Man who killed tenant's cats acquitted of cruelty charge

CNN ^ | Aug 22

[wallcrawlr]

FREDERICK, Maryland (AP) -- A landlord who shot and killed two cats after a tenant refused to get rid of them was acquitted of felony charges, the first court test of a new Maryland law designed to stiffen penalties for animal cruelty.

[wallcrawlr]

Here is a definition of necessary.

Although the state prohibits inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering on animals, it allows killing them humanely for food processing, hunting, scientific research, pest control, and agricultural practices.

[Khepera]

Good. Didn't sound cruel to me either.

[Ben Bolt]

Well now .. Looks like more caselaw defending the rights of private property owners . To bad the adults could not seem to work it out , but bump for private property rights !

[1Old Pro]

Although the state prohibits inflicting unnecessary pain and suffering on animals, it allows killing them humanely for food processing, hunting, scientific research, pest control, and agricultural practices.

Aren't humans "animals". I know some who are real pests too.

[kjam22]

Assistant State's Attorney Laura Corbett said the cats were "unnecessarily, unjustifiably and, therefore, cruelly killed."

Only a lawyer could argue that point. If you poled 100 people on the street and asked them the meaning of cruel. I doubt 1 out of 100 would say "unnecessary", or "unjustifed".

[Ben Bolt]

Was THAT necessary ? ;)... Just Kidding .

[billbears]

According to court testimony, he told Ritch five times to get rid of the cats or he would do it for her because they were reducing the home's value by damaging the walls and carpets.

So instead of evicting this person or threatening the tenant with payment of damage done by the cats, Grossnickle kills them with a 12 gauge shotgun? I don't care what kind of cats these were, there is no way a massive amount of damage that could not be easily repaired and paid for by the tenant was done. I suggest a punishment for Mr. Grossnickle would be a pair of broken legs and left in the forest to find his way home

[primeval patriot]

A judge ruled that Eric Grossnickle destroyed the cats in a legally acceptable manner when he blasted them with a 12-gauge shotgun.

Too funny.

He was using a 12-gauge 'cause he didn't want to get too close. Them domestic house-cats are highly venomous.

[LibWhacker]

Don't know Maryland law, but this seems unnecessary to me; i.e., couldn't he evict the tenant?

[Shooter 2.5]

I think that when someone is told five times to do something and they don't do it, another form of communication is needed.
That's a lesson I learned with dealing with my wife and with children.

[Shooter 2.5]

I think that when someone is told five times to do something and they don't do it, another form of communication is needed.
That's a lesson I learned with dealing with my wife and with children.

[FreeTally]

Grossnickle was also acquitted of theft, but convicted on two counts of malicious destruction of property, a misdemeanor punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $1,000 fine.

I would have evicted the tenant too, but it seems as if the man was convicted under the applicable law for killing the cats. He just wasn't convicted of animal cruelty. I have always been against prosecutors lumping on several charges for one action, in hopes a jury will convict the person of something. Malicious destruction of property appears to be the proper charge here.

[steve-b]

I think that when someone is told five times to do something and they don't do it, another form of communication is needed.

The government has been told far more than five times to start abiding by the Constitution. What alternative communications channel do you recommend?

[ArrogantBustard]

I suggest a punishment for Mr. Grossnickle would be a pair of broken legs and left in the forest to find his way home

Wow. It only took 8 posts.

I've spent several years as an 'amateur' landlord. It ain't fun. Many of my tenants were lying, thieving, property damaging, check-bouncing scum of the Earth. Eviction can be a pain in the @$$, unless they fall behind on rent. The cats, and their @$$hole of an owner are lucky he used the 12ga.

AB

[Apollo]

no way a massive amount of damage that could not be easily repaired and paid for by the tenant was done.

You obviously do not own any rental properties. I do and I can assure you that many tenants have trouble paying the rent, much less $5000 or $6000 to paint and replace carpets. Taking someone to court to collect may get you a judgement, but it won't get you the money.

[ArrogantBustard]

Taking someone to court to collect may get you a judgement, but it won't get you the money.

Absolutely. Walk into your bank with a judgement, and try to deposit it, and they'll just laugh... Even doing credit and reference checks on these jerks is no guarantee. Finally sold the friggin' house. Tenants suck.

[trebb]

"So instead of evicting this person or threatening the tenant with payment of damage done by the cats, Grossnickle kills them with a 12 gauge shotgun? I don't care what kind of cats these were, there is no way a massive amount of damage that could not be easily repaired and paid for by the tenant was done. I suggest a punishment for Mr. Grossnickle would be a pair of broken legs and left in the forest to find his way home"

Except for the fact that taken to the courts, the cats would've died of old age before he got any satisfaction about evicting the tenant and forget forcing her to pay for the damage not only to the property, but to the business because of the effects on other tenants.

[steve-b]

According to court testimony, he told Ritch five times to get rid of the cats or he would do it for her because they were reducing the home's value by damaging the walls and carpets.

He'd better be able to document this. If not, I expect he'll get the full 90 days and $1000.

[45Auto]

Grossnickle destroyed the cats in a legally acceptable manner when he blasted them with a 12-gauge shotgun.

That's my definition of "Terminated With Extreme Prejudice."