Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, January 15, 1995                   TAG: 9501170081
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-3   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: DANVILLE                                LENGTH: Short

FREEDOM FOR SMOKEY, BUT JAIL FOR HIS OWNER

Danville Circuit Judge James Ingram on Friday suspended a four-year prison sentence for possession of a firearm and sentenced Craig S. Jackson to a year at the city's jail farm. Because Jackson previously had been convicted of grand larceny, a felony, he is not allowed to have a gun.

Police saw Jackson with a gun while they were trying to serve warrants on him for allowing Smokey to run free and for harboring a vicious animal.

Smokey rose above ordinary bad-dog status when General District Judge Ryland Dodson ruled last month that he was vicious and should be killed. After an outcry from dog lovers, Dodson dismissed the vicious-dog charge at the request of Danville Commonwealth's Attorney William H. Fuller III.

Jackson, 29, pleaded guilty to the firearm charge.

Jackson was late to his sentencing hearing because he was making arrangements for Smokey's care, he said. His nephew, Daniel S. Coffield of Danville, said he would take care of Smokey while his uncle is incarcerated.

Coffield said Smokey, who was suffering from heartworms, was treated by a veterinarian thanks to money from an Italian television station.

``We had to give him some medication, and he was sick for about a week,'' Coffield said. ``But he's fine now. He's chasing sticks, and he looks better than he has in a long time.''