Justice for Defenseless, Injured Cat Beaten to Death by Harrisonburg, Virginia Police Officer
- by: The Worldwide Community of Companion Animal Guardians, Enthusiasts, Activists, and Champions
- recipient: Harrisonburg, Virginia City Manager Kurt Hodgen; Harrisonburg, VA Chief of Police Colonel D. G. Harper; Harrisonburg, VA Mayor Richard Baugh; Harrisonburg, VA Vice-Mayor Ted Byrd; Commonwealth of Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell
On November 11, 2011, a Mr. Wayne Meadows of Harrisonburg Virginia USA rescued a cat from the side of the road who was badly injured, having been struck by a vehicle. Arriving home, Mr. Meadows contacted the Harrisonburg, Virginia Police Department regarding the injured feline. An officer responded to the home of Mr. Meadows for the call for the injured cat.
Keeping in mind, the hours of service for animal control officers, Harrisonburg Virginia has several veterinary clinics and hospitals offering 24-hour emergency services for injured animals (A number of area vets offer on-call after-hours emergency services who can be contacted by phone number listed and will report to their hospital/clinic after hours if their services are required for an emergency). There was no attempt made by anyone to contact any veterinarian or animal control officer. This officer's brutality is a testament unto itself.
After an examination by the officer who has no veterinary skills or training whatsoever, the officer determined Mr. Meadows had only two choices: To leave the animal suffer and die, or to euthanize the poor cat. Mr. Meadows, trusting the civil servant serving his community recommended perhaps euthanization would be best. The officer had the cat on the side of the house belonging Mr. Meadows. The officer drew from his belt his baton (sometimes called a night stick) and proceeded to strike the suffering cat repeatedly, brutally murdering the cat with torturous, unspeakable cruelty.
After the barbaric slaughter, Mr. Meadows was so shaken, he contacted news teams, reported the incident to others, and still had to clean the cat's blood from the side of his house. Mr. Meadows could not stay in his house that night, haunted by images of a poor, defenseless, injured cat being beaten to death by an officer who was hired by the city to protect and to serve.
The officer showed no compassion. There was no hesitation to kill. The officer's total lack of compassion and humanity clearly indicate he is not fit to work as a licensed peace officer, charged with protecting and serving the people, for whom his humanity and compassion may also be disturbingly absent.
The Harrisonburg Police Department spokeswoman Mary-Hope Vass declined to say whether the officer was disciplined, and said the department is reviewing its policy for handling animal complaints after an officer euthanized an injured cat by beating it with his baton. The department said in a statement this week that it conducted an internal investigation and took appropriate actions.
According to the laws of the State of Virginia:
§ 3.2-6570. Cruelty to animals; penalty.
F. Any person who: (i) tortures, willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain not connected with bona fide scientific or medical experimentation or cruelly and unnecessarily beats, maims or mutilates any dog or cat that is a companion animal whether belonging to him or another; and (ii) as a direct result causes the death of such dog or cat that is a companion animal, or the euthanasia of such animal on the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian upon determination that such euthanasia was necessary due to the condition of the animal, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
The authorized punishments for conviction of a felony are:
(f) For Class 6 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
If a common citizen, not in the employ of the municipality had committed this atrocity, certainly they would be dealt with according to the law. A police officer in the United States of America is a citizen first and a peace officer second. As a citizen, this officer should be dealt with according to the criminal code of Virginia.
Every city, county, state, and jurisdiction is responsible for instituting standard operating procedures and policies for emergencies such as this. Most of the time, the district has an animal control officer. In the event an animal control officer is not available, it is the district's responsibility to have in place a plan for recalling to duty an animal control officer and/or licensed veterinarian after hours to handle emergencies with injured animals.
Harrisonburg Virginia has several veterinarians who offer 24-hour emergency services. No matter the hour this event occurred, it is unacceptable that the officer did not attempt to contact a veterinarian. Instead, the officer decided the cat must die and proceeded to brutally assault the poor defenseless cat, causing great suffering and an agonizing death.
