North Charleston Police have made an arrest in the animal cruelty case that has been spread worldwide.

William Leonard Dodson, 41, is being charged with ill treatment of animals and torture. He was found in the area of Quitman Street and Calvert Street. He is expected to be in bond court on Tuesday.

Caitlyn the dog was found in critical condition last week on a Good Samaritan’s doorstep with electrical tape tightly wound around her muzzle.

The tape was so tight around Caitlyn’s muzzle that her tongue was caught between her teeth, stopping blood flow to her tongue. Officials think that the tape was on Caitlyn for up to 36-48 hours.

The Charleston Animal Society Senior Director of Veterinary Care, Dr. Lucy Fuller, DVM, said “Caitlyn is in a lot of pain, her condition is critical, and her prognosis is guarded.” She also said that “A large part of her tongue may need to be removed surgically if the tissue dies from the lack of blood flow. She may be severely disfigured, or the large amount of dead tissue may cause life-threatening complications.”

The story of Caitlyn, the North Charleston dog who had her muzzle taped shut, is now worldwide.

We talked with one man at the Chinese Deli in the Chicora-Cherokee community. That is where the dog was discovered earlier this week. “You gotta think, what kind of cruel person is gonna take their time to that to a dog?”

“It’s many things that’s not good that comes through my mind when I hear it…it’s cruel. It’s degrading. Wrong. Life threatening. Sick. It’s like, the mere thought of it is, I mean, why?? That’s one question that comes through my mind when I look at it, is why?”

Kelli Klein, the director of emergency care at Veterinary Specialty Care in Mount Pleasant says Caitlyn is doing better. “She’s been doing really, really well since transferring to us last night.”

A man accused of shooting a North Charleston police officer twice during a criminal investigation pleaded guilty on this week and was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

According to the solicitor’s office, Timothy Darrell Johnson shot Officer David Winslette in 2012 while trying to flee from a theft investigation.

Johnson was charged with attempted murder and possession of a firearm.

Two other men, Dontreia Durant and Cretion Patterson, were charged with being accessories in the crime. Durant pleaded guilty and was sentenced to six years in prison. Patterson was given probation.

“After many lengthy discussions with NCPD and Officer Winslette, we all agreed this was the best way to eliminate the risks posed by a trial and to get a sentence that takes Johnson off our streets for a long time,” said Assistant Solicitor Culver Kidd.

North Charleston police have arrested and charged 25-year-old Kevin Larone Ivery in connection with the death of 71-year-old Barbara Ann Wisdom, a nun from New York.

According to police, Wisdom was struck by Ivery’s car at the corner of Dorchester and Ashley Phosphate Road.

Ivery, of Peppercorn Lane, has a long history with breaking the law. In Monday’s night’s incident, he is charged as a habitual offender and driving under suspension. His bond was set at $50,000 on Tuesday. Additional charges may be added after the investigation is complete.

Authorities say Wisdom was standing on the edge of Dorchester Road near the CVS Pharmacy around 7 p.m. when a Buick LeSabre, driven by Ivery, struck her. Wisdom was taken to the hospital where she later died from her injuries.

According to the Dorchester Country Corner’s Office, Wisdom was a nun for 25 years in New York. She moved to South Carolina two months ago. She is survived by a brother and sister who are twins.
Ivery has a criminal history that dates back to 2005. In March 2006, Ivery was arrested and charged with distribution of crack cocaine with intent to distribute near a school. He was also charged with possession of a stolen pistol and unlawful carrying of a firearm. Later in 2006, he was charged with assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature.

In May 2009, Ivery was charged with hit and run with property damage. In February 2010, police charged Ivery with possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine near a school and possession of meth or cocaine base.

In 2011, Ivery was arrested again in connection with a drug-related incident. According to North Charleston police, he was found in possession of a revolver that was reported stolen by police in 2009.

He was charged with unlawful possession of a firearm.

Later in 2011, Ivery faced additional drug charges and a charge of failure to stop for blue lights.