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WEST VALLEY CITY, Utah - A
man accused of killing his neighbor’s dog died on Monday night, and neighbors
suspect he may have taken his own life.
A Pomeranian named Ozzie died from a gun shot wound last year.
His owners wanted the man accused of shooting him to show some sign of
remorse but Gary Deloy Griffiths died at his home in West Valley City before
he could stand trial for animal cruelty.
"This person had obviously shown evidence that he had mental health
issues was not only able to shoot the dog but to also threaten the
owner," said animal activist Tamma Martin with the Utah Animal Adoption
Center.
Current research shows a direct connection between animal cruelty and family
violence. Researchers call it a red flag, where violence against pets usually
translates into violence against people.
“People who get convicted of animal abuse usually have committed other
violent crimes, “said Utah State University Professor Frank Aschione.
“Research done in the U.S. shows a direct connection,” he said. Aschione
interviewed women at domestic shelters in Utah and found that 50 % of the women
said their partners had killed their pet. “We don’t know which comes first,
but there is a definite link between animal cruelty and domestic violence,”
he said.
Last September 6- year old Gary Deloy Griffith told police he shot “Ozzie”
with a 22-caliber rifle because the 7 pound Pomeranian attacked his cat. But
police charged Griffiths with cruelty to animals and discharging a firearm
inside the city.
Police found Griffith's body inside his home on Monday afternoon and said an
autopsy will determine the cause of his death. The news came as a shock to
Ozzie's owners who said they feared Griffiths might take revenge against
them. "We are just glad he didn't hurt his wife or anyone else or come
over to our house," said pet owner Malissa Pahl.
Temma Martin understands the connection between pets and violence. Martin
tries to find homes for animals abandoned by their owners at the Utah Animal
Adoption Center in Salt Lake City. Martin said people need to pay attention
to those who show cruelty to animals. "School shooters, some of the most
notorious killers have a long history of animal abuse and neighbors knew
about it, but people don't take it seriously enough," Martin said.
Ozzie's owners said they regret Griffith's death, but wish he would have
shown some remorse, and wish he could have dealt with his problems in a
different way. "Look at the bigger picture and realize that a person
capable of killing or torturing an animal is often capable of doing the same
thing to a person,” Martin said.
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