Schaumburg woman gets probation for killing pit bull
Jenell Land received the kind of compassion she denied another suffering creature, when Cook County Circuit Court Judge Thomas Fecarotta sentenced the former Schaumburg resident to 30 months felony probation for the gruesome death of Carmello, a 2-year-old pit bull mix.
The day Dr. Christina McCratic humanely euthanized Carmello was the first act of kindness he experienced in a long time, said Cook County Assistant State's Attorney Mike Andre during Land's sentencing hearing Tuesday in Rolling Meadows.
Carmello suffered for weeks, said Andre, who described as "absolute nonsense" Land's claim that the dog was healthy the week before she brought him in to Schaumburg's Golf Rose Animal Hospital in November 2008.
According to the McCratic, Carmello arrived with puss and blood oozing from wounds caused by an industrial-strength, 3.4-pound tow chain so deeply embedded in the animal's neck, his muscle was exposed, Andre said. Veterinarians had to cut the chain off, Andre said, adding it was so heavy that Carmello was unable to raise his head.
Responding to neighbor complaints about Carmello's mistreatment, Schaumburg police told Land that the chain wasn't suitable on several occasions when they visited Land's former home in the 2200 block of Briar Hill.
"She didn't take care of that dog. She didn't care one bit about the dog," said Andre, referencing the emergency veterinarian's testimony that the dog was so hungry he ate two cans of dog food, two cans of cat food and baby food after arriving at Golf Rose.
Prosecutors requested prison time for the 33-year-old mother of four who has a DUI conviction and is currently on probation in DuPage County for a 2009 possession of cannabis conviction.
"I cannot pretend to understand how and why this dog ended up suffering with a chain around his neck," said Assistant Public Defender Larry Kugler, who described Land as troubled. "Clearly she needs counseling and treatment and that's what we're asking for."
Speaking on her own behalf, a tearful Land insisted she did not commit a crime and said she loved her dog.
But Fecarotta ultimately rejected her claims that personal problems prompted her behavior.
"We do horrible acts and try to find reasons to justify those horrible acts," Fecarotta said, adding that drug and alcohol problems likely contributed to her behavior.
Intentionally hurting an animal justifies a severe sentence, Fecarotta said, not only to punish the offender, but to send a message that "animals are to be protected."
But in imposing probation, Fecarotta cited Land's three youngest children, who would be under the care of her elderly grandfather if Land were sent to prison. Instead she will serve 21/2 years probation, including one year of intensive probation, which requires random drug tests, psychiatric treatment, a curfew, community service and no contact with animals.
Cynthia Bathurst, manager of court advocacy for the Dog Advisory Work Group, an animal protection organization, applauded the judge's handling of the case and the veterinarian who reported the abuse.
"We believe this very serious offense - a felony - deserves a strong remedy," Bathurst wrote in an e-mail. "Perhaps a day or two in jail might have sent a stronger message than even the strong warnings and conditions of probation given by the judge could, that this kind of intentional cruelty cannot be tolerated."
"It was a fair and just decision by the judge," Kugler said. "It's a tough probation. Hopefully she will take advantage of it."