news-record.com

GREENSBORO — The mother of the man accused in the burning and severe beating of a 3-month-old  puppy in August said her son abused the dog over fear it would harm his newborn child.

Sally Laws,  the mother of 20-year-old  Lashawn Whitehead,  said her son has admitted to the crime and he is suffering from mental health problems.

“He’s a good child, and I didn’t raise him like that,” Laws said Tuesday. “He was crying out for help.”

The dog, since named Susie, was found by a passer-by Aug. 20 in Greenfield Park. Susie had burns covering more than 60 percent  of her body.

The light brown pit bull-shepherd  mix had severe second- and third-degree burns on her head, back, stomach, tail and legs. The dog also had a broken jaw and teeth.

Based on the development of maggots found on the dog’s body, veterinarians estimated she had been left for dead for at least two weeks.

The dog has undergone extensive treatment for her injuries and is expected to be adopted soon.

Laws, who said she didn’t find out about the incident until Monday, said her son told her he was afraid the puppy would harm his son, who was born in July.

“I asked him what he was thinking — and he said 'I don’t know — the dog just jumped on the couch with the newborn and I lost it.’ ”

Laws said that, from what her son told her, she believes the dog may have tried to jump on the child at some point.

Laws said she asked her son if he had considered giving the dog up for adoption instead of abusing the animal. “He just kept saying, 'I’m sorry.’ 'I lost it.’ 'I’m sorry,’” Laws said of her son’s response.

She said Whitehead has been dealing with various mental health issues related to his brother dying in a car accident a few years ago and with being unable to find a job.

Laws said the baby is now staying with his mother.

Whitehead has been charged with felony animal cruelty and burning personal property. If convicted on both charges, he faces almost four years in prison.

Guilford County Chief District Court Judge Joseph E. Turner denied Laws’ request to reduce her son’s $5,000  bond at a court appearance Tuesday afternoon.

Turner asked for the family and Whitehead’s lawyer to provide the court with a plan to get mental health treatment for the suspect before the judge would consider a bond reduction.

Whitehead’s next court date is Jan. 5. 

Contact Ryan Seals at 373-7077 or ryan.seals @news-record.com