STATE OF NEW MEXICO v. SHARON DUTTLE
NO. 33,514
IN THE COURT OF APPEALS OF THE STATE OF NEW MEXICO
MAY 11, 2016
APPEAL FROM THE DISTRICT COURT OF DONA ANA COUNTY, Douglas R. Driggers, District Judge
Margaret E. McLean, Assistant Attorney General
Joel Jacobsen, Assistant Attorney General
Santa Fe, NM
for Appellee
Bennett J. Baur, Chief Public Defender
J.K. Theodosia Johnson, Assistant Appellate Defender
Santa Fe, NM
for Appellant
ZAMORA, Judge.
{1} Defendant Sharon Duttle was convicted of one count of dogfighting contrary to
{2} Defendant challenges her convictions for cruelty to animals and extreme cruelty to animals by raising ten issues. Three of the issues are addressed in this formal opinion, and the remaining seven issues have been addressed in a separate memorandum opinion. State v. Duttle, No. 33,524, mem. op. (N.M. Ct. App. 2016) (non-precedential).
{4} We hold that the animal cruelty statute is not unconstitutionally vague and that Defendant‘s behavior falls within the conduct the Legislature intended to punish as cruelty and extreme cruelty to animals under
I. BACKGROUND
{5} Dona Ana County Animal Control was contacted about numerous dogs kept on Defendant‘s property in a manner consistent with preparations for staged dogfighting. Dona Ana County Sheriff‘s Department Investigator Robyn Gojkovich, an animal cruelty specialized investigator, went to Defendant‘s property to conduct a welfare check on the dogs.
{6} Because of the outside conditions in which the dogs were kept, that numerous dogs were chained to stakes, the unknown number of dogs, and the lack of
{7} The initial search of Defendant‘s property revealed seven dogs being kept inside Defendant‘s residence. The dogs were either gravely ill or had fresh wounds consistent with staged dogfighting. Investigator Gojkovich also found the presence of several other items in Defendant‘s residence that suggested Defendant was involved in organized dogfighting. Subsequently, a second search warrant was obtained broadening the search to include evidence of organized dogfighting.
{8} The dogs located outdoors were found in deplorable conditions, and many of them were also in poor physical condition. Animal Control officers assigned each dog a number and photographed them in the area where the dog was found. Before the dogs were removed from the property, the officers also photographed each dog‘s access to food, water, shade, shelter, body condition, and injuries.
{9} After their removal, the dogs were taken to the animal shelter where they were assessed by Animal Control officers and examined by the animal shelter veterinarian. Dr. Patricia Norris, a veterinarian with the Dona Ana County Sheriffs’ Department, examined and photographed twenty-seven of those dogs. Of the thirty-eight dogs initially removed from Defendant‘s property, thirty-one had to be euthanized, and two
{10} Defendant was indicted on one count of dogfighting, one count of conspiracy to commit dogfighting, ten counts of cruelty to animals, nine counts of extreme cruelty to animals, one count of owning or maintaining more than six animals without a multiple animal site permit, and forty counts of maintaining an unsterilized dog or cat without a permit. The latter forty counts were dismissed prior to trial. A jury convicted Defendant of one count of dogfighting, one count of conspiracy to commit dogfighting, ten counts of cruelty to animals, eight counts of extreme cruelty to animals, and one count of owning more than six animals without a multiple animal site permit. This appeal followed.
II. DISCUSSION
A. The Animal Cruelty Statute Is Not Unconstitutionally Vague
{11} Defendant contends that the extreme cruelty and cruelty to animals statute, as applied, is void for vagueness. She argues that
{13} “We review a vagueness challenge de novo in light of the facts of the case and the conduct[,] which is prohibited by the statute.” State v. Smile, 2009-NMCA-064, ¶ 17, 146 N.M. 525, 212 P.3d 413 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “A strong presumption of constitutionality underlies each legislative enactment, and the party challenging constitutionality has the burden of proving a statute is unconstitutional beyond all reasonable doubt.” State v. Laguna, 1999-NMCA-152, ¶ 24, 128 N.M. 345, 992 P.2d 896. Appellate courts “have a duty to construe a statute in such a manner that it is not void for vagueness if a reasonable and practical construction can be given to its language.” State v. Segotta, 1983-NMSC-092, ¶ 5, 100 N.M. 498, 672 P.2d 1129. When analyzing a vagueness challenge to the constitutionality of a statute, this Court applies a two-part test. State v. Tsosie, 2011-NMCA-115, ¶ 31, 150 N.M. 754, 266 P.3d 34. We consider whether the statute “(1)
{14} In determining the prohibited conduct, we review questions of statutory interpretation de novo. See State v. Trujillo, 2012-NMCA-112, ¶ 7, 289 P.3d 238, cert. quashed, 2015-NMCERT-003, 346 P.3d 1163. “[The appellate courts‘] ultimate goal in statutory construction is to ascertain and give effect to the intent of the Legislature.” State v. Smith, 2004-NMSC-032, ¶ 8, 136 N.M. 372, 98 P.3d 1022 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). We begin “by looking first to the words chosen by the Legislature and the plain meaning of the Legislature‘s language.” State v. Davis, 2003-NMSC-022, ¶ 6, 134 N.M. 172, 74 P.3d 1064 (internal quotation marks and citation omitted). “When a statute contains language
1. Section 30-18-1(B)—Cruelty to Animals
{15} Defendant challenges
For you to find [Defendant] guilty of cruelty to animals, as charged in [Counts 4, 8, 9, 14, 15, 16, 18, 21, and 22], the [S]tate must prove to your satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt each of the following elements of the crime:
1. [D]efendant negligently mistreated, injured, or tormented an animal [or] abandoned or failed to provide necessary sustenance to an animal under her custody or control;
