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Case #9688 Rating: 3.0 out of 5
Dog starved to death, bees nest in tumor
Silver Spring, PA (US)Incident Date: Monday, Jun 26, 2006
County: Lancaster
Disposition: Convicted
Defendant/Suspect: John L. Shafer
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
John L. Shafer, 31, of State Road in Silver Spring Twp., was in court on Oct 3, where he waived his preliminary hearing on two counts of cruelty to animals that stem from the death of his 9-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, Merrick.
East Pennsboro Twp. police said the dog died of starvation after being left behind when Shafer moved out of his apartment in the 100 block of North Enola Drive.
Shafer left District Judge Richard S. Dougherty's office with an application for Accelerated Rehabilitative Disposition, an option for first-time offenders in which their records are expunged if they successfully complete the program.
"I'll tell you right now, I don't think it's appropriate," said Cumberland County District Attorney David Freed, whose office makes those decisions.
When police found Merrick on June 26 on West Perry Street, he was emaciated and unable to stand, officers said.
Bees had built a nest in a tumor on Merrick's right side and were flying in and out, police said.
A necropsy at the Pennsylvania Animal Diagnostic Laboratory showed the dog died of starvation caused by a lack of hydration and nourishment. One veterinarian told police she estimated the dog had been without food and water for two to three weeks.
On Aug. 3, Shafer admitted to leaving the dog behind at his apartment while he stayed elsewhere.
Shafer denied not feeding the dog and claimed he stopped by almost daily. Police said he also told investigators he never would have hurt the dog, which had been his father's.
Case Updates| On February 27 John L. Shafer received a sentence of 3 - 23 months in jail, 23 months probation, and a $500.00 fine. He was remanded into custody to begin serving his sentence immediately. After 3 months he will be eligible for release on probation. If at any time during the 23-month probationary period Shafer violates the terms of probation, he may be returned to custody to complete the remainder of his sentence. | Source: Case # CP-21-CR-0002572-2006
Update posted on Feb 28, 2007 - 7:51PM |
| John L. Shafer was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty today in Cumberland County Court. The conviction stems from the death of his Labrador retriever, Merrick, who died of starvation after being left behind when Shafer moved out of his apartment. Officers reported that bees had built a nest in a tumor on Merrick's right side and were flying in and out. Shafer is scheduled to be sentenced on February 27, 2007 at 1:30 p.m. | Source: Docket # CP-21-CR-2572-2006
Update posted on Jan 29, 2007 - 4:48PM |
| Shafer was arrainged today under docket# CP-21-CR-2572-2006. His trial is set for 1/29/07. | | Update posted on Nov 21, 2006 - 4:45PM |
| His formal arraignment is scheduled at 9 a.m. Nov. 21 at the courthouse. | | Update posted on Oct 20, 2006 - 9:33PM |
References« PA State Animal Cruelty Map
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