FW: [AnimalAdvocacy] Urge Illinois State Attorneys Office to Seek Justice for Kitten Abused by Police

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Barbara Biel [bibiel]Saturday, 30 September 2000 03:38AnimalAdvocacy Subject: [AnimalAdvocacy] Urge Illinois State Attorneys Office to Seek Justice for Kitten Abused by PoliceSource: PETA Action Alerts - September 28, 2000Urge Illinois State Attorneys Office to Seek Justice for Kitten Abused by Police OfficerSEND TO:Michael RowlandFranklin County State Attorney's Office202 W. MainBenton, IL 62812Fax: 618-435-2349 SAMPLE LETTER***Don't forget to sign***~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Dear Attorney Rowland,I have learned that on August 20, 2000, in Zeigler, Illinois, police officer Bill McKinney allegedly forcefully kicked a small kitten from the entrance of a convenience store to the side of the building, where he reportedly proceeded to douse the animal with mace. While the kitten is now safe and sound (adopted into a loving home after receiving veterinary care) the senseless suffering that the animal went through has not been addressed by city officials.Officer McKinney has admitted to shooting a 4-month-old puppy while on duty only two months earlier. Officer McKinney claimed that he thought the puppy posed a threat to neighborhood children, but since he later apologized for his action and admitted that he had been wrong, no disciplinary action was taken. Records also indicate that Officer McKinney was charged with cruelty to animals in 1974 for allegedly macing two German shepherds.Together, these incidents indicate a serious lack of compassion and good judgment, necessary for police work. I join countless Zeigler residents who are shocked by the city's weak response to Officer McKinney's reported treatment of the kitten: He received a two-week suspension (during which Officer McKinney worked and received a paycheck from another city department), a two-week paid vacation, and training in the use of mace. I, along with the numerous Zeigler residents, am deeply concerned that these incidents may foreshadow further abuses of power in the form of continued cruelty to animals as well as potential violent behavior toward humans.I urge you to bring charges against Officer McKinney under the Illinois Humane Care for Animals Act for his alleged inhumane and inexcusable treatment of the kitten. Officer McKinney's brutal behavior towards animals will not be tolerated by civilized society.Sincerely,"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world...indeed, it is the only thing that ever has!" -- Margaret Mead To Join this List Send an E-Mail to: AnimalAdvocacy- To View & Download Previously Written Letters Visit the Moderator's Home Page at: http://www.angelfire.com/hi2/ArtemisKittiesOnline/letters.html