Print this story |
E-mail story |
This story has 6 comments Add your own |
iPod friendly | Bookmark this
What is this?
Animal abuse case ends with all fines paid
Published Tuesday, February 3, 2009
David Skinner
CHESAPEAKE — A high profile dog abuse case is apparently closed as the man in the center of it has paid close to $3,000 in fines and restitution.
On Aug. 1, 2008, David Bruce Skinner, then of Proctorville, pleaded no contest to allowing a chain to grow into the neck of a Golden Retriever he owned and cared for. The dog, named Hammer, was rescued on July 25, by concerned neighbors and a county sheriff’s deputy.
The chain had to be surgically removed and the veterinarian who handled the case said he had never seen a dog in that type of medical condition.
On Aug. 28, Lawrence County Municipal Court Judge Donald R. Capper, sentenced Skinner to pay restitution of $2,198.05 to Dr. Steven Mahnken, the vet who cared for the dog, a fine of $400 and court costs of $90. When the dog was brought to Mahnken, the vet said he would treat the dog for free.
However, Capper asked that a bill for the cost of the treatment be submitted to the court. That figure was the amount Capper ordered Skinner to pay as restitution.
Capper also sentenced Skinner to 20 days in jail, which was suspended if he completed 60 hours of community service.
In his ruling the judge said he suspended jail time because of a number of factors including the fact that Capper said the state did not prove that the man intentionally abused the animal.
“He didn’t do what he should have done, not what a prudent person should have done for this animal,” Capper said at that time. “He didn’t have an evil intent. He had a negligent intent.”
Although a review hearing was set for Monday, the last payment of $1,188.05 was received by the court on Jan. 9. Skinner had completed his 60 hours of community service as of Dec. 11 after he worked six-hour shifts on Saturdays, mainly at the courthouse, but also at the American Legion and in the village.
At the time of the incident Capper ordered the dog to be released to the Winfield, W.Va., vet clinic. There the dog was adopted out, according to a clinic employee.
WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE THIS STORY?
Comments
Posted by MasterChef (anonymous) on February 3, 2009 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)
The "finale" should have been Capper ordering Skinner banned from having a dog for life. It was an emotional case, and now its over.
Posted by ontcare (anonymous) on February 3, 2009 at 12:53 p.m.
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
Posted by onebadbowtie2006 (anonymous) on February 3, 2009 at 10:39 p.m. (Suggest removal)
I think too many people leaving comments on this site for various reasons are too judgemental. Have any of you looked in the mirror lately??? None of us are perfect, and the next time any of you think your perfect, try walking on water!!!! Capper is a very fair judge, unlike biased clark collins, and his double dipping sidekick bob ackerman. He had a fair trial, it was proven that he was negligent, not malicious in his actions. He served his sentence, and paid his fines and vet bill. So why can none of you bury this dead horse so we dont have to smell it anymore. There's a good reson none of you leaving comments on here are judges. Our legal system would be in much worse shape if so. Just shows the level of intelligence in Ironton.
Posted by brownbear (anonymous) on February 4, 2009 at 1:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well justice was done but sometimes there is a difference between justice and what is right. The judge ruled fairly. The thing is if you're going to own a dog you have to care for it. Seriously, this man either didn't pay enough attention to the dog to notice his condition or noticed and just let it go. It's hard to believe he didn't notice because a chain doesn't grow into a dog's neck over night. A person would have to ignore the situation for a long time for that to happen. I'm glad the dog is no longer in that situation.
Posted by anonymous1 (anonymous) on February 13, 2009 at 5:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)
Well just looks like Capper letting someone off free again.
Why is it always the ones that don't do the crime goes to prison but the ones that did the crime gets set free with not even probation? I tell u why the system is whacky and nobody seems to see it but a few people.
Posted by anonymous1 (anonymous) on February 13, 2009 at 5:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)
thanks onebadbowtie for helping me get my point out there. much appreciated
Post a comment (Terms of Use Policy)
(Requires free registration.)