This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

A Minnesota family is heartbroken after entrusting their dog to a trainer who tortured and killed her. Demand maximum sentencing in this case! Kristina Ringold entrusted her German wirehaired pointer Evie with Edward Erickson, who's been a trainer since 1998 and owner of Autumn Breeze Kennel.
 

Evie had spent approximately two weeks with Erickson before her second training session on July 10, 2023. On that day, Ringold received a video from Erickson that showed Evie in grave distress; she had been tied to a kennel by her neck and hind end and her feet couldn't reach the ground. Ringold told Fox9 Minneapolis that in the video she saw an e-collar controller in Erickson's hand and believes he was shocking her through her collar. He was also heard saying he would not “​not let this (expletive) win.”

A few days later, Ringold was headed to remove Evie from the kennel when she received a call from Erickson that Evie had died of a heart attack. However, a necropsy revealed a more disturbing truth; according to the News Observer, Evie “had bloody toenails and fecal matter along her sides, which indicated she struggled before dying.” She also had hemorrhages throughout her body, and it's believed she died of asphyxiation, probably secondary to strangulation.

It is hard to believe that Erickson was not arrested until December 12, 2023, and then was only charged with overworking or mistreating animals. He is due back in court in March. He deserves way harsher charges that would more accurately reflect the violence he perpetrated on an innocent animal companion.

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference. Animals still need your help.

Original Letter to Decision Maker:

I am writing to you in support of the vigorous prosecution of Edward Erickson, the owner of Autumn Breeze Kennel who caused the inexcusable strangling death of Kristina Ringold’s dog, Evie.

There is an unfortunate number of trainers operating in this unregulated industry who should be shut down for their use of cruel, outdated, dominance-based methods and Erickson is one of them. There is no excuse for the torturous abuse he inflicted on Evie, and he must be held fully accountable for his actions.

Erickson’s next hearing is on March 28, 2024. This might change, but I will be following this disturbing case to its fruition. Nothing but the maximum allowed jail time and fines and then a mental health evaluation and treatment before his release for his issues is acceptable. He must also not be allowed to live or work around animals ever again.

I sincerely thank you for your service to the judicial system and look forward to Erickson’s strong sentencing.

Sincerely,

Signed