Man Brutally Beats Dog
AURORA, Ill. (STWM) - A 350-pound west suburban man was arrested for punching his dog so hard, it lost teeth.
Phillip Rinn, of the 300 block of South Kendall Street, was charged last week with misdemeanor cruelty to animals, the Kane County sheriff's office said.
At 8:30 a.m. Nov. 15, deputies were called for the report of a man beating a dog. Investigators determined that the 6-foot, 350-pound Rinn was punching a 1-year-old Lab-shepherd mix named Magda, deputies said. The dog had several broken teeth and was taken to the VAC Aurora Animal Hospital for treatment.
Police said the animal is expected to recover.
The Kane County state's attorney's office is reviewing the case and may upgrade the charge to a felony, police said. .
In 1993, Rinn pleaded guilty to cruelty to an animal. Police said Rinn admitted to chaining his dog, "Royal," by the neck and driving off in his car, dragging the dog down Peck Road in an attempt to kill it.
When the dog didn't die, police said Rinn told them he pulled over, ran over the dog and left it in a ditch. Rinn explained he was mad at the dog because it had chewed his car's vinyl roof and tried to bite his wife, police said.
There was a large outcry when the charges became public. Rinn said he got death threats and letters at his home. Even before his trial, he told The Beacon-News the death was an isolated incident blown out of proportion.
"I'm not some dog killer who did some sick deed," he said at the time. "I like dogs as much as anyone."
At his sentencing, Rinn said he was taking a rabid dog to the vet to be put down when it attacked. He ran it over with the car, he said, because he had no other options. The judge didn't believe his story.
Rinn was sentenced to 30 days in jail, two years' probation, a $500 fine and 100 hours of community service. Rinn also had to promise never to mistreat an animal.
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