Clifford Robbins gets probation after euthanizing dog with car exhaust fumes

NEW JERSEY -- A Toms River man was sentenced to probation on Friday for killing his dog by poisoning her with car exhaust fumes.

Besides being on probation for two years, Clifford Robbins, 76, also will have to perform 30 hours of community service under the sentence imposed by Superior Court Judge James Blaney in Toms River, said Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph Coronato.

Police responding to a call about Robbins' dead dog Mocha on April 14 found the mixed-breed Labrador sealed in a travel carrier that had been connected by a hose to the exhaust of Robbins' car.

 

 

When Toms River police did not pursue charges in the case, the New Jersey Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals referred the matter to the prosecutor's office on May 7. Robbins was indicted on Aug. 21 and arrested.

Robbins pleaded guilty on Jan. 5 to a third-degree charge of animal cruelty.

Under the plea deal, Robbins will also have to submit to mental health counseling, surrender his pet cat to a local animal rescue group and waive his right to ever own a pet again, Coronato said.

Robbins' attorney, Peter Draper, said his client's judgment was clouded by several recent tragic incidents in his life, including the deaths of his father, two brothers and a son.

Pff, whatever...

 Draper said Mocha, who was at least 18, suffered from a stomach tumor and arthritis and became aggressive. Draper said Robbins thought he was acting humanely by euthanizing the dog in that manner.

"He really understands now that there was a more appropriate and still humane way to go about this," Draper said after court. "He completely understands that he was in the wrong. Unfortunately, he made a terrible decision based on all the things that were going on with him at the time."

Draper said that when Robbins pleaded guilty, he initially agreed to have the NJSPCA conduct periodic well-being checks on the cat, but Robbins later voluntarily agreed to give up the cat, which now has a new home.

It wasn't that Robbins couldn't afford to have Mocha put down by a veterinarian, Draper said.

"It wasn't a money issue," Draper said. "it was a 'I'm not thinking clearly' issue," he said. "It's a lot on one man."

Besides recently losing his father, two brothers and son, Robbins also has a daughter with a terminal illness and his wife left him to help take care of her son from a previous marriage, Draper said.

(NJ.com - March 6, 2015)