LA Assistant Chief Sentenced in Puppy Beating Case

A former LA County Assistant Chief narrowly escaped a jail sentence earlier this month after he was convicted of animal cruelty in the beating of a neighbor's dog in 2008.

Chief Glynn Johnson alleged he was acting in self defense when the 6 month old puppy bit him, nearly severing his thumb. However, a jury found him guilty of felony animal cruelty in January, 2010. Between the time of the incident and the trial, Chief Johnson retired from the fire department.

Chief Johnson was sentenced on April 2, 2010, but his attorney said they plan to appeal.

 

About Curt Varone

Curt Varone has over 45 years of fire service experience and 35 as a practicing attorney licensed in both Rhode Island and Maine. His background includes 29 years as a career firefighter in Providence (retiring as a Deputy Assistant Chief), as well as volunteer and paid on call experience. He is the author of two books: Legal Considerations for Fire and Emergency Services, (2006, 2nd ed. 2011, 3rd ed. 2014, 4th ed. 2022) and Fire Officer's Legal Handbook (2007), and is a contributing editor for Firehouse Magazine writing the Fire Law column.
x

Check Also

Albany Prevails at Second Circuit in Discrimination Suit

An Albany fire captain who claims he wrongfully was denied a promotion to battalion chief following an off-duty incident, has lost his appeal to the US Second Circuit Court of Appeals. Captain Jeremy Clawson claims the City of Albany rescinded a civil service promotion he earned in 2019 on account of a disability and his race.

Volunteer Firefighter Charged With Public Records Violation

A volunteer firefighter in New York is facing criminal charges for allegedly giving himself and family members credit for emergency responses they did not go to. James P. Burns, 27, is accused of entering false information into Cutchogue Fire Department’s electronic record-keeping system on September 30, 2023.