Dog kicked and choked - Abingdon, VA

Thursday, May 31, 2001

County: Washington

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: William Donald Allison

Allison, age 45 of 15028 Leisure Lane, was a Washington County animal control officer.  He was ordered to serve 6 months in jail and fined $1,000 on March 6th, 2002 for animal cruelty to a dog that was being euthanized at the county's animal shelter.  General District Judge J.S. Tate also ordered 6 months of probation and counseling while on probation.

1.  Allison was alleged to have put a water hose into a dying dog's mouth.
2.  Allison was alleged to have hung a dog.

Conflicting testimony about the first charge resulted in Allison being found not guilty.

Allison was convicted of 1 count of animal cruelty in January 2002 (hanging the dog).  2 other animal control officers testified that Allison kicked and choked the dog by its leash as he was taking the animal to be euthanized. Allison was fired from the shelter in October 2001 when he was charged.

Allison was found not guilty of a 2nd charge of animal cruelty from a June 2001 incident.

The Assistant Commonwealths prosecuting attorney Janine Myatt had asked for the maximum sentence of 1 year in jail and a $2,500 fine as well as all of Allison's own animals seized and that he have no further contact with any animals.  The judge didn't grant that request but ordered a probation officer to monitor the health of Allison's horses and other animals.

After the sentencing, Judge Tate set a $2,500 appeal bond, which allows Allison to stay out of jail while he appeals to the Circuit Court.

References

• The Bristol Herald Courier
• SaveOurShelters

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