Boy sentenced for cutting eyes out of dog

Thursday, Jan. 4, 2001 | 9:13 a.m.

The sentence imposed by District Judge David Huff also requires the boy to undergo counseling and write a letter of apology to owners of the yellow Labrador retriever. The dog had to be euthanized after it was found wandering blind.

The attack last April shocked this small ranching community, about 80 miles southeast of Reno, and prompted reward offers of up to $5,000 for information leading to a conviction.

The boy, who was found guilty in Juvenile Court in late November, had been in his parents' custody and under house arrest pending sentencing. Until a psychiatric evaluation is completed, he will be held at a nearby regional juvenile detention facility.

John Schlegelmilch, chief deputy district attorney for Lyon County, said that after the evaluation the boy could wind up at a state juvenile center in Caliente or Elko - or possibly in a lockdown psychiatric facility.

The evaluation will be done by the state Division of Child and Family Services. While the boy's term is indefinite, Schlegelmilch said his time in custody will depend on how well he responds to counseling.

Nevada is one of 14 states that allow courts to order counseling for animal abusers.

Kris Anderton, a Lyon County animal services officer, has described the case as "so shocking that it was hard to believe it occurred."

"We all wanted to believe there was some other cause for it," Anderton said. "It was unheard of, especially in Yerington. People are still upset about it."

"I have never heard of an animal cruelty case like this in our county where a child was involved," Anderton said. "We have had some just as bad but they're with adults."