Texas: Odessa Regional Hospital Chief of Surgery, Dr. Robert Lynch, 54, charged in connection to poisoning of family's dogs

TEXAS -- An Odessa doctor has been charged in connection to a family's dogs being poisoned.

Robert Kevin Lynch, 54, has been charged with three counts of Animal Cruelty, a State Jail Felony.

On December 20th, Odessa Police officers responded to a home on Casa Loma Driver for a call of possible animal cruelty. The complainant told police that a person had given their Great Pyrenees dog raw meat mixed with dog food, raisins, and a white substance.

On December 26th, the complainant called police again stating that a person had given their other dogs, a Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd mix and Yorkie-Chihuahua mix meat mixed with dog food, raisins, and a white substance.

On December 26th the Great Pyrenees-German Shepherd passed away, and a toxicology report showed that the dog had toxins in its system.

On December 29th, the Great Pyrenees passed away, and a toxicology report showed that the dog had toxins in its system.

Their German Shepherd - Great Pyrenees mix died

The Chihuahua-Yorkie mix had suffered injures as a result of ingesting the toxins as well, according to OPD.

Surveillance footage identified the person as Lynch, according to OPD.

On January 9th, detectives executed a search warrant and seized antifreeze, Critter Ridder, and other items from his home. According to OPD, Lynch voluntarily confessed to poisoning the dogs using the raw meat.

OPD Detectives then obtained a warrant for Lynch who was taken into custody.

 

 

Original Story:

An Odessa family is outraged after they say their neighbor intentionally killed two of their dogs with poison.

Now police are investigating and felony charges could be coming very soon after it was all caught on camera.

But until an arrest has been made, the family has asked that we keep their identities anonymous.

They tell me their neighbor ended up poisoning their dogs after complaining that they barked too much.

“That was a bad day,” said Veterinarian Dr. Andrew Schwarz.

It’s a case that Dr. Schwarz says will stick with him forever.

“It look like somebody had put in these specific things that are all bad for dogs and had given it to them,” said Dr. Schwarz.

On December 19th one of Schwarz’s clients brought in their two dogs, one year olds Yuki and Brownie, after they feared they had been poisoned.

The dogs’ owners found a ball of raw meat in their back yard stuffed with what Dr. Schwarz believes may have been antifreeze, some sort of aspirin, grapes and rat poison.

 

Not knowing where the ball of meat came from, Yuki and Brownie’s owners asked their neighbor for their surveillance footage to see who might have placed it there.

That's when they learned who the culprit was -- a man who lived right behind them.

In the video you can see him throwing what appears to be the ball of raw meat and seconds later one of the dogs is shown walking toward it.

Then, just a few days later it happened again. The family found another ball of meat stuffed with even more toxins.

Unfortunately, Brownie ended up passing away on December 26th from respiratory and cardiac arrest and Yuki died from kidney failure just three days later.

The family had a third dog who did not digest the poison and survived.

(CBS7 - Jan 12, 2017)

Alabama man Carlos Guzman, 27, is charged with animal cruelty after his neighbor's two Chihuahuas were poisoned with anti-freeze

ALABAMA -- An Alabama man is facing animal cruelty charges for allegedly killing two of his neighbors' dogs by poisoning them with anti-freeze.

Carlos Enrique Guzman, 27, of Attalla, was seen pouring something from a bottle onto some food before feeding it to the two Chihuahuas, chief investigator Doug Jordan said.

Police said the bottle, which Guzman threw into the woods, was recovered and preliminary tests indicate it contained anti-freeze with the compound ethylene glycol.

Two residents who live on Wilson Circle in Attalla, about 60 miles northeast of Birmingham, called the police after their two dogs became ill earlier this month.

'That kind of poisoning causes a good bit of suffering for a dog,' Jordan said.

The dogs' bodies have been sent to the Mitchem-Sparks State Diagnostic Lab for testing, AL.com reported.

Guzman was arrested on Thursday and Jordan said investigators spoke with the district attorney's office, which charged him with first-degree animal cruelty, a felony.

