Document text
Police: Man neglected dogs to death Tabari Leteef Hayes Saturday Sep 23, 2017 at 5:42 PM Sep 23, 2017 at 5:45 PM Nick Morgan Mail Tribune @mtcrimebeat A man who'd lived in a Medford motel for years is accused of leaving his dogs locked inside before they died of neglect. Tabari Leteef Hayes, 39, made his initial court appearance in Jackson County Circuit Court on felony aggravated animal abuse and animal abuse charges and counts of misdemeanor animal neglect, stemming from the death of two dogs inside a Medford motel room. Hayes, who had lived in a motel room in the 500 block of North Riverside Avenue for the past 2½ years, allegedly left two pet dogs locked inside the bathroom of his hotel room "intentionally and knowingly," according to a document filed by Medford police in the case.  Medford police arrested Hayes Thursday night after determining that the dogs were confined without food, water or basic care "indefinitely until death," the document says. Hayes would use other restrooms outside the hotel so as to avoid opening the bathroom door, according to police. On Friday, Hayes made made his initial appearance on felony counts of animal abuse, aggravated animal abuse and misdemeanor animal neglect charges. He was booked in the Jackson County Jail Thursday evening but jail records show he'd been released as of Saturday afternoon. His next court appearance is set for Friday, Sept. 29. Jackson County court records show no prior animal abuse cases, and only one prior felony conviction for Hayes dating back to 2005 for delivering a controlled substance within 1,000 feet of a school. In 2014, he was charged with felony assault on a public safety officer, but pleaded down to misdemeanor charges of fourth-degree assault and interfering with an officer. — Reach reporter Nick Morgan at 541-776-4471 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at @MTCrimeBeat.