Georgia Men Sentenced to Prison for Cruelty to Animals

It was just a little over a year ago that I featured a story about one of the ASPCA's biggest crackdowns on dog fighting. Working hard to end this brutal and inhumane "sport," the ASPCA is always ready to step up to the plate to help save these suffering dogs. Readers may remember a news item that was circulating widely around the Internet about a year ago, that featured a story about the February 17, 2010 rescue of 26 abused and neglected Pit Bull Terriers from an "underground" dog fighting operation in Sandersville, Georgia. These obviously neglected emaciated dogs were discovered chained to axles and posts on the 25-acre area, without sufficient food or water, or shelter to be able to withstand the freezing temperatures. Many were suffering from broken bones, wounds and infections. Seized from the property were 27 deceased dogs as well. Jumping in to assist the Washington County Sheriff's Office, the ASPCA helped to rescue these unfortunate canines. In a follow up story recently released by the ASPCA, they are "happy to report that the court case has concluded and justice has been served: On Wednesday, January 5, the two men responsible were convicted of animal cruelty and sentenced to time behind bars." Derrick Montez Daniels and Billy Taylor Jr. were each convicted of 26 counts of misdemeanors and animal cruelty following a three-day trial, which resulted in Daniels, the dogs' owner, sentenced to a five year term in state prison, and five years of probation. Taylor, the dogs' caretaker, who lived on the property, received a sentence of one year in county jail, along with nine years of probation. In commenting on the trial results, Tim Rickey, the ASPCA Senior Director of Field Investigations and Response, who headed up the February 2010 rescue said, "The defendants were held accountable for the pain and suffering they caused these innocent animals. These dogs were not only starved of food and affection, but used to breed and fight each other to the death. It's encouraging to start off the year with two successful animal cruelty convictions and send a clear message that animal abuse will not be tolerated. Visit the SPCA Raids and Investigations/Blood Sports page at for more information about the work the ASPCA is doing. It is highly rewarding for this writer to learn that at least in Georgia, the crime of animal cruelty is now taken seriously with punishment given far greater than just a slap on the wrist. Don't you agree it is about time that the welfare of animals is a priority? Share your opinions in a comment. Image Source: Flickr user greenkozi