He has been released on $5,000 bond.

Anti-freeze poisoning affects the brain, liver and kidneys, and just three ounces can cause symptoms like vomiting, delirium, and seizures before killing a medium-sized dog.

Anti-freeze can prove deadly for dogs if they accidentally ingest the liquid dripping from car radiators.

(Daily Mail - July 19 2016)

Kentucky: After killing animals with antifreeze FOR YEARS, Edward Ream, 68, gets 90 days in county jail

KENTUCKY -- The Barlow man found guilty of animal torture of a dog or cat in a case that had jurors making a decision they didn't want to make last month received a sentence in Ballard County Circuit Court that was the maximum allowed for his conviction.

Judge Tim Langford sentenced Edward Ream, 68, to JUST 90 days in county jail and a $250 fine.

"Some of those dogs were loved like kids are loved," said Langford. "You hurt them, and that's bad."

Ream originally faced several counts of animal torture and criminal mischief following a February 2015 investigation prompted by a tip from a neighbor that Ream had meat soaking in antifreeze on the back porch of his home on Atkins Dixon Road. The neighbor had originally gone over to return Ream's mail that he had mistakenly received.

Ream's original trial resulted in a mistrial last November due to a mistake in jury selection. Ream then plead guilty but withdrew his plea this past January and opted to go a trial rather than pay restitution for dogs to which he says he did not plead guilty.

His two-day trial last month had Ream's attorney Jeremy Ian Smith claiming the dogs were trespassing on Ream's property. Commonwealth Attorney Mike Stacy said Ream did not just kill animals. "He lured animals to his house for the purpose of destroying them," he said.

During the trial, Ballard County Animal Control Officer James Campbell had testified that he and other officers had obtained a search warrant and found four containers of meat soaking in antifreeze as well as a gallon of antifreeze that was half-empty. When speaking to Ream, Campbell said Ream responded saying, "Hell yes, I did it. I'm getting tired of those dogs [peeing] on my porch."

Campbell also testified he had received several complaints regarding sick or dead dogs dating back to 1999.

Smith argued the prosecution had no direct evidence to support its claims. "No matter what dog you want to talk about, there is no evidence that on any day that they say a dog was poisoned that there was antifreeze out anywhere on my client's property," he said.

Smith had also said there was no investigation into anyone other than Ream and that animal control was at fault for not documenting the investigation. The jury foreman and another jury member had spoken after they delivered their verdict last month saying the jury truly believed Ream was guilty of all of the charges, but they found reasonable doubt on all but one of the charges. "We couldn't prove it, but we felt he had something to do with it all," one juror said.

During sentencing on Friday Judge Langford reminded Ream of what the jury foreman had said. "They thought you did every one of them over the course of year. Terrible thing."

As the sentencing took place just days after Memoria Day, Langford said he was disappointed to have to sentence a veteran to jail, who had no previous criminal record.

"You know what the big tragedy of this is? You served this country honorably in Vietnam. You were a door gunner," he said. "And I suspect you done your job real well."

Oh good lord. Seriously? We have to kiss his ass because he did one good thing 40 years ago? Hell, I'm sure Ted Bundy did something nice in his life before he started raping, strangling and killing girls. Way to forget all about the poor animals - which died horrible deaths - judge, while you're busy kissing this monster's ass.

With Ream facing 74 days left of his sentence after already serving 16 days following the trial, Langford added that he hoped Ream would come out with respect for other people's property rather than be bitter.

(KPI - June 7, 2016)

Earlier:

• Kentucky: Ballard County Man, Edward Ream, Charged with Animal Torture
• Kentucky: Edward Ream pleads guilty to animal torture charges

Kentucky: Edward Ream pleads guilty to animal torture charges

KENTUCKY -- A man charged with animal torture and criminal mischief in Ballard County has pleaded guilty to all charges.

