Case Snapshot
Case ID: 14410
Classification: Beating
Animal: bird (wildlife)
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Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior
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Attorneys/Judges
Prosecutor(s): Amy E. James
Defense(s): Steve Taylor
Judge(s): Colon Whitehurst


Images for this Case

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Monday, Jun 30, 2008

County: Chesapeake City

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Todd J. Thomas

Chesapeake Animal Control received a complaint that an individual had bludgeoned to death a mother Canada goose and five goslings at the Atlantic Yacht Basin. Animal Control Officer B. J. Williamson responded to this location to investigate on 6/30/08. He recovered the bodies of the six geese. ACO Williamson interviewed the suspect, Thomas J. Todd. Todd confessed to the killings, stating that he had been at work at the Yacht Basin and the mother goose had "set upon" him and had bitten him. Todd returned to the building and picked up a wooden club and a stack of crackers. After luring the geees close to him with the food, Todd and another suspect began striking them with the club. Todd provided a written confession to ACO Williamson.

ACO Williamson submitted the bodies of the geese to the Regional Laboratory in Ivor, Virginia. The official cause of death was determined to be "traumatic injuries resulting in fractures of the skull, ribs, and/or the long bones and internal hemorrhage and/or organ damage".

Todd was charged with 4 counts of cruelty to animals.

The cases were heard in Chesapeake General District Court Criminal Division on August 21, 2008, Docket Case Numbers GC 08-006697-00 through 6700-00.

As a result of a plea agreement, Todd pled guilty to 2 counts of cruelty. The 2 additional charges were nol prossed. Todd received 12 months in jail on each of the 2 guilty counts, with 11 months suspended on each. He will serve a total of 60 days in jail. The suspension of jail time is conditional upon 3 years good behavior and successful completion of anger management counseling. Todd was also fined $500 on each guilty count, and may not own or possess companion animals in the Commonwealth of Virginia.

A capias has been issued on the second defendant in the case.

References

  • Officer case file and reports

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