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Case #2580 Rating: 3.2 out of 5
Dog dies from heat stroke after muzzle taped shut
The Colony, TX (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Jul 14, 2004
County: Collin
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: Richard Swift
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
A 1-year-old black Labrador retriever had just enough energy to run towards a neighbor before collapsing near her feet in the sweltering sun.
Richard Swift, allegedly, had wrapped the tape around the dog's muzzle on July 14 to stop him from barking so he could sleep. The dog was euthanized later that day after suffering from heat stroke, the SPCA had stated.
Richard Swift, 42, of The Colony, was arrested two days later on a felony charge of animal cruelty and has since been released from the Denton County Jail on $4,000 bail.
If convicted, he faces up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. Lt. George Wintle of The Colony police said a grand jury will hear the case in a couple of weeks.
Case Updates| Richard Swift, found guilty this morning of violating felony anti-cruelty laws by taping Bull the lab's muzzle shut with duct tape, has been sentenced to two years in state jail and a $5,000 fine. | | Update posted on May 18, 2005 - 9:55PM |
Swift failed to appear for an August hearing before District Judge Lee Gabriel, when he was to enter a plea of guilty or not guilty for cruelty to animals. The hearing was rescheduled to last Thursday, when Swift was returned to the court's custody, and then rescheduled again for 8:30 a.m. Monday, county court records show.
Last Friday, he was found to be indigent and an attorney was appointed to represent him.
Following an anonymous tip, Swift was arrested without incident around 5 p.m. Sept. 27 at a Lewisville residence near Old Town, according to arresting officer Deputy Paul Earheart. Earheart was assisted by another Denton County Sheriff's Office deputy and a Lewisville Police Department officer.
According to The Colony police reports, Bull was reported running at large by witnesses who saw him in the 5500 block of Rice on July 14. SPCA of Texas humane officer Shelley Bailey traced the dog's tags to the owner's house and questioned Swift, who admitted taping the dog's muzzle closed.
Bull was rushed to North Colony Animal Clinic where his temperature was recorded at more than 107 degrees and he exhibited signs consistent with heatstroke including swelling in the brain and seizures, SPCA officials said.
Normal is 101.5 to 102.2 degrees.
Bull was owned by Rodney and Nanette Swift of The Colony. Rodney and Richard Swift are brothers.
If convicted, Richard Swift could face a $10,000 fine and up to two years in jail.
Denton County criminal records show this offense was not Swift's first.
In 1994, Swift was charged with assault causing bodily injury. According to criminal records, Swift was released from jail in June 1996 after serving 120 days for misdemeanor theft. He also pled guilty to manufacturing or delivery of a controlled substance in May 1996, and received probation and 100 hours of community service. | Source: The Colony Courtier-Leader - Oct 5, 2004
Update posted on Oct 9, 2004 - 12:46PM |
You can help ensure this upswing in prosecutions of violent animal abusers in Texas continues. Contact the Denton County District Attorney and thank him for pursuing the animal cruelty case against Richard Swift. Encourage him to maintain the felony charges against Mr. Swift and to seek significant jail time upon conviction.
Mr. Bruce Isaacks
District Attorney
1450 E. McKinney St
Ste. 3100
Denton, TX 76209
Fax: 940-349-2601 | | Update posted on Sep 23, 2004 - 11:23AM |
Friday, July 23, 2004
Police say Richard Swift left his one year old black lab outside in the heat. But even more disturbing is that Swift used duct tape to shut the dog`s muzzle so the dog would stop barking.
Richard Swift is now charged with animal cruelty. If convicted, he faces two years in jail and a $10,000 fine. | Source: http://www.kfdx.com/news/default.asp?mode=shownews&id=5875
Update posted on Jul 26, 2004 - 11:39AM |
References« TX State Animal Cruelty Map
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