The man accused of killing Honey, a four-pound Yorkshire Terrier mix that was his family’s pet, told a judge Wednesday during a plea hearing he had no excuse for his behavior but revealed he was using drugs and alcohol at the time.
Dustin Ricky Harrell, 22, 1125 Old Stage Road, pleaded guilty to aggravated animal cruelty with no agreement from state prosecutors on his sentence.
Harrell’s attorney, Jim Bowman, told Criminal Court Judge Robert Cupp his client is eligible for judicial diversion. Assistant District Attorney General Erin McArdle said after the hearing that she intends to seek a jail term for Harrell because of the magnitude of the crime.
The incident happened Nov. 3, apparently during the night as Harrell’s family slept.
McArdle said statements from family members indicate Harrell retrieved Honey from his mother and stepfather’s bedroom that night, saying she needed to go out.
Four hours later, he told them the dog was dead after being hit by a car. But Honey’s ordeal didn’t happen outside. It occurred inside the house where she lived.
In his description of what happened, Harrell told Cupp he threw the dog down the stairs, held her head under water and put her in the clothes dryer. He said the incident took place over 3½ to 4 hours.
“I killed and tortured my family dog,” Harrell said. “I could tell you what I did to cause my actions, but everything was a choice.”
Cupp asked Harrell “what could possess you?” to hurt and kill the dog in that manner.
Harrell said he was using heroin, bath salts, pain pills and alcohol.
Since killing the dog, Harrell sought alcohol and drug treatment and through that learned how abuse at the hands of a family member led him down a path of destructive behavior.
The abuse occurred when Harrell was a child and was not committed by his mother or stepfather.
Animal rights supporters were in court to hear Harrell admit to killing Honey and said he still needs to be punished for his actions.
Regina Isenberg, founder of The Bridge Home No Kill Animal Rescue, located in Blountville, said she was glad to see Harrell plead guilty, but “what else can you do when you’re charged and (they) have pictures?”
“We do not tolerate animal abuse in our area. We will stand up for all the animals. This is our responsibility as caring, compassionate citizens,” Isenberg said.
She also said her support for animals should not be mistaken for not caring for children who are victims of crime.
“There are many organizations that represent children. I worked for many years with children,” and child abuse “is not acceptable,” she said. “If I had more than 24 hours, I would sit for all the kids.”
Harrell is now scheduled for a sentencing hearing July 10 at 9 a.m.
breakout writes:
May 30, 2012
10:02 AM
He's porked up. Too bad we can't put him on the spit. He deserves it!
randall433 writes:
May 30, 2012
10:24 AM
Bet this won't be the last time this monster is in a courtroom. Bet it won't be an animal next time either. When will the justice system/society learn? This wasn't hunting and killing for food. This was torture of a helpless 4lb. domestic dog. You can't fix this kinda sick!
jambi writes:
May 30, 2012
10:58 AM
His punishment should be the same as he gave that dog. Defenseless animals shouldn't be harmed. There's a special place in hell for people that harm things and people that cannont defend itself.
Diamond Lady writes:
May 30, 2012
10:45 AM
Let's throw him down flights of steps and hold his head under water and then shove him in a dryer. He deserves what he dished out. If this was done less crime would be commited.
cowdal writes:
May 30, 2012
11:20 AM
Some things you people write. Yes he should be punished and he will. I really don't think he should be killed though. Get real!! Just step back and read your comments, please.....
DBFx21 writes:
May 30, 2012
3:08 PM
Agreed, @voiceofreason.
I went to high school with Dustin, he was always a charasmatic jokester who basically everyone (except some uptight teachers) loved being around. He was a good guy and was there for each of his friends when they needed him. It's terribly unfortunate that his life took this spiral since we graduated. It's completely unlike him, any of his classmates would tell you this. While he should definitely be held accountable for his actions, some of the comments made are sickening! I'm an animal lover, but no pets life is more valuable than a humans life. People don't just do things like this, obviously the abuse (past and present) had some role in his actions. If his rehab goes as planned I have no doubt that he could become a productive citizen once again.
We need to have more faith in people, seek to help those who are obviously troubled, and be a little more understanding instead of proposing death to someone that at least used to have a good heart and mind.
There have been thousands of instances of people living normal/productive lives after rehab, if it were your loved one you'd want them to have that opportunity instead of claiming they should be executed.
upstream writes:
May 30, 2012
5:35 PM
Cowdal is right.
Yes, this was a cruel, ruthless act, and the man should be held accountable with justice served. But some of the comments made here are so rash and harsh the commenters sound as if they are not an iota above the moral character of the very man they condemn. Think about what you are saying, folks.
kittykat writes:
May 31, 2012
3:38 PM
Yes, thank you Cowdal! My thoughts exactly. Every time I read a story about somebody who has done something wrong, people start leaving comments suggesting they need to be killed! Run a stop light? Death sentence!
Our society needs a lot more compassion. To the unforgiving people out there, the day will come when you will be hoping for a little compassion too. And I hope you find it and it lightens your heart.
MargaretMagnolia writes:
May 31, 2012
7:42 PM
I can't keep my mouth shut when it comes to the harm of innocent animals. Society does not need to be compassionate to one who does such a evil deed. Not once did he hurt the dog but over and over. I am sick to death of people claiming past abuse as the reason for doing whatever evil crime they committed. I would not expect any compassion if I did such a thing. Studies have shown that if a person would abuse an animal they would also do it to a human. I am not sure these people can ever be rehabilitated. Normal people would not do this evil act to begin with. Maybe he needs several years in a mental institution to get his head on straight.
breakout writes:
June 1, 2012
8:33 AM
That has always been a sign of someone to keep an eye on. I wish more people would realize that reporting such crimes matters. Even if the police seem to be indifferent, insist that a report be taken, when you know someone has committed a crime against animals. Remind them that this is a sign of a seriously deranged individual and that those who torture/kill animals for amusement often move on to human beings.
DBFx21 writes:
June 1, 2012
9:20 AM
@MargaretMagnolia
I feel like his recent use of a number of narcotics had much more to do with the ghastly things he did to Honey than his past "abuse". I knew him, he was a good guy. Narcotics can really make you do some insane things, heck the guy chewing a man's face off down in Miami over the weekend was said to be on bath salts! He was shot and continued to chew the victim's face.. If that isn't a prime example of what drugs can influence people to do, I don't know what is.. It's like you said, normal people do not do things like this. And Dustin was always a good, caring guy I pray that rehab can help him and he can eventually be a productive citizen.