Help Get a Meaningful Sentence for Dog Shooting
February 4th, 2013
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| (Photo by Rob Swatski) |
The State’s Attorney has charged John Lake with the following:
- 1 felony count of risk of injury to child
- 1 misdemeanor count of accessory to cruelty to animals
- 1 misdemeanor count of accessory to illegal discharge of firearm
- 1 violation of illegal gun/bow hunting by minor
Take Action!
Sign the petition to request that the State's Attorney pursue a strong and meaningful sentence upon conviction.
If you live in Connecticut, please send a polite letter to the prosecutor, State’s Attorney Gail P. Hardy, thanking her office for charging John Lake and asking her to pursue a strong and meaningful sentence upon conviction.
The Honorable Gail P. Hardy, State’s Attorney
Hartford Judicial District
101 Lafayette Street
Hartford, CT 06106
gail.hardy@ct.gov
Defendant: John B. Lake
Enfield Superior Court case # H13W-CR13-0163369-S
Locals are additionally encouraged to support the prosecution by attending the criminal proceedings. A hearing in the Lake case is currently scheduled for Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 10:00 a.m. (Always contact the Court to confirm court dates and locations as they are subject to change.)
Enfield Superior Court (get directions)
Geographical Area 13
111 Phoenix Avenue
Enfield, CT 06082
860-741-3743
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It breaks my heart to constantly find that regard and respect for life and the taking of life is of no value any longer. Stop it here. If the child found it so easy to kill the dogs, how will that translate to other creatures, ie children, adults. I do not believe there is a jump here in taking this very seriously. Dad knew that it was wrong-translate that back to the boy.
The father is responsible for his child's actions. He knew it was illegal to kill dogs, so he should pay the price and through this lesson he will hopefully teach his child compassion over killing. Prime example why there should be stiffer gun control laws, especially in the hands of a minor, whose mind is not yet developed to think for himself.
For the sake of all animals, please help see this individual get the strongest sentence permitted under the Conneticut Animal Cruelty Laws!!
Hopefully these kinds of charges will be brought up on all POS' that shoot ANY ANIMAL for any reason.
Every day, I hear a story about humans being cruel to animals by abuse, neglect, and murder. A higher life form does not have the right to inflict abuse on lower life forms.
A human's answer to everything seems to be kill kill kill. If even a remote amount of compassion were shown to companion, wild, and food animals, the earth would be an eden.
I am so sick and tired of hearing stories like this. There is absolutely no room in this world for people like that.
This father has some explaining to do. I'm pretty sure this wasn't the first time firearms were used for the wrong reason by this family. There are tons of animals who are shot all the time and left because they are either target practice or not trophy enough to be tagged. Although I never found them, I lost two dogs some years ago in Northern WI and I'm fairly certain they met the same fate as these beagles...and they were wearing bright orange.
I think the son should be prosecuted as well. If he is old enough to "hunt" then he is old enough to know that killing is wrong. My father was a hunter and when he tried to take me on hunting trips I refuese. Did he really not know that killing- any killing is wrong? We are suppposedly the "higher" life form on this planet, but we are the ones who consistently murder other species.
pour aider les humains comme les animaux,à vivre le mieux possible ensemble
OMG!!! This is soooooooooooooooooo unbelievably heart wrenching. Incorrectly thought it was leagal????? REALLY????? I'm sorry but you can NOT tell me that this kid did NOT know that you can NOT shoot a dog. It's bad enough that deer are shot. How would these people like it if they were hunted, shot to death and just left there. If these were my dogs that were shot ... I don't care how old you are, there would be hell to pay. UGH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I strongly agree with some of you that hunting any living thing is wrong. Also, I do not think it is a good idea for a father to take a minor child hunting with him because the child may think it is alright to shoot anything that moves. Most boys love dogs; therefore, I do not understand how this boy could have just shot at domesticated dogs! If any minor is old enough to kill, then he/she is old enough to be punished like an adult for this type of a crime. Like most of you, I too get sick of the lack of compassion for animals -- especially domesticated animals which are loving pets. In fact, I am extra cautious when driving to avoid hitting both animals and people -- not just people. I am the proud parent of two awesome cats!
If this kid killed my dog I can't even imagine what I would do to him and his "grown up." The both should be punished, no doubt about it. I feel so terribly sorry for the owners of those dogs.
