Dog poisoned with antifreeze, kicked
Somerset, KY (US)Incident Date: Tuesday, Jun 30, 2009
County: Pulaski
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Dismissed
Person of Interest: Robert Suttles
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
It was near a trailer north of Somerset, earlier this summer, where people say they witnessed what they believe was animal torture.
"I saw him dip the bread in antifreeze..he put it in the dog's mouth..and he clamped the dog's mouth shut," says a woman who witnessed the alleged abuse, but didn't want to be identified.
"He walked over and looked at the dog, shook its head....and took his foot and and started stomping the dog," she said.
The black lab, Browser, died. Warrants were issued and the owner, Robert Suttles was arrested.
Suttles is charged with 2nd degree cruelty to animals, which is a misdemeanor, but those with the Pulaski County Humane Society feel like the charges should be stronger.
Based on Romeo's Law, which came from another Pulaski County abuse case, humane society members are pushing for a stiffer charge and penalty.
"So he can be charged with a felony, which means he could serve up to 5 years in prison, which is what we want," said Cindy Druin, a society member.
The witness says she would have tried to put a stop to the abuse on Browser, but an unrelated legal matter with the dog owner prevented her from entering his property. Still, she says Sutttles should face the consequences of his alleged actions.
"What went through my mind, I couldn't believe someone would do something this horrible...this dog loved this guy," she said.
Robert Suttles is scheduled for a jury trial in Pulaski District Court on August 28th.
Case UpdatesA man who allegedly poisoned his pet dog in front of neighbors earlier this year saw his case dismissed in Pulaski District Court this week.
Robert Suttles, 50, of Somerset, was charged in August with torture of a dog or cat, which is a class D felony, in connection with a June incident in which he allegedly gave his pet dog, Bowser, antifreeze in front of neighbors. The dog reportedly died over a period of two days.
On Monday, Pulaski District Judge Jeffrey Lawless dismissed the case, which will proceed by indictment only.
According to state law, district court does not hold any jurisdiction over a felony case if the defendant has not been indicted within 60 days from the date of the preliminary hearing. By law, that case must be dismissed and the defendant released from jail if he or she has not posted bond already.
Suttles posted bond and was released from the Pulaski County Detention Center earlier this month.
The incident began on June 30 when Suttles, reportedly angry that his neighbors had called 911 emergency and law enforcement personnel repeatedly to report that he wasn't feeding or watering Bowser, a Labrador mix, forced "a rolled up piece of bread which had to contain anti-freeze or some type of poison, down the dog's throat," according to the citation obtained from the Pulaski County courthouse.
According to that document, Bowser immediately "laid down and never got back up."
The dog died on July 2, two days after the poisoning, after Suttles allegedly "kicked the dog in the head several times while it was ... dying," according to the citation.
Suttles then dragged the dog to a burn barrel and burned it, according to the citation. It's uncertain whether the dog was alive or dead when it was burned.
Suttles allegedly harassed his neighbors after the incident by driving up his driveway and barking.
Suttles' felony charges can still be brought up, but only in the form of a grand jury indictment. If he were to be found guilty of the felony charge, Suttles would receive one to five years in jail and he would be required to forfeit any animals he may own. His future ownership of animals would also be restricted.
Harassment charges against Suttles are still proceeding through the court system, and motions connected with that case may be filed on Nov. 19 in Pulaski District Court. | Source: somerset-kentucky.com - Nov 6, 2009
Update posted on Sep 26, 2011 - 7:23PM |
Charges handed down on a man who allegedly poisoned and kicked his pet dog to death in front of neighbors have been upgraded.
Robert Suttles, 50, of Somerset, appeared before Judge Katie Wood in Pulaski County District Court Thursday and saw his second-degree animal cruelty charge, a class A misdemeanor, upgraded to torture of a dog or cat, which is a class D felony.
That charge is based on an incident that allegedly began on June 30 when Suttles, reportedly angry that his neighbors had called 911 emergency and law enforcement personnel repeatedly to report that he wasn’t feeding or watering his dog, Bowser, a Labrador mix, forced “a rolled up piece of bread which had to contain anti-freeze or some type of poison, down the dog’s throat,” according to the citation obtained from the Pulaski County courthouse.
According to that document, Bowser immediately “laid down and never got back up.”
The dog died on July 2, two days after the poisoning, after Suttles allegedly “kicked the dog in the head several times while it was ... dying,” according to the citation.
Suttles then dragged the dog to a burn barrel and burned it, according to the citation. It’s uncertain whether the dog was alive or dead when it was burned.
Suttles allegedly harassed his neighbors after the incident by driving up his driveway and barking.
Should he be found guilty of the felony charge, Suttles would receive one to five years in jail and he would be required to forfeit any animals he may own. His future ownership of animals would also be restricted.
Animal rights activists who have been closely following the case are asking that Suttles undergo a psychological evaluation as well.
Suttles is still being held in the Pulaski County Detention Center on a $7,500 bond. | Source: Commonwealthy Journal - Aug 27, 2009
Update posted on Aug 30, 2009 - 8:40PM |
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