Andrea Rosebrock 
UPDATE 10/28/09 – No Justice for Bowser? Dog Brutally Tortured and Killed by Owner!
Last week I told you about Robert Suttles, the Somerset, KY man that poisoned and beat his dog to death then burned the body to hide the evidence. Neighbors had reported Suttles for animal abuse, refusing to give his lab mix, Bowser, food or water, but since the neighbors were also acting as good Samaritans and caring for the dog, authorities didn’t seize Bowser because his ribs were not protruding, ie. not enough evidence.
In retaliation Suttle decided to show the neighbors that he could and would do anything he wanted to to the dog and proceeded to force feed Bowser bread soaked with anti-freeze. The dog almost immediately collapsed and lay in the yard suffering for two days without food, water or attention until Suttles kicked Bowser in the head until he died then threw the body in a burn barrel. There were witnesses to these horrific incidents.
Suttles had harassed and intimidated his neighbors to the point that they were terrified of him and although they called the police who did not respond, they felt they couldn’t help the suffering dog.
Eventually charges were filed, only misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and trial was set for August 28. Since then a petition has been circulated in an effort of have Suttles prosecuted to the max and to have the charges upgraded to a Class D Felony under Romeo’s Law.
Since then, the law — named after Romeo, the Labrador mix that was attacked and beaten by its owner on tape — has made incidents such as the one involving Bowser a class D felony if the dog or cat involved suffers serious physical injury or death as a result of the offense. The law also requires forfeiture of ownership of the animals and restricts future ownership of animals in cruelty and torture cases if a person is found guilty of a first-degree animal cruelty charge.
The difference in jail time can be significant. Should he be found guilty of the second-degree charge, Suttles would receive six months in jail and would be required to pay a $500 fine. If he was found guilty of a first-degree animal cruelty charge, he would receive one to five years in jail under Romeo’s Law.
Druin said one of the most important parts of a first-degree animal cruelty conviction is the requirement that no animals be kept by the defendant. She also said the Humane Society and others are asking that Suttles also undergo a psychological evaluation. (Commonwealth Journal)
Yesterday there was a meeting with the County Attorney to discuss the case and charges. and today I received the following information:
Good News!
The DA met with the Commonwealth Atty on Monday, and the Commonwealth Atty, Eddie Montgomery, has agreed to take on this case and upgrade the charges! Yea! What this means is that Romeo’s Law, a Class D Felony, can ONLY be prosecuted by a Commonwealth Atty, not the local DA. This means that the C.A. will take this to a grand jury for upgraded charges and a new trial date will be set, hopefully in September.
This action would not have been possible without the steady ongoing support of YOU in signing the petition, in calling the DA’s offfice, in PUSHING for a Romeo’s Law charges. (I may be wrong, but I think this may be only the second case of charges under Romeo’s Law.)
A little perspective: the Commonwealth Attorney is known for taking on case he can WIN! When you’re in a position of authority like he is, you want to WIN your cases!
There are several brave ladies in Somerset who have pushed through, despite all odds, despite others saying “it’s just a dog”: Cindy, Marquetta, Linda, the Humane Society, and others. THEY knew that Bowser deserved justice and they have pushed on, despite the odds against them. Thanks also to Kinship Circle and the HSUS, which have wonderful Fact Sheets on their websites which we have been able to download and provide to the attorneys. Such Fact Sheets have been carefully researched and documented and footnoted and are excellent resources to the attorneys as well as the ordinary citizen on subjects such as animal cruelty and dogfighting. I urge you to go to their sites and view these fact sheets. And donate to these organizations when possible so that they can continue to provide us with materials like this.
Thank you also to Deanna Raeke who publishes the daily blog “For the Love of the Dog” and who has highlighted this case on her blog. Her followers have also been active in getting the word out.
Finally, I just want to say to Julia Sharp that your impassioned email to me about Bowser still brings tears to my eyes. I have known you through URKY and know what a fine and dedicated person/rescuer you are, but your email still brings tears to my eyes, but also makes me hopeful that a group of impassioned persons CAN make a difference! Thank YOU, Julia, for all that you do. You are a hero in my eyes and heart!
I will update you again after Eddie Montgomery takes this case to the Grand Jury and upgrades the charges!
The petition now stands at 1,364 signatures! We asked for 500! If you haven’t signed, and know someone who hasn’t signed, please go to
Thank you everyone! Kentucky will send a strong message that it will not tolerate cruelty to animals when this trial is over!
There’s much going on behind the scenes now to investigate and collect evidence and work with witnesses to bring this case together but through everyone’s hard work and determination, we’ve already made a difference!! Everyone who read, signed the petition, passed the word along, has worked diligently to try to make sure that Bowser will receive justice and Suttles will be punished for the heartless cruelty he inflicted on this innocent dog.