Judge Tim Langford ruled Edward Ream's trial as a mistrial last month because of an error in jury selection. Langford was supposed to set another trial date Friday. Instead, Ream's lawyer filed a motion for diversion.

The motion for diversion does not mean Ream will spend time in jail right now. If the judge accepts the motion for diversion, Ream will have to live within certain parameters. Those include not having anything outside his home that would entice an animal and checking in with a parole officer. The two attorneys in the case both say this case is coming to an end.

Ream pushed his case to the bottom of the docket for more time to consider his options. His lawyer, Jeremy Ian Smith, said Ream changed his mind last minute and wanted to plead guilty, admitting to using antifreeze to poison dogs. Ream was facing 10 years in prison, but Smith says Ream wanted to avoid a trial.

"Obviously, it's scary for someone who doesn't have any kind of criminal history, but there's no way around that," says Smith.

But Ream's legal process isn't finished yet. He'll be back in court next month for sentencing.

Commonwealth Attorney Michael Stacy said all five victims and a veterinarian supported the plea because they wanted to hear Ream admit to his crimes. They're satisfied they could bring justice to the pets they lost at the hands of their neighbor.

"I think it's a point that they can put behind them and start remembering their pets the way they want to instead of what happened to them," Stacy says.

Stacy and Smith say no dogs have been reported poisoned since Ream's arrest. He will be in court again Jan. 15 for sentencing.

(WPSD - Dec 4, 2015)

Update to story: 
Edward Ream withdrew his guilty plea & going to trial. The judge said he would grant Ream's request to withdraw his guilty plea, but the guilty plea would be admissible at trial.

Earlier:

• Kentucky: Ballard County Man, Edward Ream, Charged with Animal Torture

Noah Luke Maxson, 19, poisoned neighbor's Jack Russell that barked at his guinea fowl, police say

FLORIDA -- A 19-year-old man was arrested Sunday after authorities said he admitted to poisoning his neighbor’s dog because it barked at his backyard fowl.

Noah Luke Maxson said his neighbor’s Jack Russell terrier, Tinker, often barked at Maxson’s guinea fowl and he poisoned it because he was afraid the dog would get into his yard and attack the birds, according to a Marion County Sheriff’s Office report.

On Sunday, Tinker’s owner, Susan Kay Graham, called 911 and sheriff’s deputies responded to her home at 12170 SW 43rd Street. Grahman reported that her dog was in critical condition at a veterinary clinic and tests showed the animal had ingested antifreeze, the report states.

“We’re devastated. Little Tink wouldn’t hurt a flea. Poor little Tink,” Graham said on Monday.

She said the 10-year-old dog, which she had owned since the canine was a puppy, suffered for hours before she died Sunday evening.

“All he had to do was to come and tell me that the dog was barking, instead of killing my dog,” Graham said.

Graham said she suspected someone in the neighboring home because she had found pieces of tile in her yard that looked similar to tile recently installed next door.

“I figure he tried to get her to stop barking by throwing pieces of tile at her and when that didn’t work he poisoned her,” she said.

Graham explained her suspicions to a deputy and turned over the tile pieces to him. He went next door to 12150 SW 43rd St. and saw similar tile there. Maxson’s mother told the deputy that Noah was not home, and also told the deputy that he had poisoned a dog in the past, according to the report.

The deputy contacted Maxson by phone and he returned to the home, where he admitted to poisoning the dog by mixing antifreeze into a boiled egg and feeding it to the dog through the fence. He said he used the bottom half of a sports drink bottle to feed the dog. The container was found in Maxson's yard, the report states.

According to the report, Maxson told the deputy he had researched the best way to poison and concluded that antifreeze was better than rat poison.

“I hope to God - I don’t know what the maximum penalty is - but I hope he gets that,” Graham said.
Maxson was booked at the Marion County Jail on one count of felony animal cruelty. He was released late Sunday after posting a $2,000 bond.

“He’s back. Right next door. I have another dog that I’m scared to death to let out into the yard now,” Graham said.

A call to Maxson was not immediately returned Monday.

