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.