Cobb ADAs Say Animals Need Protection, Too

Criminal defense attorneys might want to brush up on the law as it applies to animals because the Cobb County District Attorney’s office is forming a unit to focus on felony crimes against pets.

Assistant District Attorneys Sherwin Figueroa and Theresa Schiefer say the effort to crack down on animal abuse can benefit humans too.

In an interview, the pair said animal abuse often happens in connection with domestic violence and crimes against children and the elderly. Animal cruelty also is a common first symptom of violence in people whose criminal behavior escalates.

“While we’re looking to protect these animals, we’re also looking to educate people on that link,” said Schiefer.

They already have four cases. Three are connected to other cases involving child abuse and domestic violence, and one case is against a man they say intentionally threw a Yorkshire terrier off a motel balcony.

The Yorkie was rescued and survived. The crime was caught on security videotape. They’re charging the defendant with aggravated animal cruelty. If he’s convicted, he could face up to five years in prison and a $15,000 fine.

Figueroa and Schiefer said they’ve already heard rumblings from defense attorneys who complain that they are unfamiliar with the law in this area. One experienced opposing counsel confessed to having never handled a case involving a crime against an animal and asked what to do.

Here’s a hint: don’t look for all the information in Title 16, the section of Georgia law that covers most crimes. Although § 16-12-4 covers cruelty to animals, Title 4—aimed at protecting people from dangerous dogs—also includes provisions dealing with cruelty to and abandonment of animals.

Figueroa and Schiefer said the laws applying to animal abuse and assault track the laws against assaulting people: the more serious cases are made against those who show malice and who maim, torture or break bones.

via Cobb ADAs Say Animals Need Protection, Too.