Home Animal Stories Keusch: Stiffer Sentences Needed for Animal Abuse

Keusch: Stiffer Sentences Needed for Animal Abuse

by ECT

In this day and age where our pets are viewed as part of the family its almost shocking to hear the news of 21 year old Willie Bee Turner of Oakland receiving a mere 3 years and 8 month sentence after torturing an 8-week-old puppy for more than 24-hours.

According to a Sacramento Bee article, the nightmare began when he doused the puppy in bleach and later he threw the puppy off a balcony which it survived.  The following day, the dog’s life was ended as the pup was locked in a small dog kennel and was walked across the street and placed on a sidewalk. Turner then started the bedding within the kennel on fire igniting the entire kennel with the helpless puppy inside.  A passerby stopped and called 911 but it was too late.

The monster was caught and sentenced, but for animal advocated around the world the feeling we experience are bittersweet. We celebrate that this time an abuser was caught and prosecuted but stiffer sentences are needed.

Max animal cruelty sentences in California with no other additionally charged is just 3-years. The judge in this case did what he could and no blame should be placed on him but instead we should be outraged over the allotted max sentence for animal abuse.

The ADLF (Animal Legal Defense Fund) commends Deputy District Attorney Hilary Bagley and the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office for their tireless work on this case. Judge Brown clearly understood the gravity of such heinous violence against a small puppy by sentencing the defendant to the maximum term possible in this particular case, 3 years and 8 months.

While this sentence pales in comparison to the cruel death that this puppy endured, the good news is that Turner now has a felony cruelty offense on his record, and his 10-year prohibition on owning animals will hopefully protect future animal victims from harm. We encourage anyone who thinks animal abusers should face stricter penalties to contact their representatives and demand enhanced sentences for convicted animal abusers.”

I would like to know what the readers think. Should there be stiffer penalties for such a crime if so what do you think would be an appropriate sentence?

toby-and-kristyBy Kristy Keusch

She regularly writes about animal stories around Contra Costa County and is an animal advocate working in shelters and helping find pets forever homes.

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4 comments

We need reform NOW May 3, 2016 - 8:50 am

I think the law shld be changed that our pets are not objects or things we desire but they are important additions to our family. And btw, of course, there shld be longer sentences to scumbags that abuse any animal but the problem is that going to jail these days is not a deterrent but it’s extended summer camp. We need to stop giving more freedoms to scumbags then to victims.,

Nick May 3, 2016 - 11:06 am

Stiffer sentences are needed indeed.

Pamela Goodman May 3, 2016 - 1:44 pm

This person was seriously mentally ill. He needs to be hospitalized. The mentally ill are people too but locking him away for life with no treatment is cruel as well. Horrible horrible what happened to the puppy. We do still need to have compassion for the mentally ill and see that he receives lifelong treatment and restriction. This person should not be in regular society.

Kk May 3, 2016 - 6:50 pm

Anyone who hurts a helpless animal does not deserve to live. Harsher punishments are a must. Pets are our children and should have just as harsh a punishment as when someone takes the life of another human. We need to stand up for these voiceless animals.

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