A veterinarian was recently arrested for allegedly killing a neighbor’s dog. In addition to charges for aggravated animal cruelty and illegally discharging a firearm, she is also facing drug charges. Since her arrest, she was let go from her position at a Louisiana veterinary clinic.
On Dec. 13, 2017, the mother of the dog’s owner returned to their home and found the dog injured in the backyard, where the owner had put the dog before leaving for work earlier that day. The 15-month-old bull dog was taken to the same vet clinic that their neighbor worked at but could not be saved. It was euthanized later that same day.
Their veterinarian neighbor was not at the clinic, though. Police say that the neighbor was annoyed at the dog’s alleged incessant barking and took matters into her own hands by shooting the animal. She had apparently made multiple threats regarding the dog in the past, complaining that it was aggressive and barked incessantly. Investigators looked into these claims and say that they could not find any indication that the bull dog was ever aggressive. Police also searched her home, in which they found narcotics for which she did not have a prescription.
Facing criminal charges is an understandably overwhelming experience. Whether facing drug charges or other allegations, the potential criminal consequences can be devastating and may include lengthy jail time or steep fines. Louisiana defendants are well advised to begin criminal defense preparations as early on in the process as possible, which can typically help them achieve the best possible outcome.
Source: pennlive.com, “Veterinarian charged with fatally shooting neighbor’s dog over barking“, Janet Pickel, Dec. 20, 2017