UPDATE: Mr. Hoi was sentenced to only 6 months in jail and probation!  Hopefully, his girlfriend, who is the owner of the puppy and is also being charged with felony animal cruelty, will receive the appropriate punishment.

Police: Man shot dog repeatedly in testicles

By Matthew K. Jensen
Published:
Tuesday, February 9, 2010 2:48 AM CST
A Logan man was arrested and charged Friday with felony animal cruelty after police say he used an airsoft gun to shoot a small dog in the testicles multiple times.

Emilio D. Hoy, 22, was booked into the Cache County Jail after police acquired information from an anonymous source that he reportedly tortured a Jack Russell terrier Dec. 24 by holding the dog upside down by its tail and discharging the air gun at the animal’s testicles from a few inches away. Airsoft guns fire small, non-lethal plastic rounds.

Also during the arrest process, police discovered that Hoy was recovering from a bullet wound in his buttock, which he received last week from a real firearm. He did not originally report that incident to police. Police say the gunshot wound is not related to the animal cruelty charge.

Police have video footage of the reported incident involving the dog, which has been processed as evidence in the case. A witness told police the dog has been forced to stay in a dirty kennel with its own feces.
“The video shows Emilio shooting the dog several times all over its body,” the report indicates. “The video shows Emilio loading another air soft round into the gun’s chamber and then shooting the dog in the testicles at a very close range.”

In the video footage, the dog is heard whimpering from the shots.

The dog, which lived at Hoy’s residence with his two roommates, has been taken into protective custody at the Cache Humane Society. Police say the animal will be evaluated by a veterinarian.

Police went Friday to Hoy’s residence at 1391 N. 240 West and asked him about the incident. Officers say they interviewed multiple people who witnessed the incident. Additional charges against others who participated in or facilitated Hoy’s conduct are possible, police say.

“Emilio informed me that he has never seen the dog abused nor injured,” the report reads. “Emilio stated that the dog is not abused.”

The officer asked Hoy if he had ever picked the dog up by his legs, neck or tail, to which he responded, “No.” Emilio reportedly told police that he had never harmed or shot the dog.

When asked about the gunshot wound on Friday, Hoy told officers he got into an altercation with a man who was stealing parts from his vehicle.

Police are still working to sort out details related to the bullet wound and have not made any arrests.

Hoy told police he removed the bullet from his body on his own and treated the wound with salt and gauze. Police took the man to Logan Regional Hospital and he was later released. Afterward, he was transported to the county jail. Police continue to investigate the bullet wound incident.

The Animal Advocacy Alliance of utah has filed an Amic:us Corti, or friend of the Court,brief and have offered to pay all veterinary bills associated with the dog's injuries.

UPDATE:Emilio Hoi was sentenced to six months in jail under a plea deal wherein if he pled guilty to felony animal cruelty he would spend less than a year in jail.  His girlfriend, who owned the puppy, has yet to be tried.  She is also charged with felony cruelty charges.