CLEARFIELD – The case against a Clearfield man sentenced to state prison for killing a dog was discussed during motions court Tuesday.
Ralph Thomas Brown III, 29, was sentenced in May to nine months to three years in state prison after pleading guilty to cruelty to animals, disorderly conduct, loitering/prowling at night time and public drunkenness.
The charges stem from an incident in Clearfield Borough Feb. 2 when Brown killed a four-month-old pit bull/terrier mix puppy by strangling it and kicking it. For the full story, click here.
Curtis Irwin, attorney for Brown, filed a motion asking President Judge Fredric J. Ammerman to reconsider Brown’s sentence.
Irwin admitted this was a “tragic case” but noted that Brown’s probation violation was based on the latest charges. Brown was sentenced to six months to one year in jail for that. His other arguments Irwin used were that Brown’s actions were the result of drug and alcohol use and he showed remorse.
Ammerman commented first that revocation sentences are the reason people on probation or parole shouldn’t commit crimes. He called the state prison sentence appropriate and said in some cases you “have to send a message on, and this is one of them.” He added that he hoped Brown would find a way to break away from both drugs and alcohol.
Ammerman then denied the motion for reconsideration of sentence.
Prior to sentencing in May, Ammerman commented that people in the community were very upset with Brown and many people were talking about this case. Ammerman said he heard more about this than he had heard about any other case including those involving serious child abuse.
He also noted that Brown had to be kept in isolation at the jail to protect him. There was a fear he would be harmed by the other inmates for his treatment of the animal, he said.