Peta Demands Jail Time If Alleged Gadsden County Dogfighter Is Convicted

USA -- This morning, PETA sent an urgent plea to State Attorney William N. Meggs, urging him to vigorously prosecute William Randall of Gadsden County. Randall faces 38 charges in connection with authorities� reported December 30 discovery of a dogfighting operation in Sawdust. One officer told news sources that pit bulls found on the scene were "all torn up," and one dog�s lips had apparently been torn off. According to news sources, authorities also discovered drugs, firearms, and weights likely used to train the dogs.

"Anyone capable of this kind of cruelty poses a serious risk, not just to animals, but to fellow human beings," says PETA Casework Division Manager Martin Mersereau. "Communities should be concerned when animal abusers are found in their midst. Research in psychology and criminology reveals a consistent pattern of cruelty to animals among perpetrators of violence toward humans." Mersereau also points out that dogfighting is almost invariably associated with drugs, weapons, and illegal gambling.

PETA is also sending its new anti-violence public service announcement hosted by actor Dennis Franz to TV stations serving the Gadsden County area.

For more information about the link between cruelty to animals and violence aimed at humans, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

PETA�s letter to State Attorney William N. Meggs follows.

January 18, 2005

The Honorable William N. Meggs
State Attorney, Second Judicial Circuit
1 W. Jefferson St.
Quincy, FL 32351

Dear Mr. Meggs:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world�s largest animal rights organization, with more than 800,000 members and supporters dedicated to the protection of animals. This letter is in reference to a recent case that your office is handling, involving William Randall, age unknown, of Gadsden County. Randall faces 38 charges stemming from his alleged connection to a dogfighting ring said to have been discovered by authorities on December 30. According to news sources, investigators found an unknown number of "torn up" pit bulls�bearing wounds and scars consistent with their having been fought�and paraphernalia commonly associated with the blood sport, including weights and drugs, at a Sawdust property as spectators fled. A cache of firearms was also reportedly discovered at the scene.

Mental-health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider all forms of cruelty to animals to be a red flag. The American Psychiatric Association identifies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of animal abuse in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. Experts agree that it is the severity of the behavior�not the species of the victim�that matters. Furthermore, dogfighting is invariably linked to illegal gambling and the presence of illicit drugs and weapons (as officials� reported findings in the aforementioned operation appear to illustrate). Raids on animal-fighting operations frequently bring with them the discovery of major drug networks and the seizure of large caches of firearms. Violent crimes are also commonly associated with blood sports. In response to these trends, a number of jurisdictions have formed interagency task forces to ensure their communities� safety. Needless to say, we are relieved to know that your local authorities treat such crimes with the seriousness that they deserve.

On behalf of our thousands of members in Florida, we respectfully urge your office to prosecute William Randall and any co-defendants subsequently named to the fullest extent of the law. Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers�and this is especially true of dogfighters�we ask that, upon conviction and in addition to being sentenced to a period of incarceration, Randall be barred from any future contact with animals and that any animals who may remain in his charge be immediately seized. We also ask that he be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling at his own expense�the safety of the community may depend on it.

Thank you for your diligence and for your time and consideration. I can be reached at 757-622-7382 if you have any questions or if our office can be of assistance.

Sincerely yours,

Martin Mersereau, Casework Division Manager
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department

 

@#%& peta!!