Man gets $750 fine for flinging dog to pavement

September 27, 2000

By Leslie Ferenc

Toronto Star Staff Reporter

Sept 26, 2000

A Thornhill man, who disabled a tiny dog when he angrily flung it onto the

street after it relieved itself on his lawn, has been found guilty of injuring

an animal and fined $750 dollars. However, a Newmarket judge ruled Tuesday he

won't have to cover the pup's medical bills.

John Schafer, 60, of Cobblestone Dr., doesn't have to pay any of the $6,000 in

veterinary costs needed to treat and save Joey the 5-pound teacup poodle - even

though he admitted to throwing the dog, Mr. Justice Vibert Lampkin decided.

Schafer was also put on two years' probation and ordered not to own an animal or

speak with the dog's owner.

Crown Attorney Jason Gorda had urged the judge to impose a short jail sentence,

saying Schafer didn't have a right to use excessive force to remove Joey from

his property. He noted the ensuing public outcry " represents the fact that what

Mr. Schafer did is wrong and sickening. "

The judge's verdict brought Joey's owner Heather Sherman to tears yesterday when

she told reporters outside the courtroom that the sentence has put the animal

rights and protection movement " back to the dark ages. "

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