Vet charged with arson of clinic

[AmazinGrace]

Vet charged in animal clinic burning

Posted by Kent Faulk — The Birmingham News May 28, 2008 4:47 PM

A Hokes Bluff veterinarian has been charged with second-degree arson, seven counts of cruelty to animals and filing a false report with law enforcement authorities after claiming he was shot during a burglary at his animal clinic last month.
Dr. Jerry Handley, 52, is in the Etowah County Jail on $100,000 bond, said Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin.

Entrekin alleged Handley started the fire and shot himself, but he said Handley did not give a reason.

Two dogs and five cats are believed to have died in the fire.

http://blog.al.com/spotnews/2008/05/..._clinic_b.html



What a shame. I have some very real ideas for his punishment. If he's guilty, he's not worth the powder it would take to blow him away...JMO

[dave]

So did the fire / burglary / getting shot happen at the same instance? I couldn't see why you would fake a robbery, shoot yourself, then set fire to the place. If you are going to burn down a building, it would be easier IMO to just burn it down and concentrate on not getting caught, instead of putting yourself at the scene and having to explain things.

[AmazinGrace]

yeah, but if he was shot, he would look less guilty, I guess.

[Kagan]

	Quote:	AmazinGrace
	yeah, but if he was shot, he would look less guilty, I guess.

True, but how many people are going to believe that the vet was robbed. I mean what were these make-believe criminals going to take? A Siamese kitten? A manicured poodle? The vet's story was a stretch at best. I don't think that a criminal would consider the vet as a place to get fast cash...especially in the metropolis of Hokes Bluff.

[AmazinGrace]

No, but drugs would be an option. I've heard that PCP is a horse tranquilizer.

Still, it sounds like the mortage papers and insurance papers were rubbing together and caused some sparks...

[Kagan]

	Quote:	AmazinGrace
	Still, it sounds like the mortage papers and insurance papers were rubbing together and caused some sparks...

That's a great and tactful way of putting it.

As one who overcame pile of debt, it is a lot easier to stop piling up debt, and start climbing out. It took me five years of patience not arson nor a self-inflicted gunshot wound. I'm puzzled by people who take drastic measures to get out of bad situations because they usually end up in worse shape...as this vet has done.