Sign the Petition: Animal Cruelty Must Stop!

I recently learned about an act of cruelty to animals that was so disturbing that it has taken me over a week to write about it without dissolving into tears. It not only infuriates me and breaks my heart, but it causes me to wonder how people in authority, who have the power to intervene and prevent such blatantly depraved and sadistic and vicious acts of cruelty to innocent animals.

Last week, The ASPCA Humane Law Enforcement agents arrested Cheyenne Cherry, a teen-age girl who lives in The Bronx, in New York City after they were called in to investigate smoke complaints. Upon entering the apartment, Tiger Lily, a two month- old kitten was discovered dead after Cherry allegedly broke into the apartment, put the kitten into the oven, turned up the heat and left her to die.

Tiger Lily
The kitten's remains were brought to the ASPCA Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital where a necropsy was necessary to be performed by veterinarians to even determine the kitten's gender. Upon her arrest, Cheyenne Cherry told authorities that it was "just a joke". If she is found guilty of these charges, Ms. Cherry could receive up to ten years in prison.

Ms Cherry stands accused of breaking into her former roommate's apartment with the intention of "playing a joke and to mess up her apartment", to which she confessed. She has been charged with cruelty to animals in addition to multiple counts of burglary, criminal mischief, reckless endangerment and arson. Prior to this arrest, Ms. Cherry was also arrested for kidnapping a dog for ransom while armed with a BB gun and then trying to collect the ransom money after the owner advertised a reward for its return. She received a "slap on the wrist" as punishment and was let go without bail.

So I wonder if ten years in prison is an appropriate sentence. Will it be sufficient to serve as an example which may prevent others from engaging in this despicable behavior? While it certainly trumps the sentence that Michael Vick received for his horrendous treatment of his dogs my concern is that at her appearance at the Bronx Supreme Court before Criminal Term JUDGE J.Byrne, that he will take "pity" on her when her lawyer shares any grisly information concerning her life as a child.

He may argue that she may have been cruelly treated herself and while I abhor cruelty to children and feel compassion for those who were subjected to cruelty themselves, this is not, in my opinion an excuse that should be entertained for leniency. I feel strongly that there is an urgent need for stronger laws on the books which put people on notice that cruelty to animals will no longer be tolerated.

I think that this incident provides an excellent opportunity for this judge to set a strong precedence which may have far reaching implications throughout the entire United States and which may even make an impact on the laws in countries around the world.

For more details of the story, watch this video uploaded to YouTube, by ErickWithNoK. If you are moved to take action, a petition which will be presented to the Judge is available for signing at: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/332/petition-to-have-cheyenne-cherry-tried-as-adult

You may also write the Judge directly with your views:

Judge J.Byrne, Bronx Supreme Court, 265 East 161 street, Bronx, New York 10451
(718) 618-3000 ext 1144
Defendant: Cheyenne Cherry
Case Number: 36193C-2009

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