LAKE CHARLES, La. (AP) - A 21-year-old Lake Charles man must serve at least four years and four months of a 10-year sentence for stealing and abusing a puppy, a state district judge says.
Tyler Scott Sanders pleaded guilty Thursday to aggravated cruelty to animals and theft of an animal worth more than $500.
Law enforcement officials said the pit bull named Halo had pellet gun wounds, a broken skull and other broken bones, KPLC-TV reported (https://bit.ly/1kcoFyg).
Halo suffered permanent eye damage and his right front leg must eventually be amputated, prosecutor Christy Rhoades May said.
The dog is doing “really well,” said Renee Smith, of Lake Charles Pit Bull Rescue, told The American Press (https://bit.ly/PxC0mB).
Judge Clayton Davis sentenced Sanders to 10 years, suspended half the time, and said Sanders must serve at least 85 percent of that time. He also fined Sanders $5,000 and ordered him to pay all of Halo’s medical bills once he gets out of prison.
“I am pleased with the outcome because I think it makes a statement that people can’t get away with animal cruelty,” Smith said.
She said she plans for the dog, which is now in her care, to become a therapy dog.
After Halo was stolen, the dog’s original owners posted “missing” signs, even giving one to Sanders, who threw it away, “proving he knew who the rightful owners were and chose not to give the animal back,” May told Davis.
The court also dealt with charges Sanders accumulated in four other incidents. Sanders pleaded guilty to DWI and marijuana possession, and prosecutors dropped unrelated charges of reckless driving and unlawful purchase or public possession of alcohol.
After May read the facts on all Sanders’ charges, Davis asked him if he admitted to them.
“Yes, sir,” he replied.
Defense attorney Ralph Williams said he did not wish to comment.
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Halo on Facebook: https://on.fb.me/1fCt6ye
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