Cumberland man guilty in duct-taped dog case

CUMBERLAND — A Cumberland man faces up to six months in jail after being convicted of animal cruelty for releasing a dog with duct tape wrapped around its jaws.

Twenty-four-year-old Ricky Adams was convicted in a bench trial Wednesday. No sentencing date was set.

The judge convicted Adams on two misdemeanor counts but acquitted him of felony animal mutilation.

His defense attorney says Adams improvised a loose-fitting muzzle last March to prevent the terrier from biting. He says Adams then asked a friend to release the dog outside the city, but it escaped from the car.

The dog was found alive eight days later. The attorney says there was evidence it had eaten and drank water in the interim.

Prosecutors dropped charges in September against co-defendant Frederick Lease for lack of evidence.