(Ocala - Oct 5, 2015 )

For poisoning cats and letting them suffer horrible deaths, Antonio Ramos-Perez will only sit in jail for 18 days

OREGON -- Antonio Ramos-Perez was sentenced to at least 18 days in jail after being convicted of poisoning nine cats in West Salem using antifreeze.

Ramos-Perez was arrested in January after nine West Salem cats died from antifreeze poisoning. The deaths occurred in the area of Sixth Street and Rosemont Avenue NW.

He was charged with nine counts of felony aggravated animal abuse in the first degree and nine counts of misdemeanor, first-degree animal abuse. He was convicted on misdemeanor charges Oct. 2 in Polk County Circuit Court.

At the time of the incident, Ramos-Perez was on pre-trial release as he faced charges of failure to perform the duties of a driver to an injured person and initiating a false report in Marion County. He has since been convicted of those charges.

Jake Kamins, animal abuse deputy district attorney, said Ramos-Perez was aware of the risk of his actions. Ramos-Perez put antifreeze on a piece of meat in a small open container in his driveway. He told police he moved it to a garbage can that didn't have a lid after several hours. At trial, he testified that he later moved it to a garbage can that had a lid after he saw cats in the first one, Kamins said.

Mark Geiger, defense lawyer, told the court what Ramos-Perez did wasn't malicious and occurred because of a lack of understanding.

Once Ramos-Perez realized antifreeze could kill cats, he put it in a garbage can. When he realized they could still access it, he put it in a different garbage can, but they still had access, Geiger said.

"He has a very simple, child-like quality about him (which) is endearing, but probably led to this case," Geiger said.

Geiger asked the judge to allow Ramos-Perez to serve his jail time on the weekends so he could continue to provide for his family. Ramos-Perez's employer told the judge he had a lead, full-time position at a  manufacturer, was committed to his career and family and would be difficult to replace.

Speaking through a translator, Ramos-Perez said, "I want to apologize for what happened. It was not my intention. If I had known it would hurt the animals, I would not have done it."

Judge Sally Avea, after learning he owned 10 rabbits, birds and a dog, asked how he would feel if he woke up to find his dog dead on his front porch.

"I would feel awful," Ramos-Perez replied. He said he understood how the pet owners in the court felt about their cats.

Kamins asked the judge to give Ramos-Perez three years in custody and five years of probation.
Avera said that recommendation would be more severe than if Ramos-Perez had accidentally run someone over with his car and killed him.

Avera sentenced Ramos-Perez to 18 days in jail to be served on weekends and 18 months probation with the possibility of more jail time if he violates the terms of his supervision.

One of Ramos-Perez's victims: a cat which was poisoned and
suffered horribly before dying

On top of the standard conditions of probation, Ramos-Perez must complete 216 hours of community service, must not possess or care for any kind of animal, must not possess antifreeze, must find new homes for his pets within 72 hours and must obtain a mental health evaluation.

If Ramos-Perez violates his probation, a 150-day jail sentence will automatically kick in. For five charges, Avera didn't impose a sentence so that if he violated his probation the judge hearing that case could impose a jail sentence of up to a year.

That means if he violates probation, he could serve a maximum of five years and 150 days in jail.
He also was ordered to pay $1,800 in fines.

"Sir, this will enable you to remain in your employment but it will hold over you a severe sentence if you violate your probation," Avera told him. "I consider your conduct to be serious."

(Statesman Journal - Oct 13, 2015)

Kentucky: Ballard County Man, Edward Ream, Charged with Animal Torture

KENTUCKY -- A Ballard County man faces charges of animal torture. According to a press release, Ballard County Animal Control along with the Ballard County Sheriff’s Office executed a search warrant Friday at a home on North Adkins Dixon Road in Barlow.

Warrant officers reportedly found four containers containing meat soaking in a green substance believed to be antifreeze. Officers also recovered a gallon jug of antifreeze with over half of it missing.

According to the press release, there has been an open investigation in the area of more than five dogs in the past 3 ½ years being poisoned by antifreeze.