2. This happened in New Mexico on or about the 15th day of September, 2008.
The jury returned general verdicts of guilty of cruelty to animals but did not indicate which theory the jury relied upon in convicting Defendant. Accordingly, we cannot say that
a. Sufficient Evidence Supports Convictions for Animal Cruelty
{16} Defendant claims that the State presented insufficient evidence to support her ten convictions for cruelty to animals, contrary to
{17} As noted earlier, in order to convict Defendant of cruelty to animals as charged in Counts 4, 6, 7, 12, 13, 14, 16, 19, 20, and 21, the State was required to show beyond a reasonable doubt that Defendant “negligently mistreated, injured[,] or tormented an animal [or] abandoned or failed to provide necessary sustenance to an animal under her custody or control.” The jury was also instructed on general criminal intent: “In addition to the other elements of . . . cruelty to animals . . . the [S]tate must prove to your satisfaction, beyond a reasonable doubt[,] that [D]efendant acted intentionally when she committed the crime.”
{18} Based on our review of the record, it does not appear that the jury was instructed on the definition of “criminal negligence.” Nonetheless, the jury instructions are the law of the case against which the sufficiency of the evidence
Two-Pac—Count 4
{19} We conclude that there was sufficient evidence in the record to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 4 relating to Two-Pac. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Two-Pac was chained outside. He was emaciated to the degree that his ribs and his hip bones were visibly protruding. He had old injuries on his face and open sores on his head and ear, and his skin was in poor condition. He also had an eye condition that caused his eyelid to roll inward.
Prince—Count 6
{20} In reviewing Defendant‘s sufficiency challenge, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence in the record to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 6 relating to Prince. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Prince was
Precious—Count 7
{21} We conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 7 relating to Precious, based on our review of the evidence. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Precious was chained outside with no water. She was very thin and her ribs and pelvic bones were visible. Her skin condition was poor, and she had healing puncture wounds and scarring on her face, which were consistent with staged dogfighting.
{22} Precious had a large open sore behind her ear. When Precious was discovered, flies were present on and around the sore. Dr. Norris testified that flies are often attracted to open wounds and will feed off of the tissue causing the injury to worsen and expand. The presence of the flies also irritates and aggravates the area, causing
Samson—Count 12
{23} We conclude that there was sufficient evidence in the record to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 12 relating to Samson. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Samson was chained outside without water. There was a piece of plyboard propped up on some logs, which provided some shade for him. There was also a rusted-out barrel that he may have used for shelter. Samson was underweight and had scars from old injuries on his ears and back end.
Kangadoo—Count 13
{24} Based on our review of the evidence, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 13 relating to Kangadoo. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Kangadoo was chained outside. Her water bucket was filled with muddy water and algae. There was an empty barrel with a hole in the bottom that she may have used for shelter. Kangadoo was underweight, she had hair loss on her back end, and her skin was in poor condition. She had old injuries and an open cut on her face. She had a large open sore on her ear.
{25} Kangadoo had a small tumor on her inner thigh, a small mass on her lower abdomen, and a large vaginal tumor that distorted her anatomy and made it difficult
Mamba—Count 14
{26} In reviewing Defendant‘s sufficiency argument, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence in the record to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 14 relating to Mamba. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Mamba was chained outside. Her water bucket was tipped over and she had no shelter. She was infested with ticks, and her eye was oozing with pus. She was extremely thin and had scarring on her head, back, and back end. Her ears had sores from being bitten by flies. She also had open sores on her legs and a blood blister on her mammary teat. Mamba‘s K-9 teeth, incisors, and molars were filed down. She was euthanized at the animal shelter on September 16, 2008.
