Kristopher Barwell showed no reaction as he was sentenced for one charge of causing unnecessary pain and suffering to his dog — a border collie named Zeus — through the summer of 2012.
Prosecutor Christian Lim told court the abuse was “essentially torture. This is probably Edmonton’s worst case, in recent years, of animal abuse. Just because the dog survived, we should not forget that this was a horrific crime.”
Provincial court Judge Harry Bridges called the cruelty “sickening.”
On July 24, 2012, Barwell’s neighbour Yvonne Scott saw him chase Zeus into his backyard, pin him to the ground and punch him with “extreme force,” according to an agreed statement of facts.
“Knock it off, right now,” Scott yelled at Barwell. “I don’t know what that dog did, but there is nothing it possibly could have done to deserve that. There is a difference between a slap and a beating and that is a beating.”
In August, the abuse continued. Scott saw Barwell punch Zeus and swing him into a fence. Barwell only stopped when confronted.
Throughout July and August, Barwell’s family noticed Zeus transform into a “submissive, cowering” dog. The dog often lacked food and water.
On Aug. 11, Barwell’s family carried Zeus into a veterinary clinic after they discovered he couldn’t walk on his own.
Zeus had a severe blood infection, deep puncture wounds on his head, friction burns, chipped teeth, improperly healing fractures of both hind legs and two pellets embedded near his right hind leg.
“There were maggots coming out of the wounds in the face and neck of the dog,” Lim added.
Though a veterinarian thought Zeus would need to be euthanized, he survived, though he will never be fully healed, Lim said.
“Had he not been brought for emergency medical care, he certainly could have died,” veterinarian Anthea Smith wrote in a report filed in court.
Scott said she reported Barwell because she could no longer witness the abuse. “I would hope anyone else would do what I did.”
Barwell did not address the court when given the chance. His lawyer said that the alcohol and drug abuse problems Barwell was going through in 2012 are now behind him.
“During that time, he was not the individual I suggest is before the court today. His condition is far better.”
Shawna Randolph, spokeswoman for the Edmonton Humane Society, said she was satisfied with the sentence. “We wanted jail time. We wanted justice. We wanted people to know the courts take these cases seriously.”
Barwell is also prohibited from owing pets for 15 years.
The dog now lives with another family. He has been renamed Kaden, which means warrior.
(Edmonton Journal - Oct 24, 2013)
Earlier:
No comments:
Post a Comment