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William Monroe
Accused dog killer prohibited from being near animals.
#OceanaCountyCrime
By Allison Scarbrough, Editor.
HART — Following testimony during a motion hearing on a dog killing case in 27th Circuit Court Monday March 26, Judge Robert D. Springstead ruled that the defendant cannot be in the presence of any animals as a condition of his bond.
William Jon Monroe, of 3291 N. 120th Ave., was arrested by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office Nov. 2 for a felony of killing/torturing an animal and a misdemeanor of abandonment/cruelty to two or three animals. The case is headed to trial, June 13 and 14.
After receiving a citizen complaint that an animal was not being properly cared for, a sheriff’s deputy discovered that one of Monroe’s dogs was deceased and another dog was in “poor shape,” previously said Oceana County Prosecutor Joseph Bizon.
Bizon called a Department of Health and Human Services empoyee to the witness stand Monday, who testified that she observed two dogs in Monroe’s home during the time period he has been out on bond. Monroe is free on a $7,500/cash/surety/10 percent bond.
Monroe testified that he did not own the dogs that were at his home.
“I don’t own the dog(s) or have anything to do with (them),” he said. “I don’t want no animals in my house.”
“There has been no testimony that he owned either one of these dogs,” Springstead said. “There was no testimony that said that he was alone with any animals.”
The judge added to the bond language that “defendant shall not be in the presence of any animal.”
Despite ruling in his favor that he did not violate a bond condition, Springstead said he was “suspicious” of Monroe. “You’re not fooling me,” he said.
Monroe was previously offered a plea deal to admit to the felony count of killing/torturing an animal, and the misdemeanor count of abandonment/cruelty would be dismissed. In exchange for his admission, Monroe would face a sentence within the guidelines of 0-3 months. Monroe did not bite on it.
Killing/torturing an animal is punishable by up to four years in prison, and abandonment/cruelty to an animal is punishable by up to one year in jail.
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