On December 13, 2016 at 8:30 a.m., Kyle Barbre will appear before Judge Anderson in SB Superior Court for sentencing. Barbre pleaded no contest to charges of animal abuse resulting in the death of Floyd, a one year-old chihuahua adopted by Mr. Barbre from the SB County shelter. One month later Floyd’s body was found buried in Barbre’s back yard. A week before Floyd’s death, city and county animal control officers failed to adequately follow up on an emergency call reporting sounds of a dog in pain and distress at Barbre’s residence.

 One can only imagine the terror and agony suffered by this small dog when he was alone with his killer and no rescue in sight.

In May of 2015, a puppy named Davey was so severely tortured by a Santa Barbara resident Duanying Chen, that he had to be euthanized to end his agony. Because of Judge Brian Hill's lenient sentencing, Chen served only six months in jail. The community registered its shock at Hill’s decision with letters and a march through the streets. We expressed our conviction that torturing a sentient being is an act so outrageous that the consequences must match the heinous crime.

 Davey’s case has charged us with a moral obligation to assure that such barbaric behavior against voiceless innocents ends. Our courts and judges must be committed to granting justice to the victims of animal abuse crimes. We insist there be no more "slaps on the wrist” for violent crimes where animals are tortured and killed.

 Santa Barbara County currently has eight active animal abuse cases. Together we can send a powerful message to our lawmakers by speaking out on behalf of innocent animals who continue to suffer abuse in our community.  

 Without question, Mr. Barbre will benefit from extensive court mandated mental health rehabilitation efforts. An individual who inflicts torture and murder on an innocent, defenseless creature is clearly deeply disturbed. But there must be a strong element of punishment as well, such as significant jail time, to send the message that violent crimes by animal abusers are dealt with in the same manner as violent crimes against people.

 The people of Santa Barbara County will not tolerate light sentences for animal torture and murder. Our community and animal welfare groups are appealing to local law enforcement and our judicial system to learn from the tragic lesson of Davey and Floyd's brutal deaths. Our courts need to step up and punish the abusers in a manner which fits the severity of the crime.

HOW YOU CAN HELP! 

Please Sign & Share this petition to show local law enforcement that our community will not tolerate lenient sentences for violent animal abusers! 

Join us in court! One of the Davey's Voice initiatives is to attend County of Santa Barbara Superior Court legal proceedings regarding animal abuse to bring awareness to the fact that animal abuse is happening in our own community and will not be tolerated. Visit our website to see upcoming court case dates and follow us on Facebook for updates! 

Thank You!  #BETHEIRVOCE #JusticeForFloyd