A Maryland man has been charged with animal cruelty after allegedly attacking geese in Fairfax City last month.
Officers with the City of Fairfax Police Department responded at 9:54 a.m. on June 11 to 11201 Fairfax Blvd after receiving a report of an animal cruelty case, according to a press release.
During an investigation, the department’s animal control team determined that a man had exited his vehicle near that address, which leads to the Jermantown Shell gas station and tire shop, “and began chasing a family of geese, intentionally killing a gosling,” police said.
The man reportedly fled the scene before officers arrived.
“Through a thorough investigation since the date of the offense, the suspect was identified,” Fairfax City police said.
Ashton Stennett, a 32-year-old resident of Columbia, Maryland, was issued a summons yesterday (Tuesday) for one charge of cruelty to animals, which is classified as a Class 1 misdemeanor in Virginia punishable by up to 12 months in jail and a maximum fine of $2,500.
Courts can also order anyone convicted of animal cruelty to attend an anger management class or receive behavioral health treatment, which the suspect may be required to pay for.
Inflicting injury or pain on a dog, cat or other “companion animal” can be elevated to a felony.
According to Fairfax City police, Stennett was released after receiving the summons, so he’s not currently in custody. The case will be held in Fairfax City General District Court, but a date for his first appearance isn’t yet available through online records.
