 Doctor 's dog dies in hot car, he gets jail time
Vero Beach, FL (US)Incident Date: Saturday, May 27, 2000
County: Indian River
Local Map: available
Disposition: Convicted
Abuser/Suspect: Eric Gershman
Case Updates: 1 update(s) available |
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Eric Gershman, 39, a Naples oncologist has been sentenced to six months in an Indian River County Jail after being convicted of animal cruelty. Judge Morgan found Gershman guilty and placed him on probation for six months after his jail release and fined him $1,000.
Gershman told the judge the King James spaniel was his best friend and that he was sorry for leaving the dog locked inside his Mercedes on May 27.
Judge Morgan took no pity on Gershman for his actions and in handing out punishment. "As a judge, I always try to have sympathy for defendants before making a decision. After doing that in your case, I don't have any sympathy for you."
The incident occurred when Gershman was visiting Indian County to investigate a medical partnership with another doctor. Gershman met the other doctor at Sebastian plaza, then the two men drove off to visit two area hospitals leaving Gershman's car in the parking lot.
When Gershman returned four hours later to his parked car, he found the police around his car. Gershman had left one of the four windows open about one inch. The dog's temperature two hours after police removed him from the car was still almost 110 degrees.
Judge Morgan chastised Gershman and said as a doctor he should have known better than to leave his 19-pound male dog to die a "cruel death" by leaving him in his car.
Assistant State Attorney Nichole Menz said, "I hope he treats his patients better than his animals."
Gershman pleaded no contest to animal cruelty by abandonment which is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by up to a year in jail. Case UpdatesEric Greshman, 39, of Plantation, sentenced to six months in jail, was released after serving just over two weeks.
At a hearing Wednesday, Greshman's mother and his longtime friend and lawyer testified about Eric's love of animals and his compassion for people. They both said he is devastated by being responsible for the mistake that led to his pet's death.
One reason to release him is Greshman has a job in rural northeastern West Virginia. It is about 100 miles from the nearest hospital in a community that is very short on doctors.
Judge David Morgan, Indian River County, said a doctor ought to know better than to leave a dog in a hot car.
On Wednesday Judge Morgan decided the lesson has been learned.
Morgan said, "Further incarceration of this defendant will not serve any useful purpose." Morgan did tack on 200 hours of community service to the time already served.
A spokesman for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals said the six-month jail sentence was believed to be among the harshest penalty for such an offense in the United States in two decades. | Source: Miami Herald - Aug 3, 2000
Update posted on Feb 22, 2006 - 4:43PM |
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Back to Top References | Naples FL Daily News - July 19, 2000 |
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