LCA'S MOST WANTED SENTENCED TO FIVE YEARS IN PRISON!

Thomas E. Spencer Fulton County, GA D.O.B.: 01-17-47  Guilty of felony animal cruelty, terrorist threats, felony arson and property destruction.

On Friday, April 15th, 2005, LCA’s “Most Wanted,” Thomas Spencer, was sentenced to 20 years -- five of which are to be served in prison -- for the beating of a four-month old puppy and additional charges. Spencer must also undergo psychiatric treatment, maintain his drug therapy, and refrain from ownership of any animals for the length of his sentence.

In the first felony animal cruelty case in Fulton County’s history, Spencer was charged with the December, 2000 beating of the German Shepherd puppy, during which he threatened the life of both his girlfriend and the animal. The puppy was rendered unconscious by the beating and suffered a concussion as well as hemorrhaging of the eyes. Not surprisingly, the puppy later died. Then, in May 2002, as his criminal trial approached, Spencer set fire to his neighbor’s car just feet from their home. The neighbor was scheduled to testify against Spencer at trial.

Spencer pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals, terroristic threats, arson, threatening a witness in an official proceeding, driving with a suspended license, and possession of cocaine.

After four long years, Thomas Spencer is finally behind bars! LCA thanks you for all your calls, faxes, emails and letters to Judge Arrington, who presided over the case and handed down the much-deserved sentence. Together, we made a difference! 


Case Background

LCA placed Spencer on its “Most Wanted” list after a Georgia resident brought the case to our attention.

The veterinary office that treated this bloodied, near death dog took this photograph. It is the only photo available and as you can see, they took the picture very close up. But you can see this four-month-old baby's eyes are bloodied and completely traumatized. His nose and snout were beaten to a pulp. The rest of his body didn't fair any better. According to the police report (see below), Spencer was beating the puppy upon their arrival and according to the girlfriend, Spencer had been beating the dog all day long. The puppy eventually died, but not soon enough to end his agony

Police were called to a Fulton County residence on December 31st, 2000. They entered Spencer's home and reported they "heard a dog squealing in pain" and personally witnessed Spencer "pounding the dog in the face again and again." Spencer had the dog trapped between his legs when the police entered his bedroom. Police said the dog's eyes were swollen shut and bleeding. The bed, Spencer's pajamas and a nearby towel were all soaked with blood. 

The police confiscated the four-month-old pup and took him to a veterinarian. They erroneously charged Spencer with only a misdemeanor violation. According to the police report, they were not aware the State of Georgia imposes felony charges for animal cruelty. Because of the officer’s gross negligence in this matter, the poor puppy was – unbelievably – returned to Spencer several hours later. The dog then mysteriously “disappeared.”

On July 8th, 2001, Spencer’s girlfriend again called police saying Spencer had pushed her and then locked himself in the bedroom with their NEW dog. She told police she thought he was choking the dog. Spencer was scheduled to appear in court on August 31st, 2001, but failed to appear.

Spencer's neighbor had witnessed the grueling beatings of the original puppy and of the new dog. Finally, he could no longer tolerate the agonizing screams, cries and whimpers coming from Spencer's home. The neighbor filed a complaint with the police department and agreed to testify against Spencer. Meanwhile, Spencer began terrorizing the neighbor. Other neighbors saw him on his rooftop numerous times stalking the witness, watching him for long periods of time. Spencer threatened to kill the neighbor (considered a terrorist threat) and burned his car to the ground. 

Anticipating arrest, Spencer fled but was later spotted in San Antonio, TX by Fulton County D.A., Paul Howard, in early June, 2002. He was brought back to Georgia to stand trial but fled again. Finally he was captured on June 1, 2004. 

SEE ACTUAL POLICE REPORT BELOW:

AGENCY: ALPHARETTA POLICE DEPARTMENT
Citation: GADBDO400
Report Date / Time: 1213112000 8:45:00 PM
Entered On: 01/0212001 1:05:04 PM

Synopsis:
On 12-31-00 suspect did punch a 4-month-old dog in the head repeatedly with closed fists, causing the dog to go into unconsciousness. Suspect told victim 2 that he would kill her and the animal if she called 9-1-1. 

Narrative Title: Case#00 1 2-0594
Entered On: 01/02/2001 1:08:21 1:08:21 PM
1231100, I responded to 1095 Winthrope Park Drive for the report of a domestic dispute in progress. Subject was also threatening the life of a dog.

Upon arrival on scene, I met with Bonnie L. Wilson (victim2) outside the residence. Ms. Wilson informed me that Mr. Thomas E. Spencer (suspect) had been drinking alcohol and was now coming down from heavy intoxication. Ms. Wilson stated that her husband was killing their 4-month-old German shepherd puppy and that he told her he was going to kill her and the dog if she called 9-1-1. Ms. Wilson said that Mr. Spencer had already been beating the animal throughout the day.

We gained consent from Ms. Wilson to enter the residence. Officer Mataban, Officer Bochniak and myself made entry through the garage door into the kitchen. Upon entry into the residence, we could hear what sounded to be a dog squealing somewhere on the second floor of the residence. We made repeated unsuccessful attempts to draw Mr. Spencer down stairs. At this point, we continued to hear what sounded to be a dog being abused. We then relocated ourselves to the second floor of the residence. We were able to determine the suspect was in a bedroom at the end of the hallway, where the door was closed. I approached the doorway and pushed the door. Upon doing so, I observed Mr. Spencer lying on the bed. Mr. Spencer had the dog wedged between his knees and was repeatedly punching the dog in the head making the dog squeal in pain. I made an immediate observation of the room and observed a filleting knife on Bedside table next to Mr. Spencer. I approached Mr. Spencer and removed the animal from his grips and placed the unconscious animal on bed away from Mr. Spencer. I observed that the animal had swollen eyes and was bleeding from the eyes. The dog’s eyes were swollen shut at this time. I observed that Mr. Spencer had the animal's blood on his pajamas and that there was blood all over the bed and on a blood soaked towel laying next to the suspect. There was also dog feces throughout the area of the bed. I arrested Mr. Spencer removed him to my patrol vehicle. We transported Mr. Spencer to the jail without further incident. Upon arrival in the jail, Mr. Spencer was placed in the holding cell. 

After he heard the detention officer inform me that Cruelty to Animal was a misdemeanor, Mr. Spencer began to laugh at officers and repeatedly told me that he had only committed a misdemeanor and that he did not commit a felony.

The dog was transported to the Animal Emergency Center of North Fulton. P.C. The dog was evaluated by Dr. Keith Stout who stated the dog had undergone extensive trauma to the head. Also present was Ms. Colleen Ruderman, Vet Technician. They said that the dog regained consciousness at approx. 2400hrs on 123100. End of Report.



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