Harrison Thorp
Tuesday, August 18, 2015 6:04 am
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DOVER - The Rochester man who shot the family dog after it bit his child will serve no jail time, but cannot possess firearms or pets for two years.
Lee Thurston, 34, of 11 Sheridan Ave, Apt. B., officially accepted the Monday plea deal earlier this summer and first reported in The Lebanon Voice on July 22.
The only exception on the pet provision is he can have contact with his son's therapy cat.
Thurston was sentenced to four months in county jail with all four suspended on a felony animal cruelty charge that was reduced to a Class A misdemeanor.
Meanwhile, his felony reckless conduct charge for firing a hunting rifle in his apartment building will not be prosecuted if he successfully completes a felony diversion program.
Thurston must also maintain two years of good behavior or the four-month sentence in county jail can be brought back.
Police said the night of March 2 around 6:20 p.m. they responded to the apartment where, after a brief investigation, they learned a 4-year-old boy had been playing with the dog inside the second floor apartment and received a puncture wound on the top of his head from being bitten by the dog.
Police said afterward the dog was placed in its kennel inside the apartment and Thurston then shot the dog with a high caliber hunting rifle, killing the dog.