Justice for Beauregard and Millie
- by: Louise Adkins
- recipient: Judge John Adkins, Circleville Municipal Court
On April 2, 2006, Beauregard, a beagle-basset mix – and a Hurricane Katrina survivor – along with his playmate Millie, another rescued beagle, were murdered by Kenneth F. Cox III, while following a deer on an adjacent farm near Circleville, OH. Mr. Cox shot the two dogs with a 9mm handgun. After originally confessing to the shootings, he pleaded ‘not guilty’ to animal cruelty at his arraignment, claiming one of the dogs "growled” at him. He stated he “shot the dog that growled at him, then shot the second dog that was just standing near the first dog.” Both dogs were across a woven wire fence and were shot directly through their sides.
Mr. Cox's trial date is set for October 4, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for additional information on the history of the case. By signing this petition, you are asking Judge John Adkins and Prosecutor Gary Kenworthy to punish Mr. Cox to the fullest extent of Ohio law which is a $750 fine and up to 90 days imprisonment for a 2nd degree misdemeanor.
You are also voicing your concern that Ohio's animal cruelty laws are some of the most lenient in the United States, where now 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands consider certain types of animal cruelty to be a felony on the first offense.
Mr. Cox's trial date is set for October 4, 2006 at 3:00 P.M. Please click on the link at the bottom of the page for additional information on the history of the case. By signing this petition, you are asking Judge John Adkins and Prosecutor Gary Kenworthy to punish Mr. Cox to the fullest extent of Ohio law which is a $750 fine and up to 90 days imprisonment for a 2nd degree misdemeanor.
You are also voicing your concern that Ohio's animal cruelty laws are some of the most lenient in the United States, where now 42 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands consider certain types of animal cruelty to be a felony on the first offense.
We the undersigned urge you to do everything in your power to make Kenneth F. Cox III understand that the people of Ohio, the United States, and the world will no longer tolerate the inhumane treatment of animals. Since Hurricane Katrina, the citizens of the world are increasingly giving voice to concerns for the safety of companion animals during disasters as well as in every day life. We believe that Mr. Cox should receive the maximum punishment allowed by Ohio State law for the following reasons:
1) Animal cruelty is an act of violence which is often an indicator of other violence that is being perpetrated along with animal abuse, or a predictor that such individuals are at high risk of becoming increasingly violent offenders. It is a well documented fact that the victimization and abuse of a pet often coincides with the physical abuse of children, women and even the elderly. There are many examples of early life histories of violent offenders showing a connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence - especially amongst repeat offenders.
2) Mr. Kenneth Cox is a repeat offender with thirteen prior charges since 1994 including three criminal charges: one for receiving stolen property, two for illegal hunting (without permission and using a rifle during bow season), and ten misdemeanor charges for traffic violations. This shows a serious lack of respect for property rights and the law itself.
3) Beauregard and Millie were dogs that were rescued from deplorable situations in the hopes they would never know cruelty or neglect again, but live out their lives as happy companion pets. Beauregard, a beagle/basset mix managed to survive over a month with no food or clean water in the twice severely flooded area of St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina, and Millie was rescued from unhealthy conditions in southern Ohio. Neither of these dogs deserved to die because they were having fun chasing a deer on a neighboring property.
4) Mr. Cox stated that he shot the dogs because they “growled at him through a fence”, according to a story that appeared on MSNBC.com on May 10, 2006. Beagles are not known to be aggressive dogs, indeed they are known to be friendly, social animals that enjoy companionship and a zest for life - not the type to attack. Beagles love to smell things. Their noses control their brains. The beagle’s entire existence is consumed by following the scent. As a result of their hunting heritage, beagles may be quick to bark when they discover an intriguing scent, and will “tongue” (produce a baying sound) when in pursuit of their quarry.” This sound is very possibly what Mr. Cox refers to as a ‘growl’ as the dogs were pursuing a deer. Since Beauregard weighed just 34 pounds and Millie less than 25, it is hard to believe that Mr. Cox was ever in any danger from short stubby legs across a woven wire fence. According to Mr. Cox’s statement, his reason for shooting Millie was because she just “stood there”. Indeed both dogs were shot directly through their sides which would indicate they never even saw Mr. Cox and were the victims of a man whose apparent goal that day was to kill something.
