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Case ID: 18911
Classification: Other
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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Attorneys/Judges
Prosecutor(s): Dana Goldberg
Defense(s): Scott Ausilio
Judge(s): John Chmura


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Case #18911



Puppy dragged next to a van
Warren, MI (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 27, 2011
County: Macomb

Charges: Misdemeanor
Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Keith John Parker

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

A 43-year-old Warren man will face criminal charges after reportedly pulling his puppy on a leash from a van.

According to Warren Police Department Detective Lt. Dan Beck, Keith John Parker was charged in 37th District Court Monday with animal cruelty and drunken driving.

Beck said officers did not see Parker driving the van, but witnesses contacted police after seeing the puppy running leashed to the van at about 9:45 a.m. Sunday in the parking lot of the County Line Trade Center, 20900 Dequindre in Warren.

"When officers pulled up, the dog was in the van hanging out the window," Beck told MLive Detroit.

The pup, named 'Cricket,' suffered a bloodied paw but does not appear seriously injured. Beck said the dog, which resembles a Terrier, remains at the Warren Police Department.

If Parker loses his 'parental rights' to Cricket, an officer named Michael Lake is waiting in the wings to adopt the animal.

Parker, who admitted to owning the dog, refused to take a Breathalyzer test. Beck said blood results to determine Parker's blood alcohol content at the time are being processed.

Parker was arraigned Monday in 37th District Court on charges of operating a vehicle while intoxicated and animal cruelty, said Warren Police Lt. Dan Beck.

A judge set Parker's bond at $25,000, court officials said. The defendant had not posted bond by 3 p.m. Monday.

Parker is scheduled to appear in court on Dec. 8 for trial on the misdemeanor charges.


Case Updates

A Warren man who admitted he drank a pint of vodka before pulling his dog on a leash while driving will spend an additional 46 days in jail.

Keith John Parker, 43, expressed sorrow for his actions, claimed they were not intentional yet didn't regret it in one sense.

"It's caused a helpless animal to be injured. I'm very remorseful," he told 37th District Judge John Chmura at his sentencing Thursday. "(But) it's brought me closer to God."

The dog, named "Cricket," had difficulty keeping up as she was pulled Nov. 27 in the parking lot of the County Line Flea Market on Dequindre Road and at one point tumbled, witnesses told police. Warren officers arrested Parker, who had held the leash as he drove his van.

He refused to take a preliminary breath test, but a blood sample obtained with a search warrant showed he had a blood-alcohol level of .15 percent -- nearly double the state standard for intoxication.

One of Cricket's claws was ripped from her left hind leg during the incident. Fur was scraped away from above her left eye and her snout was swollen.

Parker later pleaded guilty to drunken driving and animal cruelty -- misdemeanors punishable by up to 93 days behind bars.

On Thursday, defense attorney Scott Ausilio suggested in court that Parker be sentenced to incarceration.

However, Macomb County Assistant Prosecutor Dana Goldberg requested that Parker also be placed on probation to include substance abuse counseling and a fine payable to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Among its recommendations, the court's probation department recommended that Parker be jailed for 80 days and serve 200 hours of community service at the Macomb County Animal Shelter.

When Parker said he wants "a closer relationship with God," Chmura replied: "I hope you get it. I don't think you're there yet."

"You did something really stupid that you should have known better," the judge added.

On the drunken driving conviction, Chmura ordered Parker to serve 93 days in jail, with credit for 47 days already served. The judge meted another 93 days to the Warren man on the animal cruelty charge, but deferred that incarceration if Parker successfully completes two years probation during which he must undergo "life skills" and alcohol abuse counseling; not drink alcohol or take non-prescription drugs; take a weekly breath test; not own or possess pets or other animals; and pay $1,000 to the ASPCA and $250 restitution for veterinary service. The judge did not concur with Parker serving at the county animal shelter.

Parker's criminal record includes convictions of possessing, using and attempting to possess illicit narcotics, attempted home invasion, larceny, shoplifting and disorderly conduct.

"I guess he's saying that this was a wake-up call. I hear that a lot as a prosecutor," Goldberg told The Macomb Daily outside the courtroom. "Those (crimes) should have been wake-up calls."

She said she was pleased with the sentence handed down by Chmura, partly because of the chance counseling may rehabilitate Parker.

Goldberg credited Parker for quickly giving up ownership of the injured puppy just days after his arrest, but added: "I think what he wanted was to do 93 days and wash his hands of the case."

Warren police Officer Michael Lake adopted Cricket, and he and his wife renamed her "Annabelle." A veterinarian said the playful, 16-pound puppy appears to be a Jack Russell terrier mix between 9 and 12 months old, Lake said.

Ausilio said his client lost his job due to the drinking and dog dragging offenses and may lose his home. He called the sentence "very fair."

