Dog-Killing Ohio Firefighter Gets Fired

(AP)  An Ohio firefighter sentenced to 90 days in jail for killing his dogs has now lost his fire department job.

Columbus Public Safety Director Mitchell Brown said Thursday that he has decided to terminate 43-year-old David Santuomo on the recommendation of the fire chief.

The firefighter pleaded guilty last month to three misdemeanors, including two animal cruelty counts. Prosecutors say Santuomo tied his two mixed-breed dogs to a pipe in his basement and shot them in December so he wouldn't have to put them up in a kennel while he went on vacation.

A spokesman had said the fire department received thousands of messages demanding that Santuomo be fired.

A message was left for Santuomo's attorney asking if his client would appeal the firing.

[NeverenderXII]

It's one thing to shoot a sick / injured dog, but it just seems silly to shoot your dogs because you don't want to pay for a kennel service..

He could have at least taken them to the pound.

[AmyStoody]

I think it is a shame that this man chose to terminate the lives of two healthy dogs rather than to take the time to find good homes for them. Yes, they are pets, but there is a sense of decency to be considered. They were defenseless animals with no recourse, essentially held captive and killed. This is not the type of person I would want to have vested with the responsibility of saving the lives of humans and animals.

[kansas1946]

What a jerk. I glad he got fired. I wouldn't want a guy like that on our fire department.

[ericv857]

I am glad that hi has been fired, tie him up and shoot him so nobody has to board him now he has no job.

[debinok1]

In some countries they would have been dinner. They are animals for crying out loud, not people. Had he tied them in the basement and just left them while he was gone, then I could understand the outrage. He did the humane thing and put them down. I grew up in the country, we had to put animals down for many reasons. We did not spend a fortune on sending them to the vet and paying him to do something that a bullet would do just as easily. Get a grip.

[bantamei]

You need to be in the same cell with him.

[erasmus111]

Hmmmm,I guess I was wrong on the kind of person you are.

They may not be human, but they are living creatures. If you get an animal, you look after it, otherwise don't get one. When you get an animal, you make a commitment to care for it. BEFORE you get an animal you should be thinking about what you are going to do with it if you go on vacation or whatever. If you can't look after it, then give it to someone who will.

[tat2jr]

His domain name is open if anyone would like to buy it and put up a "memorial" page with all the news articles on it, so the slimeball would always be known for what he is... a worthless dog killer. His dating and work future would be hugely hindered if anyone had $9 and the time to set it up.

[sddemocrat]

I hope he can never be a pet owner again. This man has no conscience if he can shoot his dogs just so he can go on a cruise. I hope he stays unemployed for a long time.

[pobm]

There is something wrong with this guy. He certainly can not be of the type of integrity you would expect to find in a firefighter. How could he do this? To look into the loving eyes of an animal who loves you for meerly feeding them, and shoot them dead!

[erasmus111]

When you DELIBERATELY kill a defensless, living creature, 90 days just ain't enough. The fact that he lost his jobs helps some, but not enough.

[erasmus111]

by mswolfestock July 16, 2009 4:22 PM EDT

I always thought public servants like firefighters and cops had a ton of empathy and caring.



No. Some are ego maniacs and adrenalin junkies.