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Posted by tinkerbell65 on January 17, 2003 at 23:51:15:

LETTER: Abuse in MN

SOURCE: IDA E-Newsletter, Jan. 9, 2003; bbwest@snet.net

The next hearing is scheduled for March 28th, 2003

CONTACT:
Assistant Carlton County Attorney Paul Shaffer
202 Courthouse
Carlton, MN 55718
Phone: 218.384.9166
Fax: 218.384.9181
Email: paul.shaffer@co.carlton.mn.us (co.carlton.mn.us)

SAMPLE LETTER:

Re: Animal Cruelty Case Against Michael Dean Weske

Mr. Shaffer:

The following letter accurately expresses my views regarding this issue.

I write to respectfully request that you seek a felony conviction against Michael Dean Weske for his role in the alleged dragging death of a dog.

According to news reports, on April 12, 2002, the Carlton County
sheriff's office responded to a report of a dog being dragged to death in the town of Moose Lake. An officer arrived on the scene to find a trail of blood almost a mile long running down the road.

The defendants, Michael Dean Weske and a juvenile, admitted that they tried to kill the dog because the dog's guardian was "sick of it." They reportedly dragged the dog behind an all-terrain vehicle at speeds of 20 mph, then beat him with a steel pipe. The mortally injured dog, however, did not die immediately. He somehow managed to drag himself all the way home, where he was apparently shot to be put out of his misery.

As you may know, social scientists and law enforcement officials have identified animal abuse as a symptom of emotional illness and a precursor to violent crimes against human beings. As a society, we must call a halt to the acceptance of cruelty to animals and enforce a policy of harsh punishment for these crimes. To allow individuals guilty of perpetrating such cruel acts to go unpunished or not sufficiently punished would be to sanction these horrific crimes and would permit them to go on to commit serious and violent crimes against humans.

It is my understanding that the juvenile already pleaded guilty and was sentenced for felony animal cruelty earlier this year. Please send a strong message to the community that this heinous act to a defenseless animal will not be tolerated by seeking a felony conviction against Mr. Weske as well. If found guilty, I ask that the harshest penalty be imposed, including the maximum jail sentence. In addition, I ask that he receive mandatory psychological counseling, and be prohibited from ever owning or harboring animals in the future.

Thank you for your valuable time and consideration.

Sincerely,

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