Man to serve up to 5 years for animal cruelty, drugs
Michael Ray Howard, 35, said nothing during his sentencing here in 2nd District Court on Monday, but his defense attorney blamed the actions on a drug binge.
"He's been in a methamphetamine-induced haze for about eight to 10 years now," lawyer Daniel Drage said.
Howard appeared healthier than he has in previous court appearances.
Family and friends showed up to offer support as he was sentenced on 13 counts of class-A misdemeanor aggravated cruelty to animals, one count of class B misdemeanor animal cruelty, and a third-degree felony drug possession charge.
Howard pleaded guilty to tossing the 14 puppies in a garbage bin last year. No formal reason has ever been given for why the Jack Russell Terrier-mix puppies were left to die in the garbage bag. Only one, a dog named Precious by its current owners, survived.
Precious' owners, Aaron and Rita Woodward, urged the judge to give Howard the maximum sentence he could.
"All I want is justice for the puppies," Rita Woodward said. "All I ask is something is done for the puppies."
But it was the felony drug possession charge that carried the most weight when Howard was sentenced. Judge Roger Dutson handed down 13 one-year sentences for the aggravated animal cruelty charges and six months for the class-B misdemeanor, but up to five years for the drug possession charge. He allowed the sentences to be served all at once.
"I think you can see what you've done as it relates to those little, living animals is heinous," Dutson said.
The judge also recommended that Howard be enrolled into a drug treatment program at the Utah State Prison.
Outside of court, the Woodwards called the sentence "the best we're going to get."
"We wanted justice for the puppies. They didn't deserve what they got," Rita Woodward said.
After being approached by an animal rights activist after the sentencing,
Howard's family and friends left visibly upset.
"You don't know him. He's a good, nice man," said Howard's girlfriend, Misty Comer. "He's a wonderful man."
E-mail: bwinslow@desnews.com
Recent comments
Life is not Life.
Animal life is NOT equal to human life...
RE: Katie | July 9, 2008 at 4:49 p.m.
i personally believe the sentence he got was not enough. If he can...
katie | July 8, 2008 at 11:51 p.m.
He was a habitual user of meth. To use it one has to possess it....
ski | July 8, 2008 at 9:48 p.m.
