Philippi Man Facing Animal Cruelty Charges For Violently Shaking Small Dog Over Lack Of Sleep

Doyle Summerfield, 29, faces animal cruelty charges in Barbour County after allegedly shaking a small dog multiple times due to a lack of sleep.

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 10, 2026, 11:28 AM EDT

Source: Information for this report was sourced from WDTV

Mother Reports Son Following Repeated Abuse Of Family Pet

A domestic incident in Philippi led to an arrest this week after a woman contacted authorities to report the physical abuse of her dog. On March 10, the Barbour County Sheriff’s Office responded to a complaint involving Doyle Summerfield, 29. The dog’s owner, who is Summerfield’s mother, informed deputies that her son had grabbed the small animal and shaken it with significant force. According to court records, the owner emphasized that this was the fourth such occurrence and expressed a firm desire to pursue criminal charges to protect the animal.

Suspect Cites Sleep Deprivation As Reason For Aggression

During the investigation, Summerfield allegedly admitted to the physical confrontation with the animal but attempted to downplay the severity of his actions. He told deputies that he simply grabbed the dog by the collar and shook it. When questioned regarding his motivation, Summerfield reportedly stated that he acted out of frustration because he was unable to sleep. Investigators noted that the repeated nature of these actions, as described by the witness, contributed to the decision to file formal charges.

Legal Consequences and Current Custody Status

Following his statement to deputies, Summerfield was taken into custody and charged with cruelty to animals. Under West Virginia law, this charge can carry significant penalties depending on the severity of the injury and the history of the offender. Summerfield was transported to the Tygart Valley Regional Jail, where he is currently being held. A magistrate has set his bond at 8,000 dollars while he awaits further legal proceedings in Barbour County.