Judge bans Niles man from pet ownership after puppy thrown against wall
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Niles man has been sentenced for throwing a dog against a wall and preventing a healthcare worker who witnessed the incident from leaving his home.
Thirty-six-year-old Robert Craven was sentenced to nine days in jail after pleading guilty last week to charges of unlawful restraint and violations involving companion animals.
As part of his sentence, Craven was fined $500 and is forbidden from owning animals of any kind.
Craven was arrested earlier this month after a woman who cares for Craven’s elderly mother told police Craven became angry and threw the family dog against a hallway wall, bumping his mother into a wall as well.
Police say the incident occurred at a home in the 100 Block of Pleasant Avenue when Craven "became agitated" that the mother had not been cleaning up after the dog.
According to the health care worker, she could see a red mark on the arm of Craven’s mother. The report does not say if the dog was injured.
The healthcare worker told police that Craven ordered her not to leave the home and not report the incident to authorities, but was able to leave several hours later after Craven fell asleep on a couch and his mother was able to go to her room.