Joshua Kyle Stitt, 21, pleaded guilty Friday to four counts of aggravated animal abuse in the first degree and a misdemeanor charge of animal abuse.
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| Joshua Kyle Stitt. Just 21 years old and he already has a long mugshot history |
Herndon also sentenced Stitt, to 18 months of supervised probation followed by 3-1/2 years of unsupervised probation.
On Sept. 4, Stitt stabbed his father's blue heeler-Doberman mix, Blue, 10 times using a pocket knife with a three-inch blade and cut the dog's throat, said Sarah Dumont, a Clackamas County deputy district attorney.
The dog did not die quickly, Dumont said.
Stitt also beat six puppies to death with a metal rod, dismembering some of the dogs, Dumont said.
Stitt did not offer any explanation for his actions. His attorney, Charles A. Moore said Stitt killed the older dog because he feared it was going to bite his wife. He killed the puppies because he was moving and didn't have the money to take them to the pound, Moore said.
Blue belonged to Stitt before he joined the U.S. Marines. While he was away, the dog bonded with Stitt's father, John.
John Stitt told deputies his son was discharged from the Marines because of mental problems.
Herndon ordered Joshua Stitt to undergo a mental evaluation and to follow whatever treatment is recommended. He also prohibited Stitt from possessing any animals for the five years he is on probation.
"If it were up to me, you'd be prohibited from owning any animals for the rest of your life," Herndon said.
(The Oregonian - November 13, 2009)