West Virginia: Penny LeBlond, 31, charged with felony animal cruelty for killing her dog

WEST VIRGINIA -- A Meadowbrook woman was charged with felony animal cruelty Monday, accused of shooting dead a 7-year-old redbone pit bull mix dog who belonged to either her, her ex-boyfriend, or both of them.

Penny Ann LeBlond, 31, was released on $10,000 bond after an initial appearance before Harrison Magistrate Tammy Marple on the charge lodged by State Police Senior Trooper Roger Glaspell.

LeBlond is believed to have fired a slug from a 12-gauge into the dog’s ear area, according to Glaspell.

The defendant told Glaspell she shot the dog Friday night “because it bit a small child she was babysitting,” according to the criminal complaint.

However, the bite was said to have occurred at 9:30 a.m. Friday, and the shooting reportedly occurred around 5 p.m. that same day, Glaspell has alleged. He added that he found the dog’s body in a plastic bag in the trunk of a car owned by a relative of the defendant.

The trooper “observed three small abrasions on the child’s forehead, neck and head. Said abrasions did not appear consistent with a vicious dog bite,” the complaint alleges.

Glaspell noted that even if a dog bites a child, it isn’t justifiable to shoot the animal hours later. An example of a circumstance when it would be OK to kill an animal, according to the lawman: If it was attacking a child, there was fear for the safety of the juvenile, and the animal wouldn’t respond to commands to stop.

Those who are bitten by a dog should call animal control and the police, Glaspell added.

WHAT STARTED THE INVESTIGATION
According to West Virginia State Police, the ex-boyfriend of Penny Ann LeBlond, 31, of Meadowbrook, contacted police asking for a welfare check of his dog at LeBlond's residence.

He told police that the dog had been missing from his residence, and a mutual friend had contacted him saying he needed to get the dog from Leblond's residence or she would kill it because it bit her.

He contacted police because he believed it was a ploy to get him to come to the residence.


If convicted, LeBlond could face 1-5 years in prison and/or a fine. Additionally, the court would be required to prohibit LeBlond from possessing, owning or residing with any animal for 15 years in the event of a felony conviction.

Marple ordered the defendant to have no contact with animals while her charge is pending.

(The Exponent Telegram - Aug 1, 2016)