Gabriel Lee Jr. was charged with aggravated animal cruelty after the 4-month-old puppy, now known as Braveheart, was found chained inside a storage unit that last belonged to Lee. The puppy was on a concrete floor, without water and with little food.
The six-member jury deliberated about an hour before finding Lee guilty of the lesser crime, simple cruelty to an animal, a misdemeanor. Aggravated cruelty to an animal is a felony.
The facility's owners made the disturbing discovery in September 2013, after the renter abandoned the unit. A police report was soon filed.
When the story on Braveheart appeared on NBC 6 News, a groundswell of support from around the Ark-La-Tex began, and animal rights groups demanding the person responsible be brought to justice.
An investigation involving Animal Control and the Caddo district attorney’s office culminated in Lee’s arrest in December 2013.
After the guilty verdict, Lee was handcuffed and taken from the courtroom. He will be sentenced Feb. 10, 2015.
Penalty for simple animal cruelty is fine of up to $1,000 and/or up to six months in jail. In addition, at least five 8-hour days (40 hours) of community service that cannot be suspended.
(ArkLaTex - Jan 29, 2015)
Earlier:
I know, he's a pit bull, but no dog deserves what he went through.
ReplyDeleteI think "people" like Lee should be sterilized just in case they would ever treat a child like this. I don't get how torturing and abusing animals is ever ok. Felony laws should be passed and enforced for anyone who does this.