'Out of control' man arrested after punching puppy's face
ETHEL, Wash. -- A 19-year-old man was arrested after police said he not only punched a puppy in the face, but also threw it against a tree.
Jesse Pegram, 19, was booked for investigation of first-degree animal cruelty early Friday morning. He was also referred for being a minor in possession of alcohol.
Pegram's arrest stemmed from an incident that happened around 1 a.m. Friday. Pegram's family called police because the man was acting disorderly. When officers arrived, they found Pegram, drunk and agitated, in the street of Oyler Road.
Family members said he was "out of control" and at one point punched the family's five-month-old German Shepherd in the face. Deputies were also told they thought Pegram had thrown the puppy against a tree.
Police found the puppy and noticed obvious injuries to her face, including an extremely swollen and bloodshot eye. The puppy was also limping.
Due to the extent of the injuries, the deputy called a veterinarian who agreed to meet the deputy at a clinic to evaluate the puppy. Family members did not have transportation to take the puppy themselves so the deputy took the dog and one of the family members to the clinic.
After an exam, the veterinarian told the deputy the dog had injuries consistent with head trauma and that the dog had a leg injury, but no obvious fractures. The veterinarian kept the dog overnight for evaluation.
“I am very proud of the deputy’s actions in this incident. Our office is dedicated to protecting life and property and this deputy’s compassion, concern, and action towards this puppy was in line with the ethical values that I expect my deputies to exhibit," said Lewis County Sheriff Steve Mansfield. "His swift action both in going above and beyond to seek medical care for this animal in the middle of the night, and transporting it to a veterinary clinic made a positive difference for this animal and its owners. I am also grateful for the willingness of the veterinarian to assist us in caring for the puppy and the partnerships we have built with them over the years."
Hope he spends a least 6 months behind bars & gets crap beat out him daily! Maybe then he'll learn, but I highly doubt it.
I say, do to the 19 yr old, what he did to the puppy. the person is most likely going to do another crime. It's been proven over and over. Kids and people who do hidious crimes to animals, also will someday commit horrible crimes on others.
 @mbrown They always do no matter what! I say Fry him!!!!
http://www.hslf.org/voter_guide/washington.html
What happened here is horrible! Thanks to the cop for calling the vet,and taking the dog to the vet! Once again,it appears that alcohol was a factor! Sad-really sad!
Horrible-who could do this to a dog, let alone a puppy. Reading this story almost made me puke.
I thought about this again.. I would love to hit this punk azzz beoth... So this little man can't control his sissy anger and he hits a poor helpless little puppy.. This little sissy should go to jail for at least 2 years.. Not 20, we can not afford to lock these losers away that long.. What this boils down to is this, they didn't have a mother or father who slapped the crap out of them for being pigs, now at the age of 19 society has to take care of business.. And there are tons of losers right behind him..
Great story.. I love the compassion the officer held.. This is what I would expect from the police, I sure hope this puppy ends up with a family who can care for him.. Come on now, not one person in that house could take the pet to a vet.. REALLY.. Get that poor little puppy away from these losers !
 @dougrpdx We do to & you go dude!!! I'm right behind you...Do to him what he did to that puppy & see how he likes & just maybe...he Might learn but i doubt it!
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While a sad story, the criminal should face life in prison for hurting an innocent. Dog or not, it could have just as easily been a small child, and either one thrown against a tree  wrong could have died. It does proves good people still exist, thank you deputy and the vet for helping the puppy.
Sorry, Jennifer, I know you are outraged,(99.8% of us are) but life in the joint is unrealistic for several reasons. No room, not enough tax $ (supposedly). I think a week in jail (in general population) with a bunch of inmates that love dogs and hate cowards would teach him (if he lived through it).
 @iamtroglodite He needs a hell of a lot longer than a week! I say 6 months at the least to really teach him a lesson!
 @iamtroglodite We will just release these vile and violent people back into the community.  http://www.examiner.com/article/two-tennessee-teens-arrested-for-brutal-torture-of-puppy?CID=examiner_alerts_article
 @Jennifer Havens Life in prison.. Really ? we have money for that ? ok.. Stupid !
