Don't Let Tobey's Cries Go Unheard

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9/2/07: Don't Let Tobey's Cries Go Unheard KINSHIP CIRCLE ACTION CAMPAIGN http://www.KinshipCircle.org SOURCE OF INFORMATION: Anita Solomon, Dogs Deserve Better Rep for Indian River County, FL http://www.dogsdeservebetter.com/home.html Investigation continues in dog killing

http://seguingazette.com/story.lasso?ewcd=5d65e46fdf0b3412 Teens Accused Of Torturing Dog To Death http://www.ksat.com/news/14008907/detail.html PETITION: Appeal To Prosecute Under NEW TX. Animal Cruelty Laws http://www.thepetitionsite.com/petition/699548452 TOBEY’S SONG, by Maria Daines http://www.maria-daines.com/music-59.html =========================================================== SAMPLE LETTER

& CONTACT INFORMATION * Sample letters are prepared to give you ample background on an issue. Try to change some words, pare down letters, and make them your own. * KINSHIP CIRCLE MUST REMAIN ANONYMOUS, for letter campaigns to have impact and to avoid legal problems under the Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act (AETA). Please NEVER REFERENCE KINSHIP CIRCLE when sending comments directly to letter recipients. =========================================================== Vicki Pattillo, District Attorney of Guadalupe County La Plaza Building, 113 South River Street, Suite 205 Seguin, Texas 78155 ph: 830-303-1922; FAX: 830-303-2137 CC: Elizabeth Murray-Kolb, Guadalupe

County Attorney 101 East Court Street, Suite 104 Seguin, Texas 78155 ph: 830-303-6130; fax: 830-379-9491 CC: Ron Quiros, Guadalupe County Chief Juvenile Probation Officer Dear District Attorney Pattillo, I thank the Guadalupe County District Attorney's office for investigating three boys who allegedly snatched Stephanie Tavere's dog Tobey from her backyard for a torture spree ending in death. News reports state the teens brought the little girl's dog to a deserted home, where they repeatedly tossed him out a second-story window until the animal's legs were crushed. Then they dangled the dog from a tree and pounded him like a punching bag. Their violent escapade didn't end until they'd removed the dog's head. Authorities claim Tobey suffered burns and other massive injuries before death. This sickening crime occurred the last week in August 2007. I am disturbed these teens may

bypass prosecution under NEW animal cruelty laws, effective as of September 1, 2007. I implore the Guadalupe County District Attorney to seek stringent penalties under revised Texas Animal Cruelty Statutes that clearly identify cruelty and facilitate indictments and convictions. Please advocate maximum confinement and ensure the youths undergo psychological evaluation and therapy. I respectfully propose internment in a juvenile detention hall until each boy is 18 years of age. At that time, reassessment of the boys' personality traits would determine if adult incarceration is necessary. I urge you to forego any arrangements that result in the offenders' immediate probation or return to the community before their 18th birthdays. Lenient penalties will not serve these juveniles or society. The courts cannot excuse blatant cruelty because victims are deemed undeserving of our mercy. As you know, the

intensity of a vicious act -- regardless of the victim's identity -- is a forerunner to more violence. These boys are similar to adolescents who victimized animals before committing aggressive crimes against humans: They display no remorse. Columbine shooter Eric Harris, 18, smashed mice with a crowbar and set them on fire. Washington D.C. serial killer Lee Boyd Malvo killed stray cats with a slingshot. Kip Kinkle blew up a cow and burned a live cat. He then shot 25 classmates and murdered his parents in Springfield, Oregon. Andrew Golden and Mitchell Johnson, both 13, battered dogs before killing five people in an Arkansas school rampage. Randall Lockwood, Ph.D., regularly enlisted to aid cruelty investigators, law enforcers, court officials and mental health professionals, identifies acts of prolonged maltreatment (torture) as more indicative of potential for repeated violence against others.

Tobey, a small gentle animal, endured unspeakable agony. While nothing can undo this fact, your action may prevent future violence at the hands of these youths and lead to their rehabilitation. Thank you, ******************************************************************************************** ******************************************************************************************** Kinship Circle is a nonprofit organization serving the animal advocacy community. Donations help us meet expenses for the literature, website, research/campaigns and outreach -- that let YOU

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