I beg your ill-bred pardon! ;~D
Posted on 03/18/2004 6:17:05 AM PST by American_Centurion
FREDERICK -- A Dorchester County man who was sent to prison Wednesday for whipping his dog was the first person to be convicted in Frederick County for felony animal cruelty. Terry Love, 32, of East New Market, also was convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol and a second count of animal cruelty.
District Court Judge Frederick Bower said he was impressed with the testimony of the witnesses, including two boys.
When Love stopped into a gas station in Myersville last Nov. 3, his springer spaniel jumped out of his truck and ran away, court testimony revealed.
A witness who saw Love staggering and unsteady had already called police because they didn't think he should continue driving.
When the dog, named Ranger, ran into a nearby field, Love drove after him, court testimony revealed.
Love eventually caught Ranger, and started beating him with a leash. One witness demonstrated how Love wailed on the dog by raising his arm well above his head.
Love was arrested at the scene by Maryland State Police Cpl. Jay Robinson, and Ranger was taken to Frederick County Animal Control to be treated by a veterinarian.
Love testified the dog wouldn't come back to him because the traffic scared him. He said he lives in the country, and Ranger is not used to noises.
He said he got Ranger from a springer spaniel rescue group, and had her for about two months before the incident.
Love said he did not petition the court to get Ranger back.
Assistant Public Defender Kevin Young said his client loved the dog.
He also argued that since his client was described as stumbling drunk, he could not have intended to mutilate or severely beat the dog.
But Assistant State's Attorney Kirsten Daggett said witnesses testified they saw him punching the dog as well as flogging and dragging it.
She said five empty beer bottles and a nearly-empty fifth of vodka were found in the truck, and witnesses who called police felt he was "wasted."
Judge Bower said he listened carefully to all the testimony, saying he believed the witnesses to be credible and true. He also said he was impressed that they took the time to get involved in the matter.
Ms. Daggett said it was Love's fourth alcohol-related offense.
Judge Bower sentenced Love to two years in prison for the felony cruelty offense, 90 days for the other and two years for the driving under the influence. The terms will be served concurrently.
Love also was fined $500 plus court costs on the alcohol charge, and given credit for four days he spent in jail.
Judge Bower said he would not stay the sentence for appeal, ordering that the term to begin immediately.
Love was led from the courtroom by Bailiff Alice Moore.
After the hearing, Ms. Daggett said Ranger, who was not seriously hurt, was adopted by a family.
The felony animal cruelty offense carries a maximum penalty of three years in prison.
Ms. Daggett lauded the witnesses, especially the boys, who testified. "They all did a terrific job."
If a Shar-pei or chihuahua growls at people, they think it's funny. It's not funny when it's a 75-80 pound Lab, or something even bigger.
My Lab is a little skinny shrimp (last time I weighed her she was 42 pounds, but eyeballing her I think she's up to about 46-47 now) but the first time she (as a puppy) growled a tiny growl at me when I took up her food dish, she was flat on her back with my one hand holding her mouth closed and the other on her throat before she knew what hit her. Now the kids can take her full food dish away from her and she will stand back politely and sit until they put it back down again.
You have to do whatever it takes to get the message across to a large dog, or that dog will be a menace.
Even my dog thinks little dogs are funny. My horse trainer has a tiny Jack Russell that flies at everything barking and snapping. Shelley just bends down her head and stares at her and she backs right off.
. . . all these Chinese dogs look alike to me . . .
I beg your ill-bred pardon! ;~D
Here's one Chinese dog that looks like nothing else on earth. Believe it or not, one actually competes in agility . . . I've seen it on the course.
If I want something absolutely useless and ornamental, I have three Siamese cats. (Of course, they're not really useless. We have never had mice, roaches, or any kind of creature in our house large enough for the cats to catch (they can't pick up the ants - but that's why they make DefCon ant bait).)
I have something I'd like to say to this brave and noble warrior......
The maggot in question may well be going down that road or may have arrived there with humans and/or animals for all we know.
So let him appeal, clean up the sentencing, and do his two years for being an irresponsible , drunken bastard who has menaced many with his vehicle and until now apparently has gotten away with it.
And pray that he never beats a dog in my presence.......
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