CONROE, Texas (November 6, 2024) — In Defense of Animals applauds the November 4, 2024, conviction of Joely Keen who was arrested on a charge of bestiality following an investigation into her husband. However, she received a weak six-month sentence to serve in the Department of Corrections, which is hardly a deterrent for her perverse crime. Without mandatory mental health evaluation and treatment it is improbable that Keen will do anything but hide any future recidivism.

Joely Keen was arrested on March 27, 2024, and charged with committing multiple sex acts with her Great Dane. Joely, who worked as a nurse practitioner, was fired, and family members took in her children.

Joely’s husband William Mitchell Keen was also arrested on March 27 for masturbating while tailing children in a supermarket on March 13. The Montgomery County Sheriff’s Department Precinct 3 responded to William’s lewd behavior. When arresting officers checked the contents of his phone they were stunned to discover dozens of child sexual assault videos and photos, including Joely violating her dog. William’s Trial is on the docket for November 19, 2024.

The reaction of their community members was pure shock. They believed the couple were “animal-lovers,” even nicknaming William the “Pet Detective.”

In Defense of Animals sent a letter signed by 13,204 people to District Attorney Brett Ligon urging maximum sentencing for the Keens including a full term of incarceration, mandated mental health support, and a ban from any animal contact. The letter noted the link between animal cruelty and violent abuse of humans.

“Time and again we see animal abusers pose a severe risk to  children,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals Senior Campaigner. “Child molesters and animal abusers must be removed from society since the bent to violate children and animals is not fixable. It's imperative that individuals convicted of these crimes be closely monitored. We are disappointed at the weak sentence and encourage judges across the country to wake up and see animal cruelty as a red flag for pedophilia, domestic violence, and elder abuse.”

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

In Defense of Animals is an international animal rescue and protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 41-year history of defending animals, the environment, and their guardians through education and campaigns, as well as hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, central California, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org/justice4animals

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