Man Sentenced to Time in Jail for Dog Abuse
www.timesreporter.com
By STEPHANIE CORBIN
Septmember 24, 2004, NEW PHILADELPHIA, OHIO--John J. Myers Jr. of New Philadelphia, accused of nearly beating a puppy to death in June, pleaded no contest to animal cruelty and obstructing official business in New Philadelphia Municipal Court Thursday.
The 25-year-old Myers of 4476 Moravian Church Rd. was found guilty by Magistrate Bill Green and sentenced to 30 days in the county jail for each charge.
Two other charges, drug abuse and drug possession, were dismissed because two felony drug charges are pending against him.
Myers’ sentence was part of a plea bargain that included paying a $576 veterinarian bill for the puppy and court fees and pleading no contest.
As part of the sentencing, dog warden Karen Slough described how the puppy looked on June 9 when she arrived at the 5th St. NE, New Philadelphia, residence where the beating occurred.
Slough said the puppy was covered in blood and cowering in a corner.
“It was pretty bad,” she said.
Dr. Dale Duerr of Town and Country Veterinary Clinic said the puppy’s injuries – including a broken jaw – were comparable to the trauma of being hit by a car.
Myers, who is now a college student studying psychology, said he took responsibility for his actions.
“Hitting the dog was very wrong,” he said. “I reacted badly.”
Myers also said he fed and watered the puppy because its owner didn’t.
“It was totally wrong of me to do that, but it wasn’t meant to hurt the animal,” he said.
After the hearing, Slough said the puppy, a 9-month-old Labrador retriever mix, has a good home and took about a month to heal from the injuries.
The puppy had been chained in front of the 5th St. NE residence, and a neighbor called to report the beating.
