Roy Cozart brutally beats dog, is free until next hearing

Kilo, pit bull severely abused by Roy Cozart. (Photo: Clark County District Attorney’s Office)

Roy Cozart brutally beats dog, remains free until next hearing

Some people should not be allowed to have dogs.

Roy Cozart, 30, of Las Vegas is one of those people.

Neighbors have complained in the past to authorities after witnessing Cozart beat his dog Kilo, an adorable black and white pit bull and one neighbor captured a video of the abuse on his cellphone.

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Cozart beat the dog with a rock and a handle of a hammer. Neighbors also said they witnessed him dragging the dog and throwing him into a wall.

On Oct. 8, authorities visited Cozart’s home to check on the dog and although he had cuts and bruises on his face, authorities did not take any action since the dog “appeared happy”.

After additional reports of animal abuse were made a week later, the dog was removed from the home and examined. Kilo had broken ribs and it was then officially determined that Kilo was abused, even though numerous complaints were made  between July and October.

Cozart’s wife and children live in the same home with Cozart and it is unknown if they were abused or participated in the abuse of the dog.

The good news is that Kilo has been rescued from his abusive home.

The bad news is that based on Nevada’s past history of handing down extremely light sentences to those that abuse animals, Cozart might get off lightly.

He might even be sentenced to community service at an animal shelter so he can torture other animals while no one is looking.

You will often read in the media that Nevada is tough on animal abuse because of the Cooney’s Law.

The law makes the killing of animals, such as dogs and cats, a felony in Nevada, joining 44 other states who have similar laws.

Animal abusers face a one-to-five year prison sentence and a fine of up to $10,000.

The sad truth is that it is mostly lip service.

Rodney Shoop of Douglas County was found guilty of unspeakable cruelness by shooting a stray cat, decapitating it and then throwing the cat’s head into a neighbors yard.

He said he was drunk.

Shoop could have received a substantial  jail term but it was deferred, and he only was sentenced to 30 days.

The judge in the case also sentenced him to community service at an animal shelter.

Two Las Vegas teens who were arrested for torturing and killing kittens, also threatened a witness who took pictures of them abusing the animals, received a mere slap on the wrist.

The two teens received 30 days in jail, were ordered to pay a $200 fine and were placed on 12 months of probation.

A group of young men who callously killed an exotic bird at the Flamingo Hotel and Casino wildlife habitat received ridiculously light sentences ranging from 2 days in jail to boot camp.

Were they given preferential treatment because they are law students?

District Attorney Steve Wolfson, who initially impressed many with what seemed to be a tough, no-nonsense exterior, has not take the matter of animal abuse seriously, enraging animal advocates, despite his statements to the contrary.

He said, via a prepared statement,

Animal abuse is a serious offense that will not be tolerated. We take all allegations of abuse very seriously and pursue criminal charges, when appropriate.

What will happen to Cozart?

Will he receive a suspended too, or perhaps a day or two in jail?

Maybe he will be sentenced to community service working at a local animal shelter so that he can have an endless supply of animals to torture and maim while no one is looking.

Wolfson needs to put politics aside and step up to the plate, ensuring that Cooney’s Law is enforced, pushing hard to secure appropriate sentences for offenders under the appropriate tougher guidelines.

Cozart is scheduled to appear in court on Feb. 3.

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