 4 month old puppy punched to death
Wenatchee, WA (US)Date: Oct 11, 2005
County: Douglas
Local Map: available
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Matthew R Ficker
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On October 11, 2005, a 25-year-old Wenatchee man was charged with first-degree animal cruelty after his 4-month old puppy died from injuries authorities said were caused by abuse.
Matthew R. Ficker was charged in Chelan County Superior Court and is set to make his first court appearance Nov. 21. The maximum sentence for first-degree animal cruelty is five years in prison and a $10,000 fine. Ficker has not been jailed.
Reached Monday by phone, Laura Ficker, Matthew Ficker's wife said her husband didn't want to comment. The couple lives on Fourth Street.
"It was not on purpose. It was a total accident," she said. "And he's very upset about it."
On Oct. 6 Laura Ficker, took "Gunner," the couple's 4-month-old male golden retriever to Countryside Veterinary Clinic in Wenatchee and told veterinarian Jerry Winters her husband had "punched" the puppy after it got into the trash the day before, according to a report written by Jody White, an animal control officer for the Wenatchee Valley Humane Society.
The puppy had a collapsed lung, at least five broken ribs and severe bruising, Winters wrote in a patient report. He wrote the puppy died at the veterinarian's office that day. Winters reported the incident to authorities Oct. 6, before the puppy died. Winters declined to comment on the case when reached by phone Monday.
On Oct. 11, White met with Ficker in the yard of his home, she states in her report.
Ficker said the puppy had relieved himself in the house and that he hit the dog, then put him outside, the report states. He also told White he was "upset that he lost his dog," according to the report.
White's report also states Laura Ficker referred to the incident as a "big accident" during an Oct. 12 phone conversation with White and said her husband "doesn't know his own strength."
In an Oct. 10 interview with White, Winters said an "incredible amount of force" had been used on the dog, White's report states.
"Dr. Winters said this was the most deeply disturbing case he has had and that in 20 years he has not seen a case like it," she states in her report.
White referred to the incident as a "horrific case of animal cruelty" in her report.
The Fickers have two other dogs: a 2-month-old golden retriever named "Hunter" and an adult miniature pinscher named "Zoe." Both are still at the couple's home, White said Monday.
Ficker will make a preliminary appearance November 21, 2005 in Chelan Co Superior Court charged with 1st Degree Animal Cruelty. Neighborhood MapFor more information about the Interactive Animal Cruelty Maps, see the map notes.
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