The Genesee County Prosecutor's Office issued charges of three counts of animal cruelty on Jan 31 against an Argentine Township man suspected of killing three dogs, all neighborhood pets.
A resident reported the shootings on Seymour Road on Jan. 14.
The dogs were found on wooded property behind the resident's home. One dog's feet were tied so its body could be dragged across the road.
Township police Lt. Bruce Coverdill said he expects the man to be in custody by sometime Feb 2.
"I understand he's cooperating through his attorney with the prosecutor's office and may agree to turn himself in," said Coverdill. "We're trying to do (this) as easily as possible and as professionally as possible. Case UpdatesAs family members absorbed what the judge had just said, Scott Dorr Sutherland, was handcuffed and led away by the deputies of the Genesee County Sheriff's Department.
Sutherland, 40, was sentenced to 180 days in a work release program where he will spend his nights at the Genesee County Jail and then be allowed to work during the day. He was also ordered to two years of probation, must make restitution to the families affected by his crimes and pay numerous court fees.
The Argentine Township man was charged with killing Shelby, Barkley and Lexie, family dogs of his neighbors this past winter and faced up to four years in jail on each count. In May, a plea agreement was reached with the prosecution and he pled no contest to amended charges of attempted killing/torturing an animal, which are misdemeanors.
Circuit Court Judge Geoffrey L. Neithercut allowed members of the Steffey, Boyce and Amy family, whose family dogs were killed, to speak as well as Sutherland himself prior to handing out the defendant's sentence.
Teresa Steffy, whose dog Shelby was shot and killed by Sutherland spoke and said that their dog was not just a family pet, but a part of their family. Steffey's young daughters shed tears quietly as she shared her feelings on how the killing of Shelby has affected their entire family and how she does not believe Sutherland has any remorse.
Steffey said, "Losing Shelby was almost like losing one of my children.
"We never thought we'd ever have to explain to a 4- and 7-year-old that she (Shelby) was killed.
Becky Amy, who owned Lexie, told Neithercut that she was told to let the court system handle things and just hoped that the system would go through with that promise.
"I hope he gets the maximum," Amy said. "I hope for prison."
Jason Boyce told the judge about his family's dog, Barkley and how he was the first dog he had truly owned.
"He was a good dog," Boyce said. "I trained him right."
Following the victim's time to speak Neithercut said that based on testimony heard, there were a lot of emotions revolving around this case.
Sutherland's attorney, Chuck Desotelle said his client has shown no remorse because he's been advised not to speak. He said he grew up on a farm and there is a different mentality of people growing up on a farm.
"He's college educated," said Desotelle. "He's been fired from his job as a commercial banker and he will lose his house.
"He's going to suffer.
"He realizes it was wrong, but he didn't know it was a felony.
"It's a very politically incorrect crime, but it's the way he grew up."
Sutherland turned to the courtroom audience and apologized to the families for his actions.
"I've felt remorseful since the start," Sutherland said. "I had a dog that was shot and killed when I was kid. I know how they feel.
"I'm truly remorseful.
"If I could change it, it would be a whole lot different."
After the sentencing was given, Steffey said she thought it was fair for her neighbor to get jail time.
"I truly don't see any remorse," Steffey said. "We're lucky he didn't injure our child."
"It's affected us everyday. The first weeks were the worst."
When asked if Sutherland was a violent person, Steffey said, "He's not a violent guy. That's what's disturbing."
Steffey's husband Tim said he was happy that Sutherland got some jail time.
"He took a member of our family," said Tim Steffey.
Desotelle said the sentence of his client was what he expected since the guidelines were followed for that crime.
"The judge did what he could," Desotelle said. | Source: Tri-County Times - June 25, 2006
Update posted on Aug 25, 2006 - 11:34AM |
| A preliminary examination against an Argentine Township man charged with killing three neighborhood dogs was adjourned after the pet owners testified. Scott D. Sutherland, 39, returns to court Feb. 21, 2006 for the conclusion of the hearing. He remains free on a $7,500 bond but faces up to 4 years in prison if convicted. | Source: M Live News - February 15, 2006
Update posted on Feb 18, 2006 - 7:09AM |
A 39-year-old Argentine Township man, accused of shooting three of his neighbors' dogs, turned himself into authorities.
Scott Dorr Sutherland was arraigned on three separate felony counts of animal cruelty by Genesee County District Court Judge John L. Conover and released. Bond was set at $2,500 on each count. If convicted, each felony count is punishable by up to four years in jail. Lt. Bruce Coverdill of the Argentine Township Police Department has been investigating the shootings since they were reported in January 2006.
A pretrial is scheduled for Feb. 10, 2006 and a preliminary exam for Sutherland has been scheduled for Feb. 14, 2006 at 8:30 a.m.
According to Coverdill, Sutherland recently filed a felonious assault complaint with the Argentine Township Police Department against Steffey. He said Sutherland made allegations that Steffey threatened him with a gun after the dog was found. Coverdill said he will continue to investigate the shootings as well as Sutherland's compaint against his neighbor. | Source: Times Online - February 6, 2006
Update posted on Feb 12, 2006 - 12:51PM |
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