Dog beaten and dragged East New Market, MD (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 2, 2003 County: Dorchester Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Terry D. Love

Case ID: 2113 Classification: Beating Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in MD (US) Drugs or alcohol involved Login to Watch this Case

A judge has sentenced a Dorchester County man to two years in prison for beating his dog. Terry D. Love, 32, of East New Market, was convicted of two counts of felony cruelty to animals and a drunken-driving offense after witnesses testified he whipped the female springer spaniel with a leash, chased and dragged her through a field and punched her with his fists Nov. 2.

The dog, Ranger, wasn't seriously hurt, but Love "cruelly beat" her and inflicted "unnecessary suffering and pain," prosecutor Kirsten Daggett said Thursday.

"She did exhibit signs of great stress and fear," Daggett, an assistant Frederick County state's attorney, said.

Frederick County Public Defender Michael Morrissette said his office, which represented Love, will appeal District Judge Frederick Bower's verdict to Frederick County Circuit Court.

The sentence was the stiffest meted out under Maryland's felony animal cruelty act since it took effect in October 2002, according to information provided by the Humane Society of the United States. Four defendants in other jurisdictions received sentences ranging from 90 days to 18 months, all for killing animals.

The offense carries a maximum penalty of three years and a $5,000 fine.

The witnesses in Love's case included three people - a man and two 13-year-old boys - who said they watched the incident.

According to their testimony, Ranger jumped out of Love's truck and ran away after he stopped at a gas station in Myersville along Interstate 70. Love reportedly had been driving erratically and was unsteady on his feet at the gas station, according to a police report.

When Ranger ran into a nearby field, Love drove after her, caught up and started beating her, according to testimony. He was arrested at the scene by state police.

Ranger was taken to a veterinarian and has been adopted by a family, Daggett said.

Love testified the dog wouldn't come back to him because the traffic scared her. He said he had gotten Ranger from a springer spaniel rescue group two months earlier.

Assistant Public Defender Kevin Young said his client loved the dog.

Daggett said police found five empty beer bottles and a nearly empty fifth of vodka in Love's truck. She said his conviction for driving under the influence was Love's fourth alcohol offense.

Bower sentenced him to two years for one felony cruelty offense, 90 days for the other and two years for the alcohol offense, all to run concurrently. Bower also fined Love $500 and gave him credit for four days he spent in jail.

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