Andrea Rosebrock 
Too seldom do the charges in animal abuse cases ever match the crime and even more seldom does the punishment but in a welcome move the charge for a man who beat and slammed a little rat terrier against the ground has been upgraded to a felony.
In April, Michael and Catalina Snyder’s little dog, Pompoo, was tethered outside their apartment while Michael took the other dog for walk. Kevin Cleavenger, 57, got annoyed with the little dog’s barking and after complaining, picked the dog up and slammed it into the ground at least 4 times.
Due to the severity of its injuries, the dog had to be euthanized.
At the time he was cited with a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge but the Nebraska Humane Society asked prosecutors to charged Cleavenger with a felony considering the viciousness of the crime.
“This was a very vicious attack, there was absolutely no reason for it whatsoever,” Mark Langan at the Nebraska Humane Society said.
The DA’s office must have agreed because Cleavenger was arrested and charged with felony animal abuse. Now we can only hope that he will actually be prosecuted and this case, like so many, will not just be plea bargained down to practically nothing.
People will never take the crime of animal abuse seriously until our law enforcement and judicial system does! This “just a dog” mentality has got to end! These are innocent lives that are neglected and abused and taken at the whim of sick and careless people. The need to know that their actions are going to cost them, and not just a few dollars either!
I hope they through the book at him..hard. Slam it into his head 3-4 times and then euthanize him! Poor little terrier. RIP
Having this jerks charges upgraded is a step in the right direction for all animals. With the Good Lord looking over all of us, and I am hoping the judge hearing this case will see the light that our companion pets are more than just dogs. These dogs that this older couple had, were probably the best mental therapy for them, to keep them “young”.
The picture of this jackass above, looks to me like the typical burned out alcholic. My prayers to God will be that of finding this man guilty, and punishing him to the fullest extent, including jail time (a long long time), and monetary fines, plus the fees for Michael and Catalina Snyder to adopt another companion animal.
We can hope and pray Susie! The guy vehemently denies everything even though Catalina actually saw him do this. I cannot imagine the horror and guilt she feels but a woman in her 70s is no match for a big angry nutcase!
D.
So Kevin is guilty until proven innocent? Who ever, Jesus, Mohammad, etc, said he without sin or fault cast the first stone. So I guess everyone is perfect except Kevin. In this case, Kevin should be stoned to death by each of you? I thought we all made mistakes and could be forgiven. Did Kevin complain to the owners first, before he got physical with the little fellow? If he did complain to the owners and they did nothing about the barking, then how can Kevin get all the blame? I think the blame can be spread around. Also it sounds like this little dog was tied up. A dog tied up is abusive. I would never tie a dog to something – just seem like cruelty to me. No wonder he barked. My father tied up one of his prize bird dogs and this dog, (Joe Joe was his name)jumped and got his collar stuck and hung himself to death. I can never forget about that! Animals are innocent and don’t do wrong like humans so why would someone tie them to something. How would you like to be tied up when you did nothing wrong? Sounds like what Kevin AND the owners of the poor little dog did were wrong. Two or more wrongs don’t make a right.
Ok, CB, as I am a big advocate on not tethering a dog, I do know owners who tether their dog on a chair so they can lock up their home, or run in to get one last thing before going on a walk. I agree thethering is wrong, BUT, if this jerk did indeed have a problem with the couples dog, why didn’t he just talk to them personally, or call the police/animal control, before taking it into his own hands and MURDERING this little one?
Don’t bark at us that two wrongs don’t make a right. We are not idiots here on this site. But, we are very pro animal, and will be voices for those that are MURDERED, injured, maimed, only because we are their voice.
No, he is not guilty until proven guilty. But by the DA upgrading the charges to felony charges, it does appear that more than likely he will be found guilty.
Laws everywhere need to be rewritten to place a higher value on animals lives. In my view, when fines are levied in cases like this, the injustice is compounded by the fact that the money does’nt go to the owner of the abused dog. Instead, it goes to the courts who continually fail to take these cases seriously enough. I would be interested as to whether this monster is going to get any time behind bars. The light sentences that animal abusers usually get trivializes the serious nature of their crimes. I’m glad that at least in this case the charge was upgraded to a felony.
Y’know Charlie, that is an excellent point! The fines levied do not go to the victims but to the ever failing court system. This couple lost a very beloved member of their family which no money can ever replace but in the end they will get nothing and most likely a small justice.
I’ll keep this updated and hope to see that he actually does get punished. Don’t hold your breath though!
D.
They can’t even sue for the loss of their companion because our animals are considered “property” rather than as living beings whose companionship and love we value as we would a family member. That is yet another sickening fact.
I hope he gets a decent sentence, but I’m not holding my breath. After all, the #%&@#*! who burned the dog to death only got 6 months.
Does this guy look normal to you ? He looks like a heavier Charlie Manson , and has the same mentality
Animal abusers are vile bullies but never get the sentences they deserve for their viscious crimes. I think animal abusers and child molesters should all have tatoos on their faces just under their eyes so that they can’t be covered by hair. Then everyone could see that these are dangerous people who cannot be trusted with animals, children or anyone else who is defenseless. But, alas, it will never happen. I guess the most one can hope for is a tough sentence and stipulation that they never be allowed near animals again.