animal cruelty.

Apparently having his dog killed by someone other than himself bothered Huckaby.

Police say that on July 14, 2017, at approximately 1:20 p.m., officers responded to the Anne Arundel County Animal Control Facility for a report of threats of violence to officers.

 Animal Control volunteers and visitors stated while in the parking lot, they observed Huckaby arrive in a silver Nissan Titan. They overheard the suspect on his cell phone saying several times that he was going to kill police officers for shooting his dog. They immediately ran into the building, locked the doors, and called the police.

The suspect fled the facility prior to police arrival but officers were able to identify the suspect as James Huckaby.  Officers responded to Huckaby’s residence and he was taken into custody without incident. Huckaby was charged with threats of mass violence, disorderly conduct, and disturbing the peace.

Huckaby has a court hearing set for Sept. 7, 2017.  He was released on bond from jail on July 17, 2017.

Huckaby was charged by Anne Arundel County Police with malicious property destruction in District Court for Anne Arundel County and found guilty on Jan 22, 2001. He was sentenced to nine months in jail with all but one month suspended. Two years of probation were ordered. The Judge stipulated that Huckaby begins with a substance abuse program. On another charge of carrying a concealed deadly weapon, he was found guilty and sentenced to three years in jail. Huckaby appealed the case to Circuit Court and the prosecutor dropped the property destruction charge and in a plea deal Huckaby ended up with the three years but the plea deal suspended all but 4 days.