Patches—Count 16
{27} Based on our review of the evidence, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 16 relating to Patches. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Patches was chained outside. His area was overgrown with weeds, and he did not have any water. Patches was missing hair all around his neck, on the insides of his legs, and on his hindquarters. He had dermatitis on his legs, his collar had chunks of dirt and hair, and a scar around
Moe—Count 19
{28} We also conclude that there was sufficient evidence in the record to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 19 relating to Moe. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Moe was chained outside without water. He showed “major neurological signs“; he was star gazing, or swinging his head back and forth, snapping at the air, shaking, and having trouble getting oriented to his surroundings. His mouth was bleeding, and he had fluid filled nodules on his elbows and hind legs. Moe was very aggressive and was euthanized the same day he was removed from Defendant‘s property.
Curly—Count 20
{29} Based upon our review of the evidence, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 20 relating to Curly. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Curly was chained outside without water. He was very thin, his ribs and hip bones protruded, he had pus-like drainage from his nose, and his ear was torn. He had open sores on his head, back,
Roxie—Count 21
{30} After a review of the evidence, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 21 relating to Roxie. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Roxie was found in a crate inside Defendant‘s residence. The crate was caked in some sort of brown substance inside and out. Trash was piled up all around and on top of the crate. Inside the crate, the place where Roxie was lying was also covered in trash, including old newspapers and empty soda cans. She did not appear to have access to water. Roxie was underweight, she had hair loss on her back leg, and she also had fleas. Roxie had swollen puncture wounds on her face and foot. There were teeth marks on her leg, and the underside of her neck was scraped and bruised. The puncture wounds under her legs, on her neck, and back appeared to be healing, indicating she had sustained multiple injuries on separate occasions. All of Roxie‘s injuries were consistent with staged dogfighting. Accordingly, we further conclude that there is sufficient evidence in the record to support any of the theories set forth in the jury instruction on cruelty to animals.
{31} Defendant argues that her charges for extreme cruelty to animals for failure to treat an animal‘s terminal illness are void for vagueness. Specifically, Defendant claims that a person of ordinary intelligence would not equate torture or mutilation with not treating a seriously ill dog.
{32} At trial, one of the State‘s theories of the case was that Defendant intentionally tortured, mutilated, or injured the dogs in her care, custody, and control. Defendant argues that under
For you to find [Defendant] guilty of extreme cruelty to animals, as charge[d] in [Counts 3, 5, 8, 10, 11, 15, 17, and 18], the [S]tate must prove to your satisfaction beyond a reasonable doubt each of the following elements of the crime:
1. [D]efendant intentionally or maliciously tortured, mutilated or injured an animal;
2. This happened in New Mexico on or about the 15th day of September, 2008.
{33} The jury returned general verdicts of guilty of extreme cruelty to animals but did not indicate which theory it relied upon in convicting Defendant. Accordingly, we cannot say how
{34} Defendant does not direct us to any evidence to show that the jury in fact relied solely on the element of torture. Again, appellate courts simply cannot rely on the assertions of counsel without support in the record. Chan, 2011-NMCA-072, ¶ 9. For
a. Defendant‘s Behavior Falls Within the Confines of Section 30-18-1(E) and Sufficient Evidence Supports Defendant‘s Convictions for Extreme Cruelty to Animals
{35} Defendant argues, within the confines of torture, that her inactions do not fall within
1. Itty-Bitty (Count 3), Cleo (Count 8), Hannibal (Count 10), and Bobby (Count 17)
Itty-Bitty—Count 3
{36} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that Defendant‘s conduct is punishable under
{37} Records from the animal shelter note that Itty-Bitty had scars all over her face and front legs. Several of her teeth were missing or broken off. She had multiple chronic pressure ulcers on her skin. The necropsy report indicates that Itty-Bitty suffered from advanced pneumonia. However, the most serious conditions
{38} Dr. Norris testified that heart worm disease in its early stages may be treatable; however, if the disease is allowed to progress to heart failure, treatment is no longer effective to save the dog‘s life. Dr. Norris also testified to the various heart worm preventions, such as minimizing mosquito populations by clearing away excess brush, eliminating standing water, keeping water fresh and changed out, applying insect repellant to animals housed outdoors, and giving dogs preventive medication. Dr. Norris also recommended testing dogs for heart worm and treating any in the early stages of the disease so that mosquitos do not spread the disease from dog to dog. In Itty-Bitty‘s case the disease was so advanced, her heart and associated arteries were full of heart worms that were approximately seven to eight inches long.1
{39} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that Defendant‘s conduct is punishable under
Hannibal—Count 10
{40} Hannibal was chained outside among a large overgrowth of weeds without water or shelter. He had injuries to his head, face, ears, and legs. He also had a skin condition called seborrhea, which caused his skin to be irritated and crusted over. Hannibal had hair loss on his back end and was severely emaciated, his hip bones were sticking out, and his ribs were very prominent. Dr. Norris testified that the muscle tissue around Hannibal‘s rib cage was so atrophied that she could put her fingers between his ribs.
