Dog shot in the head by owner resulting in death - Madison, OH

Monday, Jul 3, 2006

County: Lake

Disposition: Convicted

Defendant/Suspect: Robert Clark

Case Updates: 3 update(s) available

A Lake County man was arrested and charged with animal cruelty for allegedly shooting his dog in the head.

Madison Township police went to a Roe Boulevard home on the afternoon of July 3 after receiving reports of gunshots. Nearby residents also reported hearing what sounded like a dog crying after the shots were fired.

Police said they spoke to the homeowner and learned that the man had shot his Great Dane in the back yard of the home.

Officers found the dog lying on the ground behind a shed. The Lake County Humane Society was called to the scene to care for the dog, which had at least one gunshot wound to the head and had lost a lot of blood.

Humane Society workers said they had to euthanize the dog because of the extent of the injuries.

The dog's owner was charged with a second-degree misdemeanor and is due to appear in court in mid-July.

Case Updates

Robert M. Clark, 37, of Madison Township, was found guilty Thursday of cruelty to animals for shooting his pet dog, named Bill, in the head. Neighbors called police after they heard gunshots and a dog crying. The Lake County Humane Society rushed Bill to a local vet, where he was later euthanized. Painesville Municipal Judge Michael Cicconetti, known for his innovative sentences, ordered Clark to spend 180 days in jail. He then offered to suspend 150 days and place Clark on community control, which is similar to probation, for two years if he pays the humane society's vet bills for trying to save Bill. But jail time can be trimmed to just 10 days if Clark agrees to dress up as "Safety Pup" - a safety mascot similar to Officer McGruff, a mascot that travels to elementary schools to teach traffic and bike safety. Clark would have to accompany a Painesville police officer to five Painesville elementary schools. It's unclear, however, whether Clark will take the judge up on his offer. Clark could not be reached for comment. Court officials said he is asking for a delay in serving his sentence. Candace Hertzel, executive director of Lake County Humane Society, said jail time is appropriate for "such a disturbing act of violence." She said volunteers who tried to save Bill are still haunted by his cries of pain.

Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - Dec 15, 2006 Update posted on Dec 15, 2006 - 12:06PM

The Madison Township man accused of shooting his dog in the head and leaving it to die slowly, faced Judge Michael Cicconetti and a new animal cruelty charge Monday afternoon in Painesville Municipal Court. Special prosecutor Jeff Holland, who specializes in animal law, is using the definition of a pet or companion animal to categorize an alleged crime against a harlequin Great Dane named Bill. Robert Clark, 37, of 7012 Roe Blvd., pleaded not guilty to the second degree misdemeanor charge of cruelty against a companion animal. That charge replaces Clark's previous arraignment on animal cruelty charges. The new charge is punishable by 180 days in jail, a $1,000 fine and makes a second offense of animal cruelty a felony crime. Clark was arrested July 3 after police officers found his dog hidden behind a shed and tied to a fence, bleeding from the head, police reports show. The Great Dane was still breathing when the officers found him. The dog bled for two hours before he was euthanized because his wounds were so severe, Lake County Humane Society Executive Director Candace Hertzel said. "This charge deals with dogs and cats and defines cruelty against a pet or companion animal. The language of this charge clearly defines the difference between a companion animal and, say, a farm animal or a wild animal," Holland said. Though Clark first told the officers the three blasts were simply firecrackers, he later admitted to having shot the dog, police reports show. In statements to police, Clark said he shot the dog because of a dog-at-large citation. Clark paid $344 in fines and fees for the citation and had paid the last fine on the day of the shooting, court records show. Clark's home has a small yard with a leaning fence and an open gate. Neighbors said Clark had another harlequin Great Dane named Zeus and an Australian Shepherd, but those dogs have not been seen in months. Clark is not to own or have in his possession any animals until after the trial, Cicconetti ordered by Holland's request. Holland said the Clark case puts a spotlight on the common but under-recognized problem of animal cruelty.

Source: Star-Beacon - Aug 15, 2006 Update posted on Nov 13, 2006 - 12:50PM

Clark bonded out of the Lake County Jail Monday and faces second degree misdemeanor charges of animal cruelty. He will appear in Painesville Municipal Court on July 11 at 8:30 a.m., police reports show.

Source: Star Beacon - July 7, 2006 Update posted on Jul 10, 2006 - 3:19PM

References

• « OH State Animal Cruelty Map
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