Florida: Ronald Westman sentenced to more a year in jail for animal cruelty

FLORIDA -- A drunken Sarasota man left his puppy tied to his father's van, went to sleep and his unknowing father dragged the puppy down the street for four blocks nearly a year ago.

He was sentenced to one year in jail Friday morning.

Ronald Westman, 56, pleaded no contest to a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty and violation of a county ordinance for improperly tethering an animal. Circuit Judge Erica Quartermaine sentenced Westman to serve a year in jail.

Westman forfeited the puppy to animal services after the incident.

Westman, a felon, has received numerous citations for irresponsible pet ownership.

"This office is committed to protecting animals and we are happy the judge gave him the maximun sentence," Assistant State Attorney Linsey Sims-Bohnensteihl said.

Sometime before 5:30 p.m. June 18, Westman tied his female pit bull mix puppy, "Good Girl," to his father's van and went to sleep inside his home in the 3100 block of 44th Street, according to court records. His father then drove away in his van, [allegedly] not knowing Good Girl was tied to it, and dragged the puppy four blocks before witnesses were able to stop him.

The dog suffered several injuries, included loss of portions of her paw pads, toes and nails.

When deputies with the Sarasota County Sheriff's Office interviewed Westman, he told them he had just woken up from a nap and Good Girl was either inside his dad's van or tied to it. He also stated his father "probably should have known this," according to reports.

The next day when he was told Good Girl had been confiscated and was in the care of a veterinarian, Westman said, "she runs off. It's a pain."

(Bradenton.com - April 29, 2016)