AR-News: 'Lost Monkey Rescue'

Wed Apr 7 21:17:49 EDT 2004

From:primfocus at waste.org

http://www.peta.org/news/NewsItem.asp?id=4193

PETA DEMANDS JAIL TIME, PSYCHIATRIC INTERVENTION IF ALLEGED ALMONT TOWNSHIP
DOG, MONKEY ABUSERS ARE CONVICTED

For Immediate Release: April 6, 2004

Contact:
Martin Mersereau 757-622-7382

Almont Township, Mich. --- This morning, PETA fired off a letter to Lapeer
County Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Geoff Stuart, urging him to vigorously
prosecute dog breeder Carol Howell and her husband, Edward J. Henning, both
of Almont Township. They face multiple charges stemming from authorities'
reported March 13 discovery of four monkeys living in "deplorable"
conditions and up to 80 dogs confined to unheated barns without access to
bedding, food, or water. News sources state that a Boston terrier suffered
from severe mange and a bichon frise languished under a feces-matted coat
covering "serious" skin lesions. PETA has learned that 89 animals are still
in the defendants' custody.

"People who demonstrate such blatant disregard for life and desensitization
to suffering can pose a serious risk to the people and animals with whom
they come in contact," says PETA Casework Division Manager Martin Mersereau.
"Mental health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider
cruelty to animals to be a red flag."

PETA is asking that appropriate charges be filed against the couple and
that¯if convicted and in addition to a period of incarceration-they be
required to undergo thorough psychological evaluations followed by mandatory
counseling. PETA is also urging authorities to seize the 89 animals
currently in their custody and to prohibit them from owning or harboring
animals in the future.

For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

PETA's letter to Assistant Prosecuting Attorney Geoff Stuart follows.

April 6, 2004

Geoff Stuart, Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Office of the Lapeer County Prosecuting Attorney
255 Clay St., 2nd Fl.
Lapeer, MI 48446

Dear Mr. Stuart:

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 animal protection. This letter concerns a recent case of
cruelty to animals that your office is handling, involving 44-year-old dog
breeder Carol Howell and her husband, 49-year-old Edward J. Henning. Each
faces multiple charges stemming from authorities' reported March 13
discovery of up to 80 dogs¯evidently living in unheated barns and denied
bedding, food, and water¯and four monkeys languishing in "deplorable"
conditions on their Almont Township farm. According to news sources,
officials responding to a possible domestic dispute involving the suspects
rescued nine dogs in dire need of medical care. A veterinarian who examined
the animals reportedly concluded that two dogs-who were suffering from
severe mange and covered with skin lesions under their feces-matted
coats¯had been left untreated for weeks. We are alarmed to learn that 89
animals remain in the defendants' custody.

Mental health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider the
blatant disregard for life and desensitization to suffering evidenced by all
forms of cruelty to be a red flag. In fact, the American Psychiatric
Association identifies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic criteria
for conduct disorders, and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) uses
reports of these crimes 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.

On behalf of our thousands of members in Michigan, we respectfully ask that,
upon conviction and in addition to a period of incarceration, Carol Howell
and Edward Henning be required to undergo thorough psychological evaluations
followed by mandatory counseling at their expense¯the safety of the
community may depend on it. Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than
the exception among animal abusers and given the defendants' apparent,
prolonged, and utter disregard for the lives and suffering of animals in
their custody, we implore your office to take every measure necessary to
ensure that they are barred from all future personal and professional
contact with animals and to immediately find and seize any animals who
remain in their respective custodies.

Thank you for your diligence in this matter and for your time and
consideration. Do not hesitate to contact me at 757-622-7382 if you have any
questions or if our office can be of further assistance.

Sincerely,

Daniel Paden, Cruelty Caseworker
Domestic Animal Issues & Abuse Department

the wild, cruel beast is not behind the bars of the cage. he is in front of it - axel munthe

"Never doubt that a small group of dedicated citizens can change the world. 
Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."      Margaret Mead
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