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Outrage at Weak Sentence for Brutal Mississippi Cat Killer

Outrage at Weak Sentence for Brutal Mississippi Cat Killer

OUTRAGE AT WEAK SENTENCE FOR BRUTAL MISSISSIPPI CAT KILLER

Contact: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483

Images: http://bit.ly/TillyPics

Brookhaven, MS (August 23, 2016) - In Defense of Animals, the international animal protection organization that runs the Justice for Animals Campaign in Mississippi, has expressed its shock and disappointment at the weak sentence handed to brutal Brookhaven “Cat Killer”, Jody Cothron. On Tuesday August 16, Cothron was found guilty of brutally beating a cat to death at the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League in May. In Defense of Animals has worked to rescue and protect animals in Mississippi for over 20 years, and is calling for tougher laws to protect animals.

Video of Cothron killing Tilly led to his arrest and incarceration on May 19 in the Lincoln County Jail where he was charged under the Mississippi Dog and Cat Protection Law, MSSS 97-41-16 b. A first offense carries a maximum fine of $2,500, and a six-month jail term.

Although Cothron was found guilty of the sadistic cat slaying, he was handed the minimum fine of just $1,000, a suspended sentence of 90 days which is just half the six-month sentence that the law allows, and six months probation. Cothron was ordered to undergo psychiatric evaluation, to pay for the spay or neuter of one sheltered animal, and complete volunteer work that does not involve contact with animals.

The video evidence proved that on May 13, Cothron entered the Brookhaven Animal Rescue League and after asking to see the cats, brutally beat Tilly with a plastic stick when the shelter attendant accompanying him had to leave him to attend to a loose dog.

When the attendant returned to the cat room, Cothron was exiting the building. The attendant discovered blood splattered across the cat room and a plastic stick was found in pieces near Tilly. Tilly was rushed for veterinary intervention, but died from the extensive injuries she received.

“We welcome the psychiatric evaluation of Cothron, but the sentence overall is a slap in the face of the traumatized shelter staff who suffered the horrific death of Tilly”, said In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Director, Doll Stanley. “This was a sick, premeditated crime with willful intent and it is shocking and disappointing that Cothorn was let off so lightly. Mississippians are frustrated at weak laws that continually fail the community, and a judicial system that continually lets sociopathic animal abusers of with the equivalent of a slap on the wrist. We are calling on our legislature and judges to protect our communities by making heinous crimes like this one a first offense felony.”

In the 2016 legislative session, the Mississippi House of Representatives Agriculture Committee, with the influence of the Mississippi Farm Bureau “killed” SB2174, a bill that would have made aggravated animal cruelty a first offense felony crime.

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign is working tirelessly to advance the cause for justice and show state legislators that the people of Mississippi are united against senseless and horrific animal abuse. Campaign members are aligning with Mississippi judges, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officials, legislators, animal advocates and concerned citizens to pass meaningful regional ordinances that will protect animals when state statutes fail. In Defense of Animals has served in Mississippi for 24 years, aiding victims and law enforcement with hundreds of cruelty reports.

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org

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In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign is actively working with officials in communities, building a groundswell of support for establishing and amending city and county ordinances as part of its campaign to show state lawmakers that Mississippians will not tolerate animal cruelty.

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 30-year history of protecting animals’ rights, welfare and habitats through education, campaigns and hands on rescue facilities in India, Africa, and rural Mississippi.

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