Last month, Mary Wild was convicted on eight counts of misdemeanor animal abuse for leaving eight show dogs in a poorly-ventilated van overnight, causing the deaths of seven of those dogs due to heat stroke. She could have faced up to eight years in jail plus up to $8,000 in fines. Instead, she will serve no time in jail (suspended sentence, two years probation), do 80 hours of community service at the Jefferson County Animal Control Center, and write a 750-word essay on how heat impacts dog.
I am saddened and disappointed in the leniency of the sentence by Judge Raymond Dickhaner. He said the matter of restitution should be handled by the civil courts. No word yet on whether the American Kennel Club will impose any sanctions on Ms. Wild. I sincerely hope they are less forgiving of the painful deaths of seven dogs than the courts of Missouri.
News and blog links:
The Dog Press: Mary Wild Sentenced
Di’s My Akita Kids: Mary Wild Gets a “Time Out”
St. Louis Post-Dispatch: Handler gets probation in deaths of seven show dogs
(NaBloPoMo | July ’10: 3 of 31)
I find this sad and disgusting. To be honest, by and large I don’t feel that the sentences passed down for people who abuse animals are anywhere near high enough.
This was a very poor call on the Judge’s part. The maximum she could have faced didn’t go far enough as it was. What she actually got was just insulting.
It boggles me that they can call this justice.
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I am interested to see what happens with the civil suits, and also whether AKC steps up with a suspension or banning.
That’s disheartening, to say the least. :\ She KILLED seven dogs. KILLED them. And bitch gets to write an essay? Hell, all it’s going to be about is her relief at having a judge who seemingly couldn’t care less about the welfare of animals and those in charge of taking care of them. 😐
Missouri doesn’t have a good reputation for animal welfare and this sure does not help. Is it ironic at all that my own show dog’s wonderful, responsible and caring handler is also from Missouri?