by Deborah Parkhill Mullis
Nov. 4, 2008 - Almost two years after 36 pit bulls were seized on Jan. 18, 2007 by Animal Service Bureau authorities in what Sheriff Eddie Cathey referred to as one of Union County’s biggest dog fighting busts - defendant, Stanley Max Plowman, II, was brought to trial before a jury of six men and six women.
Potential jurors who had donated money or volunteered time to humane organizations were excused by defense attorney, John Painter, even if they felt they could be impartial. Even still, most of the jurors called to serve owned pets.
Plowman’s claim that the pit bulls at 7116 Howie Bottoms Road were kept for boarding, breeding, selling and showing quickly fell apart after the state’s first witness took the stand.
Sheriff’s Deputy Todd Cunningham testified about the vast amount of evidence he saw on Plowman’s Indian Trail property indicating dog fighting including scarred dogs, bite sticks, dog fighting literature, hanging scales, heavy chains, medical trauma supplies, neck weights, spring poles, treadmills and more. Photographs of the confiscated items were shown to the jury and entered into evidence.
After Cunningham’s lengthy testimony, Plowman decided to change his plea to guilty to the charges of felony dog fighting and the misdemeanor charges of using excessive restraint (on his dogs), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphenalia.
Sheriff’s Deputy Todd Cunningham testified about the vast amount of evidence he saw on Plowman’s Indian Trail property indicating dog fighting including scarred dogs, bite sticks, dog fighting literature, hanging scales, heavy chains, medical trauma supplies, neck weights, spring poles, treadmills and more. Photographs of the confiscated items were shown to the jury and entered into evidence.
After Cunningham’s lengthy testimony, Plowman decided to change his plea to guilty to the charges of felony dog fighting and the misdemeanor charges of using excessive restraint (on his dogs), possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphenalia.
Sheriff's Deputy Stephanie Philemon briefly testified regarding a shotgun that was found inside Plowman's home, after which Iredell County Superior Court Judge Christopher Collier threw out the only remaining charge: felony possession of a fire arm and excused the jury from making any decisions in the case.
Judge Collier then suspended the maximum prison sentence of 12 months and sentenced Plowman to 36 months intensive probation, a $1,000 fine and court costs. He also ordered Plowman to stay away from dogs. Most of Plowman’s dogs had previously received the death sentence.
Judge Collier then suspended the maximum prison sentence of 12 months and sentenced Plowman to 36 months intensive probation, a $1,000 fine and court costs. He also ordered Plowman to stay away from dogs. Most of Plowman’s dogs had previously received the death sentence.
An edited version of this article appeared on page 7 of Union County Weekly, Vol. 3, No. 45* Nov. 7-13, 2008 www.unioncountyweekly.com
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