Andrea Rosebrock 
In early October in Dublin, GA, a stray Golden Retriever was found that had been brutally abused, he’d been shot with birdshot, an arrow embedded in his leg and an attempt was made to drag the dog and the culprit in this cruel, depraved crime? A 13 year-old boy!
Earlier this week, the boy was in court to face charges which according to the judge in the case, Judge Bill Tribble were as follows;
“You are charged with committing cruelty to animals in Laurens County on October 12, 2008 for the unjustifiable shooting with arrow in violation of the official code of Georgia 16-12-4b.”Tribble said to the defendant as he read the charges. “Count two, also misdemeanor cruelty to animals committed on the same date for dragging the animal from a 4-wheeler. Count three, a felony cruelty to animals for knowingly and maliciously causing harm by seriously disfiguring the animal’s face.”
Assistant District Attorney Terry Holland stated the facts of the case as follows;
“On October 12, 2008, a neighbor of the defendant heard what he thought was a gunshot sound. Shortly after that he saw a dog and someone he could not identify at that point,” stated Holland. “He saw the individual take a rope and tie it to a 4-wheeler and attempt to drag the dog. Neighbors called law enforcement and they found a badly injured dog… shot in the face at close range with a shotgun and shot in the leg with an arrow. Upon investigation officers went about the neighborhood and found a 4-wheeler fitting the description.”
When deputies questioned the boy, he admitted to them what he did, “The young man stated he had indeed shot the dog with a bow and arrow and after that attempted to do further harm with a shotgun and attempted to drag it away.”
Amazingly enough, the boy actually stood up in court and withdrew his not guilty plea and simply stated, “I am guilty.”
“The first two offenses are misdemeanors,” Tribble said to the juvenile. “The third is a felony and a much more serious offense. Here is what happens when you enter an admission of guilt – you no longer have a right to a trial, you lose your presumption of innocence and you can no longer subpoena witnesses or testify. Are you freely and voluntarily admitting the charges?”
Again he affirmed his guilt twice more.
The boy was released back to the custody of his parents and will remain under house arrest. He is to have no possession of any firearms and cannot contact any of the witnesses in the case. He will undergo a psychological evaluation prior to his sentencing hearing in January.
Under state code, the judge may consider probation, restitution community service, an institution or commit the juvenile to the Department of Juvenile Justice.
As for the abused dog, named Yellow by Shamrock Pet Care staffers, he is now blind in his right eye and his sense of smell has drastically been affected due to the shotgun blast. Over 100 bird shot pelted the dog’s face and remain embedded there today. The brunt of the blast shattered the dog’s nose and left a crater over an inch in diameter and equally as deep. He required several surgeries for his injuries.
The community really rallied around Yellow and donations were collected for his care and surgeries. He’s become a bit of a celebrity and now will give back to the community that gave to him.
Hickman and Woodard of Shamrock Pet Care, said the clinic has decided to put Yellow into service as a “therapy dog” in the Dublin area so he can visit battered women’s shelters, assisted-living communities and other facilities to raise residents’ spirits.
“It’s so he can give back to the community that’s given so much to him,” Hickman said. “That way he can give back to everybody.”
For a dog that has gone through what he has and has still managed to keep his loving nature, this is probably the best thing that could happen to him. He get all the love, pets and nuzzles a dog could possibly want and be an inspiration to many.
Honestly, I am amazed that this boy actually stepped up and is taking responsibility for his cruel actions. That’s a lot more than most of the trash I write about here do. Is there actually a chance for him? Who knows, time will tell. Maybe if he gets some real help… possibly.
By him standing up for himself, and admitting his guilt, I truly believe there is hope for this young man. As for Yellow, God Bless you baby. After being what you have been thru, becoming a therapy dog will show others that they can overcome and be better people thru help, love and understanding.
he stood up n admitted his guilt of 2 misdemeanors AND 1 felony…..yet the little shit was released into his parents custody!!!!
he need a good butt kicking. my parents “beat” me when i did something wrong n i turned out ok…
Yellow…may the angels watch over u for the rest of u’r life n may NOBODY cause u any pain~EVER AGAIN!!!
THERE HAS 2 B SOMETHING DONE ABOUT ANIMAL CRUELTY!!!! IT NEEDS 2 B STOPPED. i’m still from breeding it out. maybe figger out a test when a baby is born n check for the cruelty gene~THEN REMOVE IT!!!!
