AN EXAAMPLE OF WHY MANY JUVENILE PROBATIONERS END UP IN ADULT PRISONS

Armed 16-year-old thug on probation for burglary shoots dog while burglarizing another home

They end up in prison, not because they are so stupid as to commit another crime while wearing an ankle monitor, but because the juvenile justice system just doesn’t work all that well.

EX-POLICE DOG SHOT DEFENDING HOME FROM INTRUDERS
They thought they picked the perfect house to burglarize, instead the cowardly crooks found themselves face-to-face with a hero who refused to go down without a fight. And now this brave victim is fighting for his life

By Sonja Isger

Palm Beach Post
November 22, 2012

Drake, the former police dog clinging to life after being shot at least four times during an attempted burglary, may be flown to Gainesville for emergency surgery Friday morning, his veterinarian said Thursday.

A new complication arose today, possibly making the trip necessary, said Dr. Ken Simmons, owner of the suburban Lake Worth animal hospital where the 5-year-old German shepherd has been treated this week.

Fluid was discovered around the dog’s lung, indicating either a wound or an infection that hadn’t been detected before. Simmons said he suspects a bullet may have nicked his esophagus, creating the deposit of fluid.

“It could be a hole or a nick,” said Simmons, who operates Simmons Veterinary Hospital on Lake Worth Road. “If it just a nick, it could heal by itself, and if by tomorrow morning we see him improving, there may be no need to go to Gainesville.”

But if he feels it is necessary, Simmons — a private pilot with a Cessna 206 — says he plans to fly to University of Florida School of Veterinary Medicine, his alma mater, where a CAT scan and emergency surgery can be performed. Simmons has been in touch with authorities there about the case.

“Right now we feel we have a finger in the dike,” Simmons said. “but we want to do all we can to save the dog. He’s a fighter, an unbelievable fighter.”

Drake was shot late Sunday when three juveniles broke into the suburban West Palm Beach home of his owner, Florida Highway Patrol Trooper Bobby Boody.

Palm Beach County County sheriff’s investigators took a 16-year-old male into custody late Wednesday. The teen, whose name was not released because of his age, is facing charges of burglary while armed with a firearm and felony cruelty to animals. A sheriff’s spokesman said Thursday the other two juveniles involved were still at large.

Investigators tracked the teen down because he is wearing an ankle monitor. He is on probation through the Division of Juvenile Justice for burglary and grand theft. He confessed to being the shooter and told investigators his group knew the house belonged to a law-enforcement officer and targeted it because they believed there were guns and money inside.

“He had no remorse,” Detective Philip DiMola said. “I asked him, ‘Did you think about that dog today?’ He said no.”

Update 6:50 a.m.: The veterinarian caring for former police dog Drake will be flying the dog to Gainesville this morning. Dr. Ken Simmons reports that the dog is stable and “looks pretty good this morning” but continues to battle to stay well. He says Drake will get a cat scan to look investigate what could be a hole or tear in his esophagus. A team of surgeons is on standby at the University of Florida’s veterinary hospital to care for Drake should he need surgery, Simmons said. The vet said he’ll be flying the dog out of Lantana airport about 8 a.m. today.

Update 3 p.m.: Specialists at the University of Florida’s veterinary hospital are still trying to determine whether Drake the injured German shepherd needs yet another surgery to recover from one of several gun shot wounds.

“It’s all in their hands,” said his owner Florida Highway Patrol trooper Bobby Boody, who accompanied Drake and pilot veterinarian Dr. Ken Simmons to Gainesville. “There’s not much more I can say or do. It’s been a little stressful.”

Simmons and Boody flew back to West Palm Beach from Gainesville about 2 p.m.

Friday, leaving Drake in Gainesville, where the German shepherd is expected to spend more time recovering. “He may be staying up there for a while,” Boody said.

Friday afternoon, the doctors seemed to agree that in addition to all the other damage done by at least four bullets – two broken limbs, a puncture to his brow, a hole in his jaw – he may also have a tear in his esophagus that’s been preventing him from eating or drinking, Simmons said.

The question they faced Friday afternoon is whether the tear warranted surgical mending or would heal better on its own, Simmons said.