Lilypad
Well-Known Member
A Lake Anna State Park chief ranger was convicted earlier this month of animal cruelty for shooting his pet dog and dumping the remains in the lake.
Now his job is in limbo.
John Joseph Miller Jr., 32, was found guilty April 11 of animal cruelty and dumping trash illegally, according to online court records.
Miller, who had been working for about a year at the park, is now under administrative review by the state park, but he is still currently an employee, said Doug Graham, park manager.
Spotsylvania County Director of Animal Control, William Tydings, said his department began investigating Miller in January when they found a post on his MySpace page about shooting the pet.
He was charged that month, and the body of the mixed shepherd was recovered from Lake Anna soon after, Tydings said.
Graham said he assisted the animal control office with recovery of the dog after learning of Miller's charges.
Miller, whose job was two-fold: maintaining upkeep throughout the park as well as enforcing conservation laws, is only working in the first of those capacities while his job is under review, Graham said.
The park manager said Miller's position was being discussed in a meeting yesterday, but because it was considered a personnel matter, Graham would not provide more details about the review.
He said administrative review is the park's procedure for employees who are convicted of criminal behavior.
According to online court records, Miller was ordered to pay $250 for each of his April convictions, but was not sentenced to any jail time. Both charges were misdemeanors.
Fredericksburg.com - Man convicted of shooting his pet dog, dumping remains into Lake Anna
Now his job is in limbo.
John Joseph Miller Jr., 32, was found guilty April 11 of animal cruelty and dumping trash illegally, according to online court records.
Miller, who had been working for about a year at the park, is now under administrative review by the state park, but he is still currently an employee, said Doug Graham, park manager.
Spotsylvania County Director of Animal Control, William Tydings, said his department began investigating Miller in January when they found a post on his MySpace page about shooting the pet.
He was charged that month, and the body of the mixed shepherd was recovered from Lake Anna soon after, Tydings said.
Graham said he assisted the animal control office with recovery of the dog after learning of Miller's charges.
Miller, whose job was two-fold: maintaining upkeep throughout the park as well as enforcing conservation laws, is only working in the first of those capacities while his job is under review, Graham said.
The park manager said Miller's position was being discussed in a meeting yesterday, but because it was considered a personnel matter, Graham would not provide more details about the review.
He said administrative review is the park's procedure for employees who are convicted of criminal behavior.
According to online court records, Miller was ordered to pay $250 for each of his April convictions, but was not sentenced to any jail time. Both charges were misdemeanors.
Fredericksburg.com - Man convicted of shooting his pet dog, dumping remains into Lake Anna
