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Case ID: 18647
Classification: Beating
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
More cases in Cleveland County, NC
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Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior
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Puppy beaten with stick, severe brain injuries
Earl, NC (US)

Incident Date: Tuesday, Sep 27, 2011
County: Cleveland

Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged

Alleged: Sam Wray Mullinax

A puppy was beaten with a stick so severely that it had to be euthanized Tuesday, according to sheriff's deputies.

Sam Wray Mullinax, 64, of the 2000 block of South Post Road, Shelby, was charged with cruelty to animals and is being held on a $10,000 secured bond, according to the Cleveland County Sheriff's Office.

Marguerite Mebane, president of the Cleveland County Humane Society, said the Pomeranian-type mix had skull fractures from being beaten with a broomstick.

"It was pretty vicious, sickening really," said county health services coordinator Sam Lockridge, who supervises Cleveland County Animal Control. "It was a pup, probably around four months, maybe a little older."

Lockridge said Mullinax explained that he beat the puppy because "he was trying to get the dog to obey him."

Marguerite Mebane showed us the 3 puppies the Cleveland County Humane Society inherited - a little brown one and two little chocolate ones. They were saved after Animal Control officers went to Sam Mullinax's home south of Shelby Tuesday afternoon.

Mullinax was charged under the new animal cruelty statute known as Susie's Law that arose from an animal abuse case where a dog was set on fire and left to die, sparking public outrage and calls for harsher penalties.

The bill would increase the penalty "for the malicious abuse, torture, or killing of an animal," states N.C. Senate Bill 254, which Gov. Bev Perdue signed in June 2010.

If convicted of maliciously killing or causing to be killed, any animal by intentionally depriving it of necessary sustenance, a defendant would now be guilty of a Class H felony. Previously, the crime was a Class A1 misdemeanor.

"That's the first time in our animal control's history that we've charged anyone under the cruelty statue," Lockridge said.

He said the Humane Society was contacted about the dog and money from the Clifford Fund was used to bring the animal to a veterinarian.

Lockridge said the vet recommended the dog be put to sleep, and it was euthanized at the veterinarian's office.

It's the first time "Susie's Law" has been used in Cleveland county.

To make their case Animal Control officers have Mullinax's statement, evidence on the broomstick, but they would like to hear from the witness to the beating who called 911.

References

  • « NC State Animal Cruelty Map
    « More cases in Cleveland County, NC

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