As concerned companion animal guardians, enthusiasts, activists, protectors, and champions, it is our moral duty that an example be made and this so-called "officer" be held accountable for his barbaric criminal act, and to see to it that nothing like this ever happens again!
Keeping in mind, the hours of service for animal control officers, Harrisonburg Virginia has several veterinary clinics and hospitals offering 24-hour emergency services for injured animals (A number of area vets offer on-call after-hours emergency services who can be contacted by phone number listed and will report to their hospital/clinic after hours if their services are required for an emergency). There was no attempt made by anyone to contact any veterinarian or animal control officer. This officer's brutality is a testament unto itself.
After an examination by the officer who has no veterinary skills or training whatsoever, the officer determined Mr. Meadows had only two choices: To leave the animal suffer and die, or to euthanize the poor cat. Mr. Meadows, trusting the civil servant serving his community recommended perhaps euthanization would be best. The officer had the cat on the side of the house belonging Mr. Meadows. The officer drew from his belt his baton (sometimes called a night stick) and proceeded to strike the suffering cat repeatedly, brutally murdering the cat with torturous, unspeakable cruelty.
After the barbaric slaughter, Mr. Meadows was so shaken, he contacted news teams, reported the incident to others, and still had to clean the cat's blood from the side of his house. Mr. Meadows could not stay in his house that night, haunted by images of a poor, defenseless, injured cat being beaten to death by an officer who was hired by the city to protect and to serve.
The officer showed no compassion. There was no hesitation to kill. The officer's total lack of compassion and humanity clearly indicate he is not fit to work as a licensed peace officer, charged with protecting and serving the people, for whom his humanity and compassion may also be disturbingly absent.
The Harrisonburg Police Department spokeswoman Mary-Hope Vass declined to say whether the officer was disciplined, and said the department is reviewing its policy for handling animal complaints after an officer euthanized an injured cat by beating it with his baton. The department said in a statement this week that it conducted an internal investigation and took appropriate actions.
According to the laws of the State of Virginia:
§ 3.2-6570. Cruelty to animals; penalty.
F. Any person who: (i) tortures, willfully inflicts inhumane injury or pain not connected with bona fide scientific or medical experimentation or cruelly and unnecessarily beats, maims or mutilates any dog or cat that is a companion animal whether belonging to him or another; and (ii) as a direct result causes the death of such dog or cat that is a companion animal, or the euthanasia of such animal on the recommendation of a licensed veterinarian upon determination that such euthanasia was necessary due to the condition of the animal, is guilty of a Class 6 felony.
The authorized punishments for conviction of a felony are:
(f) For Class 6 felonies, a term of imprisonment of not less than one year nor more than five years, or in the discretion of the jury or the court trying the case without a jury, confinement in jail for not more than 12 months and a fine of not more than $2,500, either or both.
If a common citizen, not in the employ of the municipality had committed this atrocity, certainly they would be dealt with according to the law. A police officer in the United States of America is a citizen first and a peace officer second. As a citizen, this officer should be dealt with according to the criminal code of Virginia.
Every city, county, state, and jurisdiction is responsible for instituting standard operating procedures and policies for emergencies such as this. Most of the time, the district has an animal control officer. In the event an animal control officer is not available, it is the district's responsibility to have in place a plan for recalling to duty an animal control officer and/or licensed veterinarian after hours to handle emergencies with injured animals.
Harrisonburg Virginia has several veterinarians who offer 24-hour emergency services. No matter the hour this event occurred, it is unacceptable that the officer did not attempt to contact a veterinarian. Instead, the officer decided the cat must die and proceeded to brutally assault the poor defenseless cat, causing great suffering and an agonizing death.
As concerned companion animal guardians, enthusiasts, activists, protectors, and champions, it is our moral duty that an example be made and this so-called "officer" be held accountable for his barbaric criminal act, and to see to it that nothing like this ever happens again!
