Sunday, June 14, 2015

Gemma


When you Google the name Christopher Scott, the results on the first page say he’s an American actor, dancer and choreographer.

That’s not the Christopher Scott I’m writing about today.

The Christopher Scott I’m writing about lives in Lapeer County, is 28 years old and has a preliminary exam scheduled for July 8 in 71 A District Court in Lapeer.

Scott’s in trouble for shooting his 2-year-old dog in the head with a bolt from a crossbow.

Scott, through his attorney, admits shooting Gemma. Gemma wandered for two days with the 15-inch bolt in her head before being found and taken to the Lapeer County Animal Control Office.

She was shot in March. Today, she’s fine. The crossbow bolt missed Gemma’s brain and optic nerve. As a matter of fact, she’s evidence against her former owner. According to The Detroit Free Press, the people taking care of Gemma at the animal control office find her to be a nice dog. A quote from the story says, “If you didn’t know her story, you’d never know.”

Scott said he shot Gemma because Gemma fought with and killed his other dog – a pug – and literally ripped the pug’s throat out. Scott had five children in his home, the youngest being 5 years old.

With the preliminary exam next month, Dennis McCarthy, Scott’s attorney, is going to ask the judge to dismiss the case. McCarthy is counting on the law of just cause.

It would be wrong for the judge to dismiss the case. Dismissing the case would send a message that what Scott did to Gemma was fine.

According to The Free Press story:

  •          In Detroit late last month, a cop shot a dog in the face at Tiger Stadium. He killed it. Police said the dog, which was not on a leash, charged the officer, growling. Police have to make split-second decisions throughout their careers, so this officer reached for his gun. Whatever happened to MACE or the officer’s Taser? Would the officer have shot an unarmed person yelling and running at him?


  •          Earlier last month in Canton, a man shot and killed his neighbor’s dog because he thought it was charging him. The 4-year-old dog was a boxer/pitbull mix.


No further information is available at the moment on either shooting.

It is clear people are losing respect for life. Not a day goes by when there isn’t a new shooting to report on the television news.

Some experts say people who kill people often killed pets when they were younger.  I am not saying Christopher Scott murders people. Let’s be clear about that.

I am saying that if Scott’s case is dismissed, animal abusers will take it as a sign that they can maim and hurt their pets without fear of reprisal.

If you agree, let the judge know. The court’s address is 71A District Court, 255 Clay St., Lapeer, Michigan  48446.