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
Please leave a comment with your reactions about this story.
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Comments (17)
Vicki June 15, 2009 2:46 PM
I am totally livid about this girls actions with this precioous kitten. I do hope she gets ten years in prison without possibility of parole. If she got twenty years, I would not think it was too harsh of a punishment.
Amy June 15, 2009 3:18 PM
This shows just how sick out society has become. Thank goodness the majority of people are not this this sick individual. Time and time again we read of people causing harm and death to animals and they are not given what I would consider just punishment.
Iniki June 15, 2009 3:51 PM
Sometimes I think, " Let the Punishment Mirror the Crime." A little time in the oven would be fine with me and I love children and animals. Our socitey is sick and twisted. Parents DO NOT teach love and caring and the kids don't learn anything in school to give them compassion. I pray for the family who lived with this tiny innocent kitten. I also pray for this very sick and twisted child. She needs to be punished somehow. I am not sure our prison system is the answer but there has to be a way.
Diana June 15, 2009 7:23 PM
This is how many serial killers start out. There is a profound disconnect when viewing animals and people as unique beings with feelings.
Whatever happens to her, she should be neutered. Imagine how she would treat a baby.
Cheryl G June 15, 2009 8:36 PM
That is sick, absolutely sick! She deserves more than 10 years in prison in my opinion. If she'd do something as awful as burning a cat alive, think what else she is capable of. It's very tragic!
Ruth June 16, 2009 4:40 AM
THANK YOU so much Jo for bringing this to everyones notice via your excellent blog.We in England are incensed at such cold hearted calculated cruelty.We have signed and circulated the petition far and wide,also written to the judge.The whole world is waiting to see this cruel excuse for a human get the maximum punishment, which won't be enough whatever it is, but might deter more cruel idiots from abusing animals in the future.
I wish I could get my hands on her, I'd gladly shove her in an oven and turn the heat on full !!
Babz June 16, 2009 11:54 AM
Ten years is nowhere near enough but hopefully while she's in prison someone will get her and give her what she deserves. We should go right back to basics - an eye for an eye. I bet the big snivelling coward would soon be screaming for her release from a hot oven. Petition signed a while ago and letter airmailed to the judge.
Linda June 19, 2009 1:24 AM
Lets roast that dumb ass girl. She is a waste of space and her parents should be ashamed. Look what they raised. Pathetic low life loosers. Whats wrong with this little girl !!! Looks like we need to bring back the belt!!! Maybe if she was brought up right she would not be such a piece of crap. Mom and Dad... you should be so proud
Michelle July 6, 2009 5:01 PM
It still tears me up to think about that poor baby innnocent kitten, and I've thought of her often. This monster should be burned alive or otherwise put to death in another way and at the very least spend the rest of her life locked away in solitary. This is the most horrifying thing I have ever heard of it it's heartbreaking. This filth doesn't deserve to live or breathe, and I hope the judge gives her the maximum then some. There's no excuse for what she's done and no way the judge should let it slide or "have pity on her because of her childhood". I hope to God that the judge punishes this sorry excuse for a human animal torturer in the most severe way possible. Thanks to everyone that is fighting for justice for this poor baby, and thanks for the picture to put a tiny angel's face to this story. We must keep fighting for what is right and prevent further unthinkable atrocious acts from taking place.
Michelle July 7, 2009 2:04 PM
This monster must be put away for good. She should be killed in the same way she did to this precious angel. If the judge is easy on her she may do something else and hurt another animal or a person. If not given death, lock this psycho up in solitary until she dies, and never let her out. Think of this poor baby kitten; we must protect everyone both animals and humans from deranged sickos like this one.
Steph July 17, 2009 5:00 AM
I've watched animal planet and the likes and have seen/heard enough about animal abuse to convince me there has to be much tougher laws.A year is hardly enough.This story has left a deep scar in my heart.This behavior this girl/thing showed is becoming more and more common.Gangster thug life crap mentality being glorified.A year are you kidding me how about 5 to ten in a mental institution along with alot of community service for pets and humans alike in need and some hard labor as well.This kids attitude needs to be broken till there is nothing left but a blubbering sorry pile.
Brett July 21, 2009 2:34 PM
Not much to say, This kind of shit must end. i beg our government to raise the bar on animal abuser's or for that matter any and all abuser's out there. These people that have no regard for life period, and these kind of act torwards animals that can't defend themsevles is just the start of it. I beg our government to instill fear in anybody that even thinks about commiting such an act......we as citizens of the world condemn this behavior. If i had it my way "eye for an eye"!
ansh@husky dog July 24, 2009 7:45 PM
hi,
here you have given very interesting post.
Thanks for sharing the information.
Paula Olejnik July 25, 2009 12:15 PM
Please lengthen the sentencing for animal cruelty. Its illegal.
brenda August 28, 2009 5:28 PM
I think kids should be punish like adult. I don't like it when kids are abusing animal. The parents should get in trouble when their kids abuse animals. The punish should be halsh. America are to nice to people that abuse animal
Ingi September 22, 2009 6:32 PM
We have (literally) been crying about this for months. I can't imagine what makes anyone do such a thing, and then to compound it, think's it's funny. The law is not tough enough, end of story! That needs to change! You should pay for what you do, and if it has to revert back to AN EYE FOR AN EYE, then so be it! You commit the crime, you do the time. I personally hope she rots in hell for ever.
I do not agree with an eye for an eye.. December 1, 2009 12:51 AM
That is a previous convinent of the old testiment this girl is obviously very troubled.. but why not move it up to new testiment? "he who is without sin cast the first stone"? sin is sin, I do not agree that she should be tryed as if she killed a human, what she did is wrong and is not justified but I would much rather pray for this girl and believe the best for her then to burn her at the stake no one knows the past she has no one knows what kind of life she has had untill you walk a mile in her shoes.. I think she just needs help... Extended jailtime and hateful remarks wont help this situation.. just think to yourself, "What is this girl was your daughter"? so lets take time to understand why this happened rather then judge this girl when none of us actually know her.
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