UPDATE 2/9/11: Charles Black was found guilty by a jury of 2 counts of felony animal abuse for beating his dog Blueberry. He was sentenced today (2/9/11) and received the punishment of:
- 48 months in prison (doubled because of previous felony)
- Hundreds of dollars of restitution
- No chance of parole
UPDATE: 1/20/11: The two-and-a-half week-long trial of Oakland resident Charles Black came to an end on January 12 when jurors found Black guilty of two felony counts of animal cruelty for beating his dog, Blueberry, on June 30, 2009, and again on February 19, 2010. Black was immediately remanded into custody to await sentencing. The trial itself included a showing of a video tape of the beating taken by concerned neighbors. Attendees at the trial called the video “graphic” and “extremely difficult to watch.” The courtroom crowd also included numerous Oakland Animal Services volunteers and supporters, many of whom attended for the duration of the trial and wore blue in support of Blueberry and against such abuse.
The District Attorney’s office released a statement following the trial that the office was “pleased with the jury’s verdict and believes it reflects the cruel, outrageous conduct of the defendant.” The statement went on to acknowledge that the defendant would not have been brought to justice without the cooperation of Oakland Animal Services, Oakland Housing Authority, and the individuals who documented and reported the defendant’s continuous abuse of Blueberry.
Blueberry was cared for at Oakland Animal Services and has now been adopted into a loving home, thanks to the help of Berkeley Humane Society!
OAS Director, Megan Webb, stated “I am very pleased for all of the support Oakland Animal Services has received from the other units of the Oakland Police Department, the District Attorney’s office and the citizens of Oakland to identify, investigate, charge and prosecute these cases of animal abuse. It is encouraging to see how seriously these cases are being taken and resulting in felony charges and convictions.”
Blueberry in his new home.
