A Michigan judge has sentenced an animal abuser to three to six years in prison, triple the recommended sentencing guidelines.
Judge Richard Caretti had initially accepted a plea of no contest from the accused, agreeing to a lower sentence. However, on hearing the gory details of the case, Caretti withdrew the agreement (known as a Cobb’s agreement).
“I cannot in good conscience follow the Cobb’s agreement,” said Carretti. “Any way you view this crime, it’s despicable and reprehensible. In my almost 17 years on the bench, your case is by far the worst, most deplorable example of animal cruelty I’ve ever seen. Sterling would have looked to you for love, shelter, and food. Instead, he was a victim of your unbelievable cruelty.”
County Prosecutors requested a harsher sentence, noting that the penalty for animal cruelty in Michigan had recently increased – but only after this horrific crime took place.
The crime committed by Alexander Gerth was an especially brutal one. After the Michigan Humane Society refused his request to adopt a dog named Sterling, the 23-year-old had a friend adopt the animal for him. Not long after taking possession of Sterling, Gerth viciously stabbed the dog to death and left his body lying in a local park in below-freezing temperatures.
Gerth also admitted to beating and kicking two-year-old Sterling during the short time the dog was in his care.
The case drew the attention of animal lovers across the state, who started a petition calling for the maximum sentence possible. The petition gathered more than 6,500 signatures and likely influenced those involved in prosecuting and sentencing.
County Prosecutor Eric Smith praised the longer sentence, saying it shows that “crimes of this nature will never be tolerated.”
“Sterling has brought great awareness to such a critical issue that troubles us as a society,” said Smith.
On top of the prison sentence, Gerth must cover the autopsy costs of the Michigan Humane Society and is banned from ever owning a dog again.
We thank the prosecutors and Judge Caretti for taking this devastating case of animal cruelty seriously and working to ensure that Gerth can never harm another animal.
Thank you, Judge Caretti, for imposing a harsher sentence that sends the message that animal cruelty is despicable and won’t be tolerated.
Applausing Judge Caretti. So rare to see an abuser/murderer receive a maximum sentence. Its about time!
GOD Bless the judge, but I am praying he meets the same fate as that poor dog!
Congratulations, Judge! At last someone in the Judiciary has the guts to impose a decent sentence on an animal abuser. For far too long, abusers have gotten away with their crimes and received slaps on the wrist with a small fine. Animal abusers are criminals and should be treated as such.
THANK YOU JUDGE CARRETTI!
OMG…….MONSTERS ARE EVERY WHERE THANK YOU TO EVERYONE WHO GOT SOME JUSTICE FOR POOR STERLING. RIP STERLING AND WE DEMAND JUSTICE FOR YOU AND THANK THE JUDGE FOR MAKING SURE THIS MONSTER WILL NEVER OWN A DOG AGAIN. I’M SO SORRY FOR YOUR HORRIFIC AND PAINFUL DEATH BUT I HOPE SOME GOOD WILL COME OUT OF IT. REST IN PEACE POOR BABY!!
I hope that some wonderful inmate does exactly to this sociopath when he did to this innocent dog. Nothing more/nothing less
I am SO HAPPY!!! Thank you your Honor for a wonderful decision!!!
Prison for animal cruelty no need poor dog being stabbed , they need it not the animals who are innocent
Did this guy just adopt a dog to hurt and kill him and the shelter new something and his friend had to know he wanted this dog to carry out his inhumane act I’m glad the judge agreed he needed more jail time we need more justice for animals who suffer from abuse justice was served in this case but many more need justice as well
I’m so glad this judge showed real judgment and leadership. Thank you, Judge Caretti.
I hope the Law in future put those criminal in a permanent jail. They are monster and they can not live with humans.
Stop animal cruelty
THANK YOU JUDGE RICHARD CARETTI for taking the TRUE Judgement while sending the psychotic monster killer Alexander Gerth to 6 years in prison. This man is a pure Evil vengeful mentally disabled murderer. who is capable of taking anyone’s life in his rage at anytime.
Please keep him locked up until the last date of this 6 year period. No excuses or reduced time to spend in the jail.On the contrary this easily could be a FUTURE SERIAL KILLER OR A MASS MURDERER AND SHOULD BE KEPT IN JAIL INDEFINITELY.
