CONVICTED: Was justice served?
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Case #2246 Rating: 2.3 out of 5
Cat dragged behind vehicle
Austin, TX (US)Incident Date: Monday, Aug 31, 1998
County: Travis
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Harry Buckholts
In September of 1998, Harry Buckholts was stopped by several motorists after they noticed he was dragging a cat underneath his truck. Harry was traveling north on Lavaca street in downtown Austin and reportedly ignored other driver's honking and gesturing to stop. He stopped only after being blocked by four vehicles.
One of the motorists cut the cat's paw free from the truck's axle, where it had been tied. Another motorist argued with Buckholts, who stated he needed to get to work.
On Thursday, April 22, 1999, Buckholts was sentenced to one year's probation for animal cruelty. He was found guilty after a two-day trial the previous week during which the cat, now recovered, made an appearance. Jurors told Buckholts's attorney Alaji Bennett and assistant county attorney Gilbert Barrera that they didn't believe Buckholts had tied the cat to his truck but that he continued driving once he realized the feline was under his car.
Bennett, stated that Buckholts did not know the cat was tied to the truck and therefore did not react to his fellow motorists' actions.
"You have to know him," Bennett said, "He gets totally focused on what he's doing and is oblivious to anything else."
U.S. Probation office Susan Rodolf, a motorist at the scene, adopted the cat after paying more than $250 for it's injuries. The cat is named Emma. References- Austin American-Statesman - April 23, 1999
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