 @dougrpdx  @Jennifer Havens Doug, our Daughter former Sheriff's cadet & my Cousin is the recently retired Under Sheriff of Cowlitz County, He will eventually be a Human killer. They always do. So wait around until he kills an innocent adult or child? Then what? We already pay for jail so I saw stick him there with all the rest like him!
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I live in a very rural area and have several adult dogs, all from the same litter years ago. If some one were to have harmed them as pups or now as adults without any legal justification, Finley's would be making room for another. .....It would appear to me based on the article that the "family" has trouble feeding and caring for themselves let alone a puppy....what was the key, the "family" did not have transportation to take the puppy to the vet......could it be they are to poor to own a vehicle, have revoked/suspended licences or were drunk at the time.......regardless no defenceless animals for them.........
Like all irresponsible people...this kid should not have a puppy. Please....please....give this loving pup a home with a family or pet parents who will love her as she deserves. He needs to do community service in an area where it makes him uncomfortable. I hope he learns from this lesson what a tragic mistake he has made. Find this puppy a loving home!
 @Mountain Girl Go for you! We have rescued every one of our dogs(2) and cats (3). It's why we turn of Eagles NFL because we can't stand VICK! They never should have allowed him to ever play again. I hate that!!! Should be the National Felon League. Even Ray Lewis the Rapist!
 @Mountain Girl Did you graduate ? I mean from the 6th grade ?
Well, I must say I am glad it wasn't me who saw the man abuse the puppy.
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I'm not condoning what this guy did, but I find it distburing that so many of you, who are upset at the violence, wish for violence upon this person.
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Violence begets violence.....
 @OSUx2 Apparently you are!! Looks like it to me from where I sit. And we have rescued many & had a daughter in a Police dept. They will eventually kill a HUMAN!!! Do you get it??????? I will put anyone down If I saw that with my taser until PPD arrive. If they move, I shoot!
 @OSUx2 I would have shot him! CHL in Oregon:)
I can not speak for other posters, maybe not even for myself, but I will try. Some people are outraged enough at sensles violence they would retaliate. Have you never been outraged at seeing someone small, or weak get hurt and want to react? Or are you one of the ones that have no emotions and as a result no reaction? Right or wrong, there are both kinds of people in the world. And, right or wrong. I am the one who does react. Since the first time I fought back at 12 years old for the first time after being beat up almost daily for a long time, I am proud of the times I had the opportunity to step in and stop violence against a smaller or weaker person. If you think it is wrong to help stop future violence towards the weaker, I respect that. But you need to respect the fact that there are some in the world that think and know that people like this almost always end up abusing children.
 @iamtroglodite They always end up Human KILLERS!!!!
 @OSUx2 True, but then who perpetrated the violence first?
Suppose it had been a human child?
Would you calmly stand by and allow the abuse while preaching non-violence?
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 @Mikey  @OSUx2 Hell No!
You might be surprised by my ability to control myself, while still stopping the violence.
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However, many on here are condoning violence now, well after the incident. That's like comparing apples to oranges, when you aren't even in the heat of the moment, anymore. This person absolutely deserves punishment, but sometimes I wonder if violence is the way to administer that punishment. it might make you feel better in the short term, but is it the answer for the long term?
 @OSUx2 Ever been inside of any Jail? Well we have & it's not a fun place to reside in. They are rapists, baby killers, robbers & more. Yet you think this is okay even a few weeks later? Yes we animal lovers are very upset and if you had a puppy from birth like a baby then you might understand how we feel!
What makes a guy like take his anger out on a puppy that just wanted to be loved? My guess is he also likes to beat women as well and craps his drawers when some guy stands up to him for his actions. Saw too many skels like this as a cop and I would love to hear what he tells his fellow skels in the bucket when they ask him, "What are you in here for?"
 @boned An idiot that will one day be Human Killer if isn't stopped now and that is a fact!
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Glad the family called and the kid was not harmed but arrested. Possibly drugs or something else going on....poor dog!
