Tampabay: Jail, shelter time in dog cruelty case

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Jail, shelter time in dog cruelty case

By Kelley Benham
Published January 26, 2007

Hewitt A. Grant II, convicted of 80 counts of animal cruelty, will serve time in the place he is most hated - Polk County Animal Control.

A judge on Thursday sentenced the former pit bull owner to 364 days in jail, 5 years of probation and 500 hours of community service at the animal shelter that cared for his abused dogs. Grant's case was profiled in last year's Floridian story "Kennel Trash."

A year ago today, officers from Polk County Animal Control and the Sheriff's Office raided Grant's property in Mulberry. At the sentencing Thursday, officer Mary Kirkland described that scene to the judge: "An ocean of frail bodies covered the property. Pitiful little eyes gazed on with curiosity at the activity surrounding them."

She described heavy chains, battle scars, and puppies that ate "like piranhas" when the officers fed them. Many of Grant's dogs were sick and starving and had to be euthanized immediately.

The jury that found him guilty of the 80 misdemeanors this month acquitted Grant on 43 felony cruelty charges and on a charge of owning equipment for baiting or fighting.

All of his pit bulls, deemed unsuitable for adoption because of their breed and ownership history, were eventually euthanized at animal control.

[Last modified January 26, 2007, 06:09:23]

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by ERLINDA	02/21/07 10:55 AM
I FEEL THAT HE SHOULD HAVE DONE LONGER TIME THEN WHAT HE WAS SENTENCED.HE GOT OFF TO EASY & I BELIEVE THAT ANYONE WHO DOES THAT TO ANIMALS SHOULD NOT HAVE THEM TO BEGIN WITH.I BET HE WOULDN'T LIKE IT IF HE WASN'T FED OR TAKEN PROPER CARE OF.

by Paula	01/26/07 11:21 PM
For each dog that was hurt he should get 5 years. Then he should pay for the dogs up keep in animal control each day that they are there. Also have him clean the animal let him pay to have the dogs retrained.

by Terri	01/26/07 09:18 PM
I agree with the other comments - I believe he got off too easy & the law needs to be stricter with animal abusers! Evidently the judge wasn't a animal lover & I seriously hope someone will be keeping an eye on him at the shelter.

by Scarlet	01/26/07 05:53 PM
Putting a "perp" into an animal-caring situation, a shelter or vet's or 'whatever,' is the very same, to me, as putting a child molester into a child-care situation. Judges need to THINK ABOUT THIS, for Pete's sake!! MORE JAIL and counceling is wh

by Michele	01/26/07 03:30 PM
I agree with Tanya - however, euthanization would be too good for him. They should chain him to a tree without food or water and let him fend for himself. The punishment for animal abusers needs to be more severe!

by keith	01/26/07 03:25 PM
Maybe his "peers' in prison will fight him against others too. He needs to be euthanized

by Linda	01/26/07 02:27 PM
The judge who sentenced him is insane. Animals in shelters are helpless and frightened, and anticipate the worst fate. They need compassionate and considerate care, not the attention of a proven animal abuser. Put him in prison where he belongs.

by John	01/26/07 01:00 PM
He should be required to forfeit his property. If he paid a cent earned from dog fighting or breeding towards the property - it is ill gotten gains. Just like drug dealer's cars.

by rolando	01/26/07 12:30 PM
Too bad he did not get 5 years in prison.

by patricia	01/26/07 12:14 PM
everytime i look at my dog i thank God that i have her and that she has a safe and loving home with LOTS of love and LOTS of food.shame on that man for what he did to all those poor animals!!!

by gordon	01/26/07 10:37 AM
not one felony conviction? i was not in the court room, but this is a joke. i guess animals and the homeless don't deserve any rights, compassion, or justice in Florida.

by TANYA	01/26/07 10:16 AM
THIS PUNISHMENT IS NOT SEVERE ENOUGH, ALL FELONY CHARGES SHOULD HAVE APPLIED. HE SHOULD HAVE BEEN EUTHANIZED ALONG WITH HIS DOGS. WHY DOES OUR SOCIETY SLAP PEOPLE ON THE WRIST FOR SUCH HORRIFIC CRIMES?

by Laurie A	01/26/07 10:12 AM
"DO NOT" give these Dog Fighters more knowledge of Shelter medicine by punishing them to the amimal shelter, Put these guys offenders on a road crew! 500 hours is a lot of time to learn new things! Put them as far away from an animal as you can!!

by Debbie	01/26/07 10:04 AM
Grant should be euthanized!

by Ashley	01/26/07 09:39 AM
One year in jail? That is ridiculous...why not 80 years, one year per misdemeanor?? Why are we so lenient on these scumbags? If dogs are allowed to eat at restaurants then why is it we barely punish people who mistreat dogs?