Macon Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charges Finds Support on Facebook
MACON, Georgia (41NBC/WMGT) – A Macon man facing animal cruelty charges has hundreds of followers coming to his defense on Facebook.
Raymond Carlisle was arrested earlier this month after investigators found malnourished and neglected animals at his south Bibb County home. His lawyer says it is rare to find such outpouring support from the community in a case like this.
As of Thursday afternoon, more than 200 Facebook users are coming out in support for Raymond Carlisle. On the social website, they share pictures, stories, and memories of his love for animals and his passion for taking care of them, as well as raise money for his attorney fees.
“It is rare, if ever, that I have a client that is accused of a crime that he or she has this kind of outpouring of support from the community,” Carlisle’s attorney Morris Carr said.
But Carr says that support was almost instantaneous after Carlisle was arrested. On July 15th, just days after he was released from the Bibb County jail, his son and daughter started the Facebook page called “Save Ray’s Backyard.”
“If you follow the comments online [and] the stories, immediately people are coming to his defense,” Carr said. “I think it speaks to the type of person he is.”
Carr calls his client an animal lover who could never turn a stray away. Investigators accused Carlisle of neglecting his animals, but his lawyer says that is not the case.
“He provided me with voluminous records regarding the care of the animals, veterinary bills, food bills, certainly these animals were being taken care of,” Carr said. “I don’t think there is any wrongdoing on his part.”
And that is what Carr says will come out in court.
“If everything bears out that I have seen thus far, I certainly feel confident that he will be exonerated of these charges.”
But until then, Carlisle’s family hopes to gain more support with every click of a mouse.
Carlisle was released from jail on the condition that he cannot own or take care of any animals. His lawyer says he won’t do anything to jeopardize his bond.
Carlisle’s first appearance is scheduled for next Friday.
Stay with 41NBC for updates on this story.
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