INDEPENDENCE, IOWA – An Iowa man has been sent to jail for beating a dog and forcing his child to film the encounter as a lesson.
Jason O’Neil Johnson, age 42 of Independence, Iowa, was sentenced for Animal Torture in the Iowa District Court for Buchanan County on November 5, 2019. Johnson had been found guilty following a jury trial on August 8, 2019.
Johnson sought a deferred judgment during the contested sentencing hearing while prosecutors sought a 365 day jail sentence with 90 days imposed and the remainder suspended while Johnson complied with probation supervision for two years, submitted to a psychological evaluation and treatment, and completed community service.
After hearing arguments from the parties, District Court Judge George L. Stigler sentenced Johnson to a suspended minimum fine of $625, a 30 day jail sentence with only 7 days imposed and the remainder suspended while Johnson complies with one year of probation supervision, a psychological evaluation and treatment, and 16 hours of community service.
The charge against Johnson arose from an incident on May 17, 2019 in which Johnson held down the family dog, Daisy, and repeatedly beat her with a belt and closed fists because she had chewed on a pair of sunglasses Johnson left out. Johnson made his son record a portion of the beating and send the video to Johnson’s other children to show the children what happens when they fail to properly secure Daisy in her kennel. Officers with the Independence Police Department subsequently rescued Daisy from Johnson and charged him criminally.
Animal Torture, First Offense, is an Aggravated Misdemeanor and carries a prison sentence of up to two years and a fine between $625 and $6,250. Additionally, anyone convicted of Animal Torture must submit to a psychological evaluation and treatment and complete a community work requirement, which may include a work requirement performed at an animal shelter or pound.
Got off easy! Sick bastard. Obviously he is an abusive person to animals and humans. Hopefully his or any children, pets are not allowed near this man. Evil
When he gets out, someone should show him the same treatment. Calling on good ol’ boys to initiate special circumstances beyond the courts limitations, please.
if we have to have violent crime then i say a good rape and murder couldnt happen to a more deserving piece of shit. i really wish it upon this loser. i hope hes racist and gets raped by a tiny black man with a dick the size of a pomeranian.
POS special place in hell for you! You don’t deserve kids let alone a dog!! Hopefully they properly secure your ass in a cell somewhere!!
If he is a democrat, he is used to seeing things suffer
If he is a republican, then he is in line for a cabinet post or a congressional medal of honor.
could cut his hands off.
One sick SOB
He should be mad to clean out kennels for a year, and then someone should beat him with a belt.
A week in jail for traumatic events and abuse to an animal and a child. He probably needs a good Epsteining.