Man sentenced in attack on dog

PALMER - The Monson man who attacked a dog with a chain saw because he told police he saw the devil in its eyes will spend 2½ years in jail after pleading guilty to felony animal cruelty charges yesterday in Palmer District Court.

Randall R. Mason, 42, appeared before Judge Patricia T. Poehler and was given 2½ years at the House of Correction, the maximum for the offense. Mason's court-appointed lawyer, Thomas A. Waldron, of Springfield, declined comment.

"I think it's appropriate for the facts and the circumstances of the case," prosecutor Michelle S. Cruz said yesterday.

News of the attack struck a chord with animal lovers appalled by what happened to the mixed-breed dog named Blue. The dog, whose head was sliced and paws nearly severed, was euthanized due to its injuries at Springfield's Boston Road Animal Hospital.

Palmer native Brenda A. Waters started an Internet petition to help ensure Mason was punished by the courts for the dog assault. More than 5,000 people signed, from across the United States and as far away as the United Kingdom and Australia. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals also asked Hampden County District Attorney William M. Bennett for the vigorous prosecution of Mason.

Waters, the lone demonstrator at a court hearing for Mason last month, was disappointed the case did not proceed to a higher level and Mason will not get more jail time.

A bind-over hearing to move the case to Hampden Superior Court was scheduled for today. If the case had been transferred, the penalty would have been up to five years in state prison.

"It's really sad that the judge in this instance didn't recognize the danger this kind of person is to the community," Waters said. "Animal cruelty doesn't usually end with animal cruelty. Two and a half years later, what's this person going to do?"

Mason has been held in lieu of $10,000 bail since his Jan. 4 arrest. Mason had been staying with Jason Wemette at 84 Town Farm Road in Monson when the incident happened. Mason told Monson Officer Shannon Bingle he "saw the devil in the dog's eyes" when it arrived at the house in the early morning on Jan. 4.

Waldron said at Mason's arraignment two months ago he had been acting in self-defense, but Assistant District Attorney Mary D. Partyka said Mason did not have injuries consistent with being attacked and was suspected of being under the influence of alcohol at the time.

Wemette, who could not be reached for comment, has since sold his Monson home, according to a filing with the Registry of Deeds. Sheila J. Chlebus was baby-sitting for Wemette when she heard Mason start up the chain saw. She said she didn't believe Mason when he said the dog attacked him.

In her police statement, Chlebus wrote when Mason drinks, "he does stupid stuff." She also wrote that Mason tried to stop the dog's bleeding with a towel, and was crying.

"I am glad that Mr. Mason accepted responsibility and that he is being held accountable for his actions," Monson Police Chief Stephen Kozloski Jr. said in an e-mail.

Mason previously served a one-year jail term for stealing a gun five years ago from Wemette. Mason's former employer, who did not want to be identified, said Mason had to be let go because of his drinking.