Carol Stream man gets 10 days in jail for hurting girlfriend's dog

A Carol Stream man was ordered Monday to spend 10 days in jail for beating his girlfriend's Jack Russell terrier in an attack that caused the puppy to lose her left eye.

Randall E. Madison also must perform 150 hours of community service, pay nearly $1,500 in restitution for veterinary bills, serve two years' probation and undergo a psychological evaluation.

"No one feels worse than I do," said an apologetic Madison, who teared up in court.

DuPage Associate Judge Jane H. Mitton found Madison guilty of misdemeanor cruelty to animals earlier this month. The judge rejected the 26-year-old man's defense that he accidentally injured Sophie on Dec. 29, 2007, while roughhousing with the pup.

Toni Fedor bought Sophie from a pet store in November 2006. Fedor said she left Sophie with her then-boyfriend to baby-sit because she had to work. Sophie will be 3 in August.

And though she's no longer dating Madison, Fedor said Sophie still is a big part of her life.

"She's doing good," the 24-year-old Villa Park woman said. "She's back to her old self. She's a very loving dog."

She added: "I'm happy with the sentence, and, hopefully, (Madison) learned a lesson."

During the Feb. 11 bench trial, a veterinarian testified the dog's injuries were not consistent with the defendant's story that he accidentally fell on Sophie while playing with her.

Prosecutor John Blumenschein sought a 60-day jail sentence and a conviction on Madison's record, citing the harm caused to the dog. Defense attorney Scott A. Brower argued Madison was a good candidate for court supervision given his remorse and lack of criminal past.

"There is no evidence whatsoever of any violence or cruel behavior in his past," Brower said.

Madison faced up to one year behind bars. His only criminal history was for drunken driving in 2006 in Indiana. He must turn himself to the DuPage County jail March 12 to begin serving his sentence.