An Edmonton teen will spend the next year in jail for killing his family dog before going on a bizarre vandalism spree.
18-year-old Branden Chailler was arrested December 2012 following a dramatic police takedown near Anthony Henday Drive and Stony Plain Road.
Hours before the takedown, Chailler mutilated the animal owned by his mother. He also sent images of the dead dog to a girl he was trying to impress.
“He utilized the situation, according to the facts, to basically manipulate a girl, a girl who didn’t want to date him or have anything to do with him,” Crown Prosecutor Christian Lim said.
Chailler caused $5,000 in damages to his home before breaking into a local business and Winterburn Elementary school causing an additional $5,000 in damage.
On Monday Judge Allan Lefever sentenced Chailler to 26 months in jail in connection to the crimes. He said Chailler‘s actions were “calculated and not in any way sudden” and that he showed “little if any remorse or understanding.”
The Edmonton Humane Society said more cases of animal neglect are being reported and it’s reflected in the number of cases showing up in the courts.
“It’s not a little thing to hurt an animal or take out your anger on an animal. It’s an offence. They are real creatures that have feelings,” Lim said.
Chailler has also been banned from owning pets for life and was ordered a 10 year weapons prohibition.
Crown prosecutors were asking for 27 to 36 months behind bars but said this is precedent setting for animal cruelty cases.
“It’s saying that deterrence, denunciation is really required when it comes to animal cruelty,” said Lim.
With files from Brenna Rose