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 @BCH mom He was drunk as stated in the article...
 @boned  @BCH mom No excuses for even being drunk!!!!
A real tough guy aren't you, Jesse Pegram. You are nothing more than a lowlife punk.Â
What a horrible, horrible person. He needs the **** beaten out of him.
Elections are approaching. Â Vote wisely! Â
http://www.facebook.com/humanelegislation This link allows you to check the voting history of your legislators regarding animal protection. Vote for legislators that will initiate and sponsor strict protection from abuse, neglect and abandonment. Demand mandatory spay/neuter; insist our schools establish a comprehensive educational program to teach students humane treatment of animals.  Urge your religious organizations to preach compassion and responsibility toward animals. Animal abuse is not a trivial matter; the abuse is increasing and the caliper of abuse has been escalating. People engaging in these horrific abuses have violence in their hearts. These people are a danger to the elderly, children and animals.  Everyone can do something and everyone should. It is time we took responsibility for the suffering and death we are causing to these animals. Stand up and speak for those whose only crime was being born!
Wouldn't mandatory spay/neuter completely eliminate the pet population in like 15 years?
 @OSUx2 You should follow the links posted above.  If you had a pulse on the amount of horrific animal abuse that occurs in this country every single day in every county in every state across the US if this is the only way to protect them from humans so be it!  Are you familiar with heart sticking gas chambers or euthanisia?  Is this murder and suffering worth our amusement?  I urge you to look into it.  I assure you that you will be absolutely shocked  and sickened at what you will learn. http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=3884785924486&set=a.1249355440371.2034201.1424020644&type=1&relevant_count=1
 @OSUx2 Perhaps, if were mandatory for ALL animals.
Licensed breeders would be exempt.
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It would make a lot more sense to enforce mandatory spaying/neutering of humans. They seem to cause almost all of the problems in this world. :-P
 @Mikey  @OSUx2 Licensed breeders.....anyone breeding animals when 11,000 are killed every single day in the US is breeding out of greed.  How can anyone breed animals knowing this?  Breeders....what do you think happens to those born with the wrong markings, or colors?  Check death row dogs.  I have seen hundreds disposed of because they weren't the perfect shade of brown or had too many spots.  Piles of bones found on the property, sold for shark bait, dog fighters. Â
I would have to agree that the animals creating the most problems are often those at the top of the food chain. We are frequently our own worst enemy.
I am sure  these parents love their child.  I hope they can  recognize and accept that he is violent and dangerous.  It makes no difference if it is a mental illness, drug or alcohol abuse; he is violent. At 19 years old, he has many years ahead of him to cause much more suffering.  Who would give a 19 year old a dog?  An ignorant and careless backyard breeder?  One of the most dangerous things that can happen to a child is to kill or torture an animal and get away with it". ~ Margaret Meade~
I hope they treat him like the bi^ch he is in jail. If you did that to my dog I would be digging a hole right now...
This guy gets the POS award. How about you try and punch someone that can defend themselves not a young puppy? Jesse is a dirtball!
Looking forward to smashing this kids face.
I think this fool just got a wake-up call on his aklcoholism. This is maybe a chance to save his life from the gutter, if he has guts enuogh to walk the straight road. Family intervention is probably called for.
There is a special place in hell reserved for the "man" in this story. He is no man, he is an animal abuser! One cannot be both. I am so glad that precious puppy is going to be ok, but I seriously hope they don't let it go back to that family unless the abuser moves away and never comes back!
i commented on it this morning and this article is STILL pi@@ing me off !!! i would like a crack at this punk a@@ kid. Dirty little DB needs to see what its all about! hell just to be fair i will even get drunk before i beat the tar out of him !!
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Wow. The octopus story and now this? Disregard for living things is extremely disheartening.
@Kristen Baker Jorgensen Where have you been? Muslims are extremly vicious, even to other believers. Truly disheartening, if you care abouyt your fellow humans!Â
 @OCJohn  @Kristen I agree, but so are christians. In fact all Abrahamic religions see humans at the top and the rest is to be disposed of if needed.