Puppy beaten to death with shovel, wooden board
Lake City, FL (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jun 19, 2009
County: Columbia

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Jerry David Barker, Jr.

Jerry David Barker, Jr. , 26, is being held without bond at the County Detention Facility on charges of felony animal cruelty and child abuse.

Barker is accused of beating an 8-month-old puppy to death in the presence of two young children (under the age of 14).

The Sheriff's Deputies report that Barker tried to get the young boys to participate in the beating, but they refused.

The incident began when two young boys were playing with their puppy in their yard and the puppy nipped at one of the boys.

Barker became enraged and began to kick and beat the puppy relentlessly. He tied the puppy up and beat him with a shovel, a nail studded board and a garden hose. It is alleged that Barker tied the puppy to a tree and beat it until the puppy died. He allegedly buried the remains in the yard. Investigators recovered the remains and sent them for an autopsy by a veterinary specialist.

According to the report, Barker lived in the residence with these children and he is the boyfriend of their mother. He is not the father of the children.

Both children have been referred for counseling.

References

• Lake City Journal - June 19, 2009

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