New features are coming soon. Login with Facebook to get an early start and help us test them out!
Images for this Case
CONVICTED: Was justice served?
more information on voting
When you vote, you are voting on whether or not the punishment fit the crime, NOT on the severity of the case itself. If you feel the sentence was very weak, you would vote 1 star. If you feel the sentence was very strong, you would vote 5 stars.
Please vote honestly and realistically. These ratings will be used a a tool for many future programs, including a "Peoples Choice" of best and worst sentencing, DA and judge "report cards", and more. Try to resist the temptation to vote 1 star on every case, even if you feel that 100 years in prison isnt enough.
Case #16140 Rating: 1.8 out of 5
Puppy set on fire, left to die
Greensboro, NC (US)Incident Date: Thursday, Aug 20, 2009
County: Guilford
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 4 files available
Defendant/Suspect: LaShawn Demaro Whitehead
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A shocking case of animal cruelty was finally solved in North Carolina and a man was arrested for burning a dog and leaving it to die. That man's mother though said that he didn't mean to do it.
LaShawn Whitehead, 20, confessed Monday to burning the 3-month-old shepherd pit bill mix and leaving it to die in Greenfield Park in Greensboro, N.C. in late August 2009.
"In my heart [I know] he didn't mean to do it," said Sally Laws. "He just broke down in the room and said 'Mom, sorry I'm sorry.' And I said 'Why did you do it?' and he said 'I thought the puppy jumped on the baby.' He thought the puppy was going to attack the baby, his newborn son," recounted Laws.
Laws said Whitehead lived with his girlfriend and their baby and the dog belonged to his girlfriend.
"He has a lot of mental issues going on with him. He had a brother get hit by a car and he died in his arms, so he's got a whole lot of mental issues going on with him right now." said Laws about her son.
Now the puppy, who's been named Susie, is recovering at a foster family's house from her injuries, which include burns covering more than 60 percent of its body, missing ears, teeth, and a broken jaw.
"There are so many more options," said Guilford County animal shelter director Marsha Williams. She also added that Susie serves as an advocate for animal abuse.
Williams hopes others can learn from this incident and know there are other options, than abusing a pet.
"She's been such a wonderful pet and she's been a spokesperson for animal abuse. We're hoping that people are going to see her and think about that before they decide to do something so cruel to another animal."
The Greensboro News & Record reported that Whitehead has been charged with felony animal cruelty and burning personal property. He is being held at the Guilford County jail in Greensboro on a $5,000 bond. His first court appearance is set for Tuesday.
Case UpdatesThe man who beat and set a mixed-breed pit bull puppy on fire last August received six to eight months in prison for the act in court Monday afternoon.
Lashawn Whitehead, 21, pleaded guilty to burning personal property and felony animal cruelty.
The dog, later named Susie, was found near death in Greenfield Park in south Greensboro by a man walking his dogs on Aug. 20.
The dog was covered in maggots, had burns over 60 percent of her body and had a broken jaw and teeth.
She was taken to the Guilford County Animal Shelter and through an adoptive family was nursed back to health.
Whitehead turned himself in and admitted to the crime in November. | Source: News-record.com - Mar 1, 2010
Update posted on Mar 8, 2010 - 2:02PM |
References« NC State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Guilford County, NC
|
