Dear Acting District Attorney Mike Flaherty,

You need to charge Detective Charles Militello of the Buffalo Police Department with aggravated animal cruelty under New York State Law for the brutal and sadistic killing of Gotham on July 29, 2016, as well Deputy Chris Ginnane of the Erie County Sheriff's for his own heinous killing of Damian on July 28, 2016.

You promised when you ran for DA to go after ANYONE who would hurt an innocent animal... it is the police hurting all the animals in the city of Buffalo, the dog killing capital of this country. Now is the time to be a man of honor and fulfill your promise, as opposed to a coward.

Because of numerous law suits lodged against both the Buffalo Police Department and the Erie County Sheriff's Department for a pattern of brutality and for the two departments combined, killing more dogs than any other Police Departments in this Country, the shootings of companion animals and innocent angels had slowed down dramatically up until the tragic dates of July 28 and July 29 of 2016. The Departments were on a mission to seize plants, terrorize people and kill animals on those dates.

On July 28, 2016 at approximately 1:30 pm, Damian (a six-year old Pit Bull) was sleeping peacefully upstairs when the Erie County Sheriff's Department busted into his home, waking him up. Damian's family was zip tied and forced to the floor. Damian began to come down the stairs in a friendly manner, consistent with the animal's disposition and how he engages with all people. Damian did not growl, run or act in a threatening or vicious manner. His owners had their heads down on the floor and heard Damian get shot by Chris Ginnane, and then heard his body fall down the stairs. 

Sheriff Matt Noecker, in a disgusting display of humanity, told Damian's owner, Corey Meer to "be a man" when Meer was distressed and crying about the death of his beloved companion animal and the reaction of his two-year-old son to the death. Damian's blood spattered all over his best friend, a little boy, two year old Cayden Meer, who was in the line of fire and crying hysterically. Damian was a good natured and perpetually friendly companion animal, who was beloved by his Neighbors on Grand Island, as well as everyone and anyone who crossed paths with Damian.
On July 29, 2016, at approximately 6:30 am, Gotham was quietly eating breakfast with his owner, Mike Urban, who was making his lunch for work. 

All of a sudden, Officers from the Buffalo Police Department were at his door. Gotham, thinking he had new friends to play with, quietly sat, wagging his tail, waiting for a treat. Detective Charles Militello decided that morning to discharge his firearm on multiple occasions gratuitously and in an unjustified manner, shooting and killing 18-month old, Gotham. Mike Urban who was standing by his dogs side was begging Officer Militello to let him put Gotham in his crate when the shot was fired. 

Michael Flaherty, in a news article done at the SPCA, stated, "We will go after whoever abuses any defenseless creature in our community.” https://www.yourspca.org/da-flaherty-and-spca-serving-erie-county-join-forces-to-end-animal-abuse-7-22-16 Let's hold him to his word, and demand Charles Militello and Chris Ginnane be charged with aggravated animal cruelty. While we cannot bring Gotham or Damian back, we can prevent these animal killers from striking again and bring justice to these angels who have crossed over the Rainbow Bridge.