I want to thank everyone who has lent a hand in any way to get this story out. Without each and everyone of us, things like this would not be possible. Bowser deserves justice!! Suttles deserved to be punished!
Continue to share the petition, it’s still not over yet!!
What good news (if anything involving this horrendous story can be termed that)
Somewhere over the Rainbow Bridge, I believe Bowser is at peace knowing there are people like you, D, who care so desperately about animal cruelty and will not let it go until it is treated as the serious crime it is, whether the abuser is Michael Vick or Robert Suttles
Nancy, like I always say, I am just one small link in the huge chain of people that fight every day and are voices for those without a voice. It honors me to play at least a small part but without everyone’s help, things would never get anywhere!! It’s because of all of us who care that a difference is being made, little by little every day! I thank you all!
D.
This is great news, I’m so glad.
Excellent news. I couldn’t even imagine the CA not taking this case to a higher level. I appreciate the updates very much as I am keenly interested in the outcome of this case. The scene of Bowser’s torture and the 2 days it lasted continues to haunt my mind. What makes me really crazy is the stupid grin on that mornon’s face from inside the jail. What I wouldn’t give to be able to witness that being wiped off.
So please keep the updates coming as they happen as you are my only source for information on this case. I’m not seeing it referenced anywhere else on the internet at all.
Thanks again.
Cher, as I am updated, I will keep everyone updated. This one had really gotten to me for so many reasons. Poor Bowser never had a chance and you hit a nail on the head about this monster’s smirk… OMG!!
D.
Yes. Excellent news indeed. I hope Suttles has that smirk disappear from his face when he sees how serious people are taking this crime. Especially the authorities.
Thanks to everyone involved that pushed this case forward until proper charges were filed. It still causes disbelief and horror in my mind and heart that in this day and time- courts and judges and attorneys have to literally be forced to file appropriate charges against these soulless cretins.
I am very grateful the charges have been upgraded. But as you said it is not over yet. The petition needs more signatures and calls and letters and faxes will still need to be sent.
Suttles is nothing. he is pure trash and a bully and a coward. That is why he was torturing Bowser. He didn’t have the guts to face a human and I guarantee he would not have the guts to face me!
Good work , I am sick of a slap on the wrist , this scum is no better than a dog fighter . This inbread has to pay
What great news. Bowser deserves at least that. This moron will pay his dues and then I hope he is monitored to the max from ever have another animal again. If he does, then he should be put away for life. I will be watching for more updates on this horrific crime. It is great to see people come together. We need to do more of this. We are the UNITED STATES and that means we all have to be United and come together. I am so proud of everyone that signed that petition. RIP Bowser, we are your voice and you will always be in our hearts.
Moego1: I appreciate your sentiment greatly however I feel compelled to point out that not everyone who is involved in this issue, who signed the petition and who have been writing letters and campaigning for this action is from the United States. Animal cruelty is a global problem and it will require the global community to come together and unite against animal cruelty to banish it once and for all. ?
Fantastic news !!! And I hope this goes all the way and we get the outcome we are hoping for….And yes, thanks to D’s marvelous site, we get this news all over the world, and can work together to make a difference. These horror stories happen in all our countries, but very few are ever reported nationally, so if we don’t know,we can’t help. So it gladdens my heart for us all to be able to do our bit to help the poor souls reported on this site.
Kudos to everyone that plays their part in helping the dogs firsthand, or helping to get justice for the ones that it was too late to save.You are all Angels in my eyes…..
I cannot imagine that someone can do such great harm to a very lovable dog! What a shame on that moron! I hope Bowser gets the justice he deserves, poor dog
RIP Bowser….
I truly wish this scumbag’s attorney hadn’t stopped him from talking to the media that day. I would love to have heard what he had to say, especially after seeing his sick smirk. It might have driven the nails farther into his legal coffin, which is why he was stopped. But he’s such an arrogant POS, I’m sure he wanted to BRAG about what he did.
It does show that our collective voices DO get heard and DO make a difference! It’s things like this that give me the glimmer of hope I need to keep fighting the battles every day for the precious animals.
We love you Bowser.
UPDATE 10/28/09 – No Justice for Bowser? Dog Brutally Tortured and Killed by Owner!
Animal Cruelty charges were dropped this morning in Pulaski District Ct.!!!! Commonwealth’s Atty is still “deciding” whether to pursue felony Animal Torture charges. Unbelievable! Here’s the commonwealth atty. info:
Commonwealth’s Attorney
236 E Mt Vernon St, Somerset – (606) 677-4100
So discouraging. I don’t understand how these charges get dropped. Did something change we’re not aware of?
what happened?it looked like justice for once would prevail?this is so discouraging…