Shane Tank of Vineyard Haven, who is accused of throwing a dog so tough towards a bureau that it broke the little dog’s bones, was arraigned Edgartown District Court on Friday wherever he pleaded not responsible to a demand of animal cruelty charge.
Tank, whose title had earlier been withheld by law enforcement at the ask for of the Cape and Islands District Attorney’s office environment, was unveiled on his own recognizance and purchased to keep away from Pongo, a combined-breed puppy.
Animal Management Officer Kate Hoffman claimed the incident to the Tisbury Police on March 30 immediately after being notified by Cape Cod Veterinary Experts (CCVS) that a 12-7 days aged puppy was becoming treated for intensive accidents inflicted by its owner.
CCVS decided that the pup, named Pongo, sustained a “right humeral fracture, head trauma, pulmonary contusions, [and] achievable rib fractures” from remaining thrown towards a bureau, in accordance to a police report.
Tank allegedly told Hoffman that “he was actively playing with the pup on the mattress with his daughter” in the moments foremost up to the incident, the report states. In the report, “Tank admitted that he ‘tossed’ the puppy soon after it ‘became aggressive’” towards his 3-yr-previous daughter.
In an affidavit for a lookup warrant composed in the celebration Tank would not voluntarily surrender the puppy dog, Hoffman cited that she “saw the bureau that Tank threw Pongo towards and noted that it experienced to be somewhere around 12 toes from where by the bed was.” She included, “The pet dog would have to be thrown with great force to not only access the bureau, but also to induce individuals varieties of injuries.”
Tisbury Law enforcement Sergeant Max Sherman then advised eliminating the pet from Tank’s home, “either by him surrendering the dog or lookup warrant,” according to the law enforcement report, introducing that “getting the pup risk-free is the priority.”
On March 31,Tank agreed to come to the Tisbury Law enforcement Station and sign documentation formally surrendering custody of Pongo to CCVS.
Police experiences point out that Hoffman “has spoken to a large amount of animal cruelty professionals, all of whom point out that Tank ought to not be allowed to get Pongo back again.”
At the arraignment, Assistant District Attorney Matt Palazzolo reported “based on the probable penalty” Tank faces, he requested bail be set at $500, noting that Tank’s records contain prior costs in Connecticut and on the Island.
The animal cruelty demand is a felony.
Defense legal professional Casey Dobel argued for no bail, thinking about Tank has currently used “thousands of bucks on professional medical bills” for the pet. Dobel then accused Palazzolo of actively playing politics in his pursuit for bail because the circumstance has gotten press and “it’s an election year.” Palazzolo’s boss, Cape and Islands District Lawyer Michael O’Keefe, has announced he is not managing for place of work, even though 1 of O’Keefe’s assistants, Dan Higgins, has announced he is a prospect.
“I’m a great person,” Tank informed The Occasions in an job interview just after his arraignment. “I was afraid for my daughter, I did not necessarily mean to hurt the pet.” He extra that the pet dog has, in the previous, little bit him and drawn blood.
Of the felony cost, Tank reported, “this is not a thing that I’m taking flippantly.”
Tank named the incident “heartbreaking,” including that he and his girlfriend “have been entire basket cases” about what took place.
“I’m a excellent father,” he stated, “I’m not an abusive man or woman.”
Tank claimed he often pet-sits for his close friends when they go off-Island. “I have no history of violence with animals,” he reported. Tank expressed issue above how this will have an impact on his standing on the Island, in addition to how it will affect his daughter. “I do not want the other dad and mom on the lookout at her in college like [her] dad is this horrible monster.”
On Friday afternoon, by means of his legal professional, Tank issued the pursuing assertion:
“I am deeply saddened by this incident. It was a horrible accident and a incredibly regrettable miscalculation on my part. I was afraid for my daughter’s safety and acted in haste. I pray that the neighborhood can come across a way to forgive me for this unfortunate function. I am not an abusive particular person, and this is not the person that I am or the man or woman I am seeking to turn out to be. I did almost everything I could for this pup and thank God that he is alive and nicely. I cherished this puppy, and it is heartbreaking that he will not be a element of our spouse and children, but come across solace in understanding that he is ok and will dwell a great life. I am hopeful that the group will regard my family’s privateness in the course of this time and we believe in that the court docket procedure will conduct its due diligence. I want to also be aware that I regard the Tisbury PD and that I know they are performing what they need to to uphold the regulation.”
Choose Benjamin Barnes unveiled Tank on particular recognizance and requested that he have no call with the pet dog.
Tank is the chef and proprietor of the catering small business Premier Chef Products and services, Inc. He is scheduled to look in courtroom July 1 for a pretrial hearing.