Authorities said numerous other dogs that died in the area were not reported to animal control until after the fact.

Ballard County Animal Control charged Edward Ream with torture of a dog/cat with/serious physical injuries/ death, a Class D felony. He was cited and then released.

(West Kentucky Star - Feb 9, 2015)

California: Boy, 14, accused of stealing and torturing cats to death. Allegedly told police "Killing a cat is like killing a sheet of paper. It is nothing to kill a cat."

CALIFORNIA -- When Jacksonville, Florida, resident Adam Arendell opened the door and let his cat, Camus, outside, he had no idea that he would never see her alive again.

Camus' body was found several days later lying in a nearby alley, burned almost beyond recognition. She had been doused with lighter fluid and set on fire.

The alleged perpetrator - a 14-year-old boy who was reportedly found with two severely injured cats in his backpack and who admitted to killing at least five other cats - told the police, "Killing a cat is like killing a sheet of paper. It is nothing to kill a cat."

Mr. Arendell probably thought he lived in a "nice" neighborhood, where people don't do things like setting helpless animals on fire. But cruelty and intolerance are not defined by ZIP code: Terrible things happen to stray, feral and "indoor-outdoor" cats every day.

PETA receives hundreds of reports of abuse every month. Many cats "disappear" and are never found - most, no doubt, victims of foul play.

During the past month alone, dozens of cats across the country were abused and/or killed by cruel humans, including some cats in Antioch, California; Jefferson, Ohio; and Houston, Texas, who were found suffering from severe burns after apparently being intentionally set on fire.

Unknown assailants armed with guns, arrows and even blow darts shot cats in Illinois, Indiana, Michigan, South Carolina, Pennsylvania, Georgia and Washington. The remains of dismembered cats were found in El Paso and Houston, Texas, and in Wilmington, North Carolina.

Two cats in Dallas were found impaled on a fence, with the spikes protruding through their hind legs. One cat had to be euthanized because of the severity of the injuries, and the other cat escaped while being freed from the fence

Other cats are poisoned by intolerant neighbors who view them as "pests" and don't want them digging in their yards or climbing on their cars.

Cats in a Reeds Spring, Missouri, trailer park were found dead after residents received letters from an anonymous person urging them to set out antifreeze to kill free-roaming cats.

And still other cats are attacked and killed by wildlife, including a cat in North Carolina who was killed by coyotes in an attack witnessed by a horrified neighbor who described seeing the coyotes corral and kill the cat, taking turns grabbing and shaking the cat with their mouths.

In Palo Alto, California, coyote attacks are so common that animal control officials report picking up feline victims nearly every day.

Could your cat be the next victim? If you allow your cat to roam outdoors unsupervised, he or she certainly could be.

There's no question about it: Cats are safest and happiest living indoors. The average lifespan of an indoor cat is 12 years, versus just two to three years for cats who live outdoors. Not only are indoor cats safe from the dangers posed by two- and four-legged predators, they are also safe from traffic, and they're far less likely to contract deadly contagious diseases and parasites.

Local birds, bunnies and chipmunks breathe more easily as well when cats stay indoors: Every year, free-roaming cats terrorize, maim and kill billions of native birds and other small animals that aren't equipped to defend themselves against these non-native predators and are already struggling to survive because of human activity and population encroachment.

"Camus was a sweet and friendly cat; she was a part of our family and we'll forever regret not bringing her inside that day," Adam Arendell told a reporter.

Don't learn a hard lesson at your cat's expense. Keep your cat indoors.

(Merced Sun Star - Oct 22, 2014)

Landlord denies sending out letter telling residents to poison stray cats

MISSOURI -- Residents of a Reeds Spring trailer park received letters in their mailboxes asking them to place bowls of antifreeze outside their homes to kill stray cats.

Kim Pillars, who lives in White Eagle Woods in Reeds Spring, said there are "dead cats everywhere" because someone has been putting out bowls of antifreeze, shooting strays and burning them. She and other residents produced an identical letter telling them the cat problem needed a solution or rents could go up for everyone.

