This is actually good news. It’s almost unheard of for someone to get four years for animal abuse and I believe this sets a big precedent. The reality of our criminal justice system is that people who kill humans sometimes only serve 10 to 15 years, many times it’s much less. Put into that context, four years is a huge win for us dog lovers who have been putting unrelenting pressure on our state governments and letting them know that dogs are our family.
— Kenn
By Elaine Furst For Dog Files
Thanks to videotapes made by neighbors, an Oakland, California man will be spending fours year in prison without parole for severely beating his pit bull with an ax handle and crowbar.
Charles Black was convicted on January 12 of two felony animal cruelty counts and was sentenced on Wednesday. The sentencing was attended by animal welfare advocates.
“This gives us a lot of hope that the county is taking animal abuse seriously,” said Willow Liroff, the president of Friends of Oakland Animal Services.
In the videotapes shown to the jury, Black’s dog Blueberry was shown lying down, squealing and yelping each time Black struck him.
Blueberry’s story does have a happy ending however, as he recovered from his injuries and was adopted by a new family.
Except it should be longer than four years … but I guess it’s a start …
Wow, that is unprecedented, it’s usually a slap on the wrist and be a good boy in future.
At last! This is a real improvement over business as usual ie: a slap on the wrist. Here’s good vibes to Blueberry and his second chance 🙂
they say every dog has its day and to be quite blunt, hope he squeals like little a bitch when the dog loving cons get a grip of him!!!
sad excuse for a man is what he is
Thank goodness the neighbors turned him in.I’m sure he’s done this before.
Thank goodness the neighbors turned him in.I’m sure he’s done this before.
Good for the neighbors for video taping it and turning him in. That wasn’t easy, I bet. And, I think it is significant that this was a jury trial. Many of these types of cases go up in front of just a judge. I do believe that most people in a community, whether huge animal lovers or not, will find for harsher sentences because most people do not want animals abused. Kinda surprised it was a jury trial. But, think that is one thing it takes, the community getting involved.
Yeah, hope this guy can look over his shoulder really well in jail.
Yeah a win for us animal lovers, thanks for sharing the good news.
I am so over cowards hurting defenseless animals. I hope this is the start of a huge movement.
That is so good to hear! It seems every time I turn around I hear about another animal being abused and it breaks my heart. Nice to hear this dog survived and has a new home and that this monster is going to do some real time!
I believe with everything in me, that what he did to this helpless animal, should be done to him……and MORE, b/c he is a human with the ability to know right from wrong, and to make informed, moral choices. Life in prison is a fair trade, in my opinion. Pathetic excuse of a man, treating a helpless animal like that!