DUCK HILL, MISSISSIPPI DOG HACKED TO DEATH
Rival community member charged in slaying

DUCK HILL, Miss. – A warrant has been issued for the arrest of a Duck Hill, Mississippi man who has been charged with the slaying of another community members' dog. Mr. Stonewall Hankins, of Carrollton Road, Duck Hill, MS. is sought for allegedly hacking a dog to death with a garden hoe. If arrested by 5:00 p.m. Tuesday, October 21, 2003 Hankins will be arraigned for the violation of MS. State Statute 97-41-16, the Malicious, or Mischievous Injury, or Killing of a dog. A conviction carries a penalty of up to a $1,000.00 fine, and, or up to six months in the penitentiary.

Mr. Tolonda Miers, of Maple Lane, Duck Hill, MS. filed a criminal affidavit, at the Duck Hill, MS. Police Station, against Stonewall Hankins when witnesses to the alleged crime reported seeing Hankins hack Miers' dog "to pieces". According to Miers there was friction between the two men.

In Defense of Animals, Director of Investigations was initially approached for aid in filing the appropriate charges for this crime. Commonly courts and law enforcement agencies are unfamiliar with handling crimes against animals, often thinking that there are no statutes, or ordinances covering these acts.

"Mississippi is only one of nine states that currently have no general felony animal cruelty statutes. Presently, Felony Mississippi State Statutes protect only livestock, or animals with a "monetary value" that elevates their protected status," reported Doll Stanley-Branscum, IDA Director of investigations. "This is why those of us who represent the humane movement in Mississippi have formed "The Mississippi Humane Legislative Coalition" to enjoin with our communities in a thrust to see humane legislation passed this coming legislative session," added Stanley-B.

The Mississippi Humane Legislative Coalition has drafted three proposed statutes, and three amendments to existing State Statutes. "The last few cruelty cases that I have worked have brought a resonating cry from the public to see crimes against animals punished. The pet shop proprietors who closed their doors and walked away leaving their animals to perish in agony, the puppy mill operator who grossly neglected the care of the over sixty dogs he confined, the breeder who shut his poodles in an unventilated shed with the windows and doors shut, and too many others to relive, have stirred the common decency of Mississippians to take action on long overdue changes to State Statutes," ended Stanley-B.

Anyone interested in aiding In Defense of Animals, and The Mississippi Humane Legislative Coalition may contact Stanley Branscum at doll@idausa.org, or Rt. 1 Box 128, Grenada, MS,
38901.

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