Police say Ricky Lee Knowles went into his neighbor's yard on March 20 and used doggie treats to lure Kona, a golden retriever, into his own yard and then beat the dog nearly to death with a hatchet.
Neighbors heard the dog's yelping and rushed to get police there. When officers arrived, they found a golden retriever tied to a pole, bleeding from severe wounds to his head and neck, prosecutors said.
Animal control officers had to cut a piece of wire from around the dog’s neck.
The dog had a crushed skull, a broken jaw and blood-filled eyes. Miraculously, the dog not only survived, but is able to still walk.
"This was a horrific crime," said Amber Chenoweth with Pasado's Safe Haven. "I mean, this poor dog was beaten in the head with a hammer."
Members from Pasado's crammed the courtroom Monday as Knowles changed his animal cruelty plea to guilty.
Also in court was Sam Hokanson, Kona's owner.
"I didn't want to see the guy but I knew I wanted to be here to show the court that I think he should pay for what he did," Hokanson said.
Hokanson had told detectives Knowles had complained before about Kona's barking, but he said they'd spoken about it and come to an agreement. Prosecutors say it's unclear what set Knowles off on the day of the crime.
Knowles was released on bail but faces up to a year in jail when sentenced on Sept. 17. Pierce County prosecutor Mark Lindquist says he will request the high end of the sentencing range.
"A year is better than nothing," Hokanson said. "What I wanted was the felony. That's what I wanted... because I want him to know he did something wrong."
Meanwhile, Kona is doing much better.
"He's playing in the sprinkler," Hokanson said. "He has his hair back, he's energetic and like nothing ever happened."
(KEPR - July 16, 2012)
Earlier:
Knowles was arrested and charged with first degree animal cruelty, theft, second-degree criminal trespass and taking, concealing, injuring or killing a pet or an animal.
Police obtained a warrant and searched the property where they found more blood-spattered evidence. In the back yard they bloody gloves, a bloody garbage can and dog treats, police said. A bloody hammer with dog hair on it was found next to a blood-spattered shed, and a nearby fire pit had a plastic cover that was coated with blood and dog hair. They believe that a hatchet was used to strike the dog repeatedly. Police also found rat poison with the treats.
