Animal advocates in Tennessee are DEMANDING that FELONY charges be filed against Christopher Lee Barnett, owner of Lucas the 2 year old pure bred Siberian Husky. Barnett was observed by his neighbor viciously beating the dog unconscious. The neighbor investigated, said the dog appeared dead, but actually was unconscious and bleeding from the mouth. The neighbor swore out a warrant against Barnett for the brutal attack and the local humane society took custody of Lucas.
http://mythreedals.com/lucasthedog.html
Read this website for more info!
The humane society had Lucas examined by a local veterinarian. The results of that examination were horrific, telling the story of previous abuse and cruelty. Thirty of his teeth had been filed down to the gumline and even worse! The veterinarian commented that Lucas had to have been semi-conscious or unconscious to endure that much dental damage.
Barnett is a farrier (horseshoer) by trade, and it has been speculated that Barnett used a wood rasp or hoof rasp to do this damage to Lucas' teeth. The nerves in the teeth were exposed and Lucas had to be in intense pain.
Sadly, Barnett is charged only with a misdemeanor at present. Animal advocates want to see the charges upgraded to a Class E Felony, Aggravated Animal Cruelty, under Tennessee Code Annotated (TCA) 39-14-212. This petition will be presented to the court on April 1, 2008, and the originators will stress that this type of abuse will NOT be tolerated - by Barnett or any other citizen.
Additionally, those in favor of stronger charges (Felony) against Barnett are urged to write:
The District Attorney's Office
The Honorable Lisa Zavagiannis
131 EAST MAIN ST
McMinnville, TN 37110
Phone: (931) 473-9572
Fax: (931) 473-7410
Let's send a strong message to the DA's office and to the general public that Tennesseans demand justice for Lucas!
http://mythreedals.com/lucasthedog.html
Dear DA Zavogiannis:
The undersigned Animal Advocates respectfully request that you review the misdeamnor charges of animal abuse against Christopher Lee Barnett and upgrade those charges to a Class E Felony under TCA 39-14-212. Please send a strong message to the community that abuse and cruelty of this type will not be tolerated in Tennessee and that Lucas, the pure bred Siberian Husky, will receive justice under the law. Additionally, Mr. Barnett should be subjected to jail time and an appropriate fine. Finally, he shall not be allowed to own domestic pets ever again.
Sincerely yours,
Animal Advocates in Tennessee 