Do You Remember Bubba?

Quite a while ago, I put up a post about a dog named "Bubba." Bubba is a Labrador retriever who lived in the Upper Florida Keys. He became an abuse case at the hands of a man named Noah Mitchell. Today's post is, as a famous broadcaster used to say, "the rest of the story."

When I originally posted this story, I was somewhat ambiguous because Noah Mitchell was only accused at that point. Even those accused of violent abuse against animals, children or the elderly, deserve their day in court.  Yesterday was that day for the accused, Noah Mitchell.

Mitchell's side of the story went something like this.  On the day of the occurrence, Mitchell had just moved into his new apartment. Two friends had helped him.  Mitchell alleges he left a steak on his counter because he was going to have a barbecue.  At some point, allegedly Bubba, a 9 month old lab, grabbed the steak off the counter and ran with it.  Mitchell became angry and chased the dog. Eventually the dog went in between a washing machine and a hot water heater. Mitchell grabbed Bubba by the collar, and began to drag him out.  As Bubba was yelping, at some point he also bit Mitchell, leaving a 1/2 inch wound on one of his fingers.  This, Noah Mitchell alleges, resulted in he and Bubba going into a "free fall" to the floor.  This, Noah Mitchell contends, is how Bubba was injured.

Mitchell's version continues on that Bubba went to lie down on the floor, and eventually went to his kennel.  Supposedly Mitchell noted at some point how badly Bubba was injured and called a friend. That friend called police, and from that point on law enforcement took over. Bubba was evaluated in the middle off the night by an Upper Keys veterinary doctor by the name of Dr. George Bailey who determined Bubba's injuries were so severe he needed immediate transport to a Miami regional animal trauma center.

Bubba was diagnosed with bilateral collapsed lungs, a damaged larynx and six fractured ribs.  Bubba almost died; he was on a ventilator for 2 days, just the beginning of a long term recovery and rehabilitation.

The other side of the story was put on by the prosecution.  One eye witness testified; one of Noah Mitchell's friends who was there to help him move... who testified that he saw the entire scenario of abuse and Bubba's resultant injuries.  One veterinarian who observed Bubba at a Miami Dade County animal clinic testified that Bubba's injuries were consistent with those that an animal that size would sustain after falling from a TWO TO THREE STORY BUILDING, or after being hit by a car.  This is how severe Bubba's injuries were. Dragging Bubba out by his collar and a "free fall" from a standing position apparently doesn't explain away near death injuries.

This case went to a jury.  That jury deliberated several hours, and found Noah Mitchell guilty of felony animal abuse.  A conviction of this degree could result in up to 5 years prison time HOWEVER because this is animal abuse, the maximum for some bizarre reason is reduced to only 1 year prison and 4 years probation possible.  That's the maximum.

Would I say this is justice for Bubba?  To some degree, yes. My own opinion is this is justice for Bubba because this case went through the courts and there was a guilty finding.  Do I think the punishment that is possible is enough? No.  However.... I also believe that convicted criminals such as Noah Mitchell are likely to harm again.  Especially one as dangerous as Noah Mitchell... he who feels no responsibility for his actions and resultant near death injuries to Bubba. Noah Mitchell will probably appeal.  He denies the abuse, he feels he is not guilty as charged and adjudged.

There are those who feel that Bubba is "only" a dog, and that these cases are "wasting" the court's time when there are "real" criminals who need to be adjudged.  I don't see it that way, not at all.  I believe that people like Noah Mitchell are just time bombs waiting to go off; that Bubba was just the victim this time because Bubba was in the wrong place, at the wrong time.  I believe that the recipient of Mitchell's rage could just have easily been any "weaker" victim, including a person.

I don't know Noah Mitchell, but I have seen and known others like him in the past.  Unless he receives treatment, I believe he will offend again.  Maybe he'll be caught, maybe not.  Its not likely this instance with Bubba was his first act of misplaced anger either.  I do know that Bubba is removed from the home, and where he lives now is not known to me.  I am certain he lives in a loving home, a home that is well deserved.  I would like to see a sentence for Noah Mitchell at the maximum allowable by the law. I also feel there is some level of justice because if when Noah Mitchell offends again, he will have this felony animal abuse conviction on his record. This will take his next abuse case to a different level, I would think.

Prove me wrong Noah Mitchell.  Live the rest of your life without beating or killing those who are weaker than you... those who cannot speak to tell the tales of abuse.  Prove me wrong Noah Mitchell. Please, prove me wrong.