April 9, 2007

Dog Abuser Gets Jail Time

Los Angeles: A tragic situation of a puppy abused has been made better by the sentencing of the abusive owner and the dog’s adoption by a local family.

Last August, Isaak Gowhari, 34, surrendered his 7-month-old Doberman Pincer, Gracie, to the Agoura Hills Animal Shelter. The dog had newly broken ribs, and evidence of healed ribs. She had injuries to her leg, snout and head.

"Gowhari told the animal shelter workers that he was surrendering the dog because his hands hurt from hitting the animal," said Los Angeles Animal Control Officer Ernesto Poblano, a member of the Los Angeles Animal Cruelty Task Force (ACTF). "We were notified because Gowhari lived in Woodland Hills."

Task force members investigated Gowhari for animal cruelty. The Los Angeles City Attorney filed misdemeanor charges against Gowhari and he was arrested on November 16, 2006.

Gracie was placed with a foster family rather than in a kennel while she recovered from her injuries. One photograph, released by investigators, shows Gracie’s snout taped shut by Gowhari to keep the dog from biting him. In another photograph, two of Gracie’s legs were bandaged.

"At times, Gowhari did get Gracie medical care for the injuries he inflicted, but he apparently did not follow up on treatments and the injuries became aggravated and did not heal," Poblano said.

Gowhari pled guilty to the charges on April 5, 2007, and he was sentenced to 45 days in county jail, 45 days of public service with Cal Trans, 48 hours of counseling, and 36 months of probation. He is prohibited from owning or possessing an animal for three years.

Gowhari's conviction opened the way for Gracie to be adopted by a new family in the San Fernando Valley. "Gracie has made a full recovery and is doing very well," Poblano said.

The ACTF is made up of Los Angeles police officers, detectives, and Animal Service officers from the Los Angeles Department of Animal Services. They investigate human cruelty against animals.