Newport Beach Man Sentenced, And Released, In Dog Abuse Case
SANTA ANA (CBS) — A Newport Beach man who prosecutors say swung his girlfriend's puppy around on its leash pleaded guilty Thursday to misdemeanor animal abuse and sentenced to 317 days in jail, but was freed because he received credit for time served.
Verne Joseph Strong, 57, was also placed on three years of informal probation and ordered to pay restitution to the animal shelter for the care of the 8-pound Chihuahua-dachshund mix puppy.
Orange County Superior Court Judge Robert Fitzgerald offered Strong the plea deal over the objections of prosecutors.
Fitzgerald reduced Strong's felony charge to a misdemeanor, which wiped out a sentencing enhancement for his prior conviction for second-degree commercial burglary. Strong was free on parole when he abused the then-8-month-old puppy, prosecutors said.
Strong could have faced up to four years in state prison if convicted.
Strong's girlfriend, Angel Marie Holmes, 37, of Newport Beach, failed to show for an arraignment on a felony count of accessory after the fact. She was declared a fugitive. Holmes allegedly told investigators Strong did not abuse the puppy. She is wanted on a $25,000 arrest warrant.
According to the Orange County DA, Strong quarreled with Holmes about 6:45 p.m. on July 11 in a Wal-Mart parking lot in Westminster.
Sometime during the argument, Strong opened the trunk of his Chevrolet sedan, pulled out the puppy and started swinging the dog around by the leash before hurling it to the ground, according to prosecutors. Strong also is accused of kicking the dog under the car.
Strong picked up the dog, named Meanie, and got back into the car with Holmes, as witnesses called police.
When Westminster police arrived they found Strong and Holmes still parked in the Wal-Mart lot, sleeping in the car, according to the District Attorney's Office.
When the dog barked at an officer who tried to get Strong's and Holmes' attention, Strong slapped Meanie in the head, according to prosecutors.
The dog was taken to the humane society in Westminster, prosecutors said.
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