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Cary man gets 100 days in jail for stabbing dog
The Cary man charged with cruelty to animals for stabbing his Siberian Husky last spring and later became the target of the "Justice for Koda" protest entered an Alford plea in the case Friday.
Posted — UpdatedRALEIGH, N.C. — The Cary man charged with cruelty to animals for stabbing his Siberian Husky last spring and later became the target of the "Justice for Koda" protest entered an Alford plea in the case Friday.
An Alford plea allows a defendant to plead guilty, while maintaining his or her innocence, because there is sufficient evidence to find him or her guilty.
Superior Court Judge Graham Shirley II sentenced Douglas Joseph Hagler to 100 days in jail and five years of probation and substance abuse counseling.
Hagler's attorney, Charles Caldwell, said the dog had a history of being aggressive and biting people and had attacked Hagler's roommate.
He told the court that Hagler is an alcoholic who doesn't remember stabbing the dog, but Shirley was unsympathetic.
"I think the thing that concerns me most is the statement that was made that you cannot handle yourself well in stressful situations. Life is one series of stressful situations after another," the judge said.
The court heard the details of the attack on Koda, including audio of a 911 call that prompted several people in the courtroom to weep.
Wake County Assistant District Attorney Matt Lively said Koda had 11 stab wounds and three broken ribs.
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