Dog left out in sub-zero temperatures
Portsmouth, NH (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Jan 21, 2007
County: Rockingham
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Acquitted
Person of Interest: Katherine Schultze
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A Rockland Street woman plans to turn herself into police on an animal cruelty charge on Feb 5, 2007 based on allegations that her boxer, Rocky, was left out unattended in sub-zero temperatures.
Katherine Schultze, 28, disputes the allegations, and said arrangements were made for the dog's care and the charges "don't match" the evidence.
Police were called to the 293 Rockland St. home, built by Schultze's grandparents in the 1930s, at 8:30 a.m. on Jan. 21. Police records indicate a neighbor reported a howling dog was left out overnight in frigid temperatures.
Responding officers brought the dog in for an emergency veterinary examination, then to the N.H. Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, before it was returned to Schultze within 24 hours. A subsequent investigation by the city's animal control officer and police prosecutor led to a warrant for Schultze's arrest being issued Feb 2 evening.
Schultze said on Feb 4 that she was notified of the warrant on Feb 2 and has arranged to turn herself in on Feb 5.
"Why do they want to arrest me, fingerprint me and transport me to the court to post bail?" she asked. "There's no evidence supporting these charges."
Earlier in the investigation, Lt. Fred Hoysradt said the dog was diagnosed as undernourished and exhibiting signs of hypothermia. Schultze said her dog is 15 pounds heavier than the norm for a boxer, and she was told the dog's temperature and vital signs were normal during the veterinary exam initiated by police. Rocky's "feet were a bit chilly" was the only report she said she's heard to indicate her dog was harmed.
Regarding reports that the dog was shaking due to frigid temperatures, Schultze said her boxer is accustomed to wearing an electronic collar that prevents him from wandering off the property and shakes when coaxed to cross the property line. She also said it's likely he shook because he was confronted by strangers.
Police say an investigation revealed the dog was not left out overnight, but when he was confiscated, the temperature was three degrees below zero with the wind-chill factor. Schultze said she made arrangements for the dog to be cared for by others, and the length of time the dog was left outside remains in dispute.
She is expected to be arrested on Feb 5 on a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge and a violation of the city's barking ordinance.
Schultze also disputes the barking complaint, stating the city ordinance says a neighbor must keep a log of a barking dog for seven days for a barking nuisance complaint to be brought forth. She also cites other area animal cruelty and neglect cases that did not lead to arrests and wonders why hers is.
"I'm looking forward to getting to the bottom of this," she said.
Case Updates| Katherine Schultze was found not guilty of animal cruelty. | | Update posted on Feb 3, 2009 - 9:35PM |
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