Tag: cocker spaniel

Cocker spaniel abusers get jail time

 

Keith Morgan and Shauna Ewing
Keith Morgan and Shauna Ewing

New Jersey couple Keith Morgan and Shauna Ewing were sentenced to 6 months of jail for animal cruelty.  They tied their sickly cocker spaniel “Samurai” in a garbage bag and left him for dead along the roadside back in March, 2013.  The couple will also serve 30 days community service, pay $14,500 in fines and restitution, and are banned from owning any more pets.

Judge Robert M. LePore made an example of the two.

There has to be a deterrent to animal cruelty…Unless these individuals are imprisoned for their depraved, cruel and heinous conduct, such acts of animal cruelty will continue…

Initially, Morgan was treated as a hero for supposedly finding the abandoned dog.  He pretended Samurai wasn’t his but authorities discovered he was the owner.

California police shoot elderly cocker spaniel

On June 17, a Concord, California Police officer drew his .40 caliber pistol and shot 13 year-old Kirby in the back.  Police had entered the owner’s backyard unannounced where they surprised Kirby.  Kirby’s owner Zach Grimm said they heard the jingle of someone opening their back gate.  Next, they heard a bark and a subsequent gunshot.  Grimm said Kirby barked “like any dog protecting its home.”  According to police, the officer felt threatened by the 29 pound cocker spaniel and used lethal force even though he had pepper spray.  Police claim they were looking for a burglar when they entered the backyard around 4:30pm.

One of Grimm’s roommates who saw the shooting said the officer drew his gun just to shoot Kirby.  Grim said “The officer who shot at him, after it was over he just sort of had this goofy look on his face, almost like a smirk, and then he left. No explanation, no apology or anything.”  Part of the .40 caliber bullet passed through Kirby’s body while the rest is logded in his spine.  Grim said, “we think he’s going to make it.” “I can’t believe he’s alive, to be honest with you.”

Kirby's X-ray
Bullet lodged in Kirby’s spine

Cocker spaniel found in bag: Arrests made (NJ)

Keith Morgan arrested for animal cruelty
Keith Morgan arrested for animal cruelty

Police have arrested the couple who “found” a seriously ill cocker spaniel along the road. Keith and Shauna Morgan were arrested yesterday on animal cruelty charges and filing a false police report.

A spokesman for the Associated Humane Society said they are unsure whether the cocker spaniel will pull through. The cocker spaniel was severely dehydrated and covered in matted hair and feces.

See original story: Emaciated cocker spaniel found in bag (NJ)