Warning: Explicit descriptions of animal abuse:May These Rat Bastards Fry In Hell !

The BBQ Pit
81

Zenster and I have been emailing back and forth about this case, looking for ways to help. He asked me to provide any updates I could obtain, so I thought I’d share what I have so far.

While you may not agree with them entirely for some of their more strange propaganda campaigns, this is actually what PETA (the org) does best. They get involved in cruelty cases pushing for stricter adherence to the written law (especially regarding sentencing) and encourage that psychological evaluations and treatment be part of the sentence (solution) in the event the defendents are found guilty.

So, I contacted someone I know at PETA and she referred me to a case worker they have in California. He emailed me yesterday to say:

The biggest problem in obtaining information about this case and the possible/probable outcome is the age of the male defendents. As 17-year-olds, they are still considered “minors” and, despite the fact that we all know that at that age they are old enough to know better, that little technicality makes it much more difficult to obtain any information regarding the case and/or possible sentencing in the event of a guilty verdict.

The newspaper trail for those who are interested:

Saratoga News
Boys arrested after burned cats are found (Sept 26)
Fund created in response to animal cruelty cases (Oct 17) [SUB]Previously referenced[/sub]

The Campbell Reporter
Deputies catch boys abusing cats (Sept 26)

I’ll post here again when I get any more news or information.

82

Polite letters or faxes encouraging (due to the severity of the crimes) that the maximum sentence along with psychological evaluations and counseling be sought in the event of a guilty verdict:

Carolyn Powell, Assistant District Attorney
Santa Clara County District Attorney’s Office*
70 West Hedding Street
West Wing, 7th Floor
San Jose, CA 95110
Facsimile: 408-275-1704
Phone: 408-792-2869

Reference Case Number: 91269943S**

[SUB]*Publiclly available[/SUB]
[SUB]**Provided by Zenster[/SUB]

83

Wow. What cruelty we humans (and I’ll use the term loosely here) can inflict on animals will never fail to astound me.
Zenster - I’m overjoyed that Zen will well on his way to recovery. And your compassion with the couple, as well as your perserverence in your pursuit in helping nail these scumbags warrants our collective gratitude.
The word “hero” has always been thrown about a little too easily in our society in my opinion…recent events have redefined its use, raising the bar so to speak in light of the work and efforts ongoing currently by New York’s finest.

What you’ve done and continue to do raises you to hero status in my eyes. With deepest respect.

Bill H. - Thanks for the link.

Shayna - One of my very favorite people here: I know how badly this thread must’ve disturbed you. I hope your heart has healed a little since first reading the OP.
{{{{{Jill}}}}}
…and I can’t wait to hear the explanation these two worthless cretins have in justifying their actions…
“We didn’t know it was wrong…”
“We were just kidding around…”
“It wasn’t like they were people or nuthin’…”
Yeah. Boys will be boys. :rolleyes:

BTW, if they perpetrated their deeds on railroad tracks, might that not be reckless endangerment of innocents riding in trains? Could a sizable mass on the tracks cause derailment? Anything to pile on more charges to extend their prison time is good with me.

84

Not to mention the potential for heat warpage the rails.

85

Careful what you say PC, there’s lots of posters in this very forum, who might dramatically disagree with you.

Still, all said and done, I can only thank you for your kind words. I’d be more than happy to hand off a lot of the praise to Peta for her work to focus public attention upon those responsible for this sickening misdeed.

I’ll get in touch with the owners of Chubz, The Most Unlucky Cat In The World™ so that I can brief you in on the latest developments. Other than that, please deluge the Santa Clara County prosecuter’s office with demands that these two maggots be tried as adults so that they might receive the maximum penalty for their crimes.

Once again, please know how much I thank all of you for your praise. It is the kind words you bestow that makes me glad I had the stomach to take those pictures. Again, I will say that those images will stay with me for life. Please understand one thing, the memory of those images is a small price to pay for helping secure the longest possible sentences for the perpetrators of this crime.

86

Zenster, I’m quite sure that somewhere down the road you will post something that I disagree with, and I’ll probably tick you off eventually too. I will always, however, read your posts with the knowledge that you are, in fact, a truly decent human being. I am so glad your pup, Zen, is okay. Give him a hug from me and a lick from JoJo.(Our Rottie.)

87

Actually, Zenster, we’ve already disagreed in a pit thread several months ago (I forget the topic)…but the board is made up of differences of opinions. And I’m certain, like zoogirl, we’ll clash again in the future. It doesn’t change the respect I’ve gained of your efforts here.

…then, in the spirit of the Pit, fuck 'em.