It is my firm belief that the son should be prosecuted also. He has to know that what he did was wrong, and just punishing the father will not do it. How can anyone be so cruel to animals? This has to stop, now!
I feel that the actions of the boy who shot the dogs show that the boy is cruel towards animals, has no conscience or remorse, no value for living things and he has sadistic violent tendencies. He certainly didn't hesitate to kill the dogs, did not question it, and most likely enjoyed it. From this incident, he will learn to disrespect, disregard and harm other living creatures-and possibly move on to children. This kid is obviously mentally ill. What other kind of boy willingly and eagerly shoots dogs-regardless of what ANYONE tells him is 'legal'? Not a sane one. Both he and the father appear to have issues, and have lied and broken the law to cover their own tracks. I feel that strict and harsh judgement needs to be met here,and an example made, with the father doing jail time and large penalties and the son undergoing psychiatric evaluation and detention. Look at what happened recently with the man who kidnapped the little boy from the bus after he killed the driver. This maniac had previously beaten a dog to death-and gotten away with it. When you make excuses for people who are sadistic, cruel and most likely mentally ill, society pays a price. They will go on to commit further attrocities. Punish both of these dog killers to the fullest extent of the law and get them some mental health testing asap. This is sickening-and there is no excuse for what they did.
I believe the father and the son should both be prosecuted. If that kid is old enough to shoot, he's old enough to pay the consequences of his actions. They should have to pay restitution to the owner and do community service at a shelter cleaning kennels.
not only should the maximum sentence be given, but the 13 year old boy needs psychological counseling!
Parents, with children under 18,need to assume responsibility for their children's actions. If a person is going to allow their child to hunt they should have to go through a program that teaches safety and what is acceptable and what is wrong. So many accidents happen when children shoot other people by mistake...thinking it was a deer. I am, however, opposed to killing and/or hunting any animal!
Both father and son should be prosecuted! The son is old enough to shoot, then he's old enough to know better and be prosecuted!
No family should lose a pet this way. The father and son should lose their rights to hunt and should have to work cleaning kennels to pay for what was done! And they should have to tell the owners of the murdered dogs how sorry they are in person!
On Christmas Eve 2012, Collins Cutler of Marne, Iowa stepped outside his house with a shotgun and killed Wrigley, a one-year-old chocolate Lab. Wrigley was traveling with her human companion Stacey Ernat, a 3rd grade teacher who lives in Denver. Mr. Cutler has been charged with aggravated animal abuse, reckless use of a firearm (he shot Wrigley when some of Ms. Ernat's friends were nearby), and firing a gun within city limits. Mr. Cutler's reason for shooting Wrigley? Wrigley was on his property. The disregard that is shown toward these beautiful creatures (and other animals as well) is increasingly heartbreaking to me. I am a monthly supporter of ALDF and I am glad that it is involved with this situation in Connecticut. Thanks for all you do!!
What did you expect from wildlife killers ? They call it "sport". Deer, dog, bird, fish , as long as it moves, shoot it, or hook it, slam it, harpoon it, poison it, beat it , makes no difference, killing it is the victory goal .
I think it's terrible, to kill an animal that hasn't done anything. We as America's should stand up for theses animals. God put them down here for us to love, not abuse them or torch them. They depend on us, they love us unconditional , when we have bad days they are there for us. When someone murders any animal they should get a real harsh punishment.
When I was a little girl my pet dog was shot three times by hunters while we were out hiking on a privately owned trail; they could have accidentally shot me or my freinds. We never caught the hunters. It is sad to see this is still happening but hopefully it can end now. I do not feel sorry for these boys, if they can shoot someone's pet and try to hide it, they have a messed up sense of morality. No remorse for the animal's life or the family that grieves them.
Of course, teach your child early not only to kill wild animals, but kill domestic animals that you think are interfering with your killing of wild animals. Progress.
The father and son must both be punished for this senseless killing of these dogs. The son is obviously a trigger happy person and at this young age this is not how he should be developing. He must pay for this crime since he was allowed to carry a weapon. He could do this to other animals in the neighbourhood. The father must be punished on several counts such as failing to supervise his son armed with a weapon, covering up the crime and protecting his son's crime. They both knew that this is a crime and must therefore face the punishment.
Prosecute the son too. He is a sadistic killer at the age of 13. He will grow up to be either a serial murderer or a spree killer.
Please protect our dogs -- who cannot take care of themselves.
