BENTON, La. (November 23, 2021) – In Defense of Animals is applauding the outcome in the case of former Bossier City Patrolmen Terry Yetman, who was charged with sexually abusing a dog and child pornography. He will now serve 20 years in prison.

More than 20,000 signatures were presented by In Defense of Animals to the Bossier County District Attorney supporting Yetman’s prosecution for his vile abuse of Boss (previously referred to as Hero), a police dog whom he sexually violated, while videotaping his perverse cruelty.

“Thousands of In Defense of Animals supporters were horrified by this case and have called on District Attorney Marvin Schuyler to push for the conviction and maximum sentencing of Terry Yetman,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign Director. “We’re incredibly pleased that the court has handed down a sentence fitting this heinous crime. What Yetman did is beyond disturbing. Not only does this bring some justice for the cruelty and abuse Boss suffered as a victim of sexual assault, but communities will deservedly be kept safe from an individual like this who targets the most vulnerable among us to abuse: animals and children.” 

In August 2018, the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into Yetman’s alleged perverse animal abuse. The investigation uncovered electronic evidence of the once-decorated Domestic Task Force officer’s acts of bestiality on Boss, who was seized and sent to a rescue in Texas. 

Yetman surrendered himself to the Bossier County Sheriff’s Department on December 19, 2018, to face charges. He was arrested and booked into the Bossier County Maximum Correctional Facility and charged with 20 felony counts of sexual abuse of an animal and 20 felony counts of filming sexual acts on an animal.

In April 2019, Yetman was arrested on 31 counts of posessing child pornography. 

In August, he changed his pleas from “not guilty” to “guilty” to reduced charges. He pleaded guilty to one count of child pornography and the first five counts of sexual abuse of an animal. 

On November 23, he was sentenced to serve four years for each of the five counts of sexual abuse of an animal to be served consecutively and 20 years for child pornography to be served concurrently with no benefit of probation or parole for five years.  

“The trauma and degradation of sexual exploitation can debilitate a victim permanently. The explosion of cases of human trafficking, sexual assault and murders should compel our elected officials to legislate sentencing that will at least give society relief from the threat of such a person living among them, even if it won’t deter criminal acts. There must be zero tolerance for such crimes,” said Stanley. 

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

Images: http://bit.ly/OfficerDogSexAbuser

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a 38-year history of fighting for animals, people, and the environment through education and campaigns as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi.

In Defense of Animals has served animals and communities in the Deep South for 27 years. The organization carries out educational initiatives and directly rescues and rehomes abused, neglected and homeless animals through its Hope Animal Sanctuary in Mississippi. Its Justice for Animals campaign aids law enforcement and courts to prevent, investigate and prosecute animal cruelty, and works with legislators to both create and improve animal protection laws. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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