Hi -
In March of 2011, I read about the dog Patrick, found in a garbage chute, nearly starved to death
in New Jersey. A few weeks later there was a similar crime committed in my
hometown in Wisconsin. A dog named Snoop was left on a sidewalk to die after
being kept in a small pen and slowly starved to death. Shortly after that I saw on
the news, a 13 year old boy had set fire to a dog in Wisconsin.
I was appalled by these stories and wanted to do something about it. I wanted to know how
many animal abuse cases there were in my state and what happened to the offenders.
After doing some research, I found that in the state of Wisconsin,
these offenders were
getting off easy. I suspect they are in other states
too.
In the state of Wisconsin there were about 87 animal abuse cases from 2007 to 2010 - of those - only about 16 of the cases ended in a conviction. Wisconsin's
current penalties for animal abuse are: class A misdemeanor or felony I.
The penalty
for a Class A misdemeanor may include a fine up to $10,000, or imprisonment for
up to 9 months, or both. The penalty for a felony I is a fine of up to $10,000,
or imprisonment of up to 3-1/2 years, or both. On the surface, it appears that
Wisconsin has reasonable animal abuse/neglect laws and penalties – but if you look at what the crimes and convictions
were, you will see this is misleading. (See pet-abuse.com
for animal abuse cases in your state).
The 16 convictions and penalties in Wisconsin for animal abuse cases (2007 - 2010):
1)
Saint Croix, WI
Jan 1, 2010 – Dog sodomized with spoon had to be euthanized.
This person sentenced to 8 months in jail, and 3 years probation.
2)
Cazenovia, WI
May 19, 2009 - Seizure of more than 300 animals - some suffering from serious medical ailments, severely
matted fur and serious skin conditions, inside feces-ridden, unheated
barns and outdoor structures.
This person sentenced to 3 years of probation with no jail time.
3)
Green Bay, WI
Nov 23, 2008 - Man killed girlfriend’s dog by baking it in an oven.
This person sentenced 1year in prison and a 1 year of probation.
4)
Pittsville, WI
Nov 15, 2008 - Neglected and mistreated dozens of animals.
This person sentenced to 18 months of probation.
5)
Baileys Harbor, WI
Aug 22, 2008 - The Humane Society took more than sixty animals from property. They had to euthanize some of them.
This person sentenced to 3 years of probation.
6)
Fond du Lac, WI
Jun 23, 2008 - A man found living with 178 cats and a refrigerator containing dead
kittens.
This person sentenced to 1 year of probation and to complete community service.
7)
Metomen, WI
Apr 15, 2008 - Instigating fights between animals and training in a cockfighting
operation. Found a barn with at least 10 dead roosters still locked in individual cages, rotted remains of roosters and
10 unidentifiable carcasses.
Convicted – not sure of penalties as there were drug convictions involved.
8)
Middleton, WI
Apr 12, 2008 - Caused such serious injuries to a cat in his girlfriend's care that
the animal had to be euthanized.
This person sentenced to two years probation.
9)
Dexter, WI
Mar 5, 2008 - Humane Society had to take in 84 dogs, many of them diseased or injured.
This person sentenced to 30 days
in jail.
10)
Chippewa Falls, WI
Jan 16, 2008 - Kicking or throwing a dog against a wall, as entertainment.
This person sentenced to 2 years probation.
11)
Lamartine, WI
Dec 17, 2007 - Found several malnourished horses and dogs without food or water in a barn.
They also found manure a foot deep in some areas.
This was the second time for this person.
This person charged with a misdemeanor – not sure of sentence as second offense.
12)
Lime Ridge, WI
Nov 13, 2007 - Charged with mistreating and neglecting animals after
dogs were found without food or water in a house filled with their waste.
Not sure of sentence as there was burglary charges included.
13)
Appleton, WI
Sep 27, 2007 - Hanged one of his dogs in his garage because he was angry that the
animal nipped at him and defecated in the house.
This person sentenced to 1 year in jail.
14)
Appleton, WI
Sep 6, 2007 – Man threw his girlfriend's cat into a wall and then into trash can.
Cat found alive.
This person was sentenced to 1 month in jail.
15) Two Rivers, WI
Aug 15, 2007 - Man who repeatedly stabbed his dog in a drunken rage.
Not sure of sentence as it was the man’s 7th drunk driving offense.
16) Fond du Lac, WI
Jan 31, 2007 - Several cats and at least one dog were found dead. One cat was so malnourished its legs were about the diameter of a pencil.
This person sentenced to 5 years probation.
The Human Society of United States has released a “Humane State Ranking”. This is a report rating all 50 states on animal protection laws. (Find your
state ranking - Humane State Ranking)
At the top of the list is California and at the bottom of this list is South Dakota. Wisconsin’ ranks about 29th on the list.
Unfortunately, there are major gaps in all the laws throughout the nation. Most states have vague laws and it is extremely
difficult to convict these offenders.
Research shows a big correlation between animal abuse and abusing people – particularly the helpless – children and
the elderly. We need to protect society from these offenders - like sex offenders - they are a real danger to society and the laws should treat
them so.
After realizing all of this, I wanted to write my state officials about stricter
animal abuse laws for Wisconsin. First, I had to come up with a letter. I wasn’t sure of how to write a state official or just what I should say.
I had to look up my states animal abuse laws, find my state officials and their contact information, research animal abuse cases in my state and the convictions, and try
to find a sample letter of the proper way to write a state official.
I thought it would be nice to have a simple website with all of this in one place, including sample letters to write to make it less complicated and time consuming.
I created this website in hopes that it will make it a little easier to write state
officials for stricter animal abuse laws and that more people will be encouraged
to do so.
"Until one has loved an animal, a part of one's soul remains
unawakened." ~ Anatole France
Thanks,
Cindy Henschel - Wisconsin
|