Press Charges on the owners of the dog we have named "boomer".

The Issue

This is a case of animal cruelty in Marshall County, Mississippi. We are asking that the Sheriff's office follow through and pursue charges on the owners of "boomer". He was a pit bull that had bad wounds and infection to his neck that local animal rescuers tried to have him surrendered to them, they were unable to get the dog. Pat a local rescuer went to speak with the owners and beg them for the dog she was even willing to pay them! They denied the dog and after talking to other witness Pat located a fresh mound of dirt where poor "boomer's" body was located. She then had local police come out and they said they would investigate. We have been told they are unable to find an adult home on the property and are giving the run around basically when asking why charges have not been filed.  We are asking the sheriff's department to file the charges according to Mississippi state laws.

97-41-16. Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011; legislative intent; simple cruelty; aggravated cruelty; penalty; restitution; activities not constituting cruelty to dog or cat; immunity for good faith reporting of suspected cruelty; registration of organizations that have purpose of protection of or prevention of cruelty to dogs and cats
(1) (a) The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011."
(b) The intent of the Legislature in enacting this law is to provide only for the protection of domesticated dogs and cats, as these are the animals most often serving as the loyal and beloved pets of the citizens of this state. Animals other than domesticated dogs and cats are specifically excluded from the enhanced protection described in this section for dogs and cats. The provisions of this section do not apply, and shall not be construed as applying, to any animal other than a domesticated dog or cat.
(2) (a) If a person shall intentionally or with criminal negligence wound, deprive of adequate shelter, food or water, or carry or confine in a cruel manner, any domesticated dog or cat, or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of simple cruelty to a dog or cat. A person who is convicted of the offense of simple cruelty to a dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00), or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.
(b) If a person with malice shall intentionally torture, mutilate, maim, burn, starve or disfigure any domesticated dog or cat, or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat.
(i) A person who is convicted of a first offense of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($ 2,500.00), or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.
(ii) A person who is convicted of a second or subsequent offense of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be guilty of a felony and fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($ 5,000.00) and imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years.
(c) A conviction entered upon a plea of nolo contendere to a charge of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat shall be counted as a conviction for the purpose of determining whether a later conviction is a first or subsequent offense.
(d) For purposes of this section, one or more alleged acts of the offenses of simple cruelty to a dog or cat or aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat, committed against one or more domesticated dogs or cats, or any combination thereof, shall constitute a single offense if the alleged acts occurred at the same time.
(3) In addition to such fine or imprisonment which may be imposed:
(a) The court shall order that restitution be made to the owner of such dog or cat. The measure for restitution in money shall be the current replacement value of such loss and the actual veterinarian fees, medicine, special supplies, loss of income and other cost s incurred as a result of actions in violation of subsection (2) of this section; and
(b) The court may order that:
(i) The reasonable costs of sheltering, transporting and rehabilitating the dog or cat, and any other costs directly related to the care of the dog or cat, be reimbursed to:
1. Any law enforcement agency; or
2. Any agency or department of a political subdivision that is charged with the control, protection or welfare of dogs or cats within the subdivision. The agency or department may reimburse a nongovernmental organization for such costs, if the organization possesses nonprofit status under the United States Internal Revenue Code and has the purpose of protecting the welfare of, or preventing cruelty to, dogs or cats.
(ii) The person convicted:
1. Receive a psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling or treatment for a length of time as prescribed by the court. The cost of any evaluation, counseling and treatment shall be paid by the offender upon order of the court, up to a maximum amount that is no more than the jurisdictional limit of the sentencing court.
2. Perform community service for a period not exceeding the applicable maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed for conviction of the offense.
3. Be enjoined from employment in any position that involves the care of a dog or cat, or in any place where dogs or cats are kept or confined, for a period which the court deems appropriate.

