Update: Convicted Dog Killer Sentenced To 6 Months In Jail
OutdoorHub Reporters 05.26.17
This is an update of a previous article covered by OutdoorHub:
Michael Chedester, the man who was arrested for intentionally shooting and killing two dogs in Belmont County, Ohio, was sentenced to six-months in jail and three years probation after admitting to the charges against him from December 2016.
According to WTOV9, Chedester was sentenced under the Goddard’s Law, making it a fifth degree felony to intentionally cause serious physical harm to a companion animal.
It was argued by Chedester’s defense attorney that his client had the right to shoot animals that were harassing a person or animals belonging to Chedester. But a prompt counter argument suggested deer were wildlife and did not fall under the law.
We hope the attention this story has received will inform other hunters and possibly stop another incident similar to this in the future.
As a hunter, it’s impossible to predict what will happen on any given hunt, and I’d be lying if I told you I’ve never had a hunt interrupted in some bizarre manner. It’s important to know the laws, and in this case, both sides agreed there was not much case law on this topic.
Stay safe out there hunters!