DISGRACEFUL & VERY VERY WRONG WHAT THE FATHER OF THIS BOY DID BY LETTING HIM SHOOT THE DOGS & THEN COVERING IT UP.. THE CHILD SHOULD NOT BE TAUGHT TO HANDLE A GUN.. NO NO NO.. WHAT A SHOCKING EXAMPLE TO OTHERS WHEN THERE IS SO MUCH GUN CRIME ALREADY... THOSE POOR INNOCENT DOGS!
It's truly sad that adults don't teach children of the many wonderful things dogs do and how much we as humans rely on dogs for a variety of reasons. They are used in war zones, bomb and drug sniffing, drug busts, aid a disabled person, find missing people and many times they help in healing a broken heart. The report claimed Mr Lake didn't know it was illegal to shoot these dogs, yet he tried to hide their bodies after his son killed them, which tells me, he knew very well what his son did was in fact illegal. It's a tough call regarding who should spend time in jail because Mr Lake isn't the one who shot the dogs. He's the one who supposedly told his son the dogs should be shot for chasing deer. Do we sentence all parents for the crimes of their children? I think both father and son should face a huge financial fine and a sentence as well as have their hunting license revoked and their names on record to never be allowed to own a gun. They should also do community service working at an animal shelter. Mr Lake has proven to not only be ignorant but an irresponsible parent
I hope the son goes to reform school and the father spends quite awhile in jail. This is one of those cases that must be made public with serious punishment. Just maybe it will make others think twice. Thank you.
I can't understand how a father can teach his child to be so irresponsible. These dogs were part of someone's family & taken away from someone who didn't care. Justice shoul be served & a lesson learned.
How heartbreaking and frightening that this man's son thought that shooting defenseless and domesticated pets is justifiable under any circumstances. Unbelievable!!! I can see the path this kid is on his way to. The fact that he thinks snuffing out a defenseless life is somehow ok is nothing less than disgusting and again heartbreaking. Reading this story moved me to tears and breaks my heart. Human decency and kindess has such a long way to go still in this world. I only hope and pray that somehow our justice system still works.
Hi folks. Thanks for all the passionate comments, your outrage is definitely appreciated. Just a head's up, ALDF doesn't condone violence -- comments that are threatening won't be published. Thanks!
When I was young, a neighbor kid shot our dog while deer hunting. He was on our property, where he did not belong, and my mother (hunting from a tree-stand) saw him do it in the distance. When confronted, he said the dog had been chasing deer, but she was not -- my mother had seen. The 'deer chasing' justification is just an excuse from a bored hunter who feels like killing something
Some of these comments are unreal. Life in prison? Death penalty? If these were stray dogs, and there's no indication they belonged to anybody, then I think shooting the dogs is no different than shooting a deer out of season. Yes, that's a crime. And yes, he should face punishment. But this wasn't some sadistic torture, it was hunting an animal without permit or hunting a nongame animal. I love dogs, I have a beagle actually which is why I clicked this story to begin with, but I don't think stray dogs should have some exulted status above deer or other game animals. Suppose he shot a fox? Or a coyote? Or a wolf? The hyperventallating nature on exhibit here is the reason gun owners are terrified of liberals making new gun law. Hunting is as natural as one can get. We're not all going vegan, that is absurd and not how our species evolved. So you hate hunting but what's the alternative? A factory farm?
Emphasis on MEANINGFUL sentence. Both father and son can learn from this, but I don't think it is necessary for the family to be broken up - nor for the son to feel guilty for any sentence that his father receives. The sentence should be very well thought out so that both completely understand what was terribly wrong about what they did, and not just cause resentment toward the judicial system. It will take a very intelligent, yet compassionate, judge to find the right sentence.
You may be hunting but that requires wisdom and discretion. If you do not have these...you should not have, own or use a gun ever. This should start with immediate banning of this person being allowed to use a gun. Next, the murder of innocent domestic dogs, who are by nature knuckle heads, and easily identifiable. What is the problem with their chasing deer in the wild anyway? Killing of pets or anything with a senseless motive should receive a harsh punishment. Exceptions of the killing animals being; (limited)for food, a dangerous situation (ie.bear) or protecting livestock would be some of the very few.
