| Case ID: 17853 |
| Classification: Shooting |
| Animal: cat |
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| Prosecutor(s): | Michael Dempsher |
| Defense(s): | Chad W. Weddle |
| Judge(s): | Janice Rodnick Ambrose |
For more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
Sunday, Dec 19, 2010
County: FrederickDisposition: Dismissed (Conditional)
Person of Interest: Larry Tobias Stotler, Sr.
Shooting and injuring a neighbor's cat with a .22-caliber rifle turned out to be a costly error in judgment for a Frederick man who told animal control officers he thought the Siamese cat was a stray.
But by hiring a lawyer and paying restitution, Larry Tobias Stotler Sr., 59, avoided a criminal conviction for animal cruelty.
On Tuesday, Frederick County District Judge Janice Rodnick Ambrose placed the case against Stotler on the stet -- or inactive -- docket on the condition that he obey all laws.
Assistant State's Attorney Michael Dempsher recommended putting a stay on the proceedings because of the neighbors' amicable relationship and because restitution for the 2-year-old cat's veterinary bills had been made. On Dec. 9, Stotler shot Tai once in the left back leg.
Tai underwent surgery twice in the days following the shooting in the 10800 block of Daysville Road in Frederick. Altogether, the procedures cost $4,057.31, according to court documents.
The first surgery Dec. 10 was an attempt to repair damage from the wound, authorities said. When some damage proved too great, Tai's leg was amputated Dec. 21.
Stotler did not address the court. He was represented by defense attorney Chad W. Weddle.
Michael and Susan Thompson, Tai's owners, did not attend the hearing.
Animal Control Officer Rachel McVey investigated the case.
Had Stotler been convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty, he could have been sentenced to as much as 90 days in jail and fined $1,000, Animal Control Director Harold Domer said.
References
« MD State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Frederick County, MD
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