Monday, September 14, 2009

Guilty! 4 Brought to Justice in HSMO Bust

We want to congratulate the Humane Society of Missouri for today's news of four guilty pleas in its recent fight bust case!

For a look at these poor creatures, you can see photos on HSMO's web site here:


Or watch the video from the raid here:


According to a press release issued by HSMO today, four eastern Missouri men, Robert Hackman of Foley, Teddy Kiriakidis of Leasburg, Ronald Creech of Leslie and Michael Morgan of Hannibal pled guilty today in U.S. District Court in St. Louis to charges connected to the dog fighting raid, the largest fight bust in U.S. history. Another man arrested in connection with the raid, Jack Ruppel of Eldon, pled guilty to charges on September 4 in federal court in Jefferson City.

Our Pack is working with local St. Louis recue group Mutts-n-Stuff to follow the progress of the dogs, whose fate will be decided by the federal courts in forfeiture proceedings separate from the criminal cases.

5 comments:

  1. I cannot fathom how anyone can look at those dogs and think "violent killers". I'm sure they weren't all so resilient but the ones in the video show such clear affinity with people, it's hard not to weep at the injustice inflicted upon them. In the pit, in the yard, in the shelters, in the court system, in the public.

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  2. WELL said Rinalia! I'm hoping that these cases will bring about enough awareness and outrage that this abuse will just stop.
    Marthina

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  3. These people knew they were doing wrong; their sign makes that clear!
    They were breaking a law and didn't care. Everyone is so used to no one giving a care about animal abuse.

    With the recession hitting so many people, you'd think more cities and states would cash in on all the multiple animal abuse cases out there and start raking in the dough!

    Courts should also recognized that there is a clear link between violence towards animals and violence towards humans. Data is undeniable. You'd think with everyone wanting to "fight crime" they'd actually start fighting crime.

    Thanks to St. Louis, and thanks to Our Pack for the news!!
    I look forward to the update about the dogs. I hope it is a happy ending. I'd take any one of those dogs!!!

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  4. Thanks Ingrid. As always, good insight!

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  5. I am always struck by the way fight bust dogs greet their rescuers - dancing around with tails wagging like helicopter blades. Those dogs were in bad shape from a really hard life. I hope most of them go on to the lives they should have had.

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