I am deeply saddened as well as angered that these sweet dogs were shot and killed. The MURDERER needs to be held accountable but I am sure that won't happen simply because the law is always on the side of the abuser! Rarely do I ever see justice done!! Oh, how I would love to be the Judge and Jury and have a animal abuser come before me!!!
Without regard to whether it might be "legal" to shoot dogs in certain circumstances, what a horrid example for a father to display to his son!
How pathetic this father is to tell his son that it is ok to shoot a dog!!!! The son is old enough to know this is wrong... both should be held responsible! The father must pay for the deceitfulness and cruelty of his son's actions! These terrible tragedies MUST STOP.... The man must pay for what he taught his son!
The father knew that morally and legally it was wrong to kill these poor innocent animals and why it that? Because he tried to hide his sons illegal murderous actions by burying the bodies. Both the father and his son should be fined, made to perform community service at a shelter for at least a year, made to apologize to the owners of the dogs, lose their hunting licenses for at least three years and made to go to schools and tell why killing just because is NOT TOLERATED IN A CIVILIZED WORLD IT IS WRONG AND YOU WILL BE PUNISHED. If I knew that this boy killed my dogs and his father covered up for him I would get myself a really good attorney against both of them.
So after shooting one dog, the father couldn't stop the son from shooting two more? Both the father and the son knew perfectly well this was outside the boundaries of decency and legality or else why try to hide the evidence. My sincere and sad condolences to the owners/guardians of the dogs who lost their lives so senselessly.
If it's not bad enough that these kids parents are teaching them it's ok to kill...so now they're contributing to the possibility of this "innocent" killing and that this might escalate to a human being. It's well documented that people who show cruelty towards animals eventually evolve into murderers......Nail the bastards and it's time to reveal this horror and the potential for worse before a bad situation occurs. I think the kid should have to walk around for the next 6 months of his life wearing a tee-shirt stating that he enjoys and has killed animals because his parents are morons and apparently raising me to be the same. I'm sick to death of this world and those who seem to think we have imminent domain. Has everyone forgotten about God in this equation and that he ultimately does. This sickens me
PRESS CHARGES. The lesson needs to be delivered to the boy of how things like this are unbearable by society. Facing what comes will shape him and he will split right from wrong. The father needs to be punished in doing such a stupid act.
YES THE BOY SHOT HIM BUT LET'S NOT FORGET THE FATHER PUTTING THE IDEA IN HIS MIND AND I DON'T THINK IT WAS JUST AN OFF THE CUFF COMMENT....SENTENCE THE FATHER AND MAKE SURE THE BOY REALIZES THIS IS REALLY SERIOUS AND HOW CAN ANYONE SHOOT A SWEET DOG FOR FUN!!!!
With all the gun issues and problems going on now in this country and especially in Connecticut, it is really "insane" that the father of this boy told his son it was "legal" to shot dogs chasing deer! The dogs were Beagles that are hunting dogs and they chase everything. The son is a victim of his father stupidity and both the son and the father should be charged in this cruel crime. The father tried to cover-up the crimes his son did. Both are GUILTY! The son should be convicted and sent to jail for at let one year and not allowed to own a gun again---ever!
IT IS WELL KNOWN THAT HEARTLESS SOCIOPATHIC CRUELTY TO ANIMALS BY MINORS LEADS TO WORSE BEHAVIOUR AS TEENS AND ADULTS. This kid needs psych evaluation and jail time as the Ted Bundy types begin this way. Any kid who can kill gentle beagles is big time not right in the head and lacking compassion. Sociopaths and psychopaths need to be put away as early as possible so they DO NO MORE HARM.
I have to agree with Lori, unfortunately the kid will probably get off because he's a "minor". I am so sick of "minor's" committing major crimes and getting off due to their age. This was a sadistic, cruel criminal act, and he should be tried as an adult. After all, if he is old enough to shoot a gun, he's old enough to be prosecuted as an adult. You can't tell me the boy didn't know that it was wrong, if not illegal, to shoot domestic dogs. And while they are at it, they need to punish the father as well. He obviously has no scruples either. If the court systems started holding the parents liable, maybe parents would get back to "raising" their children, and start instilling better values. In closing, I only hope that the local law agency removes any domestic animals that the family may have in their home, as they are probably being abused as well...just behind closed doors. What a sad and very unnecessary act of violence.
This is for commenter #36. "We're not all going vegan". Yes, that's a very sad truth. We probably aren't any time soon. But that doesn't mean that some of us should give up trying to convince people that saying "I love animals" and continuing to eat them is inconsistent. I believe that if we WERE all vegan that we would not even be having this discussion.
