Man to serve 2 years for killing his dog
2:23 PM Fri, Jul 18, 2008 | Permalink
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SOUTH KINGSTOWN -- Calling the defendant a danger to society with narcissistic tendencies, a Superior Court judge today sentenced a South Kingstown man to two years in prison for shooting his pit bull for refusing to come to him. Judge Stephen P. Nugent gave Edgar Goulet, 60, two years in prison for maliciously killing the dog, Sparky, after it ran away from him two years ago. He sentenced Goulet to 10 years, with two to serve concurrently with the first count, for possession of a sawed-off shotgun that police found tucked under his couch cushions. The remaining eight years would be suspended with probation. "There is no doubt in this court's mind this defendant is a danger to the community," Nugent said. Goulet has been held at the Adult Correctional Institutions since a Washington County Superior Court jury found him guilty of both counts in May. Prosecutors say Goulet's neighbor Heidi Eklund was raking leaves May 1, 2006, when Sparky ran into her yard followed by Goulet, who threatened to kill the dog. Eklund pleaded with Goulet not to hurt the animal as he led it back to 20 Nautilus Drive East Eklund heard Goulet start up a backhoe, followed by a gunshot and a puff of smoke, according to Special Assistant Attorney General Mark Trovato. Sparky streaked by, prompting Eklund to tell her mother to call the police. Goulet told officers that he had shot one of his dogs, but that they wouldn't be able to find it, reports show . Detectives unearthed Sparky's body, after getting a search warrant, from a fresh mound of dirt with a dog tag next to it.
In addition to the .22-caliber rifle the police say Goulet used to shoot the dog, officers found a sawed-off shotgun tucked into his couch and rounds of ammunition inside the house, reports show. The bullet found inside the dog's body could not be matched to the rifle because it was too damaged. The dog had been shot in the left side and between the eyes. Before his sentencing Goulet apologized to the court, but cried as he told of his ongoing struggles with mental illness and post traumatic stress syndrome since his service. "Please, forgive me for that act," he said. While holding veterans in high regard, Nugent scolded Goulet for what he viewed as using his military service in the Vietnam War as excuse for seeking special treatment and for failing to be a productive member of the community. "We'd have anarchy if everybody who served this country thought they were above the law," Nugent said. The judge rejected a motion for a new trial before sentencing. Nugent also ordered Goulet to undergo intensive outpatient mental-health counseling, to forfeit all his weapons, and to perform 500 hours of community service. He gave Goulet credit for time served. Goulet said he planned to appeal. 
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They should lock him up and throw away the key!!
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Story said the dog was a pitbull. Shouldn't he get a medal instead of jail?
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"Goulet told officers that he had shot one of his dogs, but that they wouldn't be able to find it, reports show . Detectives unearthed Sparky's body, after getting a search warrant, from a fresh mound of dirt with a dog tag next to it."
Boy, this guy must be really stupid...
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What a useless, meanspririted man. If he has the presence of mind to realize he struggles with mental illness why didn't he seek help. The judge was right when he said Edgar Goulet was using that as an excuse. I'm glad he does not live in my neighborhood...who knows what will set him off next? My guess is as soon as he is no longer being monitored by the court, he'll stop counseling and won't take any prescribed meds....just pathetic!!
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