A News-Leader photographer this Thursday afternoon saw several stray cats and a dead, burned cat on the property. A complaint has been made to the Stone County Sheriff's Office, and deputies visited the scene Thursday, as well as Humane Society representatives.

The trailer park's manager, Mark F. Rich, this afternoon told the News-Leader he did not send the note. He said there's been dispute in the trailer park between residents who want dozens of problematic feral cats gone and residents who feed the cats. He also said one specific resident has expressed anger at the cats and might have circulated the note but Rich declined to give that person's name.

Intentionally killing an animal in a manner not authorized by law, such as hunting, is class A misdemeanor, unless the death is caused as a result of torture or mutilation, in which case it's a class D felony.

The note, provided to the News-Leader and posted by Pillars on Craigslist, aggressively calls for residents to help get rid of the animals. It asks residents not to leave food outside their units because strays have become "a major problem." The note says the cats tear up insulation under homes and cause damage.

"Anyone found feeding stray cats will face immediate eviction," the note says. "Beginning the first of October we will begin an all out assault on all stray cats ... so keep your one pet in doors. All residents can help clean up the stray cat problem by leaving a bowl of antifreeze out to poison these ever increasing problem."

Manager Rich told the News-Leader he's been in Colorado for 2 ½ weeks and was reached by a reporter while on vacation. He said he wasn't aware of any letter or any issue with dead cats and called it "ridiculous" that a news story was being written about the note.

"We didn't put out any letter and we're not killing any cats," he said. Part of the park property is owned, according to county records, by Rich and part by White Eagle Woods, LLC, with Rich as the registered agent for that limited liability corporation.

While warning about possible higher rents, the note also calls the stray cats a potential health problem.

Rich complained to the News-Leader about damage the cats do to trailers and said it's difficult to catch them. He also complained that the county does not have effective animal control and said the Humane Society wants $40 per cat to remove the animals.

Some residents are worried for the cats.

Resident Pillars said she posted the note to seek help to round up stray cats and move them to safety.

The remains of a burned cat sit in a dumpsite at the
White Eagle Woods mobile home park in Reeds Spring

A photographer on the scene saw Stone County Sheriff's Deputies and members of the Humane Society's Animal Cruelty Task Force. A society spokeswoman confirmed to the News-Leader early this evening that two investigators were at the scene and are working with the sheriff's department. She declined to elaborate.

Sheriff Doug Rader said his department did get a complaint and followed up.

He said two dead cats were discovered, but a deputy couldn't determine the cause of death or prove that someone had killed them. He told the News-Leader there's not much more his department can do.

(Springfield News Leader - Sept 19, 2014)

Related:

• Letter calls for cats to be poisoned in Reeds Spring

Letter calls for cats to be poisoned in Reeds Spring

MISSOURI -- An "all-out assault" on stray cats. That's what's going to happen in a mobile home park according to a notice given to tenants at White Eagle Woods in Reeds Spring.

The notice described a killing spree set to take place in October. However, some tenants said that killing spree has already begun.

The notice requested all residents to "leave a bowl of antifreeze out to poison" the stray cats. It goes on to read that if the problem is not eliminated, rent will increase for all tenants. If any tenant is caught feeding a stray cat, they will face immediate eviction.

 

 

On Thursday, KSPR found the charred remains of one cat that had been burned in a pile of debris. An investigator with the Humane Society of Missouri, along with deputies from the Stone County Sheriff's Department were also present. An investigation is underway.

White Eagle Woods is owned and operated by Mark Rich. But after receiving the notice signed as "White Eagle Woods -- LLC", Kimberly Pillars decided to find a new home for her dogs fearing they could be poisoned.

"I'm getting this notice in the mailbox. and I'm thinking, 'Oh great. Where around my property has this man put antifreeze?' I have animals. I have a kid. If he's got stuff out there, I need to know," Pillars said.

