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Justice for one of Cape Finest Four-leggedTuesday, July 22, 2008
On Monday, Sean K. poole, 23, of Cape Girardeau, received an eight year prison sentence for robbery, a four year prison sentence for resisting arrest, and 15 days jail time for assaulting Toben, one of Cape's two police dogs. Poole admitted stealing a woman's purse outside Breakaways on Nov. 23, 2007. He took off with the stolen purse, and canine officer Jeff Bourbon used Toben, his partner, to track Poole. Toben located the suspect quickly, and Bourbon unleashed him after getting no response from Poole, who was hiding at a private residence on Fountain St. Poole reacted by punching the dog and grabbing his throat. Police quicly apprehended Poole, but Bourbon later discovered Toben suffered from an injury that may have been caused by the assault.
When he pleaded guilty, Poole said he was "messed up" on drugs at the time. Cape Girardeau prosecuting attorney Morley Swingle said the case is the first under the assault of a police animal statute, passed in 1999. "I'm glad it doesn't happen more often," Swingle said in a prepared statement. "Most people are too smart to try to fight a German Shepherd," he said. Since it's actually me that Toben is snarling at in this photo, (I'm holding the attack device used for training) I have to say I agree.
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Thanks for the info Bridget. I wish Bolo and his partner many happy years together.
Two years...I wish I could say that would be enough to turn Sean around. That and rehab. But I think you'll be reporting on him again in the future.
They should have let the police dog use the criminal as a attack device! This may have saved the tax payers some money!!
I've never seen a local case of a retired police canine living anywhere but with their partner officer for the remainder of their days. They're usually quite pampered.
As for Sean Poole, he was on parole at the time of these offenses, complicating things. That will factor into how much time he ultimately serves. However, he was also recommended for a rehabilitation program, meaning that if it weren't for the parole issue, he COULD be out in as little as two years.
Bolo's going into retirement? That poses another question for me. What happens to these "retired" canines? Does the dogs partner keep them or could, say, I adopt such a wonderful animal? Odds of that are slim, I'd bet...
And what will be the minimum Sean can serve with concurrent sentences?
Thanks for the welcome. I vow to post more regularly. The sentences Poole received will run concurrently with each other. Toben is indeed a gorgeous dog, and has a great personality (not shown in photo!). Bolo, Cape's other canine, soon to be retired, is also really nice looking.
Man, what a beautiful shepard Toben is!! You didn't say if Sean is serving his sentences concurrently or consecutively but I hope he serves the full 12 years and 15 days. He's a repeat offender and needs a long stay in prison to understand the consequences of his misguided actions. Welcome back Toben! And you too, Bridget. Blogging regularly now I see. Hope you keep it up!