As a police officer in Los Angeles, I feel our laws do not adequately protect our animals, they are too weak and not prosecuted seriously in most cases. I urge the State Attorney to aggressively pursue this case to the fullest extent of the law and ask for the maximum penalty. Inhumane treatment of animals should not be tolerated, this was an immoral AND illegal act.
When people of all ages get away with killing innocent animals it is only the beginning of worse and bigger things to come down the road. I truly believe if a person will turn on an innocent animal do not think for one minute they will not turn on you at some point. Killing is killing and murder is murder regardless whether it is a human or animal. Life is life and precious to all living creatures. Tighten the laws and save some lives.
The problem with hunting is too many "hunters" kill any living thing they see. The dogs shouldn't be able to chase deer, but it is OK to shoot the deer? This boy sounds like a mass murderer in the making. Why can't a parent teach kindness & compassion to their kids instead of the thrill of the kill? Maybe the father can help the boy cover up more crimes later on. This boy & the father need to be prosecuted, fined, & forbidden to hunt ever again. Jail time would be a great idea for both of them.
They knew what they were doing. They are guilty and should be punished, the minor should at the least get community service, and loose all their rights to hunt ever again. They are selfish, narcissistic, and people like them need realize there are consequences to that kind of despicable cruel actions. It should law that you will loose your hunting licence for good.
I absolutely cannot imagine anything much more disgusting to teach your kid. This guy needs to be put away and made an example of. Such things absolutely should NOT be tolerated.
The human race is going down hill fast !!!
To Dr. Jeanne Blum: MANY thanks for so clearly articulating the bottom line of the beginning of sociopathic behavior introduced to children and all too often leading to serial killing in adulthood. The lack of responsibility of this parent is appalling and not only should he face penalties and fines, the child should also be sentenced to therapy to stop his connection to "easy killing" activities.
How do we know it was the son and not the father who murdered these dogs? The father may be hiding behind the child's age which, as he was old enough to have a shooting licence or even to use a firearm surely he should be treated as an adult and given a long, hard jail sentence. The father should also be jailed for covering up a crime, trying to hide evidence of a crime.
The son is at the age the father wants his son to be a man. So he gives him a gun and says lets go kill a deer and cut it up so we can eat it, because thats what real men do. He just gave his son the "ok" to kill an innocent forest animal. 16 and not know the law about something so violent " I think not". The father and the son must BOTH pay for there murderous act. Like father like son and now he has a taste for killing and is more dangerous than anything that walks the earth. God help our wildlife.
It breaks my heart too, but what breaks my heart even more is that most people think eating animals is still okay, while they whine about stories like this one they support the torture and killings of billions of mammals who are like us each year.
Unfortunately, we have to take the word of the father that the boy "mistakenly" understood it was legal to shoot the dogs. Parents often try to protect their children from consequences they deserve with a "stretching" of the truth. I'm trying to conceive of a conversation that could "mistakenly" instruct a youth that it's OK to shoot dogs involved in a deer hunt. This can't be a circumstance where a hunt-hater told his son it was OK because he was against hunting. He and his son were also hunting. So I can't come up with a conversation that could be misconstrued as "Shooting hunting dogs is legal." Meaning, I guess, that the boy simply shot the dogs for sport...got exposed for doing so...and dad's trying to get him off the hook. But we're not supposed to consider the possibility that dad's lying to protect his son...are we?
I live in Connecticut and everyone here knows that it is not only illegal but wrong to shoot domestic animals with any kind of weapon. Quite frankly, hunting is bad enough, for it's really totally unnecessary here for any reason and makes the woods and fields unsafe for humans as well. All quite sad, and imagine how the dogs owner must feel.
Legal or not, it is still cruel. And to teach a child to kill *anything* it's horrible. The kid shot the dogs just like that, without any remorse. He is a serial killer in he making.
