Ever since the Michael Vick dog fighting ring dominated the news, crimes committed against animals particularly dogs have received a lot of coverage in the media. In a recent incident, a Tampa area man (Clearwater) is accused of shooting and killing his 9-year-old Chow dog. The police were summoned to the house of Yuriy Solovyev when neighbors called to report that they heard several gunshots.
When the police arrived at the scene, Solovyev was on the ground in his backyard with his dead Chow. The police investigated and discovered that Solovyev had an argument with his wife. His wife left the house following the fight. According to reports, Solovyev became extremely intoxicated before firing his gun multiple times. The police indicated that the dog had suffered several gunshot wounds and been killed.
Officers indicated that the incident could have been much worse as one bullet ricocheted off the backyard fence and crashed through a neighbor's window. Although the bullet did not hit anyone, the report makes clear that someone in the neighbor's home could have been seriously injured or killed. The police report suggests that when the police arrived Solovyev was apparently in the process of burying the Chow. Solovyev appears to have passed out before he finished.
Solovyev was taken to the hospital for evaluation because of concerns regarding the high level of alcohol in his system. Solovyev faces charges of animal cruelty and discharging a firearm in public. He is being held at Pinellas County Jail in lieu of $5,150 bond.
Tampa criminal defense attorney John Musca points out this is an excellent example of a person who may benefit greatly from the services of an experienced criminal lawyer. "Cruelty to animals where an animal is killed can be either a misdemeanor or felony under Florida criminal law depending on how it is charged and the circumstance of the case," said Musca. Florida's animal cruelty law provides that someone who kills an animal in a cruel or inhumane manner may be charged with a first degree misdemeanor punishable by up to one year in state prison and/or a fine of up to $5000.
However, Florida criminal law also provides that a person may be charged with a third degree felony for animal cruelty if the person "intentionally commits an act to any animal which results in the cruel death" of the animal. If a person is convicted under this provision, the person will receive a felony conviction and can be sentenced to up to five years in state prison and/or a fine of up to $10,000. "An experienced criminal defense lawyer in this case may argue that Solovyev was too intoxicated to form the requisite intent to be convicted under the felony statute," said Musca. "Given the drastic difference between misdemeanor or felony animal cruelty charges, Solovyev's lawyer will try to convince the prosecutor that the case is not strong enough to pursue a felony or get the case dismissed altogether."
Musca Law provides experienced criminal defense attorneys who investigate exhaustively to build an effective case for their clients. Whether you been arrested for DUI, or any other criminal act, you need to hire a Florida Criminal Defense Attorney who will demand that the integrity and proficiency of the investigation that led to the arrest is beyond reproach.
