UPDATE: An urgent investigation has led to the arrest of 38-year-old Robert Peters in St. Louis on 16 counts of animal cruelty, just months after his son was tragically killed in a dog mauling incident in Cleveland County, Oklahoma. This shocking development raises serious concerns about Peters’ treatment of animals and the circumstances surrounding his son’s death.
Authorities in St. Louis confirmed that Peters was apprehended after he attempted to cremate four dogs at a local crematorium. The staff became suspicious due to the unusually high number of animals brought in at once and promptly alerted the police. Upon investigation, officers discovered dog crates stacked on top of each other, with many dogs found in distressing conditions, covered in feces and urine. The animals appeared lethargic, likely due to the extreme temperatures in the back of Peters’ truck.
This case has drawn the attention of the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office, who recognized Peters’ name from a tragic incident in May 2023, when his six-year-old son was attacked and killed by family dogs. Chief Deputy Operations John Szymanski described the heartbreaking scene, stating, “Unfortunately, I’ve been doing this almost 30 years, and this is probably the worst thing I’ve ever seen.” The boy was outside retrieving a charger from a vehicle when he was suddenly attacked, leaving the community reeling.
During the investigation, deputies noted that the dogs seemed well-cared for at the time of the mauling, contrary to the current allegations of abuse. “They weren’t emaciated, they weren’t hungry, didn’t appear. There was food and water outside for them, so we didn’t see anything like this coming,” Szymanski commented. The circumstances surrounding both the dog mauling and Peters’ recent arrest raise serious questions about the family’s operations.
While Peters claimed that he and his wife ran a transport business for rescue dogs, the Sheriff’s Office revealed that the mother was not home at the time of the child’s death. Following the tragedy, the mother ceased her transport activities, leading Peters to take over the business. Investigators suspect that he may have taken on too many animals during the hot summer months, which could have contributed to the current situation.
In a court appearance on Tuesday afternoon, Peters pled not guilty to the animal cruelty charges and is currently being held without bond. A follow-up court date is scheduled for next Tuesday, where more details may emerge about this disturbing case.
As this story develops, the Cleveland County community remains in shock over the events surrounding both the tragic loss of a child and the subsequent animal abuse allegations against his father. Authorities continue to investigate and urge anyone with further information to come forward.
Stay tuned for the latest updates on this urgent case as more details unfold.
