Post by paul on Aug 26, 2006 23:49:54 GMT
Get Justice for 59 Abused and Neglected Dogs in Vance County, North Carolina
Please respond and forward as appropriate.
Too often, those accused of neglecting or fighting dogs are given insignificant fines and are spared jail time. This is a bargain for accused animal abusers and fighters, who acquire and neglect more animals or recoup their court costs with their next trip to the bloody dogfighting ring.
Please help us make sure that things are different for six defendants who face such charges in Vance County, North Carolina.
Lawanda Ragland and Mark Anthony Davis face charges stemming from authorities' reported July 19 discovery that their 17 severely neglected dogs were languishing without adequate food or water. The defendants are suspected of raising the animals—including, according to news sources, three dogs suffering from scars consistent with having been fought—to fight. All the animals were reportedly seized, including a 30-pound dog who was allegedly kept tethered by a 60-pound chain.
Odell Burrell's and Charanda Terry's respective charges follow investigators' recent apparent discoveries that their emaciated, dehydrated, and mange-covered dogs were roaming the area. Burrell's dog reportedly died shortly after being rescued; Terry's pit bull was seized.
Wanda and Merle Pernell's case began in September 2005, when officials found that they had allegedly neglected some 40 dogs on their filthy property. One nursing dog was allegedly denied shelter and kept chained to a basketball goal post; others were reportedly confined to an abandoned home. Most of the animals were seized.
Kindly warn district attorney Sam Currin—whose office will handle these cases—of the dangers associated with treating animal abusers and fighters like nothing more than traffic offenders. You may wish to discuss the well-known relationship between crimes against animals and other heinous crimes. Ask that Currin seek meaningful periods of incarceration, lifetime bans on animal ownership, and psychiatric evaluations for these defendants if they are convicted.
Please be polite when writing.
The Honorable Samuel B. Currin III
Office of the District Attorney, 9th Prosecutorial District
156 Church St.
Henderson, NC 27536
252-492-1266 (fax)