Dog repeatedly tangled in heavy tether chain - Chesapeake, VA

Wednesday, Aug 4, 2004

County: Chesapeake City

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Anthony Cuffee

While patrolling for strays on August 4, 2004, Officer T. J. Stevens observed a white pit bull tethered in a yard in the 4100 block of Sloop Trail. The dog was tethered on a chain that was twisted and kinked so that it did not provide adequated space for the dog. The officer contacted two other officers who had found the dog in this situation on previous occasions. No one responded to her knock at the door. Officer Stevens untangled the dog and left a notice for the animal owner to contact her. She noted that the chain seemed very heavy for the dog. She decided to return later in the day.

Officer Stevens returned that day to find the dog already becoming tangled again. The dog owner, Anthony R. Cuffee, BM 30 years old, arrived and spoke with the officer. He refused to make corrections to the weight of the chain or to address the tangling problem. Officer Stevens confiscated the dog, whose name was Tyson. She charged Mr. Cuffee with failure to adequately provide for his dog under Code of Virginia 3.1-796.68. She advised him that she would also request a hearing to determine if the owner was a fit person to own the dog, and that Animal Control would request custody of the dog.

Upon returning to the office, it was determined that the chain that secured Tyson weighed 11.7 pounds. Tyson only weighed 38.5 pounds. Therefore the chain that was equal to nearly 1/3 of the dog's own body weight was too heavy for this animal.

The case was heard on August 10, 2004 in General District Court Criminal Division. Mr. Cuffee was convicted of failure to provide for his dog. He was ordered to pay Animal Control for the cost of caring for Tyson in the amount of $78 up to the court date and $11 per day each day after that. Mr. Cuffee was ordered to provide a proper tether for Tyson, appropriate for his weight. Custody of the dog was returned to Mr. Cuffee, but a return date November 9, 2004, was set for the officer to advise the court if there are any further incidents.

Tyson was redeemed by Mr. Cuffee. Officer Stevens verified that a proper tether is now provided.

References

• Officer's case file
• Docket # GDC 04-6972

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