Getting Justice for Sweetie the dog

Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport

To the Honorable Bill Graham, DA,

  Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport, a Texas-based animal rescue organization has learned of the horrid events that occurred in May 2005; when “Sweetie” was found with a wire twisted around her waist.  The enclosed image will remind you of the damage that was done to this animal at the hands of the alleged owner, Robert Lee Richardson. 

  Luckily, “Sweetie” was saved by Nancy Seevers, founder of Rainbow Rescue and had the wire removed immediately by a veterinarian and is slowly recovering and healing from her ordeal.  She is in a foster home and playing with her fellow foster dog but what happened to “Sweetie” should NOT be allowed to be swept under the rug or put on a back burner, hoping that it will go away.  People in our society who commit such vile and sick acts on animals are a serious warning signal for us.  You can check any source you wish and you’ll discover that committing such acts of violence and cruelty towards another species, will eventually grow into committing similar crimes against human beings; either children or other adults. 

  I realize that this case has been postponed until January 3, 2006 but I implore you to not delay the case any further than this; by delaying Robert Lee’s trial any further, gives him and his attorney more time to try and worm their way out of accepting responsibility for this heinous act of cruelty and downright torture inflicted on “Sweetie”.  We at Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport find absolutely NO excuses justifiable enough to warrant allowing such actions to go unpunished; and we don’t mean just a slap on the wrist and some community time.  We suggest that Mr. Richardson be jailed for the maximum time allowable in the state of North Carolina as well as undergo psychiatric therapy while in prison.  We also highly recommend that this man NEVER be allowed to have another animal of any kind for the remainder of his life.  By committing such horrendous crimes against another living being, this man should rightfully lose any future rights at having an animal in his life, to possibly hurt again.  Also, by making him undergo therapy while in prison, it at least offers the chance for him to understand why he did such a thing to an innocent creature and hopefully see why such behavior is not only unacceptable but also immoral and sickening to a high degree.  If Mr. Richardson were to actually learn the error of his ways, perhaps he can help others who have been convicted of similar acts of violence against animals and help to break the cycle of abuse before it worsens in the future. 

  The way we see it, Mr. Graham, you really have only one sensible option in this case, upon having Mr. Richardson proven guilty.  And that option is to give Mr. Richardson the maximum sentence allowable by North Carolina laws, as well as removing all future rights of having an animal under his care and also making him take therapy sessions to try and get to the root of his problem.  Do not allow “Sweetie”s suffering and pain to be in vain when you have the power to bring this man to justice. 

Sincerely,

Mike Sexton

VP Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport

Reference: rrdailyherald.com - June 9, 2005