CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "People’s Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isn’t enough.
Case #12187 Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Dog thrown to the ground, kicked
Springfield, IL (US)Incident Date: Saturday, Jun 23, 2007
County: Sangamon
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Rodney Ettress
The Animal Protective League is seeking a new home for a young pit bull mix that was severely beaten in June by a Springfield man.
The Springfield-based APL, which advocates for injured, homeless and abused animals, took possession of the 1-year-old male dog this week, after its previous owner was convicted last month of animal cruelty in Sangamon County Circuit Court.
"When we hear about things like this, we want to make sure the animal has a human presence, an advocate," said Sharmin Doering, an APL executive board member and coordinator of the APL's humane investigation program.
The medium-sized brown dog, named Spencer, will be neutered at the APL's Spay/Neuter Clinic and will be able to leave the facility Aug. 10, Doering said. Prospective owners should visit the APL at 1001 Taintor Road to meet the animal and complete an adoption application.
A judge ruled July 25 that the dog's previous owner, Rodney Ettress, 24, of the 2600 block of Sherwood Avenue, must pay a $300 fine and pay restitution to the APL and cannot own any animals for one year.
According to a Springfield police report, Ettress was seen about 2:15 a.m. June 23 dragging the dog in the 1200 block of South 11th Street. When officers asked Ettress why he was dragging the dog, Ettress said, "Because he won't walk."
A witness who first notified police said Ettress earlier had kicked the pit bull. At least once, the witness said, Ettress lifted the dog over his head and threw it to the ground.
The dog was bleeding and unable to move because of numerous injuries, police said.
Spencer was cared for by Sangamon County Animal Control until APL took possession this week, Doering said. The APL learned of the dog's situation when an account of Ettress's arrest appeared in The State Journal-Register, and the organization followed the case through Ettress's sentencing.
Today, Spencer seems to be doing fine, and the APL is assessing his temperament in order to match him with a suitable family, Doering said.
"He was very sweet (when I saw him)," she said. "He's kind of short and stocky, which I didn't expect. When you hear 'pit mix,' you think he's going to be all legs. But he's kind of his own little dog." References
« More cases in Sangamon County, IL
|
