CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #1359 Rating: 3.2 out of 5
Macaw's leg and beak broken, claimed self-defense
Newport Beach, CA (US)Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 2, 2003
County: Orange
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Anthony James Ellis
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
The owner of a macaw faces animal cruelty and abuse charges for allegedly breaking the bird's leg and beak. Anthony James Ellis, 52, of Newport Beach claimed he acted in self defense when he tripped and the bird started biting him, Michelle Emard, a spokeswoman for the Orange County district attorney's office, said Tuesday.
An attorney for Ellis told a judge at a hearing that his client acted in self-defense during the March 2 attack, Emard said. Ellis has owned the bird for 11 years and it is a mascot for the Newport Harbor Elks Lodge, she said.
Ellis is due in court May 19 for a pretrial hearing. He faces up to three years in prison if convicted of the felony charges. However, the charges could be reduced to misdemeanors. Prosecutors are seeking forfeiture of the bird and restitution for the $3,500 in cost for treating the bird, Emard said.
The macaw remains in the care of Newport Beach animal control workers, Emard said.
Case UpdatesEllis was given the option of doing 960 hours of community service and taking anger management classes instead of going to jail.
Ellis who was facing up to 3 years in state prison, accepted the deal.
Judge Suzanne Shaw also sentenced Ellis to 3 years of formal probation during which time he cannot drink alcohol or own a pet. He must also pay $3,577.23 to the Newport Beach Police Department to pay for the bird's veterinary bills.
The macaw suffered a fractured leg, a broken beak and a swollen spleen as a result of the beating he suffered from Ellis.
Ellis had come to court on Friday, June 11th with a newly-hired lawyer to file a motion for a new trial, but changed his mind after he heard about the sentence.
The macaw, named Johnny, is doing well and has been adopted. | | Update posted on Jun 14, 2004 - 10:35AM |
June 11, 2004 -- Anthony James Ellis, 53, had been sentenced to 120 days in jail but Orange County Superior Court Judge Susanne Shaw said she would allow him to complete the sentence as community service.
Shaw also ruled that Ellis must pay $3,577.26 in restitution for surgery and care of the bird and cannot have pets or consume alcohol during three years of probation.
Ellis was convicted April 27 of felony animal cruelty and abuse of an animal. | | Update posted on Jun 13, 2004 - 5:59PM |
To let Judge Glass know that, in the interests of preserving the safety of the community-including both human and nonhuman members-it is imperative to impose severe sentences on animal abusers.
The Honorable Geoffrey T. Glass
Judge of the Orange County Superior Court
4601 Jamboree Rd.
Newport Beach, CA 92660
(949) 476-4789
(949) 476-4781
gglass@occourts.org | | Update posted on Jun 8, 2004 - 4:21AM |
| Ellis was convicted on Tuesday, April 27 2004 of felony animal cruelty and abuse of an ainimal. He will be sentenced on June 11th. | | Update posted on Jun 2, 2004 - 11:25AM |
References- Herald Tribune
- Local6
- NewYorkTimes
- The Chicago Tribune
- The Los Angeles Times
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