Man gets 1-year sentence in hatchet attack
A Washington state man who attacked his neighbor’s dog with a hatchet and tried to strangle it with wire was sentenced to six months in jail Monday
On top of the jail sentence, he was ordered to spend an additional six months on electronic home monitoring and pay the golden retriever’s veterinary bills, which amounted to $5,000, the Bellingham Herald reported.
The judge also banned Knowles from owning pets or having animals in his house.
At the sentencing, Knowles apologized to the dog’s owners, who since have moved out of state.
Deputy prosecuting attorney Dione Hauger said she asked for the maximum sentence “based on the brutality of the actual crime … on the thought and premeditation that went into it. And it was based on the fact that this was a fairly vulnerable victim.”
Knowles was arrested in March after police found the 3-year-old dog, named Kona, tied to a pole in his garage. Police said he lured Kona to his property with treats. The dog has since recovered from the injuries, which included a skull fracture and broken jaw.
Knowles had reportedly complained to Kona’s owner in the past about the dog’s barking.
At the sentencing, Knowles said the act wasn’t premeditated. “I just couldn’t take the noise any longer,” he said. “He was barking and I just snapped. I can’t explain it.” (Video from the hearing is included in this KBOI report.)
During a search of Knowles’ home, authorities found blood-splattered cutting tools, a hammer, a bloody garbage can and dog treats.
Posted by jwoestendiek September 19th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: abuse, animal cruelty, animals, attack, barking, court, cruelty to animals, dog, dogs, golden retriever, hatchet, judge, kona, neighbor, one year, orting, pets, ricky lee knowles, sentence, washington, wire
Comments
Comment from Rox
Time September 19, 2012 at 11:37 am
Smoketoomuch maybe you are smoking something that gives you a mellow because I’m about to harsh that mellow – there is NO WAY that the miniscule “punishment” meted out to this waste of planetary oxygen is a “loud and clear” message. Six months in jail will only fuel a burning revenge for the people who put him behind bars – not “teach” him any lessons. Pay the vet bill?What a joke. Unless the perp owns something that can be levied on (which costs more court fees and lawyer fees) he won’t be working while lounging in a three-squares-and-a-bed hotel paid for by taxpayers so won’t likely have any money to pay that vet bill – now or ever. Supposedly Washington State has improved its anti-cruelty laws – ROFL if that’s all Washington can do to this evil incarnate entity. And I don’t see that the “judiciary action” included a psych evaluation – and that’s despite long years of solid science-based and crime-statistics-based evidence that these violent offenders against animals progress to humans. Maybe the guy gets out of jail in six months and the next thing that makes him snap is a human baby crying too long or too loud at the mall. Just sayin.’ Think about it.
Comment from Carol
Time September 19, 2012 at 11:40 am
I have no words. People like this don’t deserve oxygen.
Comment from jwoestendiek
Time September 19, 2012 at 2:23 pm
Smoketoomuch didn’t seem to be commenting on this specific sentence or the length thereof — at least as I read his comment. So I’m not sure he had a mellow in need of harshing.
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time September 20, 2012 at 9:06 am
“Mellow”? – if only!
We see far too many of these cases where virtually NOTHING happens to the “Perp”, the implication being: “it’s only a dog” like the guy who murdered 12 or 13 Italian Greyhound pups and then got off with NO jail time whatsoever. Rox, I understand your undies are in a bunch over this cretin’s actions, (as are my own, and those of all feeling, caring people capable of empathy) but I don’t believe that you’ve singled out the correct target for your rage.
J.W. seems to have understood my meaning correctly, sorry if you missed it.
Comment from susan
Time October 20, 2012 at 7:28 am
hi I’ve just come across a video on YouTube of men burning a puppy alive am in totally shock of what i just seen i just thought it was some kind of sick joke but its not its just horrible the poor litttle guy!!! here’s the title of the video
Puppy burned alive [REAL VIDEO]
and the channel name is icecake27
these people should be found a punished its not like they can deny it
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time September 19, 2012 at 7:56 am
Judicial ACTION is exactly what is needed in cases like this… Send a Loud & Clear message that behavior of this type is CRIMINAL and will not be tolerated.