| For Immediate Release Case # 10SF1105
July 22, 2011 |
Susan Kang Schroeder Chief of Staff Office: 714-347-8408 Cell: 714-292-2718Farrah Emami Spokesperson Office: 714-347-8405 Cell: 714-323-4486 |
MAN SENTENCED FOR BREAKING INTO NEIGHBOR’S HOME AND ATTACKING GERMAN SHEPHERD WITH YARD RAKE
SANTA ANA – A disgruntled man was convicted yesterday of breaking into his neighbor’s home and attacking a German Shepherd with a yard rake after becoming angry over the dog’s barking. Michael Stuart Patterson, 51, Mission Viejo, pleaded guilty to the court July 21, 2011, to one felony count of first degree residential burglary and one felony count of animal cruelty. He was sentenced to four years in state prison, which is stayed pending completion of three years formal probation. He was also sentenced to 180 days in jail and will be ordered to pay restitution. The restitution amount will be determined Oct. 13, 2011, in Department H-1, Harbor Justice Center, Newport Beach.
At approximately 1:30 p.m. on Nov. 16, 2010, Patterson broke into the home of his neighbor, William D., by kicking open the front door while the neighbor wasn’t home. He was angry that William D.’s 5-year-old German Shepherd, Honey, barked frequently when his neighbor was not home.
Patterson found the dog on the back patio of the home and attacked it with a yard rake. He hit the dog, causing puncture wounds to the dog’s face. Patterson then left the scene.
Another neighbor heard the noise from the attack, wrote down the defendant’s license plate number, and called the police. In addition to the puncture wounds, Honey suffered a permanent loss of vision.
Deputy District Attorney Jennifer Duke prosecuted this case.
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