CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #14939 Rating: 2.5 out of 5
Dogs poisoned to death with antifreeze Madison, MS (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Sep 3, 2008 County: Madison
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Terrance Kendrick
Four of Sonya Johnson's dogs have died in the past year, along with two other dogs in her Madison County neighborhood.
Johnson said the man who lives across the street, Terrance Kendrick, mixed antifreeze with dog food and placed it in a culvert on county property, directly in front of Kendrick's home. An autopsy shows antifreeze poisoning killed Johnson's German Shepard.
"His name was Odie. He was great. He was eight months old," said Johnson. "All of [the dogs] were a big loss, they were all family."
Johnson charged Kendrick with animal cruelty for killing her German Shepard. She didn't press charges for the deaths of her other dogs because there was no autopsy to confirm the cause of their death.
Kendrick pleaded guilty in Madison County Justice Court. He said the dogs were vicious nuisances that often ran onto his property.
"I'm the victim here. I'm the one shelling out money. I just wanted the dogs off my property. I have a five-year-old and a one-year-old, and all I wanted to do was keep my kids safe," said Kendrick.
Madison County doesn't have leash laws for rural areas like Johnson's. Johnson said she normally doesn't keep her dogs on a leash, but told her neighbor to talk to her if he had any problems.
"There are other ways to take care of things than to break the law, than to poison [dogs]. Antifreeze poisoning is a very slow, painful death," said Johnson.
Kendrick said he never tried to speak to Johnson about her dogs, but called animal control several times. Kendrick said the dogs tried to bite him numerous times, chasing him into his home with their teeth exposed.
Johnson said that's not true.
"I wouldn't have a vicious dog. And I know he has children. I have children too. And I just wouldn't. They didn't," said Johnson.
Kendrick must pay a $100 fine as well as vet costs and court fees. Johnson said Kendrick could have faced a stiffer penalty, but she asked authorities not to send Kendrick to jail because he has a family.
Kendrick said he will press trespassing charges if Johnson's dogs come on to his property again. References |