(McCRACKEN COUNTY, Ky.) — A McCracken County man arrested in connection with a severe animal cruelty case now faces additional charges after investigators discovered his father may have been dead and buried for nearly a decade.
David Howery, 66, was initially sought by the McCracken County Sheriff’s Office following an investigation into animal cruelty that began March 31, 2025. During that investigation, detectives learned that Howery’s father was missing.
According to the sheriff’s office, the investigation revealed that Dillard Howery may have been missing since 2015. Detectives eventually traced their search to a previous residence of David Howery on Broyles Avenue, which is now a vacant lot.
With assistance from a forensic pathology team from the University of Tennessee, skeletal remains were located buried at the site. Authorities believe the remains belong to Dillard Howery.
The investigation also uncovered child sexual abuse material on Howery’s phone, according to detectives.
Howery now faces charges of Possession of Matter Portraying a Sexual Performance by a Minor, Abuse of a Corpse, and Failure to Notify of a Death. He was served the arrest warrants at the McCracken County Jail, where he has been incarcerated since April 2025.
The sheriff’s office has coordinated with federal law enforcement regarding a possible federal criminal investigation related to the concealment of Dillard Howery’s death.
Animal Cruelty Case
The initial investigation began when the sheriff’s office looked into a severe case of animal cruelty and torture. A search warrant was executed at Howery’s residence in the 9000 block of Woodville Road in the West Paducah area.
Inside the home, deputies found 18 dogs living in what they described as deplorable conditions. One dog had to be euthanized on scene due to its poor condition. The main areas of the home were stacked floor to ceiling with crates, with animals defecating and urinating onto those below them.
The home was infested with fleas and rodents, and all the animals required serious medical care and treatment. A total of 32 dogs are victims in the case, according to authorities.
All animals were removed by McCracken County Animal Control and taken to the McCracken County Humane Society.
The humane society has issued an urgent appeal for supplies to treat the large number of animals, specifically requesting sheets, blankets, towels, original Blue Dawn dish soap, wet Pedigree dog food, dry Purina dog food, gallon jugs of water, and paper towels. The organization is also accepting financial donations, as well as medical bill donations to Cummings Veterinary Clinic.
