Two take deal in Blu torture

Kim Smith

Monday, Dec. 4, 2000 | 9:49 a.m.

Two 18-year-old Mojave High School students accepted a deal with prosecutors Friday in the kidnapping and torturing of Centennial High School's mascot.

Richard McDonald pleaded guilty to witnessing a fight between animals, and Douglas Stumpf pleaded guilty to injuring or abandoning an animal. Both charges are misdemeanors.

As a result of the plea agreement, both teens must stay out of trouble for one year, perform community service at an animal shelter, write a letter of apology and prepare a report on the cause and effects of animal abuse.

In addition, Stumpf was ordered to serve two days in jail, spend 60 days on house arrest, perform 120 hours of community service and pay almost $1,300 in restitution and fines. If he fails to stay out of trouble for a year, he could end up serving 118 days in jail.

Stumpf also must give up custody of his two pit bulls for at least a year, Deputy District Attorney Ron Bloxham said. The question of whether his uncle can take custody of the dogs will be decided at a later court date.

McDonald, who must serve 200 hours of community service, could end up spending 60 days in jail if he doesn't stay out of trouble. If he does well, he can withdraw his guilty plea and ask that the case against him be dismissed.

The two young men and nine juveniles were booked on a variety of charges after Blu, an English bulldog, was found injured and staked on the 50-yard line of Centennial's football field on the morning Mojave and Centennial were to play each other.

Authorities believe the dog was stolen and forced to fight one of Stumpf's pit bulls as part of a prank.

Four of the nine juveniles also entered plea agreements Friday and are scheduled to be sentenced Dec. 20.

McDonald, who lost his position as Mojave's quarterback after the incident, had a warrant issued for his arrest when he failed to make his initial court appearance. Bloxham said McDonald later turned himself in, and the warrant was quashed.