Bernard and Mitzi Daugherty are facing charges of aggravated animal abuse and criminal mischief.
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| Mocha had to be put to sleep after allegedly being poisoned with antifreeze. |
The attorney representing Bernard says Daugherty put the antifreeze out after he and his wife became very ill from what they suspected was dog droppings in their yard.
Defense attorneys say that Mitzi wasn't involved in the case. "This was a decision he made on his own," said attorney David Hall. "She never agreed, she never helped, she never aided, she never procured. There is nothing that Mrs. Daugherty had to do with this case."
Hall says his client is innocent of aggravated animal abuse, because he never meant to intentionally kill or torture any dogs.
The owners of the dog took the stand and told of the events leading up the death of Mocha.
Debora Ballard became emotional while describing the last moments before her dog was put down. "I went in that Monday, and they brought her in to me and I sat with her, and told her how much I loved her," she said. "and I told her that I was sorry that I was going to have to put her down."
Doctor Blair Bailey testified about what happens to a dog that has ingested antifreeze.
A Douglas County Sheriff's deputy who responded to the original call told the court what Mitzi said after informing her about the neighbors pet. "One of her neighbor's dogs was very sick and appeared they had drank some antifreeze and was most likely, according to the vet, going to die," said Deputy Heath Howington. "She told me, 'Well good, the antifreeze is doing its job.'"
The DA finished calling their witnesses and the defense is expected to start their case on Friday.
(KPIC - Feb 16, 2012)
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