"Bath Salts" to blame for W.Va. man killing neighbor's goat?

By: Barry Leibowitz
Topics: Daily Blotter

Mark Thompson

(Credit: Kanawha County Sheriff's Office/WOKW)

(CBS/WOWK) Charleston, W.Va. - A West Virginia man is charged with felony animal cruelty for killing his neighbor's pygmy goat, and he told authorities he was high on "bath salts" - designer hallucinogens - when he did it, reported CBS affiliate WOWK.

Neighbors and witnesses told police they entered Mark Thompson's Alum Creek residence Monday morning and found the dead animal lying on the floor, with Thompson, 19, standing half naked and wearing women's undergarments, according to police.

Thompson told police he had been high on bath salts for three days, which he blamed for his behavior, WOKW reported.

Certain bath salts are considered a synthetic drug that a person can shoot up or snort. According to officials at Logan Mingo Mental Health, the use of bath salts is a way to get high, and is becoming a popular trend.

Deputies went to Thompson's home after a neighbor, Lisa Powers, called 911 claiming Thompson had murdered her grandson's pet pigmy goat, reports the Charleston Daily Mail.

Thompson then fled to some nearby woods before authoritiese could arrive, police said. Thompson later returned and told police he had been high on the so-called bath salts.

Thompson was taken into custody by Adult Protective Services, and is reportedly being held on $50,000 bail.

According to healthybodydaily.com, designer drug "bath salts" are considered a hallucinogen and consumption can result in side effects including paranoid delusions, causing some to see grotesque visions. Other side effects, including anxiety and paranoia, can last several days after consumption, the site says.

Complete coverage of Bath Salts on Crimesider

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by facelessdrone2005 May 4, 2011 8:54 AM EDT: He thought the bath salts were acne medication.; Reply to this comment


by smitvict May 4, 2011 8:04 AM EDT: The bath salts aren't helping his looks any.; Reply to this comment


by doctor_know May 4, 2011 12:57 AM EDT: I guess if this guy had just slaughtered his own goat, everyone could have been happy..... well, everyone but the goat.; Reply to this comment


by HikerDan May 4, 2011 12:11 AM EDT: That dude is 19...? Sure getting old fast...; Reply to this comment


by illcountryboy May 3, 2011 10:24 PM EDT: Being high or drunk mshouldn't be an excuse - no one made him take the drugs. As a matter of fact he should be guilty of two offense (3 if you could count stupidity).; Reply to this comment


by Danielmountain May 3, 2011 10:09 PM EDT: "found the dead animal lying on the floor, with Thompson, 19, standing half naked and wearing women's undergarments"

what a sight that must have been.

i read about americans using bath salt, to get high, a few weeks ago (how it's becoming a public health problem because so many are experimenting with it).

hope he gets help.; Reply to this comment


by zunitribe May 3, 2011 5:42 PM EDT: Bath Salts? They grind up salts in a spoon, draw it up in a rig and slam it into their arm? dang.; Reply to this comment


by ICETEALADY May 3, 2011 5:28 PM EDT: BATH SALTS? WHAT A SCUMBAG HE CAN'T EVEN AFFORD REAL DRUGS!; Reply to this comment


by mycrappyneighbor May 3, 2011 5:20 PM EDT: This guy is the crappiest of neighbors! He will be joining his fellow cruddy neighbors here shortly - http://mycrappyneighbor.com/; Reply to this comment