The notice reads that stray cats pose a problem.

"Because they are a health hazard. As if having antifreeze on your front porch is not a health hazard," Pillars added.

A tenant only identified as Bill has lived in the mobile home park for 18 years.

"I was shocked, amazed. I was horrified. We have moral responsibilities as human beings to take up for the animals. God created those and he put them under our authority. They're to be taken care of not to be destroyed like this," Bill said.

But some stray cats have already been eliminated. Jeff White said some have been killed by Mark Rich.

"I've actually witnessed him shooting two different cats and I've heard other people say they've seen him put out antifreeze. I found a pie plate underneath that home over there with antifreeze in it. And between the well house and the water tank, I found a cat food can with antifreeze in it," White said.

 

 

KSPR talked with the owner, Mark Rich, on the phone Thursday night. He said he has been out of the state for more than two weeks.

He said the accusations are false. He never sent out the notice, but that it was written by "disgruntled tenants facing eviction."

[If he didn't write the letter, who has been putting out the cans/bowls of antifreeze? Why would this tenant say he SAW him shoot two cats

Rich said he would allow people to come in and trap the cats and take them to shelters. KSPR had several questions to ask Rich, but he said he had nothing else to add or discuss and hung up the phone.

KSPR learned on Thursday that Rich recently faced a charge of Utility Tampering for cutting the wires from an electrical box to a tenant. A warrant was issued for his arrest for Failure to Appear.

(KSPR - Sept 18, 2014)

Related:

• Landlord denies sending out letter telling residents to poison stray cats

Police: Man Poisoned Neighbor's Dog with Antifreeze

SOUTH CAROLINA -- Officials arrested a Charleston man Monday after he allegedly poisoned his neighbor's dog with antifreeze.

Thomas Walker, 29, had previously complained about the dog's barking, The Post and Courier reports.

Walker's neighbor told officials the animal began vomiting on Sunday and died Monday after being euthanized by a veterinarian. An investigation discovered likely poisoning from ethylene glycol, a substance found in antifreeze.

While the suspect first denied any involvement, he later confessed to pouring the substance over his neighbor's fence, according to The Post and Courier.

Officials charged Walker with animal cruelty.

(WTMA - Sept 4, 2014)

Connecticut: Joseph Loewy, 53, gets sweetheart deal from Judge Wendy Susco even though he's the reason a little girl's cat died of antifreeze poisoning

CONNECTICUT -- A Granby man accused of abducting a neighbor's cat and dropping it miles from home received a form of probation Friday that could wipe his record clean.

Joseph Loewy trapped the velvety black cat named Tiny late last year and drove it to the Glastonbury Industrial Park after an ongoing dispute with its owners. Tiny was found after two months on his own and returned home just before New Year's Day. He died a few days ago, apparently from antifreeze ingested during his wanderings.

The 53-year-old businessman claims he was protecting his own cat, Nate, who was repeatedly roughed up by Tiny, and his four horses, who were terrified of the prowling 16-pound neutered male.

But Loewy drew little sympathy from the abducted cat's owners, an interested neighbor and a few animal lovers who came from as far as East Hartland for Friday's sentencing on animal cruelty and larceny charges in Enfield Superior Court.

``It's made me ill. That animal suffered for over two months,'' said Dawn Leto of Glastonbury. ``I'm furious.''

Tiny's owner's -- Steven Fischer and Margaret Fiore Fischer -- strongly disagreed with Judge Wendy Susco's decision to grant Loewy accelerated rehabilitation, a form of probation used for first-time offenders. He was ordered to give $150 to an animal charity of his choice and cover Tiny's veterinarian bills -- approximately $375 -- since his return.

Tiny was the Fischers' 9-year-old daughter's pet.

Dressed in a blue blazer, tie and khakis, Loewy remained silent, while his attorney, T.R. Paulding of West Hartford, described him as a ``calm, rational and reasonable'' man.

``He recognizes what he did was wrong,'' Paulding said.

(Hartford Courant - Jan 8, 2000)