See that Justice is Served in Jacksonville regarding Pastor Vincent Kohn’s cruelty to animals.

We, the Undersigned, endorse the following petition:

See that Justice is Served in Jacksonville regarding Pastor Vincent Kohn’s cruelty to animals.

Target: Chief Flagler of Jacksonville Animal Care and Control Center jaxpets@coj.net, Attorney Harry Shorstein Fourth Judicial Circuit Court sao4th@coj.net

Sponsor: Chantelle Littlejohn ,

              Assistant Animal Advocate, Research, Case Developments

              Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport

Division Chief: David Flagler

Animal Care and Control Center

Jacksonville, FL 32254

1-904-387-8924

jaxpets@coj.net

February 23, 2006

Dear Chief Flagler,

My name is Chantelle Littlejohn and I am a volunteer with Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport. On February 6, 2006, Channel 4-news reporter, Jennifer Waugh, ran a report on a Pastor Vincent Kohn, who reportedly was seen throwing puppies from his pick-up truck. www.news4jax.com/news/6791138/detail.html

According to Jacksonville Animal Care and Control (ACC) ordinances, when a person treats an animal so as to cause unnecessary torment, or deprives an animal of necessary sustenance or shelter, said individual is punishable as provided in s. 775.082 or by a fine of not more than $5,000, or both. www.animal-law.org/statutes/florida.htm

Florida Statutes Title XLVI. Crimes
Chapter 828. Animals: Cruelty; Sales; Animal Enterprise Protection
Effective July 8, 2004
828.12 Cruelty to animals: subsection 1.

According to Part 2, Section 462.201, page 12, ACC ordinances also state that, “It shall be unlawful for any person to cause, procure or inflict cruelty to or upon animal, whether or not such cruelty results in severe injury or death. For purposes of this part, it shall be considered causing, procuring and/or inflicting cruelty, if one or more of the following occurs:

Page 13: subsection (e) “Any act, omission or neglect whereby unnecessary or unjustifiable pain or suffering is cause, permitted or allowed to continue when there is reasonable remedy or relief.” Said individual is subject to, “a civil fine of $500.00”

According to Part 2, Section 462.203, Neglecting or abandoning animals (page 13), “It shall be unlawful for any person to neglect or abandon an animal. For purposes of this part, it shall be considered neglect or abandonment if one or more of the following occurs:” (Page 14)  (a) failure to provide “sufficient water; sufficient wholesome food, adequate shelter with sufficient floor, three walls and a roof to protect the animal from the weather, extreme temperature and direct sunlight; [and] veterinary care to prevent suffering.” Subsection (d) includes “leaving the animal upon or beside any street, road or other public or privet place” as also in violation of the ordinances set by ACC.

By disposing of the puppies, in the manner committed, Mr. Kohn broke the animal care laws in subsection (a) and (d). Mr. Kohn could have turned over the dogs to the ACC who has provisions under Part 6, Section 462.604 Voluntary surrender by owner, for unwanted animals. “A violation of this section (Part 6, Section 462.604) shall subject the violator to a civil fine of $500.00” By abandoning the dogs in the manner committed, Mr. Kohn clearly violated the above listed ordinances.

We, the Undersigned, ask that the Department of Animal Care and Control and State Attorney Shorstein take legal action against Pastor Vincent Kohn for each individual puppy he abandoned and see that the laws are upheld in Florida.

Sincerely,

Ms. Chantelle Littlejohn

Volunteer

Puppy Passions Rescue & Transport