Gig Harbor Man Accused Of Duct-Taping Dog's Mouth Shut Pleads Not Guilty

A Gig Harbor man who authorities say duct-taped his dog's mouth shut pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges this week in Pierce County Superior Court.

Paul G. Sweeney, 57, is accused of animal cruelty based on a visit authorities made to his home June 17, during which they allegedly found his Doberman pinscher muzzled shut and legs bound, unable to drink water on a 75-degree day and foaming at the mouth.

According to court documents, someone walking on a trail behind Sweeney's home reported that a dog's mouth had been duct-taped.

A Pierce County Sheriff's Deputy and an animal control officer visited the home, where they found the dog - Daisy - lying on the ground and not moving.

"There was a water bowl by the dog," court papers state, "but the bowl was dry and did not appear to have recently harbored any water."

"The dog's snout had been wrapped several times in duct tape. The dog's paws had also been wrapped."

The officers also noticed that the dog - whom Sweeney called Daisy - moved slowly and struggled to get up when her owner called her, according to court papers. The dog whimpered in pain as Sweeney peeled off the tape.

"The defendant said the tape was because the dog would not stop barking, and the dog would not stop digging in the yard," court papers state.

Sweeney allegedly told officers that the dog had been bound for a few hours.

"When asked how he thought that was an acceptable means of restraint, the defendant replied, 'Well I know it's not, I mean sure...'" court documents stated. "Asked how many times he had bound the dog, the defendant said, 'A couple ... not sure, maybe once before."

The animal control officer noted that the dog was left lying in the sun during the hottest time of the day and unable to drink any water. Daisy exhibited signs of heat stroke.

Officers placed the dog for more than an hour in an air-conditioned environment, which brought the dog back to its normal state.

According to The News Tribune, Sweeney's son, Zak, said his father has never been cruel to Daisy. In terms of the incident, he doesn't believe Daisy had been bound for hours.