The Hillsborough County authorities are currently looking for a criminal who shot a dog through the head for no apparent reason. According to the Tampa Tribune, the police are now asking the public to look for the suspect and report him to the local authorities. The dog was rushed to the vet after he was discovered and is making a miraculous recovery. The Hillsborough County Animal Service says that the dog will be put up for adoption after she has made a full recover from her wounds. Phoebe will attend a news conference at the Animal Services Department today, and the police will show photos of suspects and provide information in hopes of finding the shooter.
Anyone who has any information about the animal abuser should call Animal Services at (813) 744-5660. In Tampa, animal abuse is a serious crime that can come with difficult punishments. Chapter 828 § 12 of the Florida Law Code says that anyone who needlessly mistreats, mutilates, or kills and animal can be charged with a first-degree misdemeanor and punished with a fine up to $5,000. This can also come with a jail sentence of up to one year in certain cases. Also, in Florida you can be charged with felony animal cruelty if the prosecution can prove that you took intentional action to result in the cruel death of an animal. As well, if you are charged with inflicting excessive and repeated pain or suffering on an animal you can be charged with a third-degree felony. This is punishable by a $10,000 fine and a prison sentence of up to five years.
In addition to this, if you have been convicted of animal cruelty and it is discovered that you intentionally tortured or killed an animal then you can be fined at least $2,500 per animal and sentenced to undergo psychological counseling for your actions. You can also be forced to attend anger management class. If you are caught committing a subsequent animal cruelty offense, then you may be required to pay a minimum fine of $5,000 and serve at least six months in jail, regardless of the nature of the offense. Talk to a Tampa criminal defense attorney at The Law Office of Timothy Hessinger if you are facing animal cruelty charges and want help!