Authorities say an Oakland apartment turned into a scene of severe animal suffering after officers found two dogs with extensive, apparently healing injuries, including dozens of broken bones. According to court filings, one dog, a husky, was found with more than 30 fractures and a pit bull with roughly 10, with both animals showing signs consistent with repeated trauma.
Semaj Ivey, 30, is charged with two felony counts, and Keevan Grandy, 53, with one felony count, and both also face a misdemeanor count of abandoning an animal, according to court records. As reported by The Mercury News, the charges were filed on New Year’s Eve, the pair entered not-guilty pleas at a Jan. 5 hearing, and a preliminary hearing is scheduled for late February.
What the law says
Under California law, animal-cruelty cases can be prosecuted as either misdemeanors or felonies depending on how serious the injuries are and other circumstances. A felony charge under Penal Code §597 can bring a state-prison sentence, while a misdemeanor typically carries county jail time and fines. Judges may also bar a convicted person from owning animals and can order restitution for veterinary bills. For a plain-language rundown of potential penalties, see Shouse Law’s overview of Penal Code §597.
Neighbors, video and injuries
The investigation started after a neighbor at the Martin Luther King Jr. Way apartment complex reported seeing one of the defendants beating a dog in July, according to the case filings. Investigators say Ivey later turned over a video to animal-control officers that allegedly shows a husky tied to a door as a form of punishment…