AR-News: PA Father Shoots Dog In Front of Kids, July 9 Hearing----Sample Letter

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Subj:[AGA] LETTER/Father Shoots Dog In Front Of Kids - July 9 Hearing 
Date:6/21/2004 10:44:54 PM Eastern Daylight Time
From:bizshows at att.net
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**Please respond by July 8, 2004. 

SAMPLE LETTER FROM KINSHIP CIRCLE / http://www.kinshipcircle.org
6/21/04--Father Shoots Dog In Front Of Kids - July 9 Hearing
1 letter

SOURCE OF INFORMATION:
PETA Action Alerts
http://www.peta.org/alert/automation/AlertItem.asp?id=1049
(c)The Herald Standard 2004 
http://www.heraldstandard.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=11845047&BRD=2280&PAG=461&d
ept_id=480247&rfi=6

*DISCLAIMER: The information in these letters is verified with the original 
source. I cannot assume responsibility for the accuracy of the information or 
for the consequences of its use.

*Kinship Circle cannot guarantee the validity of email addresses. During a 
campaign, recipients may change or disable their email addresses.

=================SAMPLE LETTER=================

The Honorable Steve P. Leskinen, Judge
Fayette County Court
61 E. Main St.
Uniontown, PA 15401
Fax: 724-430-1001

Dear Judge Leskinen,

Many guardians wisely choose to prohibit their companion animals from 
bringing more puppies into a world that cannot care for them. Most have their dogs 
spayed or neutered. On February 15, Scot Richard Maust aimed a .22-caliber rifle 
at the family dog as his wife and children begged for her life. "Daddy didn't 
want her to have more babies," one of Maust's children later explained. 

After the killing, Maust ordered his four children to embrace the dog's 
lifeless body and clean the bloodstained area where she died. Maust allegedly 
threatened his own children's lives if any of them spoke about the shooting. Two of 
the children confided in their teachers anyway. They were subsequently beaten 
with a board.

Within days, Maust faced nine first-degree misdemeanors, including cruelty to 
animals, corruption of minors, and making terroristic threats. If convicted 
of these and other counts, Maust could be imprisoned for up to 45 years.

But Maust will not see a single day behind bars. Fayette County District 
Attorney Nancy Vernon negotiated a plea bargain with Maust that stipulates a term 
of probation and mandatory counseling. 

Judge Leskinen, when you hear the terms of this plea agreement on July 9, 
please reject it.  I respectfully ask you to incarcerate Maust to the fullest 
extent under the law and to prohibit his future contact with animals, including 
any animals currently in his custody. I hope you will also sentence Maust for 
corruption of minors and any related child abuse charges.

Animal abuse is often an overt clue to a troubled family. In a study of New 
Jersey families receiving state assistance due to physical abuse within their 
households, 88 percent claimed their animals had been abused as well. Evidence 
of cruelty to animals is a key indicator that children and spouses may also be 
victims of violence.

The fact that Maust's children were forced to witness and participate in the 
killing is profoundly disturbing. Statistics demonstrate that youngsters 
raised in violent settings are notably high-risk for perpetuating the cycle of 
violence.

The justice system fails the accused, his family and the community if it 
discounts the violent nature of this crime. Lenient penalties leave offenders such 
as Maust to vent future rage against their families or society. Please turn 
down the plea agreement and sentence Maust with maximum penalties for his 
brutal crimes.

Thank you, 
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