Man gets 2 years for taping dog's mouth shut....should be longer, but YAY!

[QueenScoopalot]

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory...olitan/3189038
Should have been longer!
Man gets 2 years for taping dog's mouth shut
Associated Press

DENTON — A man convicted of animal cruelty for taping a dog's mouth shut was sentenced to two years in state jail on Wednesday.

The Labrador retriever named "Bull" had to be put to death after suffering a heat stroke in July.

In addition to the two-year sentence, a Denton County jury also fined Richard Swift, 43, of The Colony, $5,000. The two-year sentence was the maximum for the charge.

Investigators initially said the man taped the dog's mouth shut to prevent it from barking. Experts say taping a dog's mouth shut prevents the animal from panting, which helps it stay cool.

Swift had previous convictions for manufacture/delivery of a controlled substance and assault causing bodily injury.

Prosecutors said Swift wasn't eligible for probation because he once had his probation revoked after testing positive for drugs.

The dog belonged to Swift's brother, Rodney, who said Wednesday he disagreed with the verdict. He had testified that his brother was a lifelong animal lover who would never intentionally hurt a dog.

[Oggyflute]

It's something at least, but as you say, it should have been longer.

[PJ's Mom]

Yay! It's about time we start seeing the word "maximum" next to a sentence for animal abuse. If only the maximum sentence was more.

[davidpizzica]

The "man" should get the maximum with HIS mouth taped shut! If he was an animal lover, he would have found out why Bull was barking and done something instead of using tape. Out and out animal cruelty.

[moosmom]

I'll say it should be longer!!!

What I don't get is why this guy gets 2 years yet in CT, a woman who totured and killed her roommate's cat only got 3 months and a fine???