Terrible case of kitten abuse

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And some letters/calls would be helpful to bring this guy to justice.View this articleView Vacaville ReporterTerrible case of kitten abuse By Maite KroppSunday, July 18, 2004 - Witnesses on Nov. 28, 2003, reportedly saw landscaper Richard Henri Jenkinson allegedly kicking a!

kitten against the fence near his home. And ever since, the kitten named Tiger has changed the life of many people who have to face the fact that their cats had been on the wrong side of the fence. However, this fact does not translate to condoning such alleged illegal animal abuse. Responding to neighbor's calls, an animal services officer found the injured kitten unable to move. Jenkinson denied the brutal kicking of the kitten; the animal control agency issued a citation for misdemeanor cruelty to an animal. Tiger was taken to the Contra Costa Veterinary Emergency Clinic. Veterinarian Richard Groff concluded in his written report that the small kitten had "bruised lungs and a concussion due to blunt trauma." Tiger's story ended well; while recovering he was adopted to a responsible family. It was not such a pleasant ending for Richard Jenkinson. An investigation was initiated by Leroy Moyer, head of Voices for Pets, a grass-roots group working since 1993 to report animal abusers to the authorities. Voices for Pets began receiving information from neighbors about other cases in the Brentwood neighborhood where Jenkinson lived - four cats disappearing, another found shot with a pellet gun, another dead. In March 2004, the misdemeanor cruelty to an animal case was referred to the Contra Costa County District Attorney's Office. The penalty for abuse of animals is a maximum of one year in country jail and up to a $2,000 fine. On April 19, 2004, Jenkinson appeared in court and was given a chance to plead no contest or guilty and pay a $500 fine. He declined and requested a public defender. On April 27, Jenkinson pleaded not guilty. His trial was set for Thursday, July 22. Voices for Pets is asking for the case to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, but needs help from the community to make it happen. Letters requesting prosecution can be sent to Bob Kochly, c/o 725 Court St., Martinez, 94553, or can be faxed to 925-646-2116. Jenkinson's name and the case's docket number - 03-212371-9 - should be included. Also state that you want the letter placed in Jenkinson's probation report. For those with time to see the legal system at work, the court case is scheduled for 12:30 a.m. Thursday, Department 20, 640 Ygnacio Valey road, Walnut Creek. We must make sure that abuses against children, the elderly and animals are not accepted in our society. If we remain silent, we are enablers of the abuse. The author is the founder of Harmony Kennels Foundation a nonprofit educational organization that operates a permanent refuge for abused animals. Write her at P.O. Box 5112, Vacaville, 95696, or e-mail her at alpress.