Maximum Penalty for Animal Cruelty Charge for Dustin Harrell

Dustin Ricky Harrell, 21, 1178 Old Stage Road, Jonesborough, was arraigned on the charge of Aggravated Animal Cruelty, which is a Class A Misdemeanor punishable in the state of Tennessee by a fine up to $2,500, 11 months, 29 days to 30 years imprisonment, and award up to $4,000 in non-economic damages to a person whose companion animal is killed or sustained injury.

 A court document details how Harrell allegedly repeatedly tortured, then comforted, the family dog named Honey.

The miniature dogs death was reported by the father of Harrell on Nov. 3, apparently after he found the dog dead.

Harrell told Washington County Sheriffs Investigator Jeff Miller that he first threw the dog down the stairs at his house, then comforted it, then threw it down the stairs several more times.

He later filled the bathtub up with water and held the dog under the water for approximately 20 seconds at a time and did this three times, Miller wrote in the court record.

After the bathtub incident, Harrell said he dried the dog off with a towel, then put the dog in the clothes dryer  with nothing else in it  and turned the machine on for four minutes.

Harrell threw the dog down another time, which broke the Yorkies leg.

That injury caused Honey to cry in pain, so Harrell used painters tape around the dogs mouth to keep her quiet and used an Icy Hot sleeve on the dogs broken leg.

When the Yorkie stopped crying, Harrell told police he removed the tape and the dog began bleeding from the mouth. Harrell said he held Honey and she died in his arms.

It is inexcusable what Harrell did to the beloved family dog. We, upon a guilty verdict, are asking for the maximum Class A Misdemeanor punishment for Harrell and the maximum award of $4,000 for his family whose companion was killed.

 

 

We the undersigned, upon a guilty verdict, request the maximum Class A Misdemeanor punishment for Dustin Harrell and the maximum award of $4,000 for his family whose companion was killed.

 We feel it is time for Washington County to take a stand against Animal Cruelty. Sentencing the maximum penalty sends a loud and clear message that cruelty will no longer be tolerated in Washington County, Tennessee.


Thank you for taking the time to read our letter.

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