Friends and fans of a once abused dog named "Sapphire," came to the Verona, N.Y. Town Court on Tuesday for the sentencing of Sapphire's abuser.
According to Tuesday's WKTV 2 News, Bridget LaClaire pleaded guilty to two counts of animal cruelty and was sentenced to ten weekends in jail, along with a $3,700 fine.
LaClaire's charges stemmed from her mistreatment of two dogs who were seized from her care last August. One of the dogs, Sapphire, had a chain deeply embedded in his neck and weighed just twenty pounds at the time that he was found.
According to a prior news release, both dogs had been left without food or water.
Today, Sapphire is a healthy 64 lbs. and has been adopted to an owner who adores him.
Sapphire's new owner, Kim Strong, is pleased with the judge's sentencing and noted that it set a precedent for animal abusers.
Strong told WKTV:
"Because a first time woman offender got a really severe penalty and that usually doesn't happen,"
"People don't take these cases seriously and the judges don't."
Sapphire recovered under the care of the Humane Society of Rome, until his adoption just one month ago.
Today, his new owner keeps Sapphire's fans apprised of his progress and antics on his own Facebook page, Sapphires New Life.
Strong has indicated that she will try to have LaClaire's nursing license revoked.
If you would like to continue receiving the latest dog related news, tips and advice, please click the "Subscribe" icon which is located at the bottom of this column. It is free and anonymous to sign up.
Follow the National Dog News Examiner on Facebook and Twitter!
I am human, if you see a typo, please let me know. Questions, comments or story ideas can be emailed to Eims1@live.com.
Comments