Corinth, NY: DA: Corinth man will serve year in jail for crushed puppy

Reported by: Amelia Waters Email: ameliawaters@fox23news.com

Print Story Published: 7/05 9:39 pm Share Updated: 7/05 11:37 pm
The Saratoga County man who crushed a puppy to death behind a couch will serve a year in jail.

Investigators say last May, Jarrod Lent of Corinth was caring for a 6-month-old Yorkshire terrier when the puppy soiled the carpet.

Lent then pushed a couch up against the dog who was hiding behind it. The dog was killed instantly.

Saratoga County DA James Murphy says Lent had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals.

Murphy's office asked the court impose the one year sentence since Lent had a previous charge of DWI and was on probation when he killed the terrier.

DA Murphy said, "There is a direct link between animal abuse and domestic violence. If you can kill a puppy you can beat a child or kill a spouse…. this man should never again be allowed to care for or own a pet or any animal of any kind in the future. His conduct is not only outrageous, demonstrates a temper out of control, but a rage so violent he is a danger to others."

Murphy has recently spoken in favor of strengthening Buster's Law at the first ever Animal Advocacy Day in Albany.

In 1999, a statewide effort helped to collect over 118,000 signatures to pass the landmark Buster's Law creating the felony category of "aggravated cruelty to animals," punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine. Buster's Law was named after an 18-month-old tabby cat that had been doused with kerosene and burned to death by a Schenectady teen.