Man charged with abusing his own pet

(9/06/07 - KTRK/HOUSTON) (KTRK) -- A Houston man is accused of beating his own pet. He's the first person to be charged under a new Texas law that makes it easier to punish someone accused of animal cruelty.

That law changed at 12:01am Saturday just a few hours into September 1st. Harris County had the first case of lower burden of proof for animal cruelty in Texas.

He is a young Rottweiler that is learning life. It's a life that that nearly ended six days ago in a northeast Houston yard. Nearby neighbors called police because of the dog's wild cries.

"The dog was suspended by its neck by [a] metal chain, choking to death and the guy was beating it with a broken baseball bat," said Lt. Mark Timmers of the Houston Humane Society.

The chain the Humane Society said was embedded in the dog's neck and the broken baseball bat are now part of the evidence in this case. Four dogs including the Rottweiler were confiscated at the scene Saturday. The owner was arrested under the new state felony animal cruelty law. The DA's office accepted charges without reservation.

"Under the new law, the owner can be prosecuted if he kills or causes bodily injury to an animal in a cruel manner," said Harris County Prosecutor Belinda Smith. "In this particular case, this crime happened the day the new law came into effect."

Especially fortunate for a dog that has a name now, Bolo, and a kinder, gentler future.

Bolo is considered evidence in the case too. The owner of the dog is still in jail and will be given a psychiatric evaluation. If convicted, he could face up to two years in jail and a $10,000 fine.

We have details about the law. It gives greater protection to domestic animals like dogs and cats. The old law didn't make a distinction between live stock and pets. This law defines what cruelty is and it's not just torture, it is any kind of cruelty. It also makes it easier to get an indictment against someone accused of abusing an animal.

The new law gives greater protection to domestic animals like dogs and cats. The old law didn't make a distinction between livestock and pets. The new one actually defines what cruelty is and it's not just torture but any kind of cruelty. It also makes it easier to get an indictment against someone accused of abusing an animal.

We did some checking and found the SPCA in Houston responded to more than 12,000 calls of animal abuse and neglect last year.

If you see someone abusing an animal, call the SPCA at 713-869-SPCA or the Humane Society at 713-433-6421. You can also report abuse online.
(Copyright © 2007, KTRK-TV)

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