Soldier who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty is ordered to carry puppy picture
A soldier who pleaded guilty to animal cruelty for drowning his 8-month-old dog will have to carry a picture of the puppy in his wallet while he is on probation for two years, a North Carolina judge ordered on Tuesday.
Judge Jim Ammons of Fayetteville also sentenced John Garrett Burrow, 24, to 30 days in jail and to 100 hours of community service, report WRAL and the Fayetteville Observer in stories here and here. Burrow, a solder at Fort Bragg, will not be allowed to own pets during his two years of probation.
The community service could include cleaning cages at an animal control facility, if officials there agree to the arrangement.
Burrow admitting tying his dog Riley with military parachute cord and tossing him into a lake. Burrow said he killed Riley because the dog had broken his leg, and Burrow had no money for surgery that would have cost at least $2,500.
Burrow and his wife had created a Go Fund Me page to raise money, but later said the dog died during surgery or that he had run away, according to testimony cited by the Observer. Burrow’s lawyer said his client was frustrated because he didn’t have enough money to pay for the surgery.
“I did love Riley,” Burrow said. “I did love that dog. I have no excuse.”