88

I wanted to share with those interested that I have created a webpage for this case which includes Zenster’s photos (WARNING: Graphic & highly disturbing – you will cry if you view them), a sample letter to the Asst DA in charge of the case (please write), and details of the case.

Thanks.

89

Peta Tzunami, what a splendid website! Congratulations on your fine effort to give a voice to those who cannot speak for themselves. I am proud to have the chance of contributing to your site. I also know that Chubz’s owners would be heartened by your commendable work on behalf of their beloved pet. I will email them a link to the site. You should be loudly applauded for this.

My hat is off to you!

90

If those pictures are used as evidence in a trial for those lowlifes and they aren’t convicted then there is no justice in this world. ** Zenster ** and **Peta Tzunami ** my hat is off to both of you for the efforts you have made on this.

And ** Zenster ** I’m glad to see that ssomeone from the vets office was in the room when the pictures were taken so that there can be no whining from the lowlifes lawyers that maybe the pictures were of a different cat or had been altered to look worse than they really are.

91

Fuckwit Teen: So, uh, what did you guys do to get in here?

Hardened Convict #1: I burned down an orphanage.

HC #2: I’m a serial killer.

HC #3: I bombed a polic station. What did you do?

FT: I set fire to a cat. <Uncomfortable silence> Um, why are you all looking at me like that?

HC #1: Bend over.

These kids are going to be dogmeat in prison. They’re going to be passed around like a joint at a Phish concert. They’re screwed, in every sense of the word, both literal and metaphoric.

This pleases me.

92

This is unbelievably horrifying. I thought at first that this was the same case I’d read about on another message board, but I’m very sad to say that it’s not. That case happened in Del Mar, CA. They also have a website at http://www.snipe.net/ with information about the case and animal abuse in general. If you’re like me, look for the link to view the story without pictures. I couldn’t face that.

Anyway, my question is, what’s wrong with people? How could there be even one monster in human disguise that would do such a thing? I agree that I wouldn’t compare someone like this to any type of animal, since there are no living creatures on this planet other than humans who are capable of pure evil.

My need for poetic justice leans towards a very simple & time-honored tradition: throw them to the lions. It has a beautiful symmetry to it, I think.

Sue [sub]Not-to-be-Confused-With-Sue-Duhnym[/sub]

93

I can’t express how upsetting this is to me. At best, I’d end up repeating what others have said. Even though there was a warning, I looked at Peta’s website. I am glad to have a scroll button on my mouse, because even the briefest glance at those images brought me to tears (like I wasn’t close to them already). I hope these kids get the maximum punishment available, and then some.

Zenster, I’m glad the world has people like you.

94

I’m a cat owner with furry buddies of my own. I should not have read this post, and, in fact, skipped through most of it and will not visit the website showing the pictures. I hope those kids not only get the book thrown at them, but get sued in civil court as well!! Maybe if they get tossed in jail for this horrible crime, some soft hearted animal loving felon with happily break their arms and legs and beat the crap out of them. My sympathies go out to the owners of the poor animals as well as to the cats themselves.

The parents of the kids should be sued and then castrated and tubes tied to prevent them from ever having any more children and these kids need to be sterilized to keep them from spawning more evil little fucks.

People here can write to the States Attorney handling the case to let him know they are outraged and to convince him to prosicute to the fullest extent of the law and to give them no breaks at all.

95

Thanks for the tipped hats, but I’d frankly rather not be in a position to receive them.

Unfortunately since these alleged murderers were 17-years-old at the time of the crime, facts are the case or hard to near impossible to obtain, and likely means they will not receive as severe a sentence as an adult committing the exact same crime. I am hopefully that based on the fact that the teens had another cat – stolen from its caregiver – in their possession along with the materials needed to torch that one as well, the court will recognize just how pre-meditated these crimes were and consider how habitual they appear.

Also, since companion animals are (sadly imho) designed “property” in the eyes of the law and unless the caregiver can prove a great financial value (such as with a rare purebreed), civil court cases are few and far between as the court system simply does not recognize the elements of “wrongful death” as applicable to companion animals.

I have been in touch with PETA, the Humane Society of the U.S. (Western Region) and the Animal League Defense Fund (a professional organization of lawyers who deal primarily in legal matters pertaining to animals). All three indicated they had sent letters to the Asst DA with their own versions of an information package detailing research in the connection between violence against animals in youth and violence against humans later in life; and how juveniles especially need to be treated (psychologically) in such cases. The contact on ADLF said they even volunteered free legal assistance to the DA in research and prosecution, but as of yet, had not heard anything back from her.