Something tells me that he’s already experienced the *backhand* of his parents. Other news reports stated his eyes were swollen from crying when he stood before the judge. Maybe I’m wrong, but, he’s seems to be dreading house arrest with mom and dad.
Yeah, Dru, my father used his BELT on us! Every one of us are productive adults with no criminal records, no rehab stints, and no deep psychological disorders.
Here Here Dru and AIR! My mother used to use wooden spoons, Grandpa used his violin bow, and being Daddy’s little girl, I just got the look.
“Every one of us are productive adults with no criminal records, no rehab stints, and no deep psychological disorders.” What a perfect statement! Not only are we productive adults, we share a deep love of animals, and how they should be treated.
House arrest is going to be harder on this kid than going to jail. Personally, if one of my sons had done that, they would not be alive (but then my sons both love our animals).
BWHAHAHAHAHA SUSIE!! You grew up Catholic too, right? My parents didn’t think animals were *family members*, but cruelty to animals was a SIN. I remember my mother catching a neighborhood kid throwing rocks at a stray cat. She took him by the collar, admonished him loudly in front of the rest of us, and took him by the ear home to his mother. Then SHE took over. Didn’t see him sit down for a week.
Margaret Meade was right. It takes a Village to raise a child.
I HAVE A FEELING THIS KID IS GONNA BE IN FOR A VERY VERY HARD TIME THAT WOUILD BE WORSE THAN AN TIME IN JUVIE. REMEMBER A PARENT WHO ACTULALLY PUNISHES A CHILD FOR WRONG DOING CAN BE A LOT HARSHER I WOULDN’T WANT TO BE THIS KID FOR ANY MONEY IN THE WORLD. I’M JUST GLAD HIS PARENTS ARE ACTUALLY TAKING THIS SERIOUSLY AS MOST PARENTS WOULD JUST TURN A BLIND EYE. AS FOR YELLOW I’M GLAD HE GOING TO BE OK I LOVE GOLDENS AS I HAD 1 THAT PASSED TO THE BRIDGE 2 YEARS AGO & NOW I HAVE MY BRANDY MY SECOND GOLDEN. I HOPE YELLOW IS SHOWERED WITH A LOT OF DOGGY TREATS TOO. GOOD LUCK MY LITTLE FRIEND & BRANDY SAYS RUFF RUFF WHICH MEANS HELLO.
AIR, actually I grew up Hungarian Lutheran. But my parents were tough as hell; and living with my grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins, you were deathly afraid of getting into any type of trouble. The worst fear I had as a child was getting hit with the violin bow (Grandpa had an orchestra). As a teen, when pot and stuff was prevelent, I never touched the stuff, for fear of disappointing my parents. My grown sons are shocked I never tried it, growing up in the 70’s!
I don’t know what to say….poor Yellow….so very undeserved! It tears me up when I hear of these cruel behaivors….it turns my stomach. My friend rescued a dog with buckshot in her, but not the face, thank goodness. You can still feel the little pellets in her though. I was raised with dicipline as well. I didn’t have any setbacks from it and we learned love and respect for everyone and everything around us. This is something we really need to bring back to the children these days. A little spanking with a belt or violin bow, or (as in my case), a Weeping Willow branch….ouch, would not hurt any one, but it would teach them something. I strongly believe in bringing dicipline back into the home as well as the schools. The kids these days are going to hell in a hand basket!
The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. This kid has only owned up because he hasn’t a leg to stand on and knew he’d get to go home with Mum and Dad if he did.
Who gave him the four-wheeler and weapons in the first place?
His parents probably also supplied the onions to rub in his eyes before he appeared and the advice that he’d best look contrite and own up.
They probably took him to McDonalds afterward for a treat after all he’s been through!
The kid was sentenced. Here is the news article:
Gotta LOVE THAT JUDGE! Here are some quotes:
“We’ve all made mistakes, but in this court you get the opportunity to overcome your mistakes. It makes no sense putting you in jail, but you need to be aware that if something else happens, that will be the first place you’ll go because you’ll have a record.”
AND…
Tribble told the child how much he values his own dogs… “I tell people that if they shoot one of my dogs, they better start running because I will shoot them,” Tribble said with a smile. “That’s how much I value my dogs. In this case, this dog initially didn’t have anybody to value him. But he is apparently a wonderful animal, kind, appreciative of human
company…just what a good dog should be.”
What a GREAT QUOTE!