Protecting livestock = felony charges

[MOhillbilly]

Dogs that chase livestock should be shot no questions asked. It takes alot of time and money to take care of animals properly only to have a dog run them to ruin because the dogs owners arent responcible.
PETA will spin it anyway they can to there advantage, and id lay odds that not a one of these goofs have ever lost a valuable asset to there buis. to a unrestrained animal.




NATIONAL ANIMAL-RIGHTS GROUP URGES COUNSELING FOR DOG GUNMAN
By Chris Keegan - The Sun Staff
CHARLESTOWN - A national animal rights group wants a King’s Factory Road man charged with shooting his neighbor’s dog to undergo a psychological exam and mandatory counseling if he’s convicted of the crime.
In a letter to Charlestown Solicitor Peter D. Ruggiero, Dan Paden of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals asked the town prosecutor to push for an evaluation and therapy should Richard Heines, 63, of 820 King’s Factory Road, face sentencing in the death of a female Rottweiler.

On March 27, Heines told Patrolman Philip B. Gingerella that he shot neighbor Walter Bentley’s pet with a .22 calibur rifle earlier that day because the animal had chased his chickens and growled at him in the past, according to police reports.

The dog - which reportedly wandered from Bentley’s yard minutes before its owner heard gunshots on Heines’s property - suffered bullet wounds to the head, nose and shoulder, and was later put down by the patrolman.

"The viciousness shown in shooting helpless animals must not go unpunished," Paden wrote in PETA’s April 25 letter to Ruggiero. "Area residents have reason to be concerned. According to leading mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat not only to other animals but to the community as a whole."

"Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers and given the violent nature of his alleged actions that day," Paden added, "we implore your office to take every measure necessary to ensure that Heines, if convicted, is prohibited from contact with animals and to immediately seize any animals who may remain in his charge."
Charlestown Police have charged Heines with two criminal misdemeanors - mistreating and unnecessarily torturing a domestic animal. He is expected to appear in Fourth Division District Court today for a pre-trial hearing in the case.

Paden said PETA’s involvement in animal cruelty cases varies. The Norfolk, Va.-based group addressed Ruggeiro with their concerns after receiving about a dozen phone calls and e-mails from readers of The Sun, he said.

"Typically, our first step is to write a letter to prosecutors with our concerns and recommendations," Paden said. "If we get the sense that the case is not taken seriously, or if a weak plea deal is in the works, we may encourage those who have expressed concern to write to prosecutors or to the judge, or to attend hearings. In the past, that has certainly been effective."

Though PETA’s letter is addressed to Ruggeiro, Charlestown Police Lt. Jack Shippee said Assistant Solicitor Jennifer Sternick is handling the department’s case.
Heines is currently facing up to 11 months in prison on each misdemeanor count. Shippee said he could have been charged with the malicious killing of an animal - a felony count that carries a maximum of two years in prison and up to a $1,000 fine, according to state statute.

"We realize that he could have been charged with a felony, but the Attorney General’s office would have handled the case from there," Shippee said. "The reason we chose to do two misdemeanors is so we can have more control over the sentencing."

Additionally, Shippee said a felony charge levied against Heines would have required the dog’s body to be exhumed. A necropsy would have had to be performed by the Rhode Island Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, with the remains stored in a freezer until District Court proceedings concluded, he said.

"Taking into account the owner’s feelings, it was not the right thing to do," Shippee said.

http://www.thewesterlysun.com/articl...ews/news03.txt

[Katipan]

im ok with it

[StcChief]

because the animal had chased his chickens

What about cruelity to the chickens.

PETA can KMA

[BigMeatballDave]

If a stray animal is on my property and ****ing with me or my animals(if i had any)I'd shoot it, too.

[BIG_DADDY]

These guys are so deceptive it isn't even funny. Truth be known they are for systematically ending the ownership of ALL domestic animals. If they think this guy should be charged, punished and sent to counseling I wonder what they think should be done with their own members that pick up people's dogs and tell them they will find it a new home just before they kill them and dump the bodies in the dumpster behind Safeway.

[JBucc]

If a dog attacks your livestock you should be able to shoot it, and if a PETA member attacks you for shooting the dog, you should be able to shoot it. PETA should be angry at irresponsible dog owners that can't control there pets.

[BIG_DADDY]

Originally Posted by BigChiefDave

If a stray animal is on my property and ****ing with me or my animals(if i had any)I'd shoot it, too.

Or a stray PETA member coming on the property as well.

[Katipan]

just cuz it's kinda unclear

I'm okay with him shooting the dog.

[ct]

BS Screw around with someone's livestock, and you WILL be shot! End of discussion.

[vailpass]

I have a problem with this. Using a .22 was cruel and caused the dog unnecessary pain. If you're going to shoot a dog use your 30-06 or other suitable firearm to put him down with one shot.
If you don't want your dog taken out keep your dog on your own property.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by BIG_DADDY

These guys are so deceptive it isn't even funny. Truth be known they are for systematically ending the ownership of ALL domestic animals. If they think this guy should be charged, punished and sent to counseling I wonder what they think should be done with their own members that pick up people's dogs and tell them they will find it a new home just before they kill them and dump the bodies in the dumpster behind Safeway.

Thats what bothers me the most- the fact that they are still listened to and grandstand about one thing and are backhanded about the other.
WTF do the have ANY say in the law of the land?

[donkhater]

I was raised on a farm that my dad co-owned with his brother. My uncle seem to get a different dog every summer. Some of the the dogs would chase hogs or cattle when it was 90+ degrees out. And every time, my uncle put them down with a .22. Unfortunately, the dogs that usually were decent seemed to get hit crossing the highway.

[MOhillbilly]

Originally Posted by vailpass

I have a problem with this. Using a .22 was cruel and caused the dog unnecessary pain. If you're going to shoot a dog use your 30-06 or other suitable firearm to put him down with one shot.
If you don't want your dog taken out keep your dog on your own property.

Who shoots a 30-06 from ground to ground when they have nieghbors?
A 12 gauge slug would be best,but you cant always get that in the spur of the moment.(shotguns in the bedroom .22s on the back porch.
hes an old man maybe he had the shakes. And its not like he shot the dog in the ass. acouple kill placement shot, and im bet by the time the patrolman got there the dog was dead he just didnt know it.

[ct]

Originally Posted by JBucc

If a dog attacks your livestock you should be able to shoot it (agree), and if a PETA member attacks you for shooting the dog, you should be able to shoot it . PETA should be angry at irresponsible dog owners that can't control there pets.(absolutely!!)

[BIG_DADDY]

I just wish one of these PETA ****s would throw some blood on me after having chicken dinner at KFC.