I am agree with you those monsters could not be living with people. They must be in jail for life.
I’m so glad that man went to jail but I hope he stays there for the full 6 years! How does anyone know that he won’t get another friend to adopt a dog for him again? I know of a way to put an end to animal cruelty once and for all. Perpetrators should have a limb amputated, issued a criminal conviction qne have passport confiscated, banned from owning animals for life, must report to authorites once a month for life and the aurthorities can do on the spot search of the person’s house or premises and perpetrator/s are banned from receiving any form of governmental assistance for life! Only when the consequences are so dire animal cruelty will come to a halt! When a person commits crimes against animals in any form lose their human rights – that’s the only way! Governments around the world need to grow some balls and put this into action! Lots of publicity need to made and parents educate their children of the consequences because age should be no barrier to the consequences. This is my few and it won’t change.
Heartfelt thanks to Judge Caretti & Prosecutor Smith. Only when our laws reflect the serious nature of animal cruelty, will our society change for the better.
They should also prosecute the friend who adopted the dog.. .he must have known that his friend was unbalanced…poor dog..justice needs to be gotten for this poor dog who did not deserve to die.
The friend is also to blame and should receive punishment for his part in the crime. This person would know what his friend was like and likely knew what the dog was being adopted for.
iTS A SHAME THAT PARENTS ARE TEACHING THEIR CHILDREN THAT KILLING ANIMALS IS OKAY..SHAME ON THEM
THANK YOU JUDGE CARRETTI! THANK YOU FOR POSSESSING COMPASSION AND WISDOM! THANK YOU FOR STANDING UP FOR STERLING AND OTHER POOR, INNOCENT SOULS THAT ARE ABUSED AND TORTURED BY HUMAN HANDS. THIS HAS TO STOP!
MAY THE MONSTER GERTH GET ALL HE DESERVES IN PRISON……………….AND MORE.
Thank you God for giving the world a Judge and Prosecutors like them and for enlightening their minds.
I hope that the friend who handed Sterling to Gerth will also get his piece of Discipline.
Justice ! Poor Sterling ! Shame ! Know you are happy now with Jesus. Always in my heart.
Thank you so much Judge for rethinking this sentence. Also the prosecutors. A great job, and everyone else that lent a hand..
They will be waiting for this scum in prison. Thanku judge Caretti.
Thank goddess judges and prosecutors are finally seeing animal abusers for what they are and or what they are going to become.
At last at last at last. An heroic and compassionate judge is finally on the side of defenceless animals. Hope more judges get on board.
Great news!! I hope this piece of human waste becomes someone’s prison bitch!! Nice job by the judge, it’s always great to see scum like this go down!! The friend who adopted the dog and then gave it to this bastard should face charges as well!!
Thank you Judge Caretti and prosecutors for your bravery in bringing this misfit to justice. I hope that this evil and mindless coward spends every day in total angony while serving his time. I also hope that the piece of garbage will serve every day without ANY “early outs”. One question reamins unclear to me and that is the friend who adopted the dog for this jerk, shouldn’t he/she be charge as a possible accomplice?
A prison sentence is not adequate.
Instigation of the death penalty is essential and I am ready,willing and able to help implement this procedure enabling this scumbag to die a slow and agonising death!!! An eye for an eye is most definitely required!
Thankful for this judge, but wondering whether the ‘friend’ who adopted Sterling for an obviously disturbed individual will also get charged.
Good question Mary I’d like to know the answer to that one. These kind of stories make me sad but also makes me so dam angry I’d like to have 5 minutes with Garbage Gerth alone!! Take care
Still a ridiculously light sentence for such a heinous crime and causing such huge suffering and destroying that beautiful life. But then we as “humans” have all this animal abuse and killing that is legal, so it’s hard for anyone to really get justice in animal cruelty cases. But their justice will come either in this life or the next. Hopefully this guy gets killed in prison and finds out what it was like to be on the other end of his demented “power.” And then for him, HELL, for eternity, forever far away from the decent and innocent.
everyone of these animal abusers need the maximum sentence and fines..scumbags do the same to them
how about judges be this harsh towards people who abuse cats??