"I don't think he just wants to do the jail and get it done," the defense attorney said. "He does realize he has a long way to go to get his life straightened out."
Source: themorningsun.com - Jan 13, 2012
Update posted on Jan 13, 2012 - 9:48PM 
A Warren man accused of pulling his pet puppy on a leash as he drove a van pleaded guilty Thursday to charges of animal cruelty and drunken driving.

Keith John Parker, 43, was somber as he told a judge that he had consumed a pint of vodka before driving in the parking lot of a local flea market while holding the leash.

The dog, named "Cricket," had difficulty keeping up and at one point tumbled, witnesses to the Nov. 27 incident told police. Warren officers arrested Parker at the County Line Flea Market, on Dequindre Road, after police received multiple calls from witnesses. He refused to take a preliminary breath test, so police obtained a search warrant for a blood test.

Officers also seized the dog.

"I unintentionally did a cruel act to my dog," Parker told 37th District Judge John Chmura on Thursday. "What I did (wrong) to the animal was taking him with me, period."

Both of the offenses are punishable by up to 93 days in jail. Chmura referred the case to the court's probation department for a pre-sentence report.

Parker, who remains held in the Macomb County Jail on $25,000 bond, could learn his punishment in approximately four weeks.

"He's extremely remorseful," defense attorney Scott Ausilio said. "He loves dogs. He loved that dog. He realized what he did was wrong.

"He's sincere about his guilt. That's why it was his decision to enter the plea," Ausilio said.

The results of the blood-alcohol test have not been provided yet to officials involved in the case.

The animal cruelty charge also is punishable by a fine of up to $1,000.

The Macomb County Prosecutor's Office has recommended that Parker be ordered at sentencing to pay that amount to the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

"I definitely want to pay that fine," Parker told the judge. "It's a good cause."

"We thought it would be appropriate," Macomb Assistant Prosecutor Dana Goldberg told a reporter. "Justice would be served if other animals who suffered cruelty by others could benefit."

One of Cricket's claws was ripped from her left hind leg during the incident. Some fur was scraped away from above her left eye and her snout was swollen.

Cricket was adopted by Warren Officer Michael Lake after Parker, while in jail, agreed to relinquish ownership of the dog.

Lake and his wife have since renamed her "Annabelle." After some initial uncertainty about the dog's breed and age, a veterinarian said the playful 16-pound pooch appears to be a Jack Russell terrier mix and is between 9 and 12 months old, Lake said.

Annabelle is getting along just fine with the Lakes' other two dogs, "Gunner" the German short-haired pointer and "Bailey," a Weimaraner.
Source: dailytribune.com - Dec 8, 2011
Update posted on Dec 8, 2011 - 10:59PM 
"Cricket," the injured dog whose owner was charged with animal cruelty this week for pulling the pet on a leash alongside a van, has a new home.

Cricket now belongs to Warren police Officer Michael Lake, one of a handful of officers who offered to adopt her after she was taken away from resident Keith John Parker, 43, following his arrest Sunday.

"I mentioned it first. I guess I drew the lucky straw," Lake said. "She's such a lovable dog.

"She is a doll. She's playful. She's spunky," said the officer, adding that Cricket likes to roll onto her back and have her belly scratched.

Police arrested Parker after several people dialed 911 on Sunday morning to report a man was driving a van while pulling the dog on a leash in the parking lot of the County Line Flea Market on Dequindre Road.

Police said witnesses reported that the dog had difficulty keeping up and apparently tumbled at one point, suffering a lost claw and a wound above one eye.

Parker told officers he felt the dog needed to go for a run, police said. He was arraigned this week on misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty and drunken driving and remained jailed in lieu of $25,000 bond. A trial is scheduled Dec. 8 in 37th District Court.

Warren Police Commissioner Jere Green said one of the city's animal control officers told Parker on Tuesday that if he didn't relinquish ownership of Cricket, officials would take action in court requesting that a judge not return the playful pooch to him. Parker, who claimed he got the dog in October, agreed to give her up, police said.

"I think he realized there was no way he could keep the dog," Lake said. "I think he realized that it probably wasn't worth the fight."

Lake said when his wife saw a television report about Cricket on Monday, she wondered aloud: "How could anybody harm such a cute, little thing?" That's when he informed her that he offered to adopt Cricket.

"I (reminded) her, 'You said you wanted a lap dog,'" he said.

On Tuesday, Lake planned to take Cricket directly to a veterinarian after his shift. While some officers initially estimated that Cricket is approximately 7 months old, others think she may be about 5 to 7 years old. She appears to be a Labrador retriever and terrier mix, and limps on her hind left leg where a claw was torn out and left her paw bloodied.

The officer is eager to have his new pet play with his other dog, a young German shorthair pointer.

"They should get along great," Lake added.

Following media reports about the incident, the Police Department received several calls from people offering to adopt Cricket.

"I'm not surprised at all. People are very generous and eager to help in situations like this," Green said.
Source: themorningsun.com - Nov 30, 2011
Update posted on Dec 1, 2011 - 8:43AM 

References

« MI State Animal Cruelty Map
« More cases in Macomb County, MI

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