DENVER — The man accused of dragging Buddy the dog to death has been sentenced to the maximum provided by the law.
Steven Clay Romero, 38, of Grand Junction, was sentenced Friday to 36 months in federal prison, followed by 12 months of supervised release. Judge Philip A. Brimmer also ordered Romero to pay a $500 fine, and $343.68 in restitution to the owners of “Buddy the dog.”
Romero was convicted of aggravated animal cruelty in the dragging death of “Buddy the Dog.”
According to the indictment, the body of large mixed-breed dog with a rope tied around its neck was discovered in the Colorado National Monument in Mesa County on Dec. 30, 2009. Prosecutors said surveillance photos and marks left in the snow indicated the dog had been dragged from the back of a pickup truck.
Prosecutors said Romero dragged the dog until it died.
Romero’s sister, Melissa Marie Lockhart pleaded guilty to being an accessory after the fact to the crime of aggravated animal cruelty.
According to the stipulated facts in the plea agreement, Lockhart thought Buddy had killed her kitten and told Romero to get rid of Buddy.
Romero was taken into custody to begin serving his sentence immediate
I’m sorry, but 36 months IS NOT long enough! I wish they could have given him the death penalty!
Why is it the “maximum” is never enough for these pieces of garbage. A woman here got the maximum 3 years for putting a kitten in an over, turning it up all the way and leaving so she wouldn’t have to hear the kitten’s screams. I say give ’em life. Most who abuse animals also abuse people.