New Orleans man gets suspended sentence for animal cruelty

Fabian Mumme, found guilty of aggravated animal cruelty in December, was sentenced today to a three-year suspended sentence and three-year probation. The sentences are to be served concurrently. Mumme, 62, of New Orleans, was found guilty Dec. 8 of aggravated animal cruelty following a 2007 incident where he was arrested for killing his dog with an ax on his Lakeview property.

Ana Zorrilla, LA/SPCA's CEO said the organization is "deeply disappointed" in the sentence in view of both the horrific nature of the crime and the charge of aggravated animal cruelty.

"In this case the sentence definitely does not fit the crime," said Zorrilla. Mumme was originally charged with municipal cruelty at the time of his arrest, but the LA/SPCA appealed to the courts to have the charge increased to aggravated animal cruelty. Aggravated animal cruelty in Louisiana traditionally carries a fine of $5,000 to $25,000 and/or imprisonment for one to 10 years.

Zorrilla said the LA/SPCA had also hoped to have Mumme barred from ever owning another animal. The organization was also disappointed that Mumme was not issued a fine or ordered to pay restitution of any kind to the court.

"Our concern is that such a light sentence sends the message that treating animals cruelly is somehow a lesser crime. Sentencing often is the last step in seeking justice for the victim and the victim in the case was Wolfie [Mumme's dog]," said Zorrilla. "We can't help but feel that there was no justice for Wolfie in this case."

Credit: Richard A. Webster