I AM SHOCKED AT HOW STUPID THE TWO IDIOTS ARE.A BEAGLE CAN NOT CATCH A DEER NOR HARM ONE. THESE TWO IDIOTS WERE HUNTING AND WANTED TO KILL SOMETHING.YOU WILL NEVER CONVINCE ME A 13 YEAR OLD KID IS GOING TO ACT ON THIS BY HIMSELF. WHAT KIND OF SUPERVISION DOES THIS KID HAVE WITH A LOADED WEAPON.WHERE WAS DADDY WHEN THIS WAS GOING ON, THE KID IS GETTING THE BLAME SO DADDY DEAREST WONT DO HARD TIME. THEY BOTH DESERVE HARD TIME IN PRISON AND PAY RESTUTION. THEY SHOULD NEVER BE ALLOWED TO HUNT OR OWN A FIREARM.IDIOTS LIKE THESE GIVE ALL LAW ABIDING GUN OWNING CITIZENS A BAD RAP.MORONS DONT DESERVE TO HAVE FIREARM!!!!!!!
I do not feel that the 13yr.old son needs to get away without being charged. He killed someones beloved pets, he should bear the full legal and emotional charges that comes from his actions! And if his young age is a factor-PERHAPS THE EDUCATION SYSTEM COULD BE ALLOWED TO EDUCATE STUDENTS ON ANIMAL WELFARE AND CRUELTY ISSUES!! Animal abuse is way too common lately!
I am heartsick over this case. The son is just as culpable as the father and should be punished as well. I fear that this boy's character development is going to leave a lot to be desired. This is one of the reasons why Humane Education needs to be part of school curriculumn.
What a way to bring a child up - it's absolutely diabolical! It appears that the child shot the dogs without a second thought, probably a spree killer in the making! I hate hunting, trapping or any form of cruelty in any way what so ever, the "happy gun culture" in America has given it an appalling reputation throughout the world, except from those happy to kill anything that moves! It appears that when you see photos of an American they are holding the corpse of an animal they have either shot or trapped - what makes people so evil!
Don't let your dogs run loose. I sympathize with the families that lost their pets, but the bottom line is, there are a number of dangers posed to pets out besides unscrupulous hunters, coyotes, cars. This guy is a real jerk-off, but unfortunately, there are always going to be people like that out there. SO DON'T LET YOUR DOGS RUN LOOSE!!
We cannot continue to allow people who commit animal cruelty, abuse, and neglect to get a slap on the wrist. The man pled guilty in 2005 to illegally hunting deer and was only fined $200 for that offense. He and/or his son murdered dogs. Hope DCYS is looking into this boy's welfare also. Please send a clear message to all that this will not be tolerated.
another living being is "collateral damage" due to the uneven playing field of the so-called sport of hunting.
So...it's OK for him to chase and kill the the deer but not OK for the dog to chase them......
I wholeheartedly agree that the father and son should be held responsible for their actions, but a question that hasn't been raised yet is, "Who is the dog's owner? And why were the dogs allowed to roam free?" There is certainly negligence on the owner's part too. Allowing dogs to roam free often does not end up well for the dog or another animal/person when a pack is formed. Shame on the owner as well.
In my opinion, it doesn't matter if it is legal or illegal to shoot dogs. It is cruel and it is wrong. How could this 13-year old kid shoot some dogs so easily? It doesn't matter if the dogs were chasing deer, the deer did not belong to this kid and his dad anyway. There is something wrong with a person or child who is able to shoot an animal in cold blood, especially when the animal is not attacking them and they are not fighting for their lives. I do not like hunting, I do not see any "sport" or anything fun in hunting or hiding and shooting an animal that is not attacking you. To me it is cruel. What goes thru the mind of these people? The cruelty of some humans never ceases to amaze me. If you are old enough to go hunting, to use guns to kill any living creature, then you are old enough to accept the consequences of your actions.
He need To paid For what he done he need To respect The all animals hace felings they dont deserved be in this posotion pelease sir For all animals rights make justice in this case and make this criminal paid thank you
I was saddened and angered by the story that a father and son were fine with killing 3 dogs who's biggest crime is that they are interfering with this duo's killing other living things, deer, who also don't need killing. How nice that they went with the assumption that it was legal to do so. I was heartened by the news passed to me from ALDF that the Connecticut prosecutor is in fact prosecuting. I'd love it if this kid and any siblings were removed from their father's custody. Or maybe just require that the whole family attend some sort of sensitivity training and/or that Dad and Son do community service, maybe washing down the equipment at a slaughter house for a year. In addition to a hefty fine, to cut into their bullets allowance, and is it too much to hope for a little jail time? Thank you to ALDF for spreading the word and to the CN prosecutor!!
