Animal Cruelty - You Can Make a Difference

Friends, I am saddened that my first post, after being away for so long, is so disturbing. Some of you may know of the nursing mother, Mittens, who was intentionally burned by her owner's 17 year old grandson and his friend, here in Baltimore.

Both Former Commander and PetDiva let me know about efforts to assure that this crime is fully prosecuted. I take no joy in recommending that 17 year olds be tried as adults. This, however, is a horribly cruel and deliberate crime and a clear message needs to be sent that animal cruelty, especially by those old enough to understand the consequences of their actions, will not be tolerated.

I think it is important that our officials hear from us - especially those of us who live in MD. Folks with political connections tell us calm, thoughtful and concerned is the most effective tone for letters and suggest we keep them brief, on this topic alone, and polite. Our objective is to have this crime prosecuted. The petition site has a copy of the letter that is being sent in that effort, and don't discount how effective a flood of snail mail can be! Please consider doing both the petition and snail mail, if you've got time.

After much debate, I have decided to publish pictures of Mittens at the end of this post. It is quite disturbing so, if you would prefer not to see them, I've left scroll space after this article, so you may read everything without viewing them. There are three news links - please be aware that Mittens is pictured in all of the videos embedded in the stories and Mitten's picture (albeit one of the least disturbing) is on the petition site.

Fortunately, it appears as though Mittens will recover! She is nursing and eating and the video of her with her kittens is quite life affirming. If you would also like to help toward Mitten's recovery costs, BARCS is accepting donations to their "Franky Fund" which helps severely injured animals.

The piece FC sent follows:

On January 8, 2011, a witness told police that her grandson and his friend, both 17-year-old males, took the family cat out onto the back porch, covered her with a milk crate then doused her with lighter fluid and intentionally set her on fire. The cat, Mittens, suffered 3rd degree burns and is now being cared for at Baltimore Animal Rescue and Care Shelter along with her three young kittens.

Here are three news articles detailing the case:

http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/baltimore-city/bs-md-burned-cat-follow-20110131,0,5110620.story?track=rss

http://baltimore.cbslocal.com/2011/01/31/cat-set-on-fire-in-baltimore-city/

http://www.wbaltv.com/r/26668505/detail.html

According to Maryland Code § 10-606 this sounds like a clear-cut case of “aggravated cruelty to animals” yet these young adults are being charged as juveniles. Animal abuse is a felony crime and should be taken seriously. With extreme cases of animal cruelty on the rise in Baltimore, it’s time to send a clear message these crimes will not be tolerated and perpetrators, even if teenagers, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

What You Can Do

1. Please sign the petition to have these suspects charged as adults at http://www.change.org/petitions/17-year-olds-should-be-charged-as-adults-for-setting-cat-on-fire

Note: You can delete your address from your “profile” after you sign the petition, but it must be present for the signature to be valid.

2. Send a brief and polite letter or email to Gregg Bernstein, State's Attorney for Baltimore City, asking him to prosecute those who abuse, torture or kill animals to the fullest extent of the law, specifically the teenage perpetrators who intentionally set the cat “Mittens” on fire.

Gregg Bernstein

Office of the State's Attorney for Baltimore City

208 Mitchell Courthouse

110 North Calvert Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Email: gbernstein@stattorney.org

3. Send a brief and polite letter or email to Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake asking her to support police and animal control investigations and enforcement against those who perpetrate felony animal abuse crimes as in the case of the cat “Mittens.”

Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake

City Hall, Room 250

100 N. Holliday Street

Baltimore, Maryland 21202

Email: mayor@baltimorecity.gov

4. Send a brief and polite letter or email to Baltimore City Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld asking him to handle incidents of animal cruelty as seriously as other violent felony crimes. Police spokespersons indicated they already know that animal cruelty is an indicator of violent crimes against people.

Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld

Baltimore Police Department

c/o 242 W. 29th St.

Baltimore, MD 21211-2908

Email: frederick.bealefeld@baltimorepolice.org

5. Send a brief and polite letter to Major Johnny Delgado, Commander Northwestern District Police asking him to handle reports of animal cruelty as seriously as other violent felony crimes and as such to fully investigate these crimes.

Major Johnny Delgado, Commander

Northwestern District Police Station

c/o 242 W. 29th St.

Baltimore, MD 21211-2908

Disturbing pictures follow. Please stop reading now if you would prefer not to see them.

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Thank you again for considering helping with this petition and letter writing campaign! It's not just for Mittens. Your participation can help in the effort to set a standard of zero tolerance for animal cruelty.

Lisa