Ohio man charged for shooting dog
Posted: Wed Jan 10, 2018 8:20 am
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It is not known how a new law related to animal cruelty known as Goddard’s law will affect this case.
Goddard's Law, or House Bill 60, was signed into state law in June 2016 making it a fifth-degree felony to knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal. That includes depriving a pet of food, water or shelter, or inflicting long-term pain. Punishment could be six months to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine.
Online court records through the Elyria Municipal Court does show Kilgore as being charged with the low-level felony.
Currier also said — depending on the new Goddard’s Law — the suspect may not be released immediately.
“He might not even have a bond, he’d probably have to see a judge,” he said.
Goddard’s Law, or House Bill 60, was signed into state law in June 2016 making it a fifth-degree felony to knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal. That includes depriving a pet of food, water or shelter, or inflicting long-term pain. Punishment could be six months to a year in jail and a $2,500 fine. Galloway said she wasn’t that interested because the damage already had been done.
“No matter what happens to them it’s never bringing my little baby back,” she said choking back tears.
Michael Karst, an animal and dog law attorney, said it depends on certain circumstances if the suspect was legally justified in shooting the dog.
“Any time you’re trying to break up a dog fight, there’s always a risk that you’re going to get hurt or that somebody else is going to get hurt, but using deadly force or firing your weapon to save your animal probably isn’t the best idea,” Karst said.
Using a non-lethal weapon may have lessened the charges because lawyers also would look at the proportion of force used, he added.