35-year-old Kevin Avery Burroughs faces felony charges stemming from the Flowery Branch incident which eventually led to the death of the dog. But, friends and his attorney say Burroughs was not acting maliciously and was trying to euthanize the dog himself because he could not longer afford to take care of it.
Meanwhile, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is calling on Hall County District Attorney Jason Deal to "vigorously prosecute" the case.
PETA Cruelty Caseworker Daniel Paden says PETA has written Deal about the case, and says Hall County residents have reason to be concerned because of such incidents.
"Our office has been and continues to be inundated with calls from outraged Hall County residents regarding a recent case that your office is reviewing, involving Buford resident Keith Avery Burroughs, 35, of 6690 Holiday Road," Paden said in his letter.
"Mental health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider cruelty to animals a red flag," Paden wrote. "The American Psychiatric Association identifies animal abuse as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the (FBI) uses reports of cruelty to animals in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals."
The dog was reportedly shot six times December 9 - and apparently survived nearly 18 hours before she was discovered and euthanized on the spot. The dog was found near Flowery Branch.
http://accesswdun.com/article/2004/1/166073