Daniel Prince
Puppy has been adopted into a loving home
As a warning, the following story has some disturbing details pertaining to cruelty to an animal.
Solicitor Kevin Brackett’s office announced that a Union County man pled guilty last Thursday in an animal cruelty case that WBCU News first reported back on March 1. 23-year-old Tyler Jerdo pled guilty to ill treatment of animals, possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine, resisting arrest, and failure to stop for a blue light.
Jerdo had been charged with using an electric drill to screw the paws of a five-month-old puppy to a wall on February 25, 2022, in Union County. Officers responded to his home after a citizen called for help upon discovering the puppy suffering in the home. Officers were able to assist the puppy and placed Jerdo under arrest, during which time Jerdo struggled with officers to avoid being taken into custody. After his arrest, he was found to be in possession of 1.5 grams of methamphetamine. The failure to stop charge stemmed from a previous incident.
Jerdo pled guilty in front of the Hon. E.C. Griffith, who sentenced him to 12 years suspended on 4 years, with 3 years of probation to follow.
Solicitor Kevin Brackett, who prosecuted the case along with assistant solicitor Jennifer Williams, said, “This incident not only traumatized the poor animal he abused but traumatized the entire community of people who love and care for animals and had to read the shocking facts of this terrible case. Our pets provide us with so much joy and companionship and expect so little in return. To have such a small and helpless animal treated so cruelly and callously defies the imagination. I am gratified that Judge Griffith imposed a sentence that not only speaks to the horror of this case but serves as a warning that the legal system will stand up for defenseless animals when they are abused.”
The puppy did fully recover from its injuries and has been adopted into a loving home, according to Brackett’s office.