father and son need to pay for what they done.dogs or any animals dont deserved been kill like that all animals have feelings ok.the animals deserved respect.i hope the court put them in jail for caple years afther give probation and no gun permit cus people ho kill for fun always continue.so make shure this 2 killers are stay in jail and get the mensage
I honestly don't get it, I don't!!!!!!! This is very disheartening. What did these animals ever do to us to deserve this. Animals have feelings just like we humans do, they get scared and they feel pain just like we do. I don't know about anyone out there & how they feel about animals & what we humans are doing to them but I am sick & tired of reading, seeing & hearing what humans are doing & continue to do to innocent animals all over the world every second day after day after day after day. I am sooo dismayed and disturbed by this, that I’m part of a race that is soooo evil. This kind of behavior that another human being does makes me so angry. I am a good, kind person but when I read, see and hear what these vile humans are doing to another living creature turns me into someone I don’t like. It makes my blood boil and I have no respect or even care about those humans and any human that can do this to another living creature. How can a human be sooo cruel and could/would abuse and kill an innocent, helpless animal? What gives humans the right to abuse anything? We humans are definitely NOT superior or better than anything else on this planet. We were NOT put here to abuse, torture &/or kill ANYTHING & animals were NOT put here for us humans to do despicable & gruesome acts upon! The pain & suffering we humans are causing animals is disgraceful, appalling, atrocious & barbaric … it is totally unnecessary! It’s astounding that humans are so unbelievably cruel and evil. I have no respect for any human that can do this to an animal. As far as I am concerned any human that abuses and/or takes a life no matter what it is deserves the same in return, it is only fair. There is this saying ... treat others like you would want to be treated. We humans were not born into this world to be evil (or nice), it is a CHOICE, a CONSCIOUS CHOICE! All humans have a choice to help or to hurt. "The fact that man knows right from wrong proves his intellectual superiority to the other creatures; but the fact that he can do wrong proves his moral inferiority to any creature that cannot." (Mark Twain) I’m very sorry for my attitude, if you couldn't tell ... I love animals, I love ALL animals and I believe they have just as much right to be here as we humans do and it is a heinous crime what humans are doing to these poor innocent animals. My attitude towards humans worsens every time I see, I hear, I read about the vile acts humans do unto others. I can’t stand it and it hurts; my heart aches every day and my hatred grows. I don’t like this; I don’t like the fact that other humans are making me feel this way. I believe that ALL animals, like ALL sentient beings (except those that harm other living creatures), are entitled to basic legal rights in our society. Deprived of legal protection, animals are defenseless against exploitation and abuse by humans. I support of the following basic rights for animals: 1- The Right of animals to be free from exploitation, cruelty, neglect and abuse; 2- The Right of laboratory animals not to be used in cruel or unnecessary experiments; 3- The Right of farm animals to an environment that satisfies their basic physical and psychological needs; 4-The Right of companion animals to a healthy diet, protective shelter, and adequate medical care; 5- The Right of wildlife to a natural habitat, ecologically sufficient to a normal existence and self sustaining species population; 6- The Right of animals to have their interests represented in court and safeguarded by the law of the land. PROTECT & RESPECT ALL FORMS OF LIFE!!!
humans are the animals!!!
This child is going to be a menace to society for the rest of his life
Poor dogs
Father and son must be prosecuted. Disgusting behavior.
The prosecution needs to ensure this case is pursued to its full extent and that the court send a clear message that these utterly cowardly acts and their contempt for the law will be severely punished.
THEY SHOULD BE CHARGED AND SENTENCED TO THE FULL EXTENT OF THE LAW HUNTING HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH CRUELTY TO ANIMALS.
Any child who would willingly hurt a harmless animal so young is on their way to being a serial killer. I believe the dad should be responsible for even implying to his son that the dogs should be shot. The son needs a shrink. Why? Why? Do we have to keep killing all that is beautiful,decent and inocent in this world? This is yet another event in a line of many that makes me sick !!!
