Puppy burned, bitten, beaten until blind Boynton Beach, FL (US) Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 31, 2002 County: Palm Beach Local Map: available Disposition: Convicted Abuser/Suspect: Craig Kerzmann

Case ID: 4073 Classification: Beating, Burning - Caustic Substance Animal: dog (non pit-bull) View more cases in FL (US) Login to Watch this Case

Craig Kerzmann, 20, of Boynton Beach pleaded guilty in his best interest to felony cruelty to animals. He will spend at least one year in jail for burning, biting the puppy's ear and beating until blind.

When Circuit Judge Marvin Mounts viewed pictures of the 8-week old puppy's bitten ears, burned whiskers and injured eyeball bulging from its head, he deemed the crime "outrageous."

Judge Mounts sentenced Kerzmann to two years in prison, but released him on a one week furlough. If Kerzmann turns himself in on time, Mounts will reduce the sentence to one year.

The officer who spoke with Kerzmann in prison said he is mentally unstable and laughed uncontrollably while being interviewed. Kerzmann did say that while entrusted with the dog, he did numerous "trip drugs" and his brain was "like just fried."

The puppy's name is Tazelle. The veterinarian who examined Tazelle estimated that the abuser had chomped down on her ear for at least 10 to 20 minutes to produce such an injury.

Kerzmann's prior arrests include: charges of aggravated battery, violation of probation, forgery, possession of drug paraphernalia and at least four charges of failure to appear in court.

Tazelle's injured eye had to be removed because of the severe injury and she is still terrified around lighters.

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References

Palm Beach FL Post - Apr 17, 2002

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