Justin Michael Crandall’s partner went out and asked if Crandall could watch over his dog until he returned. In the short period of time his partner was at work, Crandall took boiling water off an electric kettle and poured it on the dog’s back and sides. The dog suffered severe burns along with loss of skin and fur and extreme mental anguish.
Over a year later, Crandall has finally been sentenced. Cobb County Superior Court Judge Robert Leonard ordered the abuser to serve four years in prison, a fifth year on probation, and to pay over $1,000 in restitution.
The dog is a brown and white mixed-breed female named Anastasia. She survived but her personality changed. She no longer responds in the same way to people, she barked at kettle until someone removed it, and she takes regular medication.
“I can see the difference in her, it’s not just something that’s physical,” Crandall’s partner, Noah Alexander testified. “She has anxiety and certain things trigger her. She knows when water’s boiling.”
Alexander wanted Crandall to be held accountable for the harm he caused. The reason Crandall harmed the dog is that she urinated on the floor. Crandall tried to say the dog was injured at the dog park while his partner was at work.
“He finally admitted that he poured the hot water from the electric kettle,” Senior Assistant District Attorney Lindsay Gardner said.
Anastasia was given Alexander’s grandparents’ for permanent care and protection. The dog is permanently disfigured and mentally harmed as well.
Judge Leonard was only able to hand down a maximum sentence of five years imprisonment and/or a fine of up to $15,000.
“I wish the legislation would treat this crime like it needs to be. Five years isn’t much to work with,” Judge Leonard stated.
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