96

Thanks mnem, (wait, that sounds too much like eminem!), er… make that mnemosyne. My eyes are brimming right now just thinking about all of this. As I mentioned before, I wish my mind had an “erase” button. It doesn’t, and you know what? I don’t care! This was far too important to let slide out of squeamishness or some other lame excuse.

Again, Peta, please keep up the good work. My hat is off to you (and I own dozens of them), so there!

To all the rest of you. Please know how much the support you have shown means to me. I will never be able to forget what I had to see in that veterinarian’s office. Neither could I ever forget the kind words and encouragement all of you have generously sent my way. Given the (less than desirable) opportunity again, I’d do the same all over in heartbeat. After nearly losing my beloved wolf hybrid recently, I can only wince at the thought of what my less fortunate friends have had to go through.

Thanks again,

Chris

97

None of my cats are allowed outside because it is just too dangerous out there for them. Even the local vets and vets in other States are suggesting to people that they keep their cats inside now because of the harm and diseases which can befall them. If it is not some animal that can get them, it is cars and humans and my pets are too valuable to risk, so they stay inside.

I’ve found far too many dogs and cats, but lately more cats than dogs, killed on the road ways and it just breaks my heart. Both pets do quite well living inside and here, we have a leash law for both dogs and cats who are out in the yards. Two of my cats have been lost strays that I rescued and one was in bad shape when I found her. Another was 6 miles away from his home!! On a busy highway!! I tracked his owners down, and since he was a kitten from a big litter, they asked me if I wanted him and I said yes. Six miles and able to sit comfortably in my cupped hands!!

So, with this current horror in mind, I urge all of you to keep your cherished pets inside or in the fenced in yard, especially cats. For some reason these cute, little, friendly buddies are most picked on by sadists.

98

Chris-

My name is Deborah Biggs and I am the General Manager of the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority. I am writing to you to thank you for “advertising” Chubz’ plight in the Straight Dope forum.

We received a $50 donation for the fund from a woman in Kansas, with an explanation of how someone from Kansas would know about the Chubz Animal Care Fund. She provided me with the website for the thread on Chubz; I just finished reading it.

I spent a lot of time with M**** myself. After doing plenty of “investigative work” with the staff at the Humane Society, we were able to contact M**** (he had been into the H.S. several times looking for Chubz) to see if the cat we were treating at the emergency clinic was his.

M**** didn’t want to go by himself so I met him there…I live just down the street from the clinic. Yes, it was a very emotional evening for us both. I had to make an emergency trip out of town on Saturday so I was not here when they put Chubz down (on Sunday), although I was in contact with them by phone. Thank you for being there (in person) for them.

There is still a “gag order” on the case but I will keep you as posted as can as I find out more information. We are actively looking for the owners of 2 cats that may have been the first two victims…yes, I have photos of two other cats given to me by the detective (and that is all I can say at this point).

Again, thank you for being there for M**** and J***** and for advertising the Chubz Fund. If I can ever help you in any way, please feel free to call.

Sincerely,

Deborah L. Biggs
General Manager
408-261-5401

Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority

Serving the animals and residents of Campbell, Cupertino, Los Gatos, Monte Sereno, Santa Clara, Saratoga and Sunnyvale

Well, Baker, as you can see, you’ve brought a direct contact to this thread. We will now be able to get first hand news about this case as it breaks. Your kindness cannot be allowed to pass without being mentioned, so here it is for all to see. How very decent of you to help from so far away and in such a kind and generous fashion too. Incidentally, you’ve also given me a path to volunteer my photographic services to the Animal Control Authorities for any animal abuse cases that they may encounter. For that chance, I have you to thank.

Warm Regards,

Chris

99

Sorry it took so long to reply, I didn’t see Zenster’s update of 11-15-01. But I logged on to day that just today I got a letter from the Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority. I made the donation in my father’s honor actually, he mows my lawn and won’t take money for it, so I get around him this way. Glad to hear you will get good updates. I never had the guts to look at the pictures, I’m just glad Zenster had more guts than I did. Keep us posted if you hear anything more please?

100

Baker:

Thank you so much for your generous donation. We still do not have a ruling in this case and I do not know when to expect one. Your donation will make it possible to potentially assist in paying the $5000+ vet bill for Chubz. If, for some reason, the family is able to pay restitution, please know that your contribution, in your father’s honor, will be used to pay for veterinary care for other abused animals.

May the world have more people like you, Baker!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

Warmest Regards,

Deborah Biggs
General Manager
Silicon Valley Animal Control Authority