Milan woman receives probation in animal cruelty case
A Milan woman who left a puppy tied with a collar so tight that it became embedded into the dog’s neck over time was ordered to serve probation and to pay fines, court records show.
Heather Feist, 36, was sentenced to an unspecified term of probation and must pay $860 in court fines and costs, court records showed.
In January, Feist pleaded no contest to one count of animal cruelty for neglecting Lou, an 11-month-old Labrador mix. The dog was found in her home by authorities and had an infected neck wound caused by the collar.
Feist told officers Lou was given to her by a friend, and the puppy was hyper and needed restraints to protect her belongings. She relinquished ownership in October, and Lou is recovering nicely at the DHK Animal Rescue in Milan, police said.
A court order barring Feist from owning pets remains in effect.
Art Aisner is a freelance writer for AnnArbor.com. Reach the news desk at news@annarbor.com or 734-623-2530.
Comments
jcj
Sun, Mar 14, 2010 : 3:08 p.m.
jns131 I could not agree more. Hoping that we would care more about human life does not mean we should ignore crimes against animals. I just believe that while it is OK to be outraged when there is an injustice against an animal. These same people reduce their credibility when they are not outraged at crimes against humans. Thanks for restoring my earlier comment.
jns131
Sun, Mar 14, 2010 : 10:15 a.m.
What is really sad? A pedophile will get anywhere from 1 to 10 years. A person who does cruelty to animals? 5 to 10. Where is the justice for taking innocence away? As for the cyclist? I consider this an accident. But this is me.
jcj
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 8:50 p.m.
Someone is way out of line. And while comments are stopped on one story about dogs. A person is allowed to continually make derogatory comments about an accident the took a life! I would like to have seen a stiffer penalty for the puppy abuse. But I would also like to see some compassion for human beings displayed in this town. It was a terrible accident!
nonyo
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 1:24 p.m.
Actually, all the cases were negligence. Two people died, one dog is still alive, that is the big difference.
stonecutter1
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 1:18 p.m.
Big difference nonyo. One was an accident. The other was intentional.
nonyo
Sat, Mar 13, 2010 : 12:41 p.m.
Well, the punishment was no worse than it is for killing a cyclist. No surprise.