I don't know enough about this case to have a judgement one way or the other but I do know times have changed from a few short decades ago. I have in my past committed what would today would probably get me the death penalty by many.
My father and mother in law back in the mid 80's had a problem of stray and dumped dogs at their place, they lived on a rural mountain here in Marshal county with one way up and one way down. There was 36 dogs from all breeds and sizes, from a Saint Bernard to labs, bulldogs, collies, mutts, and a couple litters of puppies I reckon the owners dumped once they were impregnated. Most all had the mange, flea and tick infestation, starving and my in-laws could not afford to feed or take any of them to the vet much less take, pay for them to be put down.
They asked me if I could put them out of their misery and I took my 410 shotgun and 22 rifle and did the job. None of them even ran from me, they just laid there looking pitiful as I walked up to them like they were glad for it to be over. It made me literally sick to my stomach though and there is no way i could do the same today, but if I did I would lose my freedom for life it seems.
The wife and I have a dachshund and Jack Russel that are like family to us and live in doors as we do but I suppose we could go to jail for feeding them our table scraps that the vet told us not to feed them, but they just beg and beg and look so pitiful wanting it. We always gave our dogs left over table scraps growing up and had dogs live nearly 20 years in fact our Jack Russel is going on 12. This is a totally different world without a doubt today!
But like I said don't know anything about Cody's case.