Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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TN Judge Slams Puppy Mill Owners
The following article is taken from:
http://www.dogsinthenews.com/issues/0207/articles/020714a.htm
Tennessee Judge Slam-Dunks
Puppy Mill Owners
MEMPHIS, Tenn. (USA) - Last week, The Commercial Appeal reported on
a recent Tennessee Court ruling that was "worthy of a standing
ovation."
Animal cruelty doesn't always require baseball bats and knives. If
you've ever heard the phrase "puppy mill", you know what I'm talking
about. Last week, an animal cruelty conviction was upheld by Judge
Alan Glenn, rebuking the appeal of a couple from Humboldt who had
bred and kept as many as 350 dogs sick and starving in filthy
kennels.
Not only did Judge Glenn deal very sternly with the offenders, he
delivered an excellent oratory that ought to be framed above the
door of every court that handles animal abuse cases.
He said:
"The Court finds that Judy Fay Johnson and Stanley Paul Johnson have
been found guilty of 11 counts of cruelty to animals. Bonds are set
at $1,000 in each of the 11 counts, which was done by a jury of good
and lawful citizens of Gibson County.
"Over 350 puppies and dogs were victims of this gross violation of
the law. The victims of this crime were animals that could not speak
up to the unbelievable conduct of Judy Fay Johnson and Stanley Paul
Johnson that they suffered. Several of the dogs have died and most
had physical problems such as intestinal worms, mange, eye problems,
dental problems and emotional problems and socialization problems.
"Since dogs have entered domestic service of human beings, they have
given solace and companionship when needed. They have helped hunt,
guard flocks, and in ice and snow have pulled sleds.
"They have rescued people when lost in snowdrifts. They act as
police in sniffing out crimes, and they become eyes for those who
cannot see. They guard homes and possessions. All this, these
creatures do for kind, humane treatment.
"Watching this video of the conditions that these dogs were
subjected to was one of the most deplorable things this Court has
observed in the 22 years in the course of being on the bench.
"And though, Judy Fay Johnson, you urge this Court to take into
consideration the mitigating factors that you've been sick up to two
years prior to them being rescued from your care. You say you've
been sick. You talked about reducing the population, but the only
thing you did was sell puppies.
"The Court finds that you have a previous history of criminal
convictions or criminal behavior, that the offense involved more
than one victim, that the victims were particularly vulnerable, that
you have a previous history of unwillingness to comply with
conditions of a sentence involving release into the community, and
that you abused the position of public or private trust.
"The Court further finds that you were charged with this exact same
charge in 1993, and after a period of probation, the matter was
dismissed.
"Judy Fay Johnson, you're sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in each
of the 11 counts of cruelty to animals. These will be run
concurrent. Further, this Court finds that probation would not serve
the ends of justice, nor be in the best interest of the public, nor
would this have a deterrent effect for such gross behavior.
"Therefore, you, Judy Fay Johnson, shall serve six months of your
sentence on condition that you make restitution to the Dyersburg
Humane Society for $3,242 for the expenses involved in freeing those
dogs from their purgatory and your payment of the fine and costs in
full. You are further prohibited from ever running or owning any
animal kennel or owning any animal as a pet.
"Stanley Johnson, the Court finds that your offenses involve more
than one victim. The victims were particularly vulnerable. You
treated the victims with exceptional cruelty. You abused the
position of public or private trust. You were charged with the exact
same charge in 1993 that after a period of probation was dismissed.
"You are sentenced to 11 months and 29 days in each of the 11
counts. . . . You shall serve 90 days of your sentence on condition
that $3,242 be paid to the Dyersburg Humane Society for the expenses
involved in removing the helpless dogs from your custody. You are
further prohibited from ever running or owning any animal kennel or
owning any animal as a pet.
"There are those who would argue that you should be confined in a
house trailer with no ventilation or in a cell three-by-seven with
eight or ten other inmates with no plumbing, no exercise and no
opportunity to feel the sun or smell fresh air. However, the courts
of this land have held that such treatment is cruel and inhuman, and
it is.
"You will not be treated in the same way that you treated these
helpless animals that you abused to make a dollar."
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Shanti
True love
Member since 6/05 12653 total posts
Name:
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Re: TN Judge Slams Puppy Mill Owners
I thought this quote from the judge was so moving and so true:
"Since dogs have entered domestic service of human beings, they have
given solace and companionship when needed. They have helped hunt,
guard flocks, and in ice and snow have pulled sleds. They have rescued people when lost in snowdrifts. They act as
police in sniffing out crimes, and they become eyes for those who
cannot see. They guard homes and possessions. All this, these
creatures do for kind, humane treatment. "
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oneday
<3
Member since 5/05 4319 total posts
Name:
Pam
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Re: TN Judge Slams Puppy Mill Owners
I guess I'm reading it wrong, but it sounded to me like they had these long sentences, but if they paid the fines, they would only have to serve 6 months and 90 days respectively?
I love what the judge had to say though. People like that make me sick!!!
BTW - it seems like it's from 2002. Still great though! I hope more judges took it to heart.
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