Crime & Safety

Sentencing Postponed In Cleveland Heights Dog-Shooting Case

The sentencing of Ramone "Raymone" Clements, 42, of Cleveland, has been continued until July 8.

The man found guilty of two federal weapons charges after he was accused of chaining and shooting a dog in a Cleveland Heights park will wait a bit longer to learn his sentence, according to a spokesman from the U.S. Attorney's Office.

Craig Tame of the U.S. Attorney's Office Northern District of Ohio said that the sentencing of Ramone "Raymone" Clements, 42, of Cleveland, has been continued until July 8.

Clements was found guilty in April of being a felon in possession of weapons and ammunition when police searched his home.

Find out what's happening in Cleveland Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

But the case has garnered attention because Clements was charged in December 2012 with animal cruelty after police said he shot Forrest, a bull-mastiff that was chained to a tree, and left him for dead in Forest Hills Park.

Though Clements was originally charged in local courts for animal cruelty and weapons charges, those charges were dropped in lieu of federal prosecution under the weapons charges, which garner much stiffer sentences.

Find out what's happening in Cleveland Heightswith free, real-time updates from Patch.

He faces between 19 and 24 years in prison for the weapons charges. Clements is not allowed to own guns or ammunitions because he has previous convictions in the Cuyahoga County Court of Common Pleas for rape in 2006, drug trafficking in 2003 and aggravated robbery in 1991, according to his indictment.

The accusations against Clements have drawn the ire of animal rights activists, who are angry that the animal cruelty charge has such a lighter punishment than the weapons charges.

Forrest survived his injuries and was adopted by Robin Stone and is living happily in Solon.


Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

To request removal of your name from an arrest report, submit these required items to arrestreports@patch.com.

More from Cleveland Heights