Joplin man charged with animal abuse after allegedly starving, dumping dog

A misdemeanor animal abuse charge was filed Monday in Jasper County Circuit Court against a Joplin man who allegedly starved his dog and then dumped it.

A $350 cash-only bond was set for Patrick J. Morgan (DOB 1996). The arrest warrant was served on Morgan today, according to online court records.

From the probable cause statement:

I have reason to believe that Patrick Morgan committed the crime of animal abuse when he intentionally, purposefully, and knowingly failed to provide adequate care to his dog Snoop (a male golden/brown medium size dog).

Patrick failed to provide adequate care by dumping his dog in an industrial park located at 3517 N. Red Iron Drive, which resulted in the death of Snoop.

It was also reported that Snoop was abused at his residence located in Joplin, Missouri. {A witness} advised that she had observed Snoop tethered to the door of the apartment. {She} advised that Snoop was wet and cold. {She} also stated that her daughter (age 10) had observed Patrick fail to feed Snoop and strike him as punishment several times,

Upon my arrival, I was notified by Cintas staff that a Snoop was dumped in a field to the north of their facility.

Staff advised that Snoop was malnourished and couldn't stand. Upon observing Snoop, Snoop appeared to be starving with his ribs, spine, skull and legs having no meaty flesh on them.

Snoop was drooling, slow to react to stimulus, and could not walk on his own accord.

When picking Snoop up to put in my patrol vehicle my fingers could feel through the webbing of his rib cage and into his chest and abdominal cavity.

I was provided video footage from {another witness} showing Patrick {and someone who does not appear to have been charged) removing the dog from their apartment located in Joplin, Missouri.

The Humane Society indicated that Snoop had to be put on pain medicine due to the pain that he was in during their care. While in the Humane Society's care, Snoop was a pronounced deceased on March 19 of 2026.

The case was investigated by the Webb City Police Department.