Michael S. Keefe, 33, of LaSalle faces an Aug. 15 trial on charges he inserted an object into a dog's anal cavity, perforating its bowel. Another dog suffered a swollen head. The dogs' owner, Susan L. Rick, 38, of the same address, faces charges of violation of an animal owner's duty. Case UpdatesKeefe was convicted of shoving a stick-like object up a dog's anus was sentenced Feb 9, 2006 in LaSalle County Circuit Court to seven years in prison.
Michael Keefe, 34, of Chicago was sentenced by Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan to seven years for animal torture and a concurrent five-year term for aggravated cruelty to animals.
The dog was injured last May 2005, and Keefe was convicted by Ryan last December 2005 at a bench trial.
Neighbors testified at the trial they had seen Keefe stick an object repeatedly into the anus of his fiance's dog, Midnight, a black Labrador. The dog had to undergo surgery to close a 1-inch hole in the anus.
Ryan stated he considered Keefe's criminal history when determining the sentence. Keefe had been released from prison in March 2005 and was on parole when the dog was injured. He has been in the LaSalle County Jail since May 27, 2005.
Keefe has four convictions in Will and Cook counties for retail theft, burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle.
Susan Rick, Keefe's fiance and owner of the dog, faces a misdemeanor charge of neglecting an animal owner's duty. Her case is pending. | Source: pjstar.com - Feb 10, 2006
Update posted on Feb 10, 2006 - 10:33AM |
A Chicago man was convicted December 29, 2005 of aggravated cruelty to an animal and animal torture for seriously injuring a black Labrador.
Michael Keefe, 33, appeared at his bench trial in the orange and white jail uniform of the LaSalle County Jail, having been in custody since the dog was injured May 17, 2005. Keefe was charged after neighbors reported Keefe stuck a stick-like object repeatedly in the dog's anus.
The dog, Midnight, had to undergo surgery to close a one-inch hole about 8-10 inches inside the anus. Authorities say the dog was injured at the residence of its owner, Susan Rick, who is Keefe's fiance. Keefe had been staying with Rick since his release from prison. Rick is charged with a misdemeanor neglecting an animal owner's duty. She was not home at the time of the incident.
Rick's neighbor Larry Bird, Bird's son and a neighbor boy testified they saw Keefe, in the backyard, insert a stick or rod-like item into the dog's anus. They also said they heard the dog yelping and crying.
The defense, however, argued the witnesses were lying because Bird and Rick did not get along. Rick's two sons testified Keefe was never alone during the time the incident took place, and they did not see Keefe touch the dog. Circuit Court judge H. Chris Ryan was not convinced by the defense testimony, saying Rick's 12-year-old son was "curiously quick" to offer testimony Keefe was never alone outside. Ryan said evidence of a definite injury, given by veterinarian Greg Schroeder, proved some force did injure the dog, and the injury fit with the Birds' testimony.
Keefe shook his head as the verdict was read. Rick and her family and friends quarreled with the family and friends of Bird as both groups left the courthouse. Keefe could face two to 10 years in prison, because he is eligible for extended-term sentences. The offenses are also probational.
Keefe has four convictions in Will and Cook counties for retail theft, burglary and possession of a stolen vehicle. | Source: The Journal Star - December 30, 2005
Update posted on Dec 30, 2005 - 10:30PM |
A bench trial for a La Salle man accused of torturing a black Labrador in May has been set for Dec. 23 in Circuit Judge H. Chris Ryan's courtroom.
Michael S. Keefe, 33, is accused of repeatedly inserting a stick into the anus of the dog, which belonged to his 38-year-old girlfriend, Susan L. Rick, at the home Keefe and Rick shared.
Keefe is charged with animal torture and aggravated cruelty to an animal -- both felonies | | Update posted on Dec 1, 2005 - 10:42PM |
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