Georgia: Prosecutors wanted Caleb Lanier, 23, jailed for eight years after setting dog on fire, but pathetic judge felt sorry for him and only gave him four

GEORGIA --  A 23-year-old man was sentenced to 10 years four years in jail for setting his family’s dog house on fire while the dog was inside.

Caleb Dansel Lanier (aka Calib Lanier, Calib Dansel Lanier) was convicted of felony animal cruelty and one other felony charge for intentionally burning his brother's dog over 60 percent of her body.

“Royalti,” a year-and-a-half old female pit bull, belonged to Lanier’s brother and sister-in-law. Police say Lanier had had a "simmering dispute" with his brother when he decided to take it out on his innocent dog.

Prosecutors said Lanier trapped the dog inside her house with a piece of plywood, then stuck the blowtorch through a crack at the top of the dog house and began burning her. He then used the blowtorch to set the entire dog house on fire.

The dog began screaming and trying to claw her way out of the dog house, suffering burns on her face and over 60 percent of her body before managing to escape the dog house.

Veterinarian Regan Burford, who first treated the severely burned dog, testified in court.

"Royati should never had survived the abuse she endured or the agonizing treatment she fought through to survive,” he said.

"She remains a silent victim to an unimaginable act of malice, malicious torture, abuse and disfigurement,” Burford said.

 

Burford eventually adopted the dog, named it Sweet Potato Fry, and painstakingly nursed it to recovery.

Lanier sat quietly through the sentencing, even as family members testified the former honor roll student had a promising future, and this incident seemed well out of place.

"I would never think that would fit into his character given the young man that I know,” one person testified.

“I know Caleb is no danger to the community,” another person said.

Prosecutors called Lanier dangerous, telling the judge he'd been in trouble recently and an expert testified studies show animal abusers usually don't stop there.

“There's a 70 percent chance they will commit other crimes in that time span,” psychologist Dr. Maya Gupta said.

 

Prosecutors wanted Lanier sentenced to eight years in jail with seven years of probation afterwards, but the stupid judge cut that in half, sending him to jail for just four years with six years of probation following that. 

Meanwhile, the dog was given a life sentence. Her new owner says she will have a lifetime of continuing health problems due to the horrific injuries she suffered at the hands of Lanier.

(WSBTV - Aug 12, 2016)

Earlier:

• Georgia: Calib Lanier charged with animal cruelty after allegedly setting dog ablaze