This bitch cries when he gets sentenced....
His jaw was broken and he was in agony when doctors pieced him back together in June. Now the dog that Humane Society of Scott County staff called “Fred” is in a new home, living a happy life that includes car rides and a comfortable couch for snoozing. And the 42-year-old Davenport man...
www.yahoo.com
His jaw was broken and he was in agony when doctors pieced him back together in June.
Now the dog that Humane Society of Scott County staff called “Fred” is in a new home, living a happy life that includes car rides and a comfortable couch for snoozing.
And the 42-year-old Davenport man convicted for battering him has been sentenced to prison.
Fred waits for a car ride. (Humane Society of Scott County)
After Fred was cared for in a foster home, he has been adopted into a forever home. Now he’s like any other happy dog, living with a family that appreciates him.
Fred enjoy cuddles now that he has recovered. (Human Society of Scott County)
A ‘brutal attack’ on a dog
Ricky Titus (Scott County Jail)
On Dec. 6, 2022, Ricky Titus “did intentionally and knowingly commit animal abuse resulting in serious injury” when he kicked a chained dog in the head numerous times and struck the same dog in the head/neck area repeatedly with an approximate 4-foot section of a wooden 2×4, arrest affidavits show.
“The dog was beaten unconscious on two separate occasions and did require treatment from a vet for a broken jaw, among other injuries, after it was abandoned,” court records show.
The incident occurred in Titus’ back yard on West 8th Street “and was caught on video” by another person, court records show.
Fred relaxes in front of the television. (Humane Society of Scott County)
On June 11, 2024, Our Quad Cities News was in the courtroom, where Titus appeared with his attorney for sentencing on two aggravated misdemeanor charges of possession of controlled substance – marijuana – third or subsequent and an aggravated misdemeanor of animal abuse, to which he had pleaded guilty. He was sentenced to no more than two years for each charge.
“This was a brutal, vicious attack on this animal,” said prosecutor Kelly Cunningham, Scott County state’s attorney.
“The dog bit me. That’s why I lost it,” Titus said. “I did mess up,” he said. “The video shows what happened.”
Titus said he has taken anger-management classes and they have helped him. “I know I did mess up. The video was pretty violent,” he said. Titus said the dog bit him in the garage, then he took the dog outside and beat it after it bit him.
“I was in a blackout mode” when he saw blood on his arm, he said.
Cunningham said Titus chained the dog to a tree and beat it into unconsciousness twice. “That is a not a mess-up,” Kelly said.
Fred enjoys the outdoors. (Humane Society of Scott County.)
Titus said he never planned it. “I didn’t know anything that happened until I seen the video,” Titus said.
The judge said she was a concerned about the number of batteries and assaults Titus has had over the years. According to the sentencing order, Titus “has a long record of violence toward other people. In this case, he beat the dog while it was tied up then left it and returned later to continue beating it.”
“You’re at the age where you need to figure out why you attack things,” she said to Titus. “I do think you need to go to prison.”
Fred waits for dinner in the kitchen. (Humane Society of Scott County.)
Titus sobbed as he told his family members goodbye before he was led from the courtroom.
Meanwhile, Fred continues to heal and thrive.
“He was unable to walk when we found him and he had a fractured jaw and head trauma,” said Erika Gunn, executive director for the Humane Society of Scott County. “It was a very long road to recovery for Fred, but thanks to multiple veterinarians, our health team at HSSC, and his amazing foster” Fred “has made great strides and now lives a happy life with his new family.”