- Canada -
35-years-old TRAVIS MARK DAUVIN appeared in Saskatoon Provincial Court on August 15, 2022, in relation to the death of his ex-girlfriend’s dog.
DAUVIN pleaded guilty to willfully and without lawful excuse, killing a dog.
The furbaby, a small Maltese named Jake, was murdered by DAUVIN on May 17, 2020, when DAUVIN went to pick him up and claimed that Jake had bitten him.
DAUVIN violently threw Jake into a metal clothing rack. The furbaby started bleeding from his mouth, suffered four broken ribs, kidney damage, a punctured lung, and bruising around his neck and thorax. Sadly, even after surgery to try to save his precious life, Jake died from his injuries.
Global News reports that as a result of the guilty plea, DAUVIN gave up his right for a trial.
The defense called for a conditional discharge which would leave DAUVIN without a criminal record. Jillian Williamson, DAUVIN’s lawyer said: “A conditional discharge is very much like a period of probation, it can be for a very lengthy period of time. Importantly the criminal code allows for a conditional discharge to be revoked at any time, so it’s a very helpful sentencing tool because it’s more dynamic than throwing someone in jail and shutting the door on them.” Williamson believes that by pleading guilty, her client showed he has changed and is taking responsibility. Williamson argued DAUVIN has already faced steep consequences for his actions since he was charged, including losing his job and being vilified on social media after the case was first reported.
Well, DAUVIN can and will pick up his useless and lousy life regardless of the sentence.
Jake is dead forever! Animal abusers are aware that if caught and arrested they will also face public exposure. No pity, no mercy for animal abusers!!!!
Crown prosecutor Aaron Martens, on the other hand, called for much harsher sentencing arguing that Jake’s suffering was “entirely preventable.”
Martens suggested either three to six months of jail time, or nine to 18 months to be served in the community. Additionally, Martens asked Judge Donna Scott to add 12 to 18 months of probation, 120 hours of community service and a prohibition against DAUVIN “owning” any animal in future.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 23, 2022, at Saskatoon Provincial Court, at 1:30 p.m. Martens said he is not sure what Judge Scott is going to decide, but notes both of his options send a message. He said: “We have to make sure people know that vulnerable members of our society whether they’re people or pets, need to be protected and people that abuse them need to expect consequences.”
On a separate note, Saskatoon StarPhoenix reports that “After a separate trial in Saskatoon provincial court on Aug. 3, Dauvin was also convicted of hitting another dog, named Brita, with a broom handle during a fight with another ex-girlfriend on Jan. 11, 2020. That case has been adjourned until Aug. 22 to set a date for a sentencing hearing.”
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Jake’s pictures shared from his mom, Melissa Buggs’, Facebook account.
