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NEVADA |
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Richard McDonald and Douglas Stumpf pleaded guilty to
misdemeanors in the theft and torture of a high school's canine
mascot known as Blu. |
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Blu a 20 month old English bulldog and mascot for Centennial
High School, sustained life-threatening injuries after she was
forced into a staged fight with another dog (a 9 month old pit
bull trained for attacks) while students watched.
Blu had lost a dangerous amount of blood, suffered from
hypothermia and 6 infected puncture wounds to her left ear,
cheek, neck and shoulder.
Both McDonald and Stumpf (age 18) were two of 11 students
charged for the cruelty. McDonald and Stumpf both were ordered
to stay out of trouble for one year, write letters of apology to
the dog's owner and perform 150-200 hours of community service
at an animal shelter. McDonald must also prepare a report on the
causes and effects of animal abuse. Stumpf was also given a $270
fine, must pay $1000 in restitution and a 2-day jail sentence as
well as 60 days of house arrest. The only dog now permitted in
Stumpf home is his mother's terrier. Stumpf owned two dogs,
which now have been taken and placed elsewhere.
McDonald was a starting quarterback on the Mojave football team.
He no longer plays football and attends an alternative school.
If he stays out of trouble and completes all the terms of his
sentence, his record will be wiped clean at the end of one year.
Long, Stedman and Ward (all age 17) were expecting to receive
similar sentences, but Juvenile Court Judge Robert Gaston
rejected the sentence the two sides agreed on. Instead Judge
Gaston, ordered the boys to spend a week in jail, to undergo
psychological evaluations, a year on probation and 200 hours in
community service with an animal welfare agency. They were also
ordered to write letters of apology to Blu's owner. All are now
former members of the football team.
A 16-year-old, whose name was not released, was sentenced to
1-year probation and no animals can be left in his care while on
probation and he was ordered to spend 200 hours in community
service. The boy did not participate directly in the dog napping
and was not actively involved in the dogfight, but because he
was a spectator, that was enough to charge him with a juvenile
offense, under Nevada law. |
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The other 5 students charged in the abuse are awaiting
adjudication of their cases in Clark County Family Court because
they are all juveniles. 4 of the remaining 5 students were
charged with misdemeanor witnessing a fight. The other 1
student, face more serious charges for stealing the animal. All
but 1 pleaded guilty before Juvenile Hearing Master Fernando
Guzman to felony charges including theft, conspiracy to commit
theft, maiming and animal, instigating a fight between animals,
injuring or abandoning an animal and misdemeanor witnessing a
fight. Because their cases went before juvenile courts we are
not privi to the sentencing information.
All the boys were booked on suspicion of felony theft, felony
cruelty to an animal, maiming an animal, and conspiracy. All the
boys were from Mojave High School- a football game rivalry is
believed to be the motivation behind the cruelty.
The football coach, Steve Gresh, showed up after the fact and
left but didn't report the cruelty. Because of there was not
enough evidence to support charging him, he will not be
prosecuted.
The boys told police they let the pit bull attack Blu for a
couple of minutes then cleaned her off and let the dog be
attacked again. They said they were going to let the dog get Blu
again but got bored because Blu wasn't fighting back.
An Anonymous man walked into the ARK Animal Clinic and paid
Blu's $500 medical bills shortly after the attack. $4000 in
donations in Blu's name has come into the clinic and will be
used to help animals whose owners can't afford the veterinary
care.
Captain Rick Bilyeu of the Metropolitan Police Department
investigated the case. Frank Ponticello, the Deputy District
Attorney prosecuted the youths involved.
References
The Las Vegas Review Journal
APBNews
www.petabuse.com |
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