CyberKitten
November 19th, 2005, 12:12 AM
Here is anm innovative punishment that "almost" fits the crime, not quite but interesting:
Woman who dumped kittens must spend night in the woods
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An animal rescuer who abandoned 35 kittens in two parks has been sentenced to a night in the woods without food or shelter.
Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti, known for handing out unusual punishments, sentenced Michelle M. Murray to the spend the cold night alone when she begins her 15-day jail sentence next week.
Murray, 25, pleaded guilty last month to abandoning domestic animals, a second-degree misdemeanor. The kittens were recovered but many had upper respiratory infections and nine died.
“How would you like to be dumped off at a Metropark late at night, spend the night listening to the coyotes coming upon you, listening to the raccoons around you in the dark night, and sit out there in the cold not knowing where you’re going to get your next meal, not knowing when you are going to be rescued?” Cicconetti asked Murray. “That’s what you’re going to do.”
Murray must report to jail at 6 p.m. Wednesday where she will be taken into custody of the Lake Metroparks rangers, according to the judge’s sentence. The rangers will take her to a remote location in a park where she must remain until dawn.
The Metroparks will provide Murray with a means of communication for emergency purposes.
“We’re taking the precautions to ensure her safety,” Cicconetti said.
Many of the kittens died a slow death, said Candace Hertzel, executive director of the Lake County Humane Society. She approved of the creative sentence.
“I don’t think it’s harsh at all,” Hertzel said. “We’re thrilled to see she got some jail time and Judge Cicconetti sends a messages that any cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in his jurisdiction.”
Cicconetti also sentenced Murray to three years’ probation and ordered her not to own or care for any animals during that time. She must pay $3,200 in restitution to Lake County Humane Society and $500 to Lake Metroparks.
She faced up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.
Woman who dumped kittens must spend night in the woods
PAINESVILLE, Ohio (AP) — An animal rescuer who abandoned 35 kittens in two parks has been sentenced to a night in the woods without food or shelter.
Painesville Municipal Court Judge Michael A. Cicconetti, known for handing out unusual punishments, sentenced Michelle M. Murray to the spend the cold night alone when she begins her 15-day jail sentence next week.
Murray, 25, pleaded guilty last month to abandoning domestic animals, a second-degree misdemeanor. The kittens were recovered but many had upper respiratory infections and nine died.
“How would you like to be dumped off at a Metropark late at night, spend the night listening to the coyotes coming upon you, listening to the raccoons around you in the dark night, and sit out there in the cold not knowing where you’re going to get your next meal, not knowing when you are going to be rescued?” Cicconetti asked Murray. “That’s what you’re going to do.”
Murray must report to jail at 6 p.m. Wednesday where she will be taken into custody of the Lake Metroparks rangers, according to the judge’s sentence. The rangers will take her to a remote location in a park where she must remain until dawn.
The Metroparks will provide Murray with a means of communication for emergency purposes.
“We’re taking the precautions to ensure her safety,” Cicconetti said.
Many of the kittens died a slow death, said Candace Hertzel, executive director of the Lake County Humane Society. She approved of the creative sentence.
“I don’t think it’s harsh at all,” Hertzel said. “We’re thrilled to see she got some jail time and Judge Cicconetti sends a messages that any cruelty to animals will not be tolerated in his jurisdiction.”
Cicconetti also sentenced Murray to three years’ probation and ordered her not to own or care for any animals during that time. She must pay $3,200 in restitution to Lake County Humane Society and $500 to Lake Metroparks.
She faced up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.