I am neither an animal lover or hater, but it sickens me to see that the people I am sworn to protect, and put my life on the line for, return verdicts more severe for animal abuse than for violent crimes against the people. When I was assaulted on duty, the DA didn't want to issue a warrant ... and when he finally did, and the guy was picked up, his sentence? 3 years probation. Anyway, welcome to California, and more specifically, the Bay Area ...
Man Found Guilty in California Road Rage Dog Death
June 19, 2001 2:10 pm EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Reuters) - A jury on Tuesday returned a guilty verdict against a former telephone repair man accused of throwing a lap dog to its death in traffic in a bizarre explosion of road rage.
Andrew Burnett, 27, faces a maximum of three years in prison for his conviction on a charge of felony animal cruelty.
The Santa Clara Superior Court jury deliberated for just 40 minutes before finding Burnett guilty in a that incensed animal lovers around the world and spurred more than $120,000 in donations to a reward fund for information on the dog's killer. Burnett's lawyer began his defense by admitting his client had grabbed the fluffy white bichon frise named Leo from its owner's car after a minor fender-bender outside San Jose International Airport in February 2000.
But he said his client tossed the dog into traffic in a reflex action after the small dog bit his hand.
Man Found Guilty in California Road Rage Dog Death
June 19, 2001 2:10 pm EST
SAN JOSE, Calif. (Reuters) - A jury on Tuesday returned a guilty verdict against a former telephone repair man accused of throwing a lap dog to its death in traffic in a bizarre explosion of road rage.
Andrew Burnett, 27, faces a maximum of three years in prison for his conviction on a charge of felony animal cruelty.
The Santa Clara Superior Court jury deliberated for just 40 minutes before finding Burnett guilty in a that incensed animal lovers around the world and spurred more than $120,000 in donations to a reward fund for information on the dog's killer. Burnett's lawyer began his defense by admitting his client had grabbed the fluffy white bichon frise named Leo from its owner's car after a minor fender-bender outside San Jose International Airport in February 2000.
But he said his client tossed the dog into traffic in a reflex action after the small dog bit his hand.
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