4 Month Old Pup's Death Tied to Vet's "War Trauma"?

This is not the first time this kind of thing has happened. It is also not the first time PTSD has been blamed for it. With many veterans with PTSD turning to PTSD service dogs to help them heal, it is obvious how much they love their dogs and how much the dogs love them in return.

When my husband's PTSD was about as bad as it could be, we had a Golden Retriever named Brandon. Like all puppies, he was getting into trouble, trying to learn what he could and could not do. There were times when my husband would yell at him more than he should have but that is just about as far as that went. Brandon lived to almost 14 years old. My husband called him "brother" and he was not just a "dog" to us, but part of our family.

Anger is an issue with PTSD but it is no excuse to allow it to be so out of control a puppy ends up dead. Violence cannot be excused but it does need to be taken into consideration when seeking justice. We need to be asking a lot of questions.

The lawyer said he was being treated for PTSD at the VA. Was he getting any anger management help? Was he on medication he had a bad reaction to? Is he a dog lover or stressed about a puppy he didn't really want? These questions the court needs to ask before they can know what to do with this veteran accused of this crime.

Pup's Death Tied to Vet's "War Trauma": Family
Defendant's uncle believes a case like this is one where "Support Our Troops" comes into play
By R. Stickney
Wednesday, Jan 25, 2012

NBC San Diego

NBCSanDiego
Phillip Shawn Rich (left) at his arraignment and Knight shown with another dog before the beating.

A San Diego-area man charged with beating a puppy so badly it had to be euthanized is a veteran currently getting treatment for PTSD at the VA hospital, according to his defense attorney.

Phillip Shawn Rich, 26, of Crest, faces one felony charge of animal abuse for the death of his four-month-old male Siberian husky.

Rich brought the puppy, named Knight, to a veterinary hospital Saturday night. After the hospital staff examined the dog, they decided its injuries were so severe the animal had to be euthanized.

His attorney requested no bail, explaining that her client has been diagnosed with post-traumatic stress disorder and is currently receiving treatment at the VA hospital.
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