Hyrum Long, 75, of Forest Grove, Oregon before sentencing yesterday
(Side note- I am a friend of Tina’s who is writing this entry for her today because she is ill. These are her words, not mine, and she wanted to post this update on this case she had covered. Tina says she will be back very soon to post more entries and to answer other questions/comments on previous entries. She apologizes for the inconvenience.)
Hyrum Long, 75, of Oregon who made national news last year along with his daughter, Susan Johnson, 49, for burying their dog, Molly, a 13 yr. old Lab, up to her neck and bludgeoned with a hammer in the hopes of “euthanizing” her was finally sentenced yesterday. Long was sentenced to 120 days in jail, 2 yrs. probation and 100 hours of community service. Long is also not permitted to own any pets or animals.
Johnson who was sentenced last year has served her 90 days.
Hyrum begged the court for leniency because he says he and his wife are sick and she needs him. Unfortunately for Long, the judge didn’t have sympathy for him. The judge went on to tell Long that what he did was barbaric! I’m glad a judge is finally taking animal cruelty cases seriously!
Long said the following: “Oh, sure, I done something wrong, yes”. But Long felt he should have paid a fine and not go to jail. Excuse me, you wanted to pay a fine for killing your dog- if you had money for the fine, why on earth didn’t you have money to take the dog to the vet to be humanely euthanized??
I feel this outcome will speak volumes to others, in Oregon anyway, about the implications and punishment involved with animal abuse/cruelty. And this is what matters in the end. We have laws. When laws are enforced and the appropriate punishment is handed down, the process of tackling animal abusers works. This process can make the difference between life and death for a pet. When this process doesn’t take place, abuse of animals will continue at an alarming rate.
I feel the sentence was fair and needed to be done. And how despicable was it for Long and his daughter to go out to eat after committing such a heinous, horrific crime while their dog was “planted” in the ground with her head sticking out after being bludgeoned and crying for help. I have no sympathy for these two even if they didn’t have any money to take care of her. But they made sure they had money to go out to eat.
Justice was served. Thanks to all who called the prosecution’s office! Your voices were heard and we made a difference.