URGENT UPDATE: An Oklahoma man, Robert Peters, has been arrested in St. Louis on 16 counts of animal cruelty, raising alarm bells due to his prior connection to a tragic child mauling incident. This shocking development comes just months after Peters’ six-year-old son was killed by family dogs in May 2023.
Authorities in St. Louis reported that Peters, 38, arrived at a crematorium with four dogs, prompting staff to contact police due to the unusual circumstances. Upon investigation, officers discovered dog crates stacked and animals covered in feces and urine. Many dogs appeared lethargic due to the extreme heat inside the vehicle.
The Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office immediately recognized Peters’ name, as he is linked to the fatal mauling of his son, who was attacked while retrieving a charger from a parked vehicle. “Unfortunately, I’ve been doing this almost 30 years, and this is probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen,” said John Szymanski, Chief Deputy Operations of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office.
During the initial investigation in May, authorities deemed the child’s death a tragic accident. However, the recent arrest has led many to question the family’s practices. Peters claimed he and his wife operated a transport business for rescue dogs, which had previously been noted by deputies during the investigation of the child’s death.
Details revealed that the mother was away during the incident, and Peters had taken over the transport business, leading to an excessive number of dogs being transported amidst rising temperatures. Szymanski emphasized, “When the mom was making the transportation, she was driving a van, not a box truck. This time they had way too many animals to be transported.”
Peters appeared in court on October 3, 2023, pleading not guilty and is being held without bond. He is scheduled to return to court on October 10, 2023.
This developing story raises significant concerns regarding animal welfare and family safety. The Cleveland County community is left reeling from the implications of Peters’ actions and the tragic loss of a young life. As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge.
Stay tuned for further updates as this case progresses, highlighting the urgent need for awareness around animal cruelty and child safety.