{42} Dr. Norris testified that a pet owner would easily be able to recognize that a dog in Hannibal‘s condition was in severe distress; there was no doubt that he was suffering. Given the severity of the condition that Hannibal was allowed to progress, treatment options were limited; Dr Norris’ recommendation was euthanasia. Hannibal was euthanized at the animal shelter on September 26, 2008.
Bobby—Count 17
{43} Bobby was chained outside without any water. Bobby‘s skin condition was poor. He had old injuries on his face and legs, and open sores on his head and his shoulders. Bobby‘s eye was injured and infected, and it was nearly swollen shut and
2. Jade (Count 5), Jack (Count 11), Deuce (Count 15), and Desiree (Count 18)
Jade—Count 5
{44} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 5 relating to Jade. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Jade was chained outside with no water. Her only shade or shelter was a piece of plywood propped up against two fence posts. She was infested with ticks, she was emaciated, and her ribs and hip bones visibly protruded. She had old injuries on her ear. Her skin condition was poor, she had hair loss on her back end, and she had a tumor on her neck. Jade‘s uterus was enlarged and firm, indicating that she was pregnant. Her teeth had been cut or filed down.
{45} Dr. Norris testified that blunting dogs’ teeth is a practice used in some dogfighting rings. She explained that older dogs, or dogs who may no longer be able to fight competitively are sometimes used as “trainer dogs” in practice against younger inexperienced fighting dogs. The trainers’ teeth are blunted to minimize damage to the trainee dogs. When a dog‘s teeth are filed or cut it is very painful for
Jack—Count 11
{46} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 11 relating to Jack. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Jack was chained outside. His water bucket was filled with muddy water and algae. Jack was thin; his ribs and hip bones were visible. Jack had old injuries on his face and hair loss in patches throughout his entire body. Jack had superficial wounds on the top of his head that were consistent with scrapes or fly bites or “fly strike.” Jack had similar wounds behind his ear and on his side.
{47} There were deeper wounds over his entire muzzle that could have been consistent with staged dogfighting. However, Dr. Norris testified that the wounds on Jack‘s muzzle, along with some scabbing on his legs, were likely solar dermatitis, an infection in the skin caused by allergies, or by sensitivity and exposure to the sun.
Deuce—Count 15
{48} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 15 relating to Deuce. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Deuce was chained outside. There was a piece of plyboard propped up on some cinder blocks that provided some shade and shelter. He did not have any water. His skin condition was poor, and he had old injuries and scars on his face, ears, and legs. Deuce also had a puncture wound on his face, a healing laceration on his leg, and an open wound on his ear. He was severely emaciated. He had extreme muscle wasting over his entire body. His backbone appeared to be raised because all of the muscles connecting his ribs to his backbone were gone. His hip bones stuck out tremendously, and the muscle on his head was significantly wasted. Deuce‘s teeth had all been cut or filed down to the gum line. The roots and nerves were exposed, which Dr. Norris testified, would have
Desiree—Count 18
{49} Based on the evidence in the record, we conclude that there was sufficient evidence to support Defendant‘s conviction on Count 18 relating to Desiree. Photographs taken at the time of the search show that Desiree was chained outside without water. Her chain was tangled to her post so that she could not move around. Her skin condition was poor and she had sores on her face, ears, legs, and back end. Desiree was very emaciated; her backbone and ribs protruded. Dr. Norris testified that she could put her fingers between Desiree‘s ribs. Desiree‘s teeth were filed down with the pulp exposed. In the shelter, Desiree was able to eat but was exhibiting multiple symptoms of illness including diarrhea, nasal discharge, and a cough. Desiree tested positive for heart worm disease and was euthanized approximately one month after being removed from Defendant‘s property in 2008. Accordingly, we also conclude that there is sufficient evidence in the record to support any of the theories set forth in the jury instruction on extreme cruelty to animals.
{50} For the foregoing reasons, we uphold the constitutionality of the animal cruelty statute and affirm Defendant‘s convictions for cruelty to animals and extreme cruelty to animals.
{51} IT IS SO ORDERED.
M. MONICA ZAMORA, Judge
WE CONCUR:
JONATHAN B. SUTIN, Judge
LINDA M. VANZI, Judge