Kitten repeatedly kicked against fence Concord, CA (US)Incident Date: Friday, Nov 28, 2003 County: Contra Costa
Disposition: Acquitted
Person of Interest: Richard Henri Jenkinson
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available
On November 28, 2003, neighbors allegedly witnessed Richard Henri Jenkinson (AKA George Jenkinson) kicking a kitten, "Tiger", up against his front yard fence repeatedly. The neighbors yelled at him to stop and Jenkinson turned and walked away.
The neighbors notified the police and stayed with the injured kitten until Animal Services arrived. When Animal Control Officer Lee saw Tiger he was "lying motionless" and "was unable to move."
Animal Services officers questioned Jenkinson about the brutal kicking attack on Tiger, but he denied having kicked the kitten, although he did say on record that he "hates cats." The Animal Control officers issued a citation for misdemeanor cruelty to an animal.
Tiger was taken to the Contra Costa Veterinary Emergency Clinic. Doctor Richard Groff wrote in his report that Tiger had "bruised lungs and a concussion due to blunt trauma". Tiger slowly recovered over a period of weeks and was fortunate to be adopted from the Martinez, California Animal Shelter.
In March of 2004, four months after Tiger was attacked, the case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's office as a misdemeanor cruelty to an animal. Since then, Jenkinson's trial date has been postponed three times. The next, and hopefully final, court date will be October 19, 2004.
Trial Date:
Superior Court Walnut Creek 640 Ygnacio Valley Road Walnut Creek, California 94596 October 19, 2004 12:30pm
Bob Kochly Contra Costa County District Attorney 725 Court Street Martinez, CA 94553 Telephone - 925-957-2200 Fax � 925-646-2524
Case UpdatesJenkinson was acquitted Wednesday, Oct 20, 2004. The jury deliberated about 40 minutes before finding Richard "George" Jenkinson not guilty of charges he kicked a stray 9-month-old kitten against a fence Nov. 28, the day after Thanksgiving.
During the two-day jury trial, the prosecution alleged Jenkinson had kicked a gray tabby named Tiger more than five times in his north Concord neighborhood that was overrun with feral cats.
The misdemeanor carried a maximum sentence of one year in county jail or a $20,000 fine.
Jenkinson could have plea bargained but "this was an issue of innocence and principle," said his attorney, Justyn Lezin. "He was already convicted in the court of public opinion and that is very hurtful." | Source: Contra Costa Times - Oct 21, 2004 Update posted on Oct 22, 2004 - 12:03AM |
References- Superior Court Case #: 3212371-9
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