Iowa man gets probation for fatally shooting dog Christmas Eve

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.omaha.com/article/20130528/NEWS/705299976/1707#iowa-man-gets-probation-for-fatally-shooting-dog-christmas-eve

Published Tuesday, May 28, 2013 at 2:19 pm / Updated at 10:07 pm

By Andrew J. Nelson
WORLD-HERALD STAFF WRITER

ATLANTIC, Iowa — The man who shot and killed a year-old chocolate Labrador on Christmas Eve will spend a few hours of every week over the next year working for the Atlantic Humane Society.

District Judge James Richardson sentenced Charles Collins Cutler of nearby Marne to a year of probation Tuesday.

Richardson suspended a two-year prison sentence on the animal abuse charge, a misdemeanor. Cutler, 57, must also provide the dog's owner, Stacey Ernat of Denver, with a new dog of the same or equivalent breed and surrender his guns during probation.

In announcing the sentence, Richardson noted that Cutler's behavior on Dec. 24 was out of character.

FULL story at link.

[dballance]

1. Sounds Like a Resonable Sentence. I'd have given him 2 years probation though.

I don't see how society or the dog owners would be served by locking this guy up for two years. If, during his probation, he does it again then that's another matter where I'd come down hard on him.

I would have made his probation and community service run the same length as the prison sentence could have been though. Just to remind him every day for two years he could be behind bars.

On background: I am, and just about always have been, a dog owner. I think it was despicable for him to shoot the dog. But I also think we have enough people locked up in the US and locking him up won't bring the dog back and our prison system is hardly made to reform people so I doubt it would help this guy. Working at the humane society will likely do a lot more toward rehabilitating him than warehousing him behind bars for two years.

[flvegan]

2. Cousin-fucker goes free, yeehaw!

Want to know what's wrong with this country? Read the article. Animal abuse is a misdemeanor. Shotgunning a dog of no concern, but an inconvenience is okay. Just buy them a new one.

Fucking inbred.

I still get to call convicted animal abusers names here on DU, right?

[Deep13]

3. Seriously? A felony for killing an animal? nt

[Omaha Steve]

4. Do you own a dog or cat?

IF so are they family members to you?

[leftyladyfrommo]

5. Animal abuse should be a felony.

People's pets are members of the family.

If someone harmed one of my dogs I would be out for blood.