A Cobb County man who admitted putting a dog into a hot oven was sentenced Thursday to serve 90 days in jail, Channel 2 Action News reported.
Gary Moore Jr. was charged with felony animal cruelty in May 2011 after he put 20-month-old Melody, a pit bull mix, into an oven as an act of revenge against another man.
The dog was taken to Cobb Emergency Veterinary Clinic in Marietta after sustaining severe burns from her head to her paws. After receiving extensive treatment, she recovered and later was adopted out.
On Thursday, Moore appeared in Cobb County Superior Court for a sentencing hearing.
Defense attorney Jonathan Majeske said a psychological examination found his client subject to “fairly significant depression.”
The defendant’s mother, Fern Moore, pleaded with the court to keep his son out of prison so he could receive treatment for mental illness.
“Gary is a wonderful son, I could not ask for a better son,” she said.
Speaking on his own behalf, Moore, who was 24 when he was arrested, told the court that the incident resulted from a tumultuous relationship with his boyfriend combined with his now-diagnosed mental issues.
“It was just a very stressful time, and it just will never happen again, and I just appreciate everyone's time,” Moore said.
Judge Reuben Green accepted a plea deal with prosecutors. Moore will serve 90 days in jail and the remainder of his five-year sentence on probation.
Authorities said a good Samaritan had brought Melody to the Cobb veterinary clinic after failing to convince Moore to get treatment for her. Veterinarians worked around the clock to save the dog, giving her a constant drip of pain killers and antibiotics.
Melody now lives with her adoptive family, still bearing physical and emotional scars but overall, a good dog, Channel 2 reported.
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