Glynn Johnson, former L.A. County fire official, found guilty of animal cruelty in beating of neighbor's dog

Former Los Angeles County assistant fire chief Glynn Johnson, 55, was found guilty of felony animal cruelty and using a deadly weapon in Riverside County Superior Court today in the 2008 beating of his neighbor's puppy.

The animal, a 6-month-old German shepherd mix named Karley, sustained injuries so severe that she had to be euthanized after the beating. Johnson hit her repeatedly with a 12-pound rock in what he described as an act of self-defense; according to his version of events, Karley viciously attacked him before the beating occurred. Our colleagues at KTLA report on the defense's strategy:

During his opening statements last Tuesday, Deputy District Attorney Will Robinson said [Johnson] put dog feces in his neighbors' mailbox with a letter warning them to keep their dogs off his property.

The Tooles are the "neighbors from hell" who routinely take in stray animals and then don't take care of them, giving them the run of the community, defense attorneys argued. And the Tooles tried to domesticate a stray named Karley, unsuccessfully, the defense added.

Prosecutors disputed that account, saying that Johnson's attack on the dog was unprovoked.  A sentencing is scheduled for March 8; Johnson could face up to four years in prison.

-- Lindsay Barnett

Photo: Animal rights activists demonstrate outside the Riverside County Courthouse in December 2008, in response to the beating of Karley. Credit: Los Angeles Times

Comments

[Norman Silver]

Johnson was never regarded as a fireman's fireman and I hope the readers will not connect the crime Johnson committed to the ethics of the professional fire service.

[concerned about your reference]

Wow what is a fireman fireman? Was he not white or a good old boy or what are you saying exactly because I believe the incident was unfortunate but provoked by lousy irresponsible neighbors. He should have taken them to court or called animal control but I'm sure rage and anger got the best of him. I'm sure you know about this since you are a fireman's fireman or are you?

[Animal lover]

Concerned has it right. This was an unfortunate incident between fighting neighbors. It apears to me that the evil here was the owners of the dog. Not only was the dog out without a leash, but rather than solve the issues, like adults, they wanted to escalate it. They got others involved who know nothing about "all" the facts, and told them part of the story. It is sad to see evil, and dishonesty prevail.