Pit bull locked in closet, starved to death

18-year-old woman, Rickeya Davis, faces felony charges stemming from her alleged abandonment of a puppy inside a barricaded kitchen closet late last month when she went away for two weeks. No food or water was found inside the closet.

A necropsy revealed that the pit bull had survived at least 12 days before succumbing to thirst and starvation. Davis has reportedly been charged with possession of stolen property and drugs as well as cruelty to animals.

We petition The Honorable Frank J. Clark that if convicted and in addition to a period of incarceration—Davis be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling. We ask that you also urge authorities to ban Davis for life from contact with animals per Article 26, § 374.5(c) of New York Consolidated Laws and to immediately find and seize any animals who remain in her charge.