Update: Anthony Spidle, the first person to be charged under Utah's 2008 felony animal cruelty law, now faces felony charges of tampering with witnesses.

He allegedly called his girlfriend from jail where he is being held and basically told her not to appear to testify against him or he could face 5 years in prison. He said there would be no case if she does not appear. 

Spidle is also accused of urging his mother to avoid process servers who may try to serve her with subpoenas to testify at trial.     

Spidle failed to show for his first hearing and begged for a continuance at his May 21 hearing. At a June 15 hearing, the matter was set for disposition on July 13.

Spidle is also trying to reach a plea agreement with prosecutors. Urge Salt Lake County District Attorney Lohra L. Miller and Deputy District Attorney Greg Ferbrache to prosecute Spidle to the full extent of the law:  Write them at districtattorney@slco.org or 2001 S State St, Salt Lake City, UT 84190, or call 801-468-3300.

Also, please write Judge Barrett and urge him to sentence Spidle the maximum penalty allowed.

Honorable Judge William W. Barrett

3rd District Court W39

450 South State

Salt Lake City, Utah  84111

The case number is #091902503FS. 

Original report: Anthony Spidle is the first adult to be charged under Utah's 2008 felony animal cruelty law.   He is charged with torture of a companion animal, a third degree felony.

Spidle is accused of severely beating and torturing his former girlfriend's 6 month old puppy, Gabriella.  Gabriella was beaten severely as Spidle allegedly recorded the puppy yelping and crying on his former girlfriend's voice mail and then saying, "She doesn't love me and she doesn't love you."

He then beat the puppy with a skateboard and tennis racket and swung her around and threw her against the wall at least 5 times.  He then reportedly jumped on the puppy's head and throat, "yelling that he was going to kill her, cut off her head" and give it to his ex-girlfriend.

Gabriella survived and is recovering from her injuries. 

Judge William Barrett will hear the case. Judge Barrett also presided in Henry's case, the puppy burned in an oven and who inspired Henry's Law, the felony animal cruelty law in Utah.  Of the maximum penalty of 1 year, he sentenced the perpetrator, Marc Vincent, to 6 months of which he served only four.  

During sentencing, however, Judge Barrett told Vincent, "Your conduct was just horrendous."  He also said, "I don't like people who abuse animals and I don't like people who abuse children. Animals and children are vulnerable." 

It comes as no surprise that Spidle, 21, has a history of domestic violence. Studies show a link between people who abuse animals and those who commit domestic violence. 

In one study 71% of women in a battered women's shelter reported their abuser either abused a household pet or threatened to abuse a pet. (Ascione, 1998)  

In another study 88% of child abusers also abused the animals in the home. (Ascione) 

In a study by Dr. Jacquelyn Campbell, Public Health Department, the Johns Hopkins University from 1994 to 2000 in eleven USA metropolitan cities, pet abuse was one of the four significant predictors for determining who was at highest risk for becoming a batterer. Many abused spouses delay leaving out of fear for their pets' safety and because they have nowhere to take them.