NEW ORLEANS—
In a case that was followed by outraged citizens and animal lovers from around the world, Officer Jason Lewis today pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals for abandoning his canine partner, Primo, a 6-year-old Belgian Malnois, in his locked police vehicle on May 27th of 2009.Necropsy reports show that Primo suffered from heat exhaustion, experienced at least three seizures after his temperature reached more than 108 degrees, and died while receiving treatment at the Southeast Veterinary Clinic in Metairie on that same day.
The Metropolitan Crime Commission first broke the story last August and produced copies of photos of the inside of Jason Lewis' vehicle, which Primo severely damaged while trying to escape. Earlier today Office Lewis pleaded guilty to a single count of cruelty to animals before Judge Terry Alacon, District L, and was handed down a severe penalty which included a six month suspended sentence, six months probation, and restitution equaling $12,000, the cost to replace a trained police dog.
"We see this case as a result of a good team effort between multiple agencies and departments cooperating to see justice served for Primo. We also thank the Orleans District Attorney's Office for aggressively pursuing this matter to its rightful conclusion," says Jeff Dorson, HSL Director.
