I have seen many a crazy thing while driving down the highway. However, the site one woman caught on video trumps any of the them. According to the news report, an SUV was driving down the highway at upwards of 70 miles per hour while towing an animal crate behind it. However, the animal was not actually in the crate. Instead the American pit bull terrier named Zeus was chained to the top of the crate with no protection from the elements. The woman, who was outraged at the site, pulled out her phone and took video of the situation and posted it to Facebook, where it has been viewed over 1 million times. The local Animal Services agency is working with the sheriff’s office to investigate the matter. The owner of the dog said the animal likes to ride outside the crate, and was harnessed and tethered so he would not fall. The owner could be facing charges for Cruelty to Animals.
Weld County Animal Cruelty Attorney: What is the Definition of Cruelty to Animals?
The Colorado law definition of Cruelty to Animals – C.R.S. 18-9-202 – is:
(b) Any person who intentionally abandons a dog or cat commits the offense of cruelty to animals.
As it states in the statute above, in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County, it is considered animal abuse to carry or confine an animal in or on a vehicle in a reckless or cruel manner. The issue becomes: what defines a cruel or reckless manner? The dog owner in the case above would probably argue that tethering his dog to the top of a crate and towing it behind his car is not cruel or reckless as the dog was harnessed and tied down so he could not fall off. The public’s response seems to be different, though, as many are outraged over the treatment of the animal. In similar cases in Weld, Morgan, and Logan County, it becomes the responsibility of the investigating officers to determine if the actions were reckless or cruel.
Greeley Cruelty to Animals Lawyer: What is the Punishment for Animal Abuse?
As a class 1 misdemeanor in Greeley, Erie, and Evans, Animal Cruelty is punishable by 6 to 18 months in the Weld County Jail and up to $5,000 in fines. Depending on the situation surrounding the conviction, a judge may also require an evaluation to be completed at the expense of the defendant, and depending on the findings, the court can order any appropriate treatment programs the evaluator recommends. These expenses all add up fast.
If you or someone you love has been charged with Animal Cruelty or Animal Abuse, be smart, exercise your right to remain silent, and contact the best Greeley criminal defense lawyers from the O’Malley Law Office at 970-616-6009 today. Together, we can protect your future.
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