Advocates hope dog shooting sentence sends message WISCASSET, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- Animal advocates and the district attorney say they hope the sentence given to a man from Jefferson will send a message about the penalties for animal abuse. Aaron Armstrong pleaded guilty on Thursday in Lincoln County Superior Court to Aggravated Cruelty to Animals. He admitted to shooting more than 100 BBs into his familys dog in last year. The injuries to the year-old Lab mix dog were found by a veterinarian after the dog was taken to the Lincoln County Animal Shelter. Armstrong admitted to police he shot the dog while drunk. Armstrong had already served four and a half months in jail while awaiting court action, before being released on bail this winter. His attorney and the Assistant District Attorney had agreed to a plea bargain, which would not have required Armstrong to serve any more time, but the judge rejected the deal. Instead, Justice Jeffrey Hjelm ordered him back to jail for several more months, calling the crime nothing short of torture. Armstrong was sentenced to four years, with all but eight months suspended, followed by two years probation. His attorney says the sentence will require Armstrong to actually serve about two additional months. Lawyers on both sides say its unusual for a judge to reject a plea bargain, but not unheard of. Both admitted they were a bit surprised when it happened on Thursday. The Assistant DA, and managers at the Lincoln County Animal Shelter, hope it sends a message that cruelty to animals cant be tolerated. Meanwhile, Lady the dog has a new home and a new life. She was adopted from the Lincoln County Shelter, and her new owners say she has become a great pet. But most of the BBs are still in her body. The vet told them it would too much of an ordeal for Lady to have all of those BBs removed.
Posted on: Mon, 31 Mar 2014 04:26:10 +0000
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