A family friend of mine is going to court for killing his neighbor's dog. That dog, (a pit bull), has been a danger to the neighborhood for a long time. The owner's neighbor's, including my friend, and the city, have all told the owner a number of times to keep the dog restrained or to get rid of it, but they refused. A little while ago, the dog got out and badly mauled my friend's 7 year old daughter. Later that day, he walked into the owner's front yard and shot the dog a number of times, killing it. Nobody has told me what specific charges he is facing. What could he be charged with, and what possible sentence could he recieve?
2006-07-02 05:58:47 · 11 answers · asked by Incorrectly Political 5 in Politics & Government ➔ Law Enforcement & Police
This happened in Anaheim, Ca. BTW.
2006-07-02 06:12:35 · update #1
As I understand it, the girl's ankle was nearly crushed, and there was a good deal of tissue damage to her calf. She has been in the hospital for 2 days now.
2006-07-02 06:22:17 · update #2
Could he sue the dog's owner for criminal negligence?
2006-07-02 06:45:01 · update #3
Animal Abuse and Trespassing.
He may be fined for nominal damages (Usually an apology, 1 dollar award, for moral victory)
Or General Damages - The loss of enjoyment or amenity on the owner's part.
I doubt a prison sentence would be involved. But since his daughter was mauled, the judge may grant leniency or exhonoration.
2006-07-02 06:05:01 · answer #1 · answered by WhisperBlade 2 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Wow!!!! That's hard to say, that sounds like a battle in civil court. If the dog mauled a 7 year old girl after previous warnings, maybe he should of handled it a little different, but I would of been very blinded by anger and rage as well. As far as what charges he may come accross, it really depends on what condition the girl is in after the attack. Most dogs would be put to death after attacks like that anyway, just safely and not in public. So kudos for your friend for protecting what he believes in but maybe should of taken a few seconds to think about what the right thing to do is, as hard as that may have been after his daughter got attacked. So pray for him
2006-07-02 13:19:08 · answer #2 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Was the police called after the mauling? Even though the City may be to blame if they didn't follow protocal and ordinance proceedures. Still, he broke a law. I would have done the same thing though. In the old days it would have been justified.There are too many factors involved unanswered to guess what the judge may do. Vigilantiism is illegal.
2006-07-02 13:07:05 · answer #3 · answered by madbaldscotsman 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
This is a toughie. He'll probably be charged with animal cruelty, according to your state's laws, but with extenuating circumstances, he may not be found guilty. He really should sue the owners of the dog for pain and suffering, mental anguish, and medical bills, but he needs people to testify for him as to the character of the dog. He needs an attorney, most of all, and the attorney should tell him all of this.
2006-07-02 13:38:20 · answer #4 · answered by rinehartstacy 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I love animals but how can you blame him? I would have wanted to kill the dog too. If you are going to have a dangerous animal you must keep it up! Children do not deserve to be chewed up by a dog.
If one of my dogs did this I wouldn't think twice about putting them to sleep.
Not sure what the laws are where you are but this is crazy.
2006-07-02 13:05:26 · answer #5 · answered by Cindy P 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your neighbor needs me on the jury. My only disappointment is that he stopped after only shooting the dog, but I suppose he wasn't thinking clearly at the time. Yes, I think I'd be of some assistance on the jury.
2006-07-02 15:54:50 · answer #6 · answered by nothing 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Sounds like he took the law into his own hands and they are not going to let that happen without him coming up with some big contribution to the poor lawyer's trust fund. Yeah it's going to cost him $$$.
2006-07-02 13:03:42 · answer #7 · answered by Billy M 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He could go to jail for discharging a weapon in a residential area. He should have waited for animal control to remove the animal.
2006-07-02 13:03:03 · answer #8 · answered by Cyn6 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i am not sure but this california
I sure do wish the best for him and glad it wasn't me and mine because i wouldn't have stopped with the dog.
2006-07-03 09:36:05 · answer #9 · answered by crazy_devil_dan 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Trespass, animal abuse, discharging a gun in public, reckless endangerment.
2006-07-02 13:06:02 · answer #10 · answered by shakeragroad_2000 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