Attorneys/Judges
| Prosecutor(s): | Erin P. Moloney | | Defense(s): | Daniel Q. Mahone | | Judge(s): | Oliver John Cejka Jr |
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #14660 Rating: 3.5 out of 5
Dog injured while entangled in chain
Brunswick, MD (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jul 15, 2008
County: Frederick
Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Daniel George McDonald, III
A Brunswick man expressed gratitude Wednesday [Oct 1, 2008] to neighbors who called 911 when they saw his dog being strangled, entangled in a five-pound padlocked chain.
"What has been learned here is that we must be very careful how we treat our pets," Frederick County District Court Judge Oliver John Cejka Jr. said, finding Daniel George McDonald III guilty of causing injury to a restrained dog.
"We must be doubly careful how we restrain them so they not be injured. This dog was injured," Cejka said of Rimshot, a 13-year-old black male chow that was left outside, chained and unattended, on July 15.
McDonald, 51, apologized for injuries Rimshot suffered when he became entangled in his leash.
The dog was in severe distress with blood in his mouth. The chain around his neck was so tight it appeared embedded in his skin, according to court documents filed by Animal Control Officer Michael Douglas.
"I've punished myself probably more than the court could ever do," McDonald said Wednesday, accepting an earlier court ruling against giving his dog back. Days after animal control officers seized Rimshot, McDonald petitioned the court to have his impounded pet returned. Cejka denied the petition Sept. 15.
McDonald's case is the first conviction in Frederick County on an entanglement charge, Animal Control Director Harold Domer said.
"I've disappointed my family, and I've lost my dog. He's been a part of my family for about 13 years," McDonald said.
In an agreement reached by defense attorney Daniel Q. Mahone and Assistant State's Attorney Erin P. Moloney, McDonald pleaded guilty to the entanglement charge. Two other animal cruelty charges were dropped.
Until Wednesday, McDonald's criminal record was clean, except for a minor drug possession conviction in the early 1990s.
Cejka followed Moloney's recommendation for a 90-day suspended sentence. He also imposed three years of probation - and prohibited McDonald from caring for animals during that time.
Cejka ordered McDonald to pay $325 in restitution to the Jefferson Veterinary Hospital. Rimshot received emergency treatment for open sores, swelling and redness around his neck.
Brunswick Police Department officers responded to neighbors' 3:40 p.m. 911 call. The neighbors had found the dog's chain was wound so tight, Rimshot could not fully stand up or lie down.
Unable to free the endangered animal, police had fire rescue officials bring bolt cutters to save the dog.
"Once the dog was free, he drank water and greeted all of the visitors to his yard," Douglas wrote.
With Wednesday's court case resolved, Rimshot is available for adoption, Domer said. One person already has expressed interest. References« MD State Animal Cruelty Map
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