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Case #2253 Rating: 4.2 out of 5
Dog beaten, kicked, crammed into toolbox
Westminster, CO (US)Incident Date: Monday, Apr 26, 2004
County: Jefferson
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: William D. Essex
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
A truck driver charged with a felony count of animal cruelty apologized today for beating his dog. A police officer in Westminster said he saw William D. Essex, 31, throw his beagle to the ground and then start to kick it. He said Essex then tried to force the dog into a tool box.
Vinnie, the beagle, survived the attack and was taken to the Wheat Ridge Animal Hospital. The vet says he'll be OK after suffering head trauma and a ruptured eardrum.
Essex talked to News 4 from the Jefferson County jail and said he got mad when the dog went to the bathroom in the truck.
Essex cried during the interview and said there was no excuse for what he did.
"I put him in the toolbox and closed the toolbox, and there was an officer sitting across the street that saw me," Essex said.
"I felt so bad because he was my buddy, you know ... he was my dog," Essex said.
If you are interested in adopting Vinnie, call Tabor Mountain Animal Clinic at (303) 278-7575
Case UpdatesWilliam Essex, who now lives in Utah, appeared in Jefferson County District Court after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty.
"I had a lapse in judgment. I'm here to accept responsibility for what I have done wrong," Essex told District Judge Jane Tidball.
Tidball also sentenced Essex, who has no prior criminal history, to anger management classes, 200 hours of community service and substance abuse evaluations.
He must also pay $1,120 in restitution, mainly for veterinarian bills, and court costs.
Essex was arrested in April at a Westminster park when a police officer saw him swing an object over his head, smash it on the ground and try to stuff it into a toolbox. Taking a closer look, the officer realized the object was a dog, Vinnie.
Defense attorney Colin Bresee told the court that after news accounts of the incident surfaced, Essex was fired from his job with a Grand Junction trucking company.
"He lost everything," Bresee said.
Essex now works for a trucking company in Utah.
Since his conviction is a felony, arrangements will have to be worked out with Utah authorities for Essex to fulfill his probation obligations.
Tidball also ordered Essex to make support payments for a child of his who lives in Dinosaur.
Essex declined comment after the sentencing.
Vinnie is now doing well and living with a family that has adopted him, Bresee said. | Source: The Denver Post- Dec 2, 2004
Update posted on Dec 3, 2004 - 7:19AM |
References« CO State Animal Cruelty Map
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