Case Snapshot
Case ID: 13376
Classification: Mutilation/Torture, Shooting
Animal: cat
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Animal was offleash or loose
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Tuesday, Mar 4, 2008

County: Goshen

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: juvenile male

One juvenile has been charged in a recent case of animal cruelty in Torrington, according to Police Lieutenant Jeff Lamm, the officer in charge of the case.

Lamm was contacted March 4 by veterinarian Stephen Kerr, who told Lamm that a cat had been brought in to his office with 11 nails and four metal BB's stuck into it. The cat had to be euthanized.

Lamm said that investigation into the incident yielded a suspect. Because the suspect is a juvenile, no name has been released. The juvenile has been charged with animal cruelty and will be appearing in juvenile court.

Under Wyoming statutes, animal cruelty is a misdemeanor punishable by up to six months in prison and a fine of up to $750. Aggravated cruelty or a subsequent offense is a high misdemeanor and punishable by up to one year in prison and a fine of up to $5,000.

HB0046, recently signed by Gov. Dave Freudenthal, will make aggravated animal cruelty a felony. Aggravated cruelty is defined as "knowingly and with intent to cause death, injury or undue suffering, cruelly beats, tortures, torments, injures or mutilates an animal resulting in the death or required euthanasia of the animal." The charge will be punishable by up to two years in prison and a fine of up to $5,000. The act will come into effect July 1.

In juvenile court procedure, the suspect will make an initial appearance at which he or she can admit to or deny the charge. If the suspect admits to the charge, the judge will determine the sentence. If the suspect denies the charge the case will go to a full trial.

References

  • « WY State Animal Cruelty Map
    « More cases in Goshen County, WY

    Note: Classifications and other fields should not be used to determine what specific charges the suspect is facing or was convicted of - they are for research and statistical purposes only. The case report and subsequent updates outline the specific charges. Charges referenced in the original case report may be modified throughout the course of the investigation or trial, so case updates, when available, should always be considered the most accurate reflection of charges.

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