New Law's Penalties Applied To Johnston Dog Owner [Poll]

For the first time since its passage by the General Assembly over the summer, a new state law was applied on Dec. 5 in the case of a Johnston dog owner who was sentenced to 30 days in jail and prohibited from owning pets for five years.

NBC10 reported today that Johnston resident Todd Perkins, of 8 Johnson Ave., appeared in Third District Court and was found guilty of charges of animal cruelty and mistreatment of animals.

Under the new law, R.I. Public Law 4-1-40, dog owners convicted of animal cruelty can be restricted from owning any pets for up to five years for a misdemeanor charge, and up to 15 years for a felony conviction.

went to Perkins's home on Sept. 9 after a neighbor reported that a dog on his property "was being severely neglected," according to police records.

The American bulldog, named "Scooby," was found in a filthy garage with no food or water. According to police reports, a local veterinarian told officers that Scooby had not been treated there since 2008.

Scooby was reportedly covered in sores and infested with fleas. Officers took the dog to a local veterinarian for treatment.

Police charged Perkins with two misdemeanor counts of mistreatment of animals and animal cruelty, plus two local ordinance violations of having an unvaccinated and unlicensed dog, on Sept. 19.

According to online court records, Perkins pleaded no contest to two counts of mistreating animals in 2003 stemming from State Police charges. He was ordered to perform 100 hours of community service and given a two-year suspended sentence and two years' probation.

What do you think — Does the new law go far enough to deter people from neglecting their pets? Or should the penalties be more strict?

Take our poll, and post your comments below.