Moss Point Man Convicted in Dog-neglect Case
By Nicholas Cole of The Sun Herald (Mississippi)
November 20, 2003 - City Judge Maxine Conway on Wednesday found Roosevelt Armstrong guilty of not properly feeding or providing water for a shepherd he was using as a watchdog.
Conway, who ordered Armstrong to pay a $255 fine and did not allow him to keep the dog, was expected to render a ruling at the end of the trial last week but was delayed by a change in the charge against Armstrong.
Instead of animal cruelty, Armstrong was charged Wednesday under the state law that makes "failure to feed or sustain an animal" illegal. The maximum penalty under the law is $500 and six months in jail.
Animal Control Officer Daryl Tart confiscated a shepherd from Baggett Auto Sales on Grierson Street on Oct. 8 and issued a citation to Armstrong. During testimony last week, Tart told Conway the dog was chained to a car in the yard and had no water. There were uneaten chicken bones nearby, but the dog was too weak to stand.
Sally Davidson, Jackson County animal shelter caretaker, said the shepherd appeared to be 6 years old and came in weighing 28 pounds with what appeared to be burns on its head and ears that had been chewed up in some way. A veterinarian diagnosed the dog with severe hookworm infestation.
Armstrong, who last week chose to defend himself without an attorney, had acquired Pascagoula attorney Calvin Taylor for Wednesday's hearing, but Taylor didn't show up.
Conway, however, allowed city prosecutor Haidee Sheffield to proceed with the case, though Armstrong said he thought Conway was being unfair.
"If everyone else can get to court, then Mr. Taylor can to," Conway told Armstrong. "Mr. Taylor has not called or asked for a continuance, so we will go ahead."
Armstrong said he would appear the ruling.
Sheffield said, "This is a victory for mistreated animals. The punishment isn't too tough even if he had gotten the maximum, but I'm glad he's not getting the dog back."
