COLDWATER, MI (WTVB) – A man who entered guilty pleas to two charges after he shot his pet German Shepard in the head last June was sentenced on Monday in Branch County Circuit Court.
21-year-old Alex James Carr was ordered to serve three months in jail and was placed on probation for 18 months after he entered guilty pleas to Attempted Torturing, Mutilating, or Killing an Animal as well as to a charge of animal cruelty.
During his probation, Carr must complete a psychological evaluation, undergo anger management and pay over $4,000 in restitution to Animal Aid of Branch County for taking care of “Janey” after she was shot.
Carr must also pay various fines and cost. During his probation, he will not be allowed to possess any animals. There was also a stipulation that Carr forfeit any interest he had in Janey to a safe third-party and remove other animals in his care.
According to court documents, Carr shot the dog after it chewed on his child’s toys and clothes.
Carr was charged after an investigation by the Branch County Sherriff’s Department.
“Janey” has recovered from her injuries. Branch County Prosecutor Zach Stempien calls her a true survivor.
He released a statement in late January after the plea agreement was filed. Stempien stated Michigan law significantly restricts the maximum potential term of incarceration that could be imposed on Carr.
He said in the January statement, “Michigan Courts are required to consult sentencing guidelines when sentencing a person to jail or prison, which determines the range of the minimum term of incarceration. Michigan law holds that if a Defendant is sentenced within the guidelines, his sentence is presumed proportionate, which in most cases results in the sentence remaining within the minimum sentencing guidelines. In this case, the Defendant’s guideline range resulted in a very low term of incarceration in the county jail. In other words, a lengthy term of incarceration was unlikely based upon Michigan law. Considering the likely low term of incarceration, the focus turned on seeking justice through monetary punishment, rehabilitation, and correction. The plea agreement offered by the Prosecuting Attorney’s Office and accepted by the Defendant requires the Defendant to repay those who cared for Janey, seek and complete treatment focused on preventing similar conduct in the future, and protects other animals by prohibiting the Defendant from possessing any animal during his probation. Since the date of the incident, Janey has showed great strength in recovering from her injuries and is a true survivor. The resolution reached in this matter finally closes the book on such a gruesome chapter in Janey’s life. The Branch County Prosecuting Attorney’s office would like to thank the Branch County Sherriff’s Department for their investigation in this matter and Animal Aid of Branch County and all of those who donated to the benefit of Janey for their selfless love and compassion for Janey.”
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