Shereen Siewert

Wausau (Wis.) Daily Herald

WAUSAU, Wis. — A 22-year-old Wisconsin woman convicted of pouring Drano down the throat of her former boyfriend's dog and eventually killing the animal in June 2012 was sentenced Monday to 1½ years in prison and two years extended supervision on felony animal mistreatment charges.

Sean Janas also was sentenced to nine months in jail for exposing a domestic animal to poison, a misdemeanor. Janas was given credit for 447 days served and will spend 100 days in prison before she is transferred to Marathon County, Wis., to begin her jail term. As part of her guilty plea March 4, the obstructing an officer charge and two unrelated retail theft charges were dismissed.

Marathon County Circuit Judge Greg Grau was not moved by Janas' claim that heroin use led her to torture and kill the 4-year-old Labrador/shepherd mix named Mary.

Grau imposed the maximum sentenced allowed by law. Before issuing the sentence, Grau read excerpts from Janas' diary that detailed the abuse Janas inflicted on Mary; the dog died in June 2012 after being repeatedly stabbed, beaten and poisoned with Drano and bleach.

Janas apologized to the judge for her actions and said her addiction to heroin destroyed her life.

"This isn't how I expected my life to turn out," said Janas. "I stopped caring about everything except heroin."

Grau said Janas' statements in the diary and her sadistic actions showed "extreme cruelty" that could not be excused by drug addiction.

"Unfortunately, for years I've seen scores of people in this courtroom involved with heroin in one way or another," said Grau. "None of them, none of them engaged in the terrible cruelty that you did, Miss Janas."

The story sparked national outrage, inspired the creation of a Facebook page in the animal's memory and prompted a petition calling for harsh penalties in the case. Hundreds of protesters marched at the courthouse in October 2012 to show support for the dog that was killed.

Marathon County Deputy District Attorney Theresa Wetzsteon said her office received hundreds of phone calls, e-mails and letters asking for harsh penalties for Janas.

"I thought of what Mary went through in the weeks before her death," said Wetzsteon. "Animals are extremely vulnerable and are completely powerless to save themselves. They need to be protected. If one good thing can come from this case, I hope it is an increased awareness of this kind of abuse and the penalties involved."

Maximum penalties for crimes are determined by the state Legislature and not by judges or prosecutors, Wetzsteon said.

Grau also ordered Janas not to own any animals for five years after her release from extended supervision.

What you should know about reporting animal cruelty:

• You can call local law enforcement officials, or find a local agency that can help by visiting the ASPCA Shelter Finder:

• When you know who to contact, provide a concise, written, factual statement of what you observed, giving dates and approximate times whenever possible.

• If at all feasible, try to photograph the abusive situation and date your pictures.

• It also would be helpful to get short, factual written statements from other witnesses.

• When you call to report animal cruelty, always make sure to keep a careful record of exactly whom you contact, the date of the contacts and the content and outcome of your discussion.

• Never give away a document without making a copy for your file.

• Make it clear to the agent that you are very interested in pursuing the case, and that you are willing to lend whatever assistance you can.

• Follow up. If you don't receive a response from the officer assigned to your case within a reasonable length of time, don't be afraid to present your information to his or her supervisor and, if necessary, to local government officials, such as the county commissioner, and ask them to act.

• If you have witnessed the cruel act yourself, you can go to your local police commissioner and ask to swear out a warrant to summon the accused person to court.

• Remember that expert witnesses are sometimes necessary in animal cruelty cases. A veterinarian, for example, can sign a statement that it is his or her "expert opinion" that a dog suffers when hit with a chain or is deprived of food.

Source: www.ASPCA.org