A Riviera Beach man was arrested on charges of animal cruelty recently after fire-rescue workers found a dog they say was emaciated after responding to a medical call, The Palm Beach Post reports.
Animal cruelty charges in West Palm Beach and throughout Florida are serious offenses that can lead not only to public ridicule and an injured reputation in the community, but also serious penalties. They can lead to felony charges, which can send people to prison for years, if convicted. That's why fighting the charges with an aggressive Broward County Criminal Defense Attorney is critical. With years of experience handling all aspects of criminal law, a lawyer should be consulted immediately.
In this case, officials were called to the 43-year-old man's house for a medical call early in the day. Fire rescue personnel reportedly saw an emaciated dog with an open wound on its neck from a nylon and electrical cord that was around its neck.
When animal control officers arrived, they reported that the shepherd dog mix was malnourished and anemic and had parasites, hookworms, whipworms and heartworms, according to the report. A veterinarian reported the dog had fleas and an open wound on the back of the dog's neck.
Animal cruelty charges are among the types of crimes that really infuriate people and can cause much public outrage. It sometimes seems that dog lovers are more interested in what happens to dogs than people. Meanwhile, the poor economy has made it difficult for some families to afford proper care. And just because an owner does not meet someone's definition of adequate care, does not mean it rises to the level of abuse.
Florida lawmakers have created strict penalties for a person convicted of these crimes. In general, these types of charges are designed to punish those who hoard animals they can't take care of or those who breed animals and leave them in deplorable conditions.
But it's also possible that everyday pet owners can be charged with animal cruelty if a nosy neighbor or house guest spots a situation they believe isn't up-to-par. And there have been cases where elderly pet owners who have lost the ability to properly care for an animal face charges.
According to Florida Statute 828.12, cruelty to animals can be charged as a misdemeanor or a felony. The distinction is that for a misdemeanor, a person must "unnecessarily" overload an animal, deprive them of sustenance or treat in a cruel and unusual manner. For a felony, a person must "intentionally" commit an act that results in death or excessive or repeated infliction of pain and suffering.
The difference in penalties is staggering, however. A person convicted of the misdemeanor form is only subjected to up to a year in jail and a $5,000 fine, whereas the third-degree felony can be punishable by up to 5 years in prison plus a $10,000 fine.
That's why aggressively fighting these charges -- and possibly seeking a plea resolution to the misdemeanor charge from the felony charge -- is critical. Fighting the evidence and arguing against the "intentional" nature of abusing an animal can also lead to a not guilty verdict at trial.
If you, a loved one or family member are arrested and charged with a crime in West Palm Beach, Fort Lauderdale or Miami, contact Fort Lauderdale Criminal Defense Lawyers today at 1-866-727-5384 to discuss your rights.
Additional Resources:
Riviera Beach mean arrested after rescue workers find emaciated, wounded dog on property, by Cynthia Roldan, The Palm Beach Post
