LYNCHBURG, Va. (WSET) — A man convicted of stabbing a dog to death in Lynchburg will not spend any time behind bars.
After a previous bench trial, Jacob Williams was convicted on Wednesday of the felony offense of Animal Cruelty Resulting in Death.
LynchburgCommonwealth’s Attorney Bethany Harrison provided a full recounting of the incident on Thursday.
On August 1, 2023, Lynchburg Police Department (LPD) Animal Control Officers responded to a reported animal bite and potential animal crueltyin the 400 Block of Taylor Street.
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Responding officers for a dead dog tied to the porch of a home on Taylor Street that had suffered multiple stab wounds. The dog was wearing a collar with the name “Lightning.”
After speaking to witnesses in the area, officers determined that Lightning was accused of biting a woman while she was walking her dogs. Witnesses reported that a man appeared later and attacked Lightning while the dog was tied to the porch railing.
LPD Animal Control Officers were able to find the woman and speak to her about the alleged bite by Lightning. She told officers that she told her boyfriend at the time, Jacob Williams, about the incident.
Officers then interviewed Williams who said that he returned to the area of the dog bite to try to retrieve his girlfriend’s phone which had been lost there during the incident. Williamsclaimed that as he went to get the phone Lightning bit him. He then stabbed Lightning in response.
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Upon further questioning from Animal Control,Williams admitted that he lied and that Lightning merely put his paws up on the railing of the house. Williams testified at trial that Lightning was sleeping and was still tied up to the porch as he approached the residence.
The Commonwealth’s Attorney said Williams stabbed Lightning in the neck area because he felt intimidated. Williams then decided to stab Lightning several more times to “put it down.” According to the testimony of the Commonwealth’s veterinary expert, the stab wound to the neck was not a fatal injury. The veterinarian concluded that Lightning had four to five stab wounds in total. The two deep stab wounds to the side and chest area were lethal causing Lightning to bleed to death.
The Commonwealth requested an active jail sentence given the facts of the case. The Lynchburg Circuit Court sentenced Williams to two years with two years suspended, six months of supervised probation, and 12 months of good behavior.
Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney Chelsea Webster prosecuted the case. Jacob Williams was represented by Chuck Felmlee.
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