Judge Axel did not punish cat sodomizer to the fullest extent of the law
Steven Richard Schatz was sentenced by Judge Axel to 90 days in jail and 3 years probation - a period in which he is not to have a pet or live in a home that has a pet - and to pay $1,889 in veterinary bills to the owner of the cat, which was euthanized because of its injuries. Many animal groups are outraged at such a light sentence. We're seeking a much longer sentence to meet Maryland's Cruelty to Animal Statues.
Steven
Richard Schatz was sentenced by Judge Axel to 90 days in jail and 3
years probation - a period in which he is not to have a pet or live in
a home that has a pet - and to pay $1,889 in veterinary bills to the
owner of the cat, which was euthanized because of its injuries. Many
animal groups are outraged at such a light sentence.
Prosecutor
Lisa Vallario said she received more than 500 letters and a
petition asking that Schatz receive the maximum penalty for mutilating
an animal, a felony that carries up to three years in prison and a
$5,000 fine. Vallario asked that he be given 18 months in jail. That
petition and those letters were meant to have you bring on the harshest
punishment for his crime. This did not happen and so now
we're voicing our comments and suggestions to you. We are also sending letters to you, Governor
Robert L. Ehrlich, Jr., Lieutenant Governor Michael S. Steels, and
First Lady Kendel S. Ehrlich because the punishment did not fit the
crime and we feel that some laws were overlooked.
Maryland's Cruelty to Animal Statues states A person may not:
(i) Intentionally mutilate, torture, cruelly beat, or cruelly kill an animal;
(ii) Cause, procure, or authorize an act described in item (i) of this paragraph;
(iii) Use or allow a dog to be used in or arrange or conduct a dogfight;
(iv) Use or allow to be used a bird, fowl, or cock to fight with another animal, commonly
known as cockfighting; or
(v) Except in the case of self-defense, intentionally inflict bodily harm, permanent
disability, or death on an animal owned or used by a law enforcement unit.
(2) A person who violates this subsection is guilty of the felony of aggravated cruelty to
animals and on conviction is subject to:
(i) Imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both; and
(ii) Psychological counseling, as a condition of sentence, that is to be paid for by the
defendant.
Steven Richard Schatz was obviously a person who violated this subsection is guilty of the felony of aggravated cruelty to
animals and on conviction is subject to:
(i) Imprisonment not exceeding 3 years or a fine not exceeding $5,000 or both; and
(ii) Psychological counseling, as a condition of sentence, that is to be paid for by the
defendant.
Why
did this not happen and instead his crime was treated with a much
lighter sentence that obviously did not fit the crime? We seek that
this sentence be imposed and that the lighter one be withdrawn. assinar petiçãoassinar petição