Finally a good ruling! The petition would’ve had more signatures its just not everyone sane heard this story.
Wish the sentence could be more but this is good news. That friend of his needs to be prosecuted.
Thank you Sir. But it doesn’t bring Sterling back. Personally I think people capable of committing such a horrific crime should not be allowed to live.
Finally, a judge who has taken animal abuse seriously! Long overdue, but so much appreciated!
Thank god the judge threw the book at him. This story breaks my heart so sad. Poor sterling what this poor dog was thinking is just so sad. I applaud the shelter for seeing this monster can’t adopt sterling they saw something in him that wasn’t good for sterling they tried to do the right thing. I don’t blame them at all. I blame his friend that knew what was going to happen. We need to pass laws that charge this person with accessory. Rest In Peace sterling in heaven, I’m so sorry baby what happened to you.
Thanks judge. Still not enough. RIP poor animals.
God Bless this judge. Had I been the judge, these men would have been given the same treatment they gave this sweet, beauitiful dog.
I AM DISGUSTED WITH ANIMAL ABUSERS. ALL STATES SHOULD FOLLOW MICHIGAN’S EXAMPLE AND RAISE THE PRISON TIME FOR ANIMAL ABUSERS!!
He looked to be a sweet, lovely dog and deserved a good life. The friend who adopted him for this coward should have been held accountable too because if he was a friend of this human monster, then he/she knew exactly what was going to happen to this poor dog.
It is, to me, outrageous how much pit bulls have to suffer in the hands of ignorant morons who believe what they hear or read and never look to find the truth. These loving dogs are nothing but loyal to their human families. When a dog is loved and well cared for as they all should be, they become loving companions to us regardless of breed.
the sorry pos should not get jail time. but get the same he did to the poor pup !!!!
We need more judges like this! Hopefully six years in prison will be bad ones for this low-life!
MICHIGAN CHANGED THE LAW TO RAISE THE PRISON TIME FOR ANIMAL ABUSERS…THAT AND THE RIGHT JUDGE PUT THIS MISERABLE EXCUSE FOR A PERSON IN PRISON FOR MANY MANY YEARS!
Good for you judge, finally someone in authority who takes responsibility that comes with the job. Although this should be a given it all to often is not the case which is disgraceful. We need tougher laws and punishments in order to protect and serve the ones without a voice and vulnerable in this society where too many sociopathic specimens of the human race roam.
He should never be able to be in contact with any animal! if he cannot harm a dog, will go to cats, any animal he can get his hands on. ALSO, THE FRIEND WHO GOT THE DOG FOR HIM SHOULD SUFFER THE SAME PENALTY. HE KNEW WHAT WOULD HAPPEN AND PARTICIPATED IN THE CRIME.
HE CAN NEVER EVER OWN A DOG AGAIN AND YES THE FRIEND SHOULD HAVE BEEN CHARGED AS AN ACCESSORY. IT’S TIME WE TREAT THE HELPLESS CREATURES OF THIS WORLD WITH RESPECT. THESE TYPE OF HUMANS DO NOT DESERVE TO BE GIVEN A SLAP ON THE WRIST. THEY NEED TO DO SOME SERIOUS PRISON TIME AS HE WILL!
Thank you Judge and all law enforcement personnel involved. I wish this person received the MAX of 6 years.This person has problems and 6 years would have mellowed him out. But we are thankful for what he did get.
Thank you to that Judge and please go after the friend!
A thought. What about the friend who adopted the dog then handed him over to this person? Presumably he faces no legal consequences. Why did this friend do it? He must have known this person was turned down for the adoption. Basically, he was complicent in the dog’s death.
Exactly. That friend cannot be just forgotten. He is just as much guilty!!
How can we contact the attorneys to go after that friend?
NO ONE should ever be silent about or assist animal cruelty in ANY WAY.
Kudos to the judge and may many more follow his example and start giving PROPER sentences to ALL animal abusers, no excuses and no plea bargains. Show the low-life maggots that its punishment time!!!!!
Now arrest and prosecute the slime who adopted the Sterling under false application and turned him over to the murderer for the abuse.
Barbaric savage should be jailed for life.
Well done Judge Richard Caretti. Other judges need to follow and put these evil people where they deserve to be – behind bars.