CARTER, Okla. (Nov. 3, 2023) — In Defense of Animals applauds the sentencing of an Oklahoma man who was charged with animal cruelty for killing multiple kittens following other felony convictions.

District Attorney Craig Ladd prosecuted Jaquez Law, who “willfully and cruelly” killed the kittens by bashing their heads in. He was charged with animal cruelty, and pled guilty on October 13; he will be imprisoned for 12 years, and is ordered to pay $1,151.

In Defense of Animals sent District Attorney Craig Ladd a letter with more than 13,000 signatures thanking him for taking this case seriously and asking him to present it to Judge Dennis Morris during the sentencing phase of Law’s trial.

On March 8, 2023, Tiffany Goodrich called the Ardmore Police Department to report finding two of her cats dead on her porch. She believed she could identify the individual who trespassed on her property. Public Information Officer Captain Henry found the injuries to the cats to be disturbing.

Law was interviewed and denied killing the kittens, but confessed after Goodrich filed a protective order against him.

In May of 2022, police discovered two kittens, one deceased, the other injured, in Law’s backpack. He was charged with two felony counts of animal cruelty. For this crime, Law received a trite sentence of just 90 days incarceration and five years on probation. Court documents state that Law has been diagnosed with schizophrenia.

Law has a history of altering a firearm serial number, petit larceny, disturbing the peace, domestic abuse: assault and battery, trespassing, assault and battery, unlawful possession of methamphetamine, malicious injury to property, and cruelty to animals charged in 2022, and 2023. From 2019 to 2023, Law was prosecuted for eight crimes.

“While mental illness is a tragic condition that must be recognized and addressed by society, violent criminal acts must not be mitigated, when the individual is a repeat offender. Society and the criminally insane must be protected,” stated Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals Senior Campaigner. “We appreciate Judge Morris, District Attorney Ladd, Ardmore Police Officer Henry, and all in the Oklahoma law enforcement and justice system who treated this disturbing case with the severity it deserves. Their actions bring a measure of justice for his victims and protect future harm to both humans and other animals.”

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

In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization based in California with over 250,000 supporters and a 40-year history of fighting for animals, their advocates, and the environment through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in California, Mississippi, India, and South Korea. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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