MEDIA RELEASE
On 05/19/2011 deputies responded to 13370 NE 17th Ct in reference to an altercation. Gavin Brown reported to the 9-1-1 operator that his sister had ran out of the house yelling that her father, Gary Denning, had injured the family dog with a machete.
Upon arrival deputies saw Denning on the back porch covered in blood and he was detained. The investigation revealed that Denning accused his brother-in-law of damaging his vehicle. Denning started arguing with the victim and hit him in the chest and attempted to kick him. The victim stated that Denning threatened to kill him and went into the residence and he heard the family dog, a Golden Retriever howling and moaning.
When deputies cleared the residence they found a blood trail throughout the house and found the dog severely injured but still alive. Denning, with a machete struck the dog several times severing the dog's spinal cord. Denning's daughter (Juvenile) was in the residence when the attack occurred. The juvenile stated that she heard the dog yelping and attempting escape this brutal and unnecessary attack. The juvenile screamed to her father to stop and he turned with the machete in his hand, but didn't say anything to her. The juvenile stated that her father's behavior frightened her and she immediately ran out of the house.
Denning stated that the dog was not aggressive towards him and he was getting the victim back for the small dent in his truck. Cpl Lauree Allen (K-9 Deputy) summons Levy County Animal Control and the dog unfortunately had to be euthanized.
Denning was arrested for domestic battery and cruelty to an animal.
Defendant:
Gary Eugene Denning
13390 NE 17 Court
Trenton, Fl.
White Male, 03/15/1961
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Major Evan Sullivan
Levy County Sheriff's Office
FBI-National Academy 183rd Session
Office: 352-486-5446
Cell: 352-577-4218