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PRESS RELEASE
RELEASE DATE: Immediately (September 20, 2007)
FOR MORE INFORMATION: Gene Baierschmidt
(801) 261-2919 - cell phone

"OZZIE," POMERANIAN SHOT BY NEIGHBOR, DIES

On September 10th, a small Pomeranian dog belonging to Ryan and MaLissa Pahl, was shot by their neighbor, Gary Griffiths, while horrified children watched the event. Griffiths then pointed the gun at Mr. Pahl and police were summoned. Griffiths was arrested and charged with aggravated assault, discharging a firearm within city limits, and criminal mischief.

The grief-stricken Pahls took their wounded dog, Ozzie, to Cottonwood Animal Hospital. After nine days of heroic efforts involving X-rays, multiple surgeries, and other treatments, veterinarians concluded that Ozzie’s injuries were too severe to hold out any further hope of recovery, and the dog was euthanized on the operating table yesterday morning. The costs for the medical attempts to save his life came to almost $5,000.

Mr. and Mrs. Pahl want charges of animal cruelty to be added to those already facing Gary Griffiths, and West Valley City police have been waiting to see how Ozzie’s condition progressed to determine what the level of such charges would be. Since the animal has now died as a direct result of the wounds inflicted by the gunshot, a Class A, B, or C misdemeanor complaint of aggravated animal cruelty could be filed against Griffiths, the degree depending on the intent of the crime - that is, whether it was committed intentionally or knowingly, recklessly, or with criminal negligence.

Officials of the Humane Society of Utah immediately responded with outrage to this latest incident of a blatant, unjustified, and deadly attack on an animal. "It is our sincere hope that Gary Griffiths will be charged with the maximum penalty available under current law," said HSU Executive Director Gene Baierschmidt. "This was a senseless and despicable act that occurred in the presence of impressionable children who were emotionally traumatized by what they saw. There is no conceivable way that this small, domesticated house pet represented any threat to the man who shot him." He also added that this again illustrates why Utah needs stronger animal cruelty laws on its books.

For more information, call 261-2919.

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