We, the undersigned are enthusiasts, defenders, guardians, and activists of companion animals from all over the world. We are greatly outraged at the behavior of the officer from your department, in response to an injured cat on November 11, 2011.
Police are not trained veterinarians, nor are they qualified to make a decision regarding the health and welfare of an animal. The Harrisonburg, Virginia area has several licensed veterinarians offering 24-hour emergency services for injured animals, yet no attempt was made to contact even one. The officer's decision to execute the injured cat is unacceptable. Furthermore, the officer's method of execution: clubbing the defenseless feline to death with a police baton, is nothing short of barbarism. This calls into question not only the department's policies regarding animals, but the psychology surrounding the officer's inhumane ability to carry out such a brutal assault with no compassion or remorse.
It is the will respectful demand of the undersigned:
{} This event be investigated fully by the City of Harrisonburg and its non-police citizens and the State of Virginia as appropriate.
{} The responding officer be dealt with as a common citizen under Virginia Code § 3.2-6570
{} The responding officer be immediately dismissed; AND the duty officer, and the Police Department's commanding officer(s) disciplined and a reprimand for committing and/or allowing for the commission of a blatant act of animal cruelty by someone entrusted as a civil servant peace officer, while under the supervision of and/or under the command of the same for the community, to be entered into their permanent record(s).
{} All relevant Standard Operating Procedures of the Harrisonburg Police Department be changed under supervision of elected officials to include clearly defined methods of response and actions regarding animal welfare, including the service of a 24-hour response of a properly trained and licensed animal control officer(s) and/or a properly trained and licensed veterinarian; The decision for actions regarding health of an animal, inured or healthy will be removed from officers and police administration except in dire circumstances such as those present in a serious large animal attack where there is immediate, imminent threat to life or loss of limb.
{} A public apology by the officer or properly appointed Police Spokesperson for the brutality inflicted upon an injured, defenseless animal, and through actions taken, upon the community, over which a dark cloud now lingers with memories and nightmares of inhumanity; Assure the public through oath no such assault shall ever take place again by any civil servant for the community; Enforce the oath with severe public disciplinary action for violation.
Sign PetitionSign PetitionPolice are not trained veterinarians, nor are they qualified to make a decision regarding the health and welfare of an animal. The Harrisonburg, Virginia area has several licensed veterinarians offering 24-hour emergency services for injured animals, yet no attempt was made to contact even one. The officer's decision to execute the injured cat is unacceptable. Furthermore, the officer's method of execution: clubbing the defenseless feline to death with a police baton, is nothing short of barbarism. This calls into question not only the department's policies regarding animals, but the psychology surrounding the officer's inhumane ability to carry out such a brutal assault with no compassion or remorse.
It is the will respectful demand of the undersigned:
{} This event be investigated fully by the City of Harrisonburg and its non-police citizens and the State of Virginia as appropriate.
{} The responding officer be dealt with as a common citizen under Virginia Code § 3.2-6570
{} The responding officer be immediately dismissed; AND the duty officer, and the Police Department's commanding officer(s) disciplined and a reprimand for committing and/or allowing for the commission of a blatant act of animal cruelty by someone entrusted as a civil servant peace officer, while under the supervision of and/or under the command of the same for the community, to be entered into their permanent record(s).
{} All relevant Standard Operating Procedures of the Harrisonburg Police Department be changed under supervision of elected officials to include clearly defined methods of response and actions regarding animal welfare, including the service of a 24-hour response of a properly trained and licensed animal control officer(s) and/or a properly trained and licensed veterinarian; The decision for actions regarding health of an animal, inured or healthy will be removed from officers and police administration except in dire circumstances such as those present in a serious large animal attack where there is immediate, imminent threat to life or loss of limb.
{} A public apology by the officer or properly appointed Police Spokesperson for the brutality inflicted upon an injured, defenseless animal, and through actions taken, upon the community, over which a dark cloud now lingers with memories and nightmares of inhumanity; Assure the public through oath no such assault shall ever take place again by any civil servant for the community; Enforce the oath with severe public disciplinary action for violation.
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