Cyber-lynch mob grows in wake of B.C. puppy shooting
This is an update on the fatal puppy shooting that I talked about earlier in the week.
The just of the story is that Groups have formed online – primarily in Facebook- and they are outraged, demanding justice.
But when you read the story – the shooter will likely receive no more than a slap on the wrist as the Police are charging him for no more than careless use of firearm..
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The fatal shooting in B.C. of a 12-year-old cancer survivor’s dog has sparked what amounts to a cyber-lynch mob on a social networking website.
Hundreds of people have joined at least three groups on the hugely popular Facebook, voicing their outrage over the death of Seymour, the Quadra Island puppy that belonged to Max Rose, who is recovering from cancer and faces lasting disabilities.
Victoria resident Cody Wellard, 31, turned himself in to police two days after the Sept. 13 incident, saying the shooting of the 14-week-old Jack Russell terrier was an accident. He was released on a promise to appear in court in Campbell River on Oct. 13. The RCMP is seeking charges for careless use of a firearm and endangering an animal.
Comments on the Facebook site include one urging people to “lynch” Wellard at his court appearance; others said “we should get him,” that “he’ll need protection that day,” and one even said “he deserves to die.”
A few days after the shooting, Rose’s grandmother urged calm after hearing about the rising tide of public anger. “I don’t like to see more violence occur,” Margaret Rose said. “I think that it’s up to the courts to deal with the offender. I don’t want to see any vigilante-type of behaviour.”
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P.S. After I read the story, even I felt angrier, and ready to join one of these groups.
IF this had been a child that was shot- he would have been charged with murder.
As it’s ‘ONLY’ a dog – he gets NOTHING.
Yet again our pathetic animal laws are highlighted.
So what can you do?
Talk to your local Government Representative – In Canada and soon in the U.S. you will be having elections.
DEMAND tougher animal protection laws.
Recognize that pet’s are MORE than just property.
Stay involved.
Feel free to respond here.
It’s Your Pet…Heal Them At Home!
Best Wishes, Dr Andrew Jones, DVM
This slap on the wrist will always happen because animals are still considered property. It is even worse for animals killed for their flesh, fur and milk.
That is sad and outrageous!! The puppy was probably just being friendly, a completely innocent little fellow.
What is even sadder is that we’ve been convinced by our culture to accept this type of thing for our own dear children. An innocent child’s life is prematurely ended and we call it “choice”
The laws MUST be changed. Animals depend on us and it always brings me to tears when I hear of animal abuse and the killing of this innocent puppy is totally unjustified…and I don’t for one minute believe it was an accident! The guy should be held accountable for more than he is.
I’d say let him have it. If one scumbag got what he deserves, other scumbags would think twice before hurting another animal.
The courts are a friggin joke. As you pointed out, Wells will ongy get a slap on the wrist… they all only get a slap on the wrist! When will this end? I think I already answered that at the beginning of my post.
correction: Wellard (not Wells).
@ Sanjay: please, don’t confuse a woman’s “right to choose” with the case of animal cruelty!
Pro-life or pro-choice is a woman’s personal right. Animal cruelty is a crime.
No, we have not been convinced to accept animal cruelty “for our own dear children”. Again, abortion has nothing to do with animal cruelty.
Would you compare abortion with spying/neutering (a responsible choice) of pets and call that a crime?
Do unto others as you would have them do unto you , he took a life. He should be charged with taking a life,who are we as humans to say that life is any less a life than that of a human. Is a child’s less than an adults ,is an elderly persons less of a life than. Humans are such arrogant pampas asses. That is a major problem with people today,everybody thinks they are so much better than anyone or anything else. WRONG
Years ago when I first moved to Calgary from Montreal I had brought my dog with me on the train. At every 15 min our half hour stop I would go to the luggage compartment and take my dog for a walk and give him fresh water. The conductor said I was the only one to do so. There were six other dogs back there. So needless to say my dog was very important to me. After only a month in Calgary someone poisoned my dog with stricnine in a hot dog something a child could easily have picked up. The vet said there was enough to kill and elephant. It eats away the animals guts. So a very painful way to die. He did die in my arms on the way to the vet. The person was caught and given a $50. fine. There was an old lady at the time that used to walk her very old dog down the same alley. If it had been her dog which she more than likely had had a long time and would have probably killed her to loose him in such a violent way. We definitely need stronger stricter animal laws. But going vigilanty is not the way either you just stoop as low as the perpatraters. We have to protect our animals the same as we would our children. Don’t leave them outside by themselves.
That this man is crying “accident” is no surprise, and he probably is lying. That being said, to perpetrate violence upon this piece of human garbage is wrong…it would only feel good for a moment and then one would have to deal with the consequences which would not feel very good at all. So let the court take care of it, and even though the outcome is injust because of the way the law is written, then so be it. We have to work to change the laws.
Sanjay…please stick to the subject at hand. Why do you anti-choice advocates ALWAYS inject your view into conversations about other matters? I’ve seen this problem of at other discussion boards also. So just keep it to yourself…we don’t want to hear about it on *this* board; take it elsewhere, there are plenty of other places on the web spew your views on choice.
the laws for animal rights are not gonna be the way we want them to be for another more years to come. Sadly, this is not the only slap on the wrist we’re gonna see on people like this, there’s a lot.
“Yet again our pathetic animal laws are
highlighted”.
Exactely! That’s the core of the problem all over the world. That’s what has to be changed! The laws had to be much more detailed and more harsh!
There have been several similar incidents here in Ohio over the past few years, including one in which a man shot his own dog three times! He did not kill the dog, as he intended, but, as the dog was suffering horribly, he was euthanized immediately after the police arrived. The man was charged with discharging a firearm within the township limits.
As long as we are “owners” and our pets are our “property,” we will never see laws passed that can protect them in the same way as another human being shot or kidnapped or abused. This is why, in some areas, there are some who are trying to get legislation going that will designate us as “guardians” instead of “owners.” Doing this will change a whole lot of things, as far as our ability to protect our companions from harm.
In the meantime, I have been pondering the idea of keeping accurate records of the amount of money invested in my dog’s well-being, including training classes and veterinary treatments. I believe, that as our property, these investments have to be worth something, and if anything amiss happens to these “investments” at the hand of another, I believe that we should have the right to our day in civil court. It may not be a criminal conviction, but it sure could put the hurt on someone who believes that they are getting away with something. Nothing in life is free, and people who harm our pets should be held accountable, even if it is just for damages to our property. Just a thought…
Where does the dog owners responsibility come into this. It appears he was leaving his dog run unattended next to an area know for hunting. Dogs are needlessly run over and come to harms way everyday due to the fact that their owners are not taking care of them. It is a big responsibility to take care of a dog much like a child. Would you let your child run and play on the road or next to a known hunting area? Dog owners like this one give all dog owners a bad name. What ever happened to innocent until proven guilty? It appears all the public has heard is this mans vicious accusations. Think people….there are always two sides to the story