Disabled Man Gets Probation for Killing Dog

A Fountain Valley man who killed his parents’ poodle by tossing it off a San Diego Freeway overpass pleaded guilty Wednesday to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges and was sentenced to three years’ probation.

Steven Gibson, 31, initially was charged with a felony, but prosecutors agreed to reduce the charge after examining his medical history, which included developmental disability, a speech impediment and diabetes, said Guy Webster, Gibson’s attorney. Prosecutors could not be reached for comment.

“His parents are pleased with the outcome,” Webster said. “They were very much concerned about what’s best for him. And although we were confident that we have a strong case, we decided that the best thing for him would be to work something out with the D.A.’s office without him having to go through the trauma of preliminary examination and trial.”

Gibson, who is unemployed and has lived with his parents all his life, also was sentenced to 100 days in jail, although he will not have to spend any more time behind bars. He was credited for the three days he spent at the Orange County Jail and for the two subsequent months he spent at UCI Medical Center’s neuropsychology department, Webster said.

“At the time, he had been experiencing emotional and mental upheavals which were subsequently treated at UCI,” Webster said.

On July 18, Gibson was seen by witnesses walking across the Magnolia Avenue overpass with Maurice, his family’s champagne-colored poodle, in his arms, police said at the time. The man threw the dog at oncoming traffic, killing it instantly, investigators said.

Gibson’s parents, whose names were withheld, were devastated by the loss of their 8-year-old pet and the felony charges their son faced at the time. They fought to reduce the charges because they believed that putting him through a trial would be detrimental to the progress he was making at UCI Medical Center, Webster said.

“He is still receiving treatment on an outpatient basis,” Webster said. “He’s doing well.”