Threats keep animal cruelty suspect from court

A young Didsbury, Alta.,man accused of animal cruelty in the dragging death of a dog stayed away from the local courthouse Wednesday on the advice of his lawyer.

"I was concerned for his safety to be honest with you,"lawyer MarkTakada saidof Daniel Haskett,19, who wassurrounded by jeering protesters at his first court appearance.

"I have no problem at all with people standing out here demonstrating... But you cross the line when you try to intimidate a person and try to impede their right to come and go freely."

Haskett's lawyer also saidthreatening letters have been sent to his client andone person hasbeen sentenced to a day in jail for making threatening phone calls.

A small group of protesters were waiting outside courtWednesday.

Last month a Labrador retriever-collie named Daisy Duke was found bleeding on a road with its muzzle and legs bound with duct tape and a tow rope around its neck. Thedog had to be put down.

Haskettand a 17-year-old, who can't be named because of his age, have been charged with injuring or endangering an animal and causing unnecessary suffering to an animal. Haskett has also been charged with obstructing justice.

'Ticking time bomb'

Robin Reesal, a Calgary based psychiatrist, said there is reason for Takadato be concerned.

"When you raise anger and emotion to that level you may be taking a ticking time bomb and just lighting the fuse of someone out there that you are unaware of," he said.

People become more emotional about animal cruelty cases than those involving people because they see animals as helpless creatures, said Reesal.

Online threats against accused

RCMP said Wednesday they were not aware of any threatening comments about the accusedonline, but would investigate if complaints were made.

An online search turned up a site full of profanity, threats and other postings suggesting the accused should be bound and dragged behind a vehicle.

One writer asks for a description of one of the accused, his address and phone number. The personwrites: "Justice will not be served in court. These people should be tortured..."

Another says: "I would like to slowly torture both of them." Thewritergoes on to say:"If he doesn't get punished properly by the law, he may get punished properly by the people."

Not 'sadistic brutes,' sayslawyer

Both of the accused are expected back in court next month.

Takada said the case is complicated and he's not sure how Haskett will plead.

"He's got a lot of regret about what happened. This is a very sad situation and he feels very badly about that."

The two accused aren't the "sadistic brutes" they've been made out to be, he said.

The dog was initially accidentallyhit by a vehicle, he said. Takada says his client is not responsible for dragging the dog behind a car.