6) If this act of animal cruelty had taken place in a different state, the outcome could be much different. Forty-two states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands consider certain types of animal cruelty a felony on the first offense. Ohio’s laws are comparatively lenient regarding animal cruelty charges - both in terms of fines and imprisonment - the first offense being a 2nd degree misdemeanor with a $750 fine and up to 90 days imprisonment.
For all the reasons stated above, we ask that the court punish Mr. Kenneth F. Cox III to the fullest extent of Ohio’s Statute 959.13 for each offense.
1) Animal cruelty is an act of violence which is often an indicator of other violence that is being perpetrated along with animal abuse, or a predictor that such individuals are at high risk of becoming increasingly violent offenders. It is a well documented fact that the victimization and abuse of a pet often coincides with the physical abuse of children, women and even the elderly. There are many examples of early life histories of violent offenders showing a connection between animal cruelty and domestic violence - especially amongst repeat offenders.
2) Mr. Kenneth Cox is a repeat offender with thirteen prior charges since 1994 including three criminal charges: one for receiving stolen property, two for illegal hunting (without permission and using a rifle during bow season), and ten misdemeanor charges for traffic violations. This shows a serious lack of respect for property rights and the law itself.
3) Beauregard and Millie were dogs that were rescued from deplorable situations in the hopes they would never know cruelty or neglect again, but live out their lives as happy companion pets. Beauregard, a beagle/basset mix managed to survive over a month with no food or clean water in the twice severely flooded area of St. Bernard Parish after Hurricane Katrina, and Millie was rescued from unhealthy conditions in southern Ohio. Neither of these dogs deserved to die because they were having fun chasing a deer on a neighboring property.
4) Mr. Cox stated that he shot the dogs because they “growled at him through a fence”, according to a story that appeared on MSNBC.com on May 10, 2006. Beagles are not known to be aggressive dogs, indeed they are known to be friendly, social animals that enjoy companionship and a zest for life - not the type to attack. Beagles love to smell things. Their noses control their brains. The beagle’s entire existence is consumed by following the scent. As a result of their hunting heritage, beagles may be quick to bark when they discover an intriguing scent, and will “tongue” (produce a baying sound) when in pursuit of their quarry.” This sound is very possibly what Mr. Cox refers to as a ‘growl’ as the dogs were pursuing a deer. Since Beauregard weighed just 34 pounds and Millie less than 25, it is hard to believe that Mr. Cox was ever in any danger from short stubby legs across a woven wire fence. According to Mr. Cox’s statement, his reason for shooting Millie was because she just “stood there”. Indeed both dogs were shot directly through their sides which would indicate they never even saw Mr. Cox and were the victims of a man whose apparent goal that day was to kill something.
5) Animal cruelty is a crime that creates enormous public concern. People should be frightened by the prospect of there being little consequences or interventions for violent offenders who brutally and intentionally take the lives of innocent victims. We must recognize that violence is violence and that intentional cruelty to animals is a violent act that traumatizes not only the creatures who are victimized, but also the people who care for them and the community as a whole.
6) If this act of animal cruelty had taken place in a different state, the outcome could be much different. Forty-two states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands consider certain types of animal cruelty a felony on the first offense. Ohio’s laws are comparatively lenient regarding animal cruelty charges - both in terms of fines and imprisonment - the first offense being a 2nd degree misdemeanor with a $750 fine and up to 90 days imprisonment.
For all the reasons stated above, we ask that the court punish Mr. Kenneth F. Cox III to the fullest extent of Ohio’s Statute 959.13 for each offense.
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