Man gets 2 years in prison for whipping his pet dog

Frederick News Post ^ | Thursday, March 18 2004 | Susan C. Nicol

[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."

[American_Centurion]

Outrageous miscarriage of justice! The only thing that saves the stupidity of the sentance is that he happens to be serving two deserved years for DUI concurrently.

"After the hearing, Ms. Daggett said Ranger, who was not seriously hurt, was adopted by a family." A felony charge for not seriously hurting the animal, that really should read "wasn't hurt at all".

Look out folks, this country has gone mad.

[rageaholic]

Hell if that were MY dog he whipped, I'd say the man got off too easy

[End Times Sentinel]

He also argued that since his client was described as stumbling drunk, he could not have intended to mutilate or severely beat the dog.

 

The stumbling drunk defense didn't work for me when I picked a fight with those firemen, and it didn't work for him either.  Let that be a lesson to the rest of you.

Owl_Eagle

" WAR IS PEACE
FREEDOM IS SLAVERY
DIVERSITY IS STRENGTH"

[American_Centurion]

It wasn't yours, it was his, and it "wasn't seriously hurt", a statement trying to make it sound like it was hurt.

If the dog was hurt they would have a laundry list of injuries to use during the prosecution, but they don't.

Remember that when you're charged with a felony for nothing.

[verity]

Do you own a dog?

[American_Centurion]

He certainly deserved everything he got for the drunk charge.

I take issue with a felony conviction that doesn't involve serious harm to the animal.

[American_Centurion]

I own two, I don't kick, beat, or whip them.

But you read as well as I do, and you know if the dog had needed any treatment at all, the injuries would be listed, they weren't.

The guy is an ass, but being an ass isn't a felony.

[kittymyrib]

While in Galveston, Texas, one can shoot and dismember one's neighbor and get off scott free....amazing.

[American_Centurion]

There are groups of people, large ones, who believe that animals have more rights than people. Their ideology has infected our justice system, and poisioned many peoples ability to apply reasonable outrage to a situation.

Everyone will be a frickin felon in 25 years.

[Varda]

"I take issue with a felony conviction that doesn't involve serious harm to the animal."

Ditto, he didn't injure the dog but got a felony conviction. This is animal rights wackoism run amuck.

[LivingNet]

Used to be a time when you could kill your own dog and eat it if you wanted to. Animals are not human beings and this was the man's own dog - not someone elses. Animals are a person's property to do with as they wish. Harm someone else's animal/property and that is a whole other ballgame.

[INSENSITIVE GUY]

Well,the only way to teach somebody like that a lesson they will never forget is to give them the same kind of beating.The guy was drunken trash.

[freekitty]

I have other forms of punishment for this guy.

[HairOfTheDog]

Look out folks, this country has gone mad.

I probably agree.

But Assistant State's Attorney Kirsten Daggett said witnesses testified they saw him punching the dog as well as flogging and dragging it.

I had a pretty strong willed Labrador with a pretty high tolerance for pain when he wanted to do something his way, like run off where he might find sex, for example. I loved the dog, but when he was young, I didn't get good work out of him hunting until he had been thumped on ~but good~ that day.

I am sure the scene when I had to run him down, especially in a dangerous traffic situation, was not pretty to look at. And beating a dog that ran from you will always make them run again if they get beat only when they get caught.

The guy needs out of prison first, then he needs to have the dog secure in the back of the truck at all times.... never loose. Then he needs to train with a remote electric collar. It ~saved~ me and my runnin' lab. It not only works, but it looks and is a whole lot more humane than a beating.

[American_Centurion]

I have serious doubts that there was anything that could be accuately descibed as a beating involved here.

But a few lashes would have been more appropriate.

[HairOfTheDog]

Animals are a person's property to do with as they wish.

Your ideal maybe, but that isn't what the law says. Abuse, neglect and cruelty should be punishable, and animals should be able to be taken from bad situations. But we need to be more careful in defining cruelty.

[American_Centurion]

The training collars are by far the best method of correction for a strong willed animal.

They don't even realize that it's you, they just learn that disobedience makes the shock happen. Have you ever shocked yourself with it? It's not bad, kinda like static electricity shock, but it keeps repeating.

[sinkspur]

Animals are a person's property to do with as they wish.

Nope. Not in Texas. Abuse your own animal, you're a felon.

And, that's as it should be.

[American_Centurion]

What is the definition of abuse?

Animal abuse exists when an animal is suffering, I don't think this man crossed that line. Real abuse should be prosecuted by law.

[American_Centurion]

The line for cruelty has been drawn so close to simple scolding it scares me.

Felony abuse, should be along the lines of long term neglect and torture.

This didn't come close.