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Case ID: 18079
Classification: Bestiality
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Attorneys/Judges
Defense(s): Gordon Eyster
Judge(s): Jon Schaefer


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Case #18079 Rating: 2.3 out of 5



Adopted dog sexually assaulted
Shelby, OH (US)

Incident Date: Wednesday, May 18, 2011
County: Richland

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Peter Bower

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

A Richland County man was charged with animal cruelty after he allegedly had sex with a dog he adopted last month.

Peter Bower, 31, faces the misdemeanor charge after Richland County's dog warden received an e-mail tip in mid-May.

"The tip was allegations about bestiality, sexual conduct with an animal," said Richland County Dog Warden Dave Jordan.

The tip included links to bestiality-themed Web sites, where Jordan told 10TV's Glenn McEntyre he found evidence, including photos, of Bower with multiple animals, including at least three dogs and possibly a horse.

Investigators executed a search warrant at Bower's apartment where they seized the 3-year-old shepherd mix and his computer.

The 3-year-old shepherd mix was adopted from the Richland County Dog Shelter on May 7th, 2011.

According to records obtained by 10TV News, a bestiality book titled "Dearest Pet" was seized, along with plastic signs that read "Pets Welcome" and a plastic, blow-up sheep.

"That's disgusting," said Rosario DeLeon, a neighbor. "It's not right."

DeLeon said that Bower hung fliers in his apartment complex that offered pet-sitting services.

"(Bower) asked me if I would let him walk my dog and I said, 'I can't afford for you to walk my dog.' He said, 'I'll do it for free.'"

DeLeon recalled the day last month when she saw Bower bring his dog home from the shelter.

"He had a sign that said, 'Just Married,'" DeLeon said. "I was (thinking) who in the world did he get married to? I didn't see it in the paper, and (I found out) he was talking about his dog, Tara."

Investigators said that they would like to charge Bower with more serious offenses but Ohio has no laws regarding bestiality.

Ohio State Rep. Jay Goyal said that he plans to introduce legislation that would outlaw sexual contact with animals because of the Bower case.

He said that he hopes the crime would be considered a felony.

Bower was unavailable for comment, McEntyre reported.

Dog Warden, Dave Jordan said the man spent less than 24 hours in the Richland County Jail before posting bond. He pleaded innocent during his initial appearance in Shelby Municipal Court on May 27.

His pre-trial hearing is scheduled for the end of July.

Jordan said he secured a warrant to search the man's apartment May 19. A female dog was removed from his care.

A local veterinarian examined the dog and discovered vaginal bruising.

"There are three dogs in question, but two have already been euthanized," Jordan said.

Jordan said those dogs were put down by a veterinarian at the man's request just over a year ago.

Reports show reasons for the euthanizations were "old age" and a "uterus infection."

Online, the suspect mentions another man who helped photograph his sexual encounters, Jordan said, but so far, authorities are only investigating the one man.

The man's attorney, Gordon Eyster, did not return messages from the News Journal.


Case Updates

A man accused of having sexual relations with animals received no jail time in Shelby Municipal Court on Wednesday morning.

"I believe you have a very severe problem," Judge Jon Schaefer said to Peter Bower, 31. "My first impulse is jail time, but jail will not help you."

In addition to 80 days of community service and two years probation, Bower must undergo a sexual evaluation, take sex addiction classes and pay a $500 fine.

Bower was ordered to not own any animals.

In May, the Shelby man was charged with animal cruelty after authorities discovered a history of sexual activity with his 3-year-old shepherd mix, Aurora.

Investigation revealed Aurora was not the only animal Bower had abused. He posted photos and stories of his encounters on multiple bestiality websites.

Bower's attorney Gordon Eyster met with Shelby Law Director Lee Shepherd, Richland County Humane Society agent Missy Houghton and Richland County Dog Warden Dave Jordan behind closed doors at the court Wednesday for about two-and-a-half hours.

At about 11:30 a.m., Bower walked into the courthouse lobby. Five minutes later, court resumed in public session.

Wearing hunter green cargo pants, a white button down shirt and green jacket, Bower took the stand with Eyster to his left and Shepherd standing nearby.

Eyster entered a no contest plea of for his client in reference to a charge of injuring animals.

Schaefer found him guilty of the charge, a first-degree misdemeanor.

Thirty states have laws prohibiting bestiality, distinct from other forms of animal cruelty. Ohio is not one of them, but since this incident, lawmakers have started working on such legislation.

Houghton said a proposal is almost ready to be introduced to the state House of Representatives.

Bower, who seemed dazed, kept his head down, swallowing hard as the judge read his fate.

His one-word responses to questions were always delayed, and sometimes had to be prompted by his attorney.

Houghton and Jordan said they were satisfied with the outcome.

"He's not going to get any treatment if he's in jail," Houghton said. "Considering that there is no law in the books, I thought this outcome was very fair."

"I'm really happy that he's not allowed to own any more animals, and hopefully now we'll be able to find a home for Aurora. We had to hold her here for months for evidence," Jordan said, noting that the dog is doing OK. "She's been in a kennel for months. Now she's been walked every day, but there's a certain amount of stress that goes along with that."

Jordan said he's glad awareness was brought to the issue.

"I think the classes will be beneficial to him," he said. "At least he'll have a good shot at getting better, because I do think this is an illness. I hope this helps him get his mind right and lets him know his behavior is not normal, isn't moral and is just plain wrong."

Bower and his attorney declined comment after the hearing.
Source: mansfieldnewsjournal.com - Nov 24, 2011
Update posted on Nov 24, 2011 - 9:32AM 
More charges are on the way for a Shelby man charged in connection with sexual abuse of multiple animals.

On May 18, Peter Bower, 31, was charged with two counts of animal cruelty after authorities discovered a history of sexual activity with his 3-year-old shepherd mix, Aurora.

Thirty states have laws prohibiting bestiality, distinct from other forms of animal cruelty. Ohio is not one of them, but, since then, lawmakers have started pressing to put such legislation in place.

On Wednesday, Richland County Dog Warden Dave Jordan filed two more counts of animal cruelty against Bower, accusing him of having sexual relations with a German shepherd, Maggie.

After reviewing items confiscated by search warrant from Bowers' apartment, Jordan discovered what he called "diary letters" to the 11-year-old pet. One of the last was drafted April 4, 2010, and detailed a physical encounter with the animal.

According to euthanasia documents, Maggie and Bowers' male German shepherd were put down five days later. Maggie reportedly suffered pyrometra, which is an infection of the uterus.

Jordan said the infection could have been caused by the use of lubricants.

Jordan said evidence indicates a friend of Bowers' may have sexually abused the male dog, but there is no mention of the friend's name.

Shelby police are still investigating Bowers' computer activity. Bowers' attorney Gordon Eyster has not returned messages seeking comment.

Bower's pre-trial hearing is scheduled for 9 a.m. Monday in Shelby Municipal Court.
Source: mansfieldnewsjournal.com - Jul 14, 2011
Update posted on Jul 14, 2011 - 3:22PM 

References

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