(KAIR) -- An Atchison man will get jail time and a hefty fine after being found guilty of animal cruelty Wednesday morning in Atchison Municipal Court.
Brandon Johnson was ordered to serve 30 days in jail and pay a total of one thousand 75 dollars.
He was cited in late March for not taking care of a puppy and lizard within a residence owned by him.
Atchison County Undersheriff Joe Butner, who was traveling by Johnson’s home while off duty, discovered the puppy outside of Johnson’s residence, having bloodied paws and looking malnourished, which prompted him to notify Atchison Police.
When officers arrived and entered the home, they discovered a dead lizard inside and a kennel crate filled with blood and around two inches of feces.
The puppy was taken to the Atchison Humane Society, where he died on April 3rd.
During Wednesday’s bench trial after he pled not guilty to the ticket last month, Johnson testified that he had separated from his girlfriend and gave her the home as part of the agreement.
He also claimed that he arrived to the home two days prior finding the property abandoned and gave the dog food and water after noticing its condition.
During his ruling, Judge Pat Henderson questioned why Johnson didn’t take the puppy to the vet or pound for care at that point and cited state statute and city ordinance where an animal cruelty citation doesn’t require the person to be the owner of the pet.
Johnson announced his intentions to appeal the decision and Henderson said if the appeal is granted, his sentence would be suspended until the conclusion of the proceedings.
However, if it isn’t, Henderson ordered the fine and sentence to be served by July 3rd, and that Johnson would be on unsupervised probation until the fine is paid.
© Many Signals Communications
MOST VIEWED STORIES
Fentanyl find nets four in two Atchison cases
Wanted felon arrested in Hiawatha
St. Joseph teacher arrested for student sex crimes
Revised flood predictions along the MO River
Valuation change notices coming soon for Nebraska residents
Four injured in Richardson Co rollover crash
Lancaster shooting, threats, land man in jail
Support sought for fire ravaged family
Ozawkie man facing multiple child sex charges
USD 415 board select new member
Public health advisory issued for local lake
Armed felon found, arrested, in Jackson Co
Sabetha man arrested on drug charges
Case dismissed in charity fraud allegations
State Board approves land transfer agreements
KHP pursuit ends in Jackson Co
4th candidate files for local KS House seat
Potts first to file for Sheriff's seat in Atchison Co
LATEST STORIES
Paxico man arrested in Jackson Co on drug charges
Council approves renewal of employee insurance plan
HCF Match Day event this weekend
Atchison Co's Laurie seeks another term as Sheriff
Atchison's Amelia fireworks voted 3rd in nation
Senator Ricketts's staff to visit southeast Nebraska
Jeff Co North USD 339 bond issue defeated
Brown Co Commissioner files for re-election
RELATED STORIES
Falls City man arrested on multiple charges
State senators listen to frustrations with crime
Authorities Continue to Look for Suspect
Investigation Yields Information About Richardson Co Thefts
Missouri Authorities Find Stolen Money in Tree
Man Faces Sex Assault Charges in SE Nebraska
Tecumseh Man Pleads Not Guilty to Falls City Thefts
Atchison Co Commission Focuses On Speed Limits