WE the People, want Thurston County Prosecutor Jon Tunheim,  to charge the mother of the children seen in several local news reports WITH ANIMAL ABUSE AND NEGLECT, have the children seen by mental health professionals and place restrictions on this families ability to own animals in the future. 

YOU CAN SEE THE NEWS REPORT BY FOLLOWING THIS LINK:

KIRO NEW 7

http://www.kirotv.com/videos/online/video-lacey-woman-sees-children-abusing-puppy/vCdQ86/

Q13 FOX

http://q13fox.com/2014/06/11/seven-and-three-year-old-kids-accused-of-abusing-puppy/#axzz34BZLNKCy

In Lacey Washington,  3 young children where witnessed abusing their new puppy without any intervention from their mother or any adult in the home. The abuse was intentional and horrific and the puppy, named Bella, did have physical injuries as the result of the children's continuous abuse, which included picking up Bella and throwing her by the collar, kicking her, laying on her and stomping her head and neck causing her to yelp in pain as seen on the tape. Poor Bella is seen cowering from the children and trying to run away, only to be drug back and abused some more. There is also evidence that the mother was present while the children were abusing Bella and on numerous occasion could have but didn't stop the abuse or removed Bella from her children. 

It wasn't until a concerned neighbor videotaped the children, ages 4-9, abusing the puppy several times over the course of a few days and turned the video over to Thurston County Animal Control that Bella was confiscated and removed from the home.

The MOTHER of the children has refused to answer the door OR questions pertaining to the actions of her kids and does not admit to any wrong doing.

WE believe that the mother did not properly supervise her kids or teach them the responsibility needed to care for BELLA and as a parent SHOULD HAVE KNOWN that her kids were abusing Bella and IMMEDIATELY stopped it.

We feel that the mother should be held accountable for the action of her kids and CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY AND NEGLECT. 

Also since animal abuse is not a normal behavior in children, we also feel that the family should be investigated by family services to ensure the children are not learning from their parents and we feel that everyone and mostly THE CHILDREN seen on video, should be required to get mental health assessments AND receive proper counseling to help them understand why their actions are wrong and correct this obviously abusive behavior.

We also would like the court to deny the family the ability to acquire any further animals until such time as a licensed professional agrees that the children and the mother understand their actions and can ensure that no animals will be harmed while in the care of this family ever again. 

We feel that this is an important matter that should not be overlooked or treated lightly, 

According to an article in Psycology Today seen here, http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/why-the-wild-things-are/201302/do-mass-killers-start-out-harming-pets :

 "A child who abuses animals requires immediate intervention and treatment. Animal abuse is often the first manifestation of serious emotional turmoil that may escalate into extreme violence, such as mass killing. Here’s why psychologists are increasingly focused on animal abuse in childhood as a warning sign.

Troubled children are much more likely to mistreat animals. While less than 5% of U. S. children are estimated to have intentionally hurt an animal, for children at mental health clinics, animal cruelty rates range from 10 to 25%.  Prof. Frank Ascione at the University of Denver and Prof. Arnold Arluke at Northeastern University estimate that one in four children and adolescents with conduct disorder have abused animals.  Children who have been physically abused and exposed to domestic violence  are at even higher risk. In an assessment of 1433 children ages 6 to 12, Ascione found that among abused children, 60% had abused animals."

 

Thurston County Procesutor Jon Tunheim, PLEASE PROTECT THE ANIMALS AND CHILDREN OF THURSTON COUNTY, by charging AND PROSECUTING the parents with animal abuse, neglect and Cruelty under the appropriate chapter of current WASHINGTON STATE RCW CODES.  Also legally require that these children get the help and protection they so obviously need and have DSHS family services, or CPS follow up with all after care.  Children do not normally behave so cruely against animals and ignoring this situation or treating it lightly could cause much more horrific events in the future. PLEASE DON'T LET THE COMMUNITY DOWN and help to ensure the  future safety of our children and our community. 

THANK YOU. 

Here is another link to the news story as seen in SEATTLE DOGSPOT.

http://www.seattledogspot.com/blog/dog-blog/post/lacey-woman-saves-puppy-being-abused-by-neighbors-kids