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Quincy man faces animal torture charges after ..
Oct 22, 2011 9:31 AM CST
(NOTE: The video posted with this story contains what may be considered graphic footage by some viewers.)
QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -- The Adams County State's Attorney is dealing with one of the most serious animal abuse case he's ever seen. Authorities are searching for a Quincy man who has allegedly been videotaping his dogs attacking wild animals then posting the videos to Youtube.
Prosecutors say one video shows Destin Gardner releasing a trapped raccoon then turning his dogs loose to attack it while he cheers them on.
That particular video has more than 300 views and there are dozens more like it, posted to Youtube.
"Is he in more trouble in that sense? Sure, he videotapes his own crime and if that wasn't enough he evidently, or at least there is reason to believe, he uploaded it onto Youtube," said Adams County State's Attorney Jon Barnard.
YouTube is how a local man got wind of it and brought it to the attention of the Quincy Humane Society.
"It's unfathomable to me that someone would think it's okay to do it and that other people are interested or entertained by it," said Quincy Humane Society Executive Director Sally Westerhoff.
Westerhoff says Gardner is not just harming wild animals. He's putting his own pets at risk by exposing them to the potential for disease, injury or even death.
"This is a family dog that lives in their home. You know this wildlife can carry rabies ,all this can be potentially brought back into your home with you, its insane," said Westerhoff.
The State's Attorney Office is pursuing nine charges of animal torture, as well as animal cruelty and depiction of animal cruelty charges.
Aimal torture is a class three felony, with each charge carrying the sentence of up to five years in prison.
Animal cruelty is a class "A" misdemeanor.
The state's attorney says the difference between the two is the motivation of the perpetrator.
"The act is done with intent to create prolonged suffering," said Barnard.
Authorities executed a search warrant on Gardner's home Friday morning and planned to arrest him but he wasn't home.
Oct 22, 2011 9:31 AM CST
(NOTE: The video posted with this story contains what may be considered graphic footage by some viewers.)
QUINCY, Ill. (WGEM) -- The Adams County State's Attorney is dealing with one of the most serious animal abuse case he's ever seen. Authorities are searching for a Quincy man who has allegedly been videotaping his dogs attacking wild animals then posting the videos to Youtube.
Prosecutors say one video shows Destin Gardner releasing a trapped raccoon then turning his dogs loose to attack it while he cheers them on.
That particular video has more than 300 views and there are dozens more like it, posted to Youtube.
"Is he in more trouble in that sense? Sure, he videotapes his own crime and if that wasn't enough he evidently, or at least there is reason to believe, he uploaded it onto Youtube," said Adams County State's Attorney Jon Barnard.
YouTube is how a local man got wind of it and brought it to the attention of the Quincy Humane Society.
"It's unfathomable to me that someone would think it's okay to do it and that other people are interested or entertained by it," said Quincy Humane Society Executive Director Sally Westerhoff.
Westerhoff says Gardner is not just harming wild animals. He's putting his own pets at risk by exposing them to the potential for disease, injury or even death.
"This is a family dog that lives in their home. You know this wildlife can carry rabies ,all this can be potentially brought back into your home with you, its insane," said Westerhoff.
The State's Attorney Office is pursuing nine charges of animal torture, as well as animal cruelty and depiction of animal cruelty charges.
Aimal torture is a class three felony, with each charge carrying the sentence of up to five years in prison.
Animal cruelty is a class "A" misdemeanor.
The state's attorney says the difference between the two is the motivation of the perpetrator.
"The act is done with intent to create prolonged suffering," said Barnard.
Authorities executed a search warrant on Gardner's home Friday morning and planned to arrest him but he wasn't home.