Ohio Judge Michael Cicconetti has a reputation for giving people abnormal and unusual sentencings. They are all perfectly justified, and the intent behind them is clear. The sentencings are just not what you normally see…
When a woman, who was guilty of animal abuse, walked into his courtroom, Judge Cicconetti knew exactly how he would like to “punish” her.
Alyssa Morrow left her dog, Moose, alone in her filthy home for a whole week without checking in on home. The pup grew scared after learning he was abandoned, and police eventually were called to rescue the dog. As a result of her lack of care, Alyssa was charged with animal cruelty.
Not only had Alyssa essentially left Moose to die, but his life with her was terrible. Alyssa was a notorious hoarder, and her home was not fit for anyone to live in.
Judge Cicconetti wanted Alyssa to feel exactly how Moose must have felt his whole life!
Alyssa pleaded guilty to animal cruelty, and she was supposed to spend 90 days in jail. However, Judge Cicconetti had another idea.
After commenting on how scared Moose must have been as a result of Alyssa’ neglect, Judge Cicconetti lashed out as Alyssa and condemned her actions. Then he handed out a strange punishments.
“Maybe you should get a little taste of that… I want you to live like Moose, and in order to do that I want you to go down to the county dump… and I want them to find the stinkiest smelliest god-awful odor place they can find in that dump and I want you to sit there for 8 hours tomorrow, to think what you did to that dog while you smell the odor. If you puke, you puke.”
Alyssa was forced to live like Moose and experience life like he did. Either that, or she could spend 90 days in jail. Without hesitation, Alyssa chose to spend 8 hours in the nastiest dump.
On the day after the sentencing, Alyssa arrived at the Lake County Solid Waste Facility ready to complete her sentence. She was actually thankful for the alternative punishment.
“I definitely didn’t think I’d be here [at a dump], but I’d rather be here than jail. I can’t complain.”
Sitting in the landfill, Alyssa was forced to think about how her poor, neglected dog must have felt.
When asked about his sentencings, Judge Cicconetti reveals that there is a “method to his madness.” He wants to stop small-time lawbreakers from progressing into more serious criminals.
“It starts small, and it gets bigger, so my whole train of thought here is that we have to stop them or prevent them — that conduct — from going further at the beginning stages. They get in jail. They get smarter criminally, and as they get smarter criminally, the offenses become greater.”
If only all judges were like Judge Ciconnetti, then we could reduce the number of prisoners sitting in jail.
Although Moose endured a tough life, he’s currently up for adoption and ready for a new forever home. If you are or a family member is looking to adopt, then please visit the Lake County Dog Shelter for more details.
Alyssa will never forget her trip to the landfill. I am sure this experience will stick with her for the rest of her life. She’ll think twice before she ever neglects another animal again!
Watch the whole story below:
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