A Cumberland County resident is facing felony charges following a grim discovery by local law enforcement.

Jeremy Blake Bilbrey has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals after authorities found a deceased dog inside a crate at a residence on Iris Circle.

According to an affidavit of complaint filed by Crossville Police Sgt. C. Massey, officers arrived at the home on July 2, 2026, to conduct a welfare check. Upon entering, they discovered an extensively decomposed dog inside a crate, estimating the animal had been dead for approximately six months.

When questioned by authorities on July 21, Bilbrey stated he had owned the unnamed dog for about a year. He initially claimed he gave the animal to a random individual in February 2026 without checking on its welfare. However, investigators noted that Bilbrey later admitted to returning to the home months later to find the dog dead inside the crate where it was originally left. Rather than reporting the incident, Bilbrey allegedly abandoned the property a second time.

Investigators concluded that the dog was left with no means to care for itself, directly resulting in its death. An arrest warrant for Bilbrey was issued by Judicial Commissioner Greg Watson on August 4, 2026.