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In June 2015, James E. Jones of Wheaton wounded two pit bulls that were 6 weeks old. While allegedly on PCP, Jones grabbed the dogs by their necks.









These defenseless puppies were nearly choked to death. The animals were taken to a veterinary clinic and examined. Officials said the two dogs were in poor condition and one had damaged lungs from being abused.

When police demanded Jones let go of the dogs, he refused. Police eventually used a Taser on him. The Taser was said to have “no effect,” officials said, and it eventually took five police officers to take Jones into custody and get him away from the dogs.

A judge in Montgomery County sentenced Jones to six months in jail for felony animal cruelty. The dogs, named Mia and Chance, have since recovered and were adopted. In fact, Chance was adopted by one of the police officers who responded to the incident.



John J. McCarthy, state’s attorney for Montgomery County, said the sentence is “appropriate for a man who choked his own pets, two 6-week-old puppies.” Jones pleaded guilty to one count of felony animal cruelty and one count of resisting arrest, said Ramon Korionoff, a spokesman for the state’s attorney’s office.

State sentencing guidelines, while not binding, recommend punishment ranging from no jail up to six months. Jones also received 30 months of suspended “backup” time, meaning he could be placed behind bars for that duration if he were to get into legal trouble again.







He also received five years’ probation with some special conditions, Korionoff said, including that he not own or live with animals and that he seek drug and mental health treatment. Do you think he will be able to stay out of trouble for five years?





