Saturday, August 5, 2017

Florida: David Hayes pleads guilty to starving his Pit Bull in exchange for not having to serve any extra time since he's already in jail after being convicted of drug charges

FLORIDA -- While insisting he loves animals, a 30-year-old Riviera Beach man on Friday pleaded guilty to a felony charge of animal cruelty and unlawful confinement of an animal in connection with his treatment of a pit bull that was later euthanized by animal welfare workers.

David Hayes was sentenced to 150 days in jail by Palm Beach County Circuit Judge Cheryl Caracuzzo.


He has been held in the Palm Beach County jail since April when he was convicted of charges of possession of cocaine and oxycodone and handed a 180-day sentence.

JUDGE ALLOWED HAYES TO SERVE SENTENCE CONCURRENT TO DRUG CHARGES SO REALLY HAYES DIDN'T HAVE ANYTHING TO LOSE BY PLEADING GUILTY -- AND IT'S WRONG TO SAY HE WAS SENTENCED TO 150 DAYS WHEN REALLY, HE WAS GOING TO BE IN JAIL ANYWAY... AND GETS OUT NEXT MONTH AND CAN GO GET ANOTHER DOG TO STARVE.

He was allowed to serve the sentence on the animal cruelty charge at the same time as the drug charges. 

He is expected to be released next month, in September.

Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control officers went to Hayes’ house in February 2016 after receiving a report of pit bulls being kept in a plywood box in the yard.

When they arrived, they discovered a chained, emaciated pit bull, sweltering in the heat and unable to reach its water bowl, according to court records.


Hayes was arrested in December.

While the dog was restored to health, two adoptions failed, animal control officials said. The dog was eventually euthanized.

While he pleaded guilty, Hayes disputed some of the allegations. “I love animals and the dog was taken care of,” he said.

Does that dog look "taken care of"???

(Palm Beach Post - August 4, 2017)

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