For the above reasons, the Sheriff of Marshall County Mississippi, should open and conduct a full investigation into this charge

This petition had 3,120 supporters

The Issue

This is a case of animal cruelty in Marshall County, Mississippi. We are asking that the Sheriff's office follow through and pursue charges on the owners of "boomer". He was a pit bull that had bad wounds and infection to his neck that local animal rescuers tried to have him surrendered to them, they were unable to get the dog. Pat a local rescuer went to speak with the owners and beg them for the dog she was even willing to pay them! They denied the dog and after talking to other witness Pat located a fresh mound of dirt where poor "boomer's" body was located. She then had local police come out and they said they would investigate. We have been told they are unable to find an adult home on the property and are giving the run around basically when asking why charges have not been filed.  We are asking the sheriff's department to file the charges according to Mississippi state laws.

97-41-16. Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011; legislative intent; simple cruelty; aggravated cruelty; penalty; restitution; activities not constituting cruelty to dog or cat; immunity for good faith reporting of suspected cruelty; registration of organizations that have purpose of protection of or prevention of cruelty to dogs and cats
(1) (a) The provisions of this section shall be known and may be cited as the "Mississippi Dog and Cat Pet Protection Law of 2011."
(b) The intent of the Legislature in enacting this law is to provide only for the protection of domesticated dogs and cats, as these are the animals most often serving as the loyal and beloved pets of the citizens of this state. Animals other than domesticated dogs and cats are specifically excluded from the enhanced protection described in this section for dogs and cats. The provisions of this section do not apply, and shall not be construed as applying, to any animal other than a domesticated dog or cat.
(2) (a) If a person shall intentionally or with criminal negligence wound, deprive of adequate shelter, food or water, or carry or confine in a cruel manner, any domesticated dog or cat, or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of simple cruelty to a dog or cat. A person who is convicted of the offense of simple cruelty to a dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than One Thousand Dollars ($ 1,000.00), or imprisoned not more than six (6) months, or both.
(b) If a person with malice shall intentionally torture, mutilate, maim, burn, starve or disfigure any domesticated dog or cat, or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat.
(i) A person who is convicted of a first offense of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and fined not more than Two Thousand Five Hundred Dollars ($ 2,500.00), or imprisoned for not more than six (6) months, or both.
(ii) A person who is convicted of a second or subsequent offense of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat, the offenses being committed within a period of five (5) years, shall be guilty of a felony and fined not more than Five Thousand Dollars ($ 5,000.00) and imprisoned for not less than one (1) year nor more than five (5) years.
(c) A conviction entered upon a plea of nolo contendere to a charge of aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat shall be counted as a conviction for the purpose of determining whether a later conviction is a first or subsequent offense.
(d) For purposes of this section, one or more alleged acts of the offenses of simple cruelty to a dog or cat or aggravated cruelty to a dog or cat, committed against one or more domesticated dogs or cats, or any combination thereof, shall constitute a single offense if the alleged acts occurred at the same time.
(3) In addition to such fine or imprisonment which may be imposed:
(a) The court shall order that restitution be made to the owner of such dog or cat. The measure for restitution in money shall be the current replacement value of such loss and the actual veterinarian fees, medicine, special supplies, loss of income and other cost s incurred as a result of actions in violation of subsection (2) of this section; and
(b) The court may order that:
(i) The reasonable costs of sheltering, transporting and rehabilitating the dog or cat, and any other costs directly related to the care of the dog or cat, be reimbursed to:
1. Any law enforcement agency; or
2. Any agency or department of a political subdivision that is charged with the control, protection or welfare of dogs or cats within the subdivision. The agency or department may reimburse a nongovernmental organization for such costs, if the organization possesses nonprofit status under the United States Internal Revenue Code and has the purpose of protecting the welfare of, or preventing cruelty to, dogs or cats.
(ii) The person convicted:
1. Receive a psychiatric or psychological evaluation and counseling or treatment for a length of time as prescribed by the court. The cost of any evaluation, counseling and treatment shall be paid by the offender upon order of the court, up to a maximum amount that is no more than the jurisdictional limit of the sentencing court.
2. Perform community service for a period not exceeding the applicable maximum term of imprisonment that may be imposed for conviction of the offense.
3. Be enjoined from employment in any position that involves the care of a dog or cat, or in any place where dogs or cats are kept or confined, for a period which the court deems appropriate.

For the above reasons, the Sheriff of Marshall County Mississippi, should open and conduct a full investigation into this charge

The Decision Makers

Marshall County Sheriff's Office Mississippi
Marshall County Sheriff's Office Mississippi

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