We make it too easy for people to get away with hurting or killing helpless animals in our country, and until we start viewing all of Gods creatures whether they are animals, or people as someone whom was given life to breath feel pain or love, people will always hurt the ones they view as easy targets. Why don't they try to get someone who is capable of returning the pain? It's because they are cowards. Well were put on this earth for many reasons PLEASE make one reason be to help the one's who need our help, make people know they can't just get a slap on the wrist or claim a mental abuse to get out of trouble. That is why we are seeing so many cases of senseless abuse to animals. Can you imagine if you were the animal to an abuser and he constantly beats you or pokes your eyes out or cuts your leg. When I read stories like this it turns my stomach, we had a girl in Missouri that set a seven month old Labrador on fire because she was upset with her mom and nobody even helped the dog while he was on fire he rolled around the ground until he stopped burning and the next day they took him to the vet, he suffered 3 degree burns lost several layers of skin and he even lost his ears,and testicles. I got to meet this dog a few months later and he was so loving and sweet even after all the hell he went through. WE NEED TO STOP THIS NOW! The past history shows that people know they may get a small fine and no time!
What the hell is wrong with people shooting animals anyway. It cruel and evil. I love animals and I had dogs. I have a cat. The father and the boy should be punish to full extent of the law.
If at 13 he is old enough to use a gun and take a life, whether a person or an animal, then he is old enough to pay the consequences. The father deserves to pay dearly. A father should teach his child to defend himself not ti kill for pleasure or practice.
I beg the State of Connecticut to not let this go unpunished. Remember - animal lovers VOTE
As a dog owner, I am outraged at this senseless, cruel, and unforgivable act! They deserve the maximum penalty allowed by the law! Don Vosseller
This Lake is a consummate evil damned criminal. And I want the MAXIMUM penalty allowed under the Law for his offenses.
you know its sad that man has not got a clue yet,how much they destroy mother earth, an nature. the indians are the only ones who respected earth, an nature,after the shooting in CT, people still are not there,that was a really good thing for a child to want to kill someone else child, cause that is how we look at our pets as.throw the book at them,
No excuse for killing beagles and thinking it was deer, how many beagles died. A father and son outing. My how wholesome. NOT. No excuse and they are not healthy enough in mind to even own a rifle. Teach your children well.
I'm grateful that the ALDF is involved in this case; hopefully this crime, and the punishment, will serve as an example that cruelty to animals won't be accepted in our society. I'm an animal advocate and rescuer, and because of this, I'm on many petition lists where I learn (unhappily) about all the horrors inflicted on animals at the hands of humans (or subhumans, as we activists choose to call them). Society differentiates between isolated acts of cruelty, like the murder of these dogs, and the mass killing--and torture--of animals for food, science, entertainment (circuses, rodeos, bullfights), wildlife 'management' and even the 'population control' of living beings like squirrels and snakes. One is a crime; the others are culture. But if we accept the premise that all these sentient beings have an interest in living, and the right to do so without the intervention of self-serving humans who obviously lack compassion, then our laws should support a system whereby those who choose to harm animals, should pay a penalty that actually impacts their lives and hopefully makes them reluctant to repeat such crimes. Unfortunately, we're still pretty far from Eden. Yes, I'm vegan and wish all humans would be. I suppose I can't hope for that to happen in my lifetime. But if our society isn't yet ready to spare the animals we deem edible, at least we can try harder to protect from harm, those we consider domestic. Four days ago, my beloved pit bull lost her life to kidney failure, despite the efforts of my veterinarian and all the holistic remedies I tried. I'm still grieving, still feeling the loss of this precious member of my animal family. But she had a safe and comfortable life with me for all the twelve years since I rescued her. I can't imagine how much more I'd be suffering, if I had lost her to a bullet fired by a cold and heartless shooter, no matter what his age. Of course, she lived in my home and never would have been running loose. And even if the murdered dogs' human companions made poor choices in allowing their dogs to run free, somehow it was the dogs who ended up dying. Yes, it's always the animals who pay the price. Hopefully, in this instance, the ALDF will assure that the criminals pay a substantial price for this cruel and callous murder.
basta ammazzare e maltrattare gli anim,aliu come se niente fosse,non si puo più della crudeltà umana
signed!
Yesterday, 4/13/13, our beloved german shepherd family member got out of our yard and wandered into the neighbors yard. He shot her with a shotgun thinking he had that right just because she was on his property. Sheriffs dept came out and investigated. Thank God one of the sheriff deputy's knew the law.(The other 5 looked at it as "It's just a dog". No evidence found that our dog was showing any aggression or causing any harm. People are not aware that it is not legal to shoot an animal just because its on their property. There is no way she can ever be replaced. Hopefully if we can bring this to public, maybe it will save someone else's beloved furry family member.