Trial Date Set for Accused Dog Killer

Angela Kaul showed up at the West Pasco Courthouse July 15 wearing a shirt bearing the words "Justice for Gipper." 

She wasn't alone. She was accompanied by a small group of people wearing shirts with the same message.

Kaul and her group were at the courthouse for the arraignment of Brian Perry, a New Port Richey man accused of beating his Rottweiler named Gipper to death.

"That man didn't have to do that," said Kaul, who said she was a Port Richey resident and member of a local animal rescue organization. "He should have returned that dog."

Gipper was a dog that was adopted from a rescue organization.

Kaul has been one of the people spearheading efforts to raise awareness about cruelty toward animals.

Kaul, who owns four dogs, wants Perry to face the maximum allowed sentence.

This case hits "close to home," Kaul said. "This man could have done this to one of our rescue dogs."

The trial for Perry's case was scheduled at the arraignment for Aug. 13 at 3:30 p.m., Kaul said. His arraignment was for a third-degree felony charge of cruelty toward animals. Court records show Perry entered a plea of not guilty on July 1.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has asked for Perry to be sentenced to jail time and counseling.