PRESS RELEASE

Animal Abuser Gets Jail Time

New Orleans (11/05/04) – For the time ever an animal abuser in New Orleans has been sentenced to serious jail time. The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals investigated the case against Dwayne Petit of New Orleans, LA.

Mr. Petit claimed ownership of four chained pit bulls that were discovered at 1828 Marias Street when seeing the SPCA truck at the scene. One of the four dogs (seen below) was a severely emaciated pit bill who had old scars and puncture wounds covering the dog’s head and neck. The animal’s wounds were so deep that the skull was visible and the tissue dead. Pus and maggots were teeming from wounds. The dog’s collar had grown deeply into the neck and infected deep holes were found in the hard palate and corner of his mouth, neck, and behind his ear. The dog was also heartworm positive, anemic, and infested with whipworms and hookworms.

Judge Camille Buras, Section H, Criminal District Court, handed down the verdict after hearing testimony from LA/SPCA Officer Kathryn Destreza, Animal Services Director, and Dr. Jean McCall, case veterinarian, who said it’s the worst case of neglect that she has ever seen.

Mr. Petit pleaded guilty and received four (4) years of jail time of which eighteen (18) months must be served, the remainder will be suspended. He also received four years of active probation with counseling and treatment, 100 hours of community service, twelve (12) drug tests, pay $1,000 restitution to the LA/SPCA for recovery of medical costs, and more than $150 in court costs.

Mr. Petit has been incarcerated since May on animal cruelty charges pending this case.

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