Stories2 min(s) read
Published 15:23 09 May 2020 GMT
An Ohio man has been sentenced after starving two-year-old Doberman pinscher to death. The pet dog had been deprived of food for so long that it was forced to eat rocks in an effort to survive.
David Neanover, 36, was sentenced on Thursday, May 7, by judge Judge Robert Lyons on two misdemeanor counts of cruelty to a companion animal over the incident that occurred back in 2019.
Judge Lyons sentenced Neanover to 180 days on one cruelty charge and 90 days on the other. He will serve the sentences concurrently, meaning he will serve a total of 180 days - the maximum for misdemeanor animal cruelty, USA Cincinnati reports.
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He will also be made to pay $2,598.18 in restitution to the dog's caregivers, as well as a $1,500 fine, plus court costs. Neanover pleaded guilty to the charges and is currently being held at Butler County Jail.
Neanover, from Reily Township, also reportedly deprived the dog of water.
During Thursday's hearing, a letter was read out from an acquaintance - whose name is removed from court records - that said:
"I am asking for the full extent of the law. To let a sweet, innocent soul live in filth, no food or water, no love or kind treatment…(Neanover) even named him Lucifer when in actuality, this person should be called that.
"If I was a judge, these people who abuse animals would get to experience what they did to animals. Animals are just baby souls in different bodies."
Neanover's neglect of the dog was first brought to the attention of local police in April 2019, when authorities received several anonymous complaints about the abuse.
When dog wardens arrived at Neanover’s house, they found the dog - more affectionately known as Lou - had no food or water, and was covered in severe open wounds.
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The dog was then transported to the Animal Friends Humane Society in Hamilton, where X-rays showed he had eaten rocks in an attempt to survive. Volunteers also found an ulcer on the dog's tongue - making it painful for the animal to eat or drink.
Last year, the Animal Friends Humane Society said in a statement:
"X-rays showed rocks in his stomach. This we did not expect, but we are not surprised. He lived his life on a VERY short-chain and was deprived of food for quite some time, so we’re sure he got to the point where he was willing to eat anything that he could get his mouth on. He is missing a chunk of his tongue."
In addition, Sheriff Richard Jones said last year:
"No normal human being could look at this dog and think this is acceptable. The pictures are hard to view. It’s much worse in person. Animal Friends will do everything they can to save this poor animal but the current condition is very bad. I am thankful that this was reported. I just hope he can be saved and adopted to someone who cares."
