I’m not quibbling about anything. I didn’t say anything about mitigating factors. Nothing mitigates the kicking.
“I’m not quibbling about anything. “
Your posts give me the impression that you are. Perhaps I’m mistaken.
Your point that the leash may or may not have been used is only relevant to the punishment phase of a trial. It doesn’t change what he did, only the severity of it.
He abused public property. Anyone else would be charged with assault and animal abuse. Forget firing, he should be charged. And while we’re at it we should look to his superiors that failed to take significant and meaningful action until this because a public spectacle.