(ROCKDALE COUNTY, Ga.) — A jury in Rockdale County finds sheriff’s deputy not guilty on all felony animal cruelty charges.
The jury unanimously found Eric Tolbert, a K-9 officer, not guilty on all counts involving the deaths of three his personal dogs who died in a filthy shed with no air conditioner.
Daphna Nachminovitch, Senior Vice President of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), spoke with WSB’s Jennifier Griffies, saying:
“There’s no excuse for leaving any dogs, let alone breathing-impaired ones such as LaLa, Luke Cage, and Storm, to wallow in their own waste while panting out their last agonizing breaths in a stifling shed in 95-degree heat.
“Hot weather is especially dangerous for American bullies and other flat-faced breeds, since their distorted airways make it difficult for them to breathe—and with summer approaching, PETA urges everyone to keep their dogs indoors, never chain or confine them outdoors or in sheds, and speak up if they know of any animals in danger of enduring the kind of horrific deaths that Tolbert’s dogs experienced.”
Tolbert had been on administrative leave without pay prior to the trial.
Nine witnesses were called for the prosecution, while only two were called by Tolbert’s defense. The deputy himself took the stand for almost two hours.
“This man knew better. He was a law enforcement officer entrusted to uphold the state laws and instead, he apparently violated them,” Nachminovitch added.
WSB anchor/reporter Jennifier Griffies contributed to reporting for this story.