Pet-Abuse.Com - Animal Abuse Case Details: Dog beaten nearly to death

Dog beaten nearly to death
Thompson, OH (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Nov 30, 2003
County: Ashtabula
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Charges: Misdemeanor

Abuser/Suspect: Robert Lausin, Jr.

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Case ID: 5779

Classification: Beating

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Robert Lausin, who was charged with animal cruelty for beating his former girlfriend's dog nearly to death in December 2003, was sentenced on May 10.

Judge Richard Stevens gave Lausin 2 months of jail time and one year probation. Judge Stevens also ordered a psychiatric evaluation and treatment based on that evaluation. Lausin must also stay away from the dog and the dog's owner and pay the dog's owner $1000. The owner's veterinary bills totaled $3,000 so she is considering a civil suit.

Lausin had changed his plea of innocence to a plea of no contest and was to be sentenced on April 6. However, Lausin decided to get a new attorney and attempted to change his plea back to innocent. The judge denied the continuance.

Lausin reportedly attacked the female dog named Sunshine, breaking numerous bones, causing head trauma and inflicting other serious internal injuries. Sunshine is slowly recuperating from the beating.

Case Updates

On Friday, May 18, 2007, a 3-day jury trial ended with a guilty verdict for Robert Lausin Jr.

Lausin was convicted of animal cruelty for the 2003 brutal beating of his ex-girlfriend�s cocker spaniel Sunshine.

In May 2005, Robert Lausin Jr. pleaded no contest to one misdemeanor count of injuring animals and was sentenced to 60 days in jail, one year of probation, psychiatric evaluation followed by treatment, and fines. He was also ordered to have no contact with his ex-girlfriend or her dog, Sunshine.

Lausin appealed and his sentence was stayed pending the appellate decision. In October 2006, the appellate court ruled that the trial court had erred when it denied an amended motion made by Lausin in May 2005 to withdraw his no contest plea. Therefore, the case was heard again by Judge Richard Stevens in Ashtabula County�s Western Area County Court in May 2007.

Lausin will start serving his 60 days in jail within 30 days and the additional orders from the original sentence will apply.

Source: ALDF - May 23, 2007
Update posted on May 23, 2007 - 6:54PM

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Robert Lausin, accused of beating his former girlfriend's dog nearly to death in December 2003, appeared in court for a status hearing yesterday. The February 14th trial date was vacated and reset for May 16, 2007 at 8:00 a.m. The status hearing was continued to April 18, 2007 at 11:00 a.m. The matter is being heard in the Western Ashtabula County courthouse, located at 117 West Main Street,
Geneva, Ohio 44041.

Source: Docket # 2004 CRB 00824W
Update posted on Feb 1, 2007 - 6:29PM

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There is a status hearing scheduled for January 31, 2007 at 9:00 AM at the Ashtabula County Courthouse 117 West Main Street Geneva OH. Lausin's jury trial is scheduled for February 14, 2007 at 8:00 AM.

Lausin has a different prosecutor this time. He faces a maximum of 6 months jail and $1000 fine.

To write to the prosecutor in this case, urging the maximum sentence if Lausin is convicted:

The Honorable Amanda Condon
Ashtabula County Courthouse
25 West Jefferson Street
Jefferson, OH 44047
Phone: 440-576-9090

Source: Ashtabula County Courthouse Case #2004 CRB 00824W
Update posted on Jan 9, 2007 - 5:25PM

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Defense attorney Leo Talikka is requesting a jury trial for his client Robert Lausin, 27, of Thompson Township, who is charged with animal cruelty in a case dating back to 2004.

A pretrial hearing was held in Western County Court Wednesday between Talikka, assistant prosecutor Amanda Condon and Judge Richard Stevens. Talikka said he made the request to the judge during the hearing and will formally file it.

The case ended back in Stevens court after the 11th District Court of Appeals on Oct. 30 reversed Stevens' sentencing of Lausin for injuring a pet dog belonging to an ex-girlfriend. Lausin was originally charged Sept. 16, 2004 with the crime.

Talikka, who is Lausin's second attorney, had appealed the judge's 60-day jail sentence and $1,000 fine given Lausin for injuring the dog owned by the ex-girlfriend Luanne Baker. Stevens refused to allow Lausin to withdraw his no contest plea amended motion on May 10, 2005 during a court hearing.

Talikka based his appeal on "additional discovery information" not reportedly provided to the defense at the time of the court proceedings.

The appellate court reversal ruling written by Judge William M. O'Neill stated in part that the trial court erred by permitting Lausin's ex-girlfriend to testify at the amended motion hearing to withdraw the no contest plea.

O'Neill also ruled that Lausin's motions were made prior to Judge Stevens' sentencing. He went on to state the trial court "abused it's discretion" by denying Lausin's motions to withdraw his no contest plea and was unreasonable.

Source: Star-Beacon - Dec 8, 2006
Update posted on Dec 8, 2006 - 4:37PM

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ALDF March 17, 2005

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Dog beaten nearly to deathThompson, OH (US)

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Dog beaten nearly to death
Thompson, OH (US)