CONTACT: Doll Stanley, doll@idausa.org, (662) 809-4483
IMAGES: http://bit.ly/DrDrip 

Opelousas, LA (July 11, 2018) – In Defense of Animals has expressed its shock and disappointment with the disgraceful sentence handed yesterday to a Louisiana man found guilty of the terrible neglect of a retired racehorse. 

Dr. Drip, winner of more than 60 races and purses of more than $253,000, had battery acid poured on his back and was so maggot-eaten and starved that he had to be euthanized. 

Jermaine Dwayne Doucet Jr. of Opelousas, Louisiana, faced felony animal cruelty charges with a sentence of one to ten years prison time and a fine of $5,000-$25,000. Doucet pled guilty to the egregious charges, but was ordered just one year of probation in lieu of any jail sentence or fine. He was not even ordered to pay court costs. 

“This is a horrendous animal cruelty case, and we are incredibly disappointed with the sentencing,” said Doll Stanley, who leads the Justice for Animals Campaign for In Defense of Animals. “Dr. Drip's tormentor accepted responsibility for putting Dr. Drip through the misery of constant hunger, fly bites, maggots eating him alive, and causing him agony by pouring battery acid on the horse’s back. Over 11,000 In Defense of Animals supporters called for strict sentencing in this tragic case, but the judge has made a mockery of justice and entirely absolved the cruel perpetrator.” 

On June 20, 2018, Dr. Drip was discovered by St. Landry Parish authorities near death from abuse and neglect. The St. Landry Animal Control Department had received an anonymous tip that a horse was being neglected. Animal control responded to the call and found Dr. Drip near death. A veterinarian with Acadiana Veterinary Clinic examined Dr. Drip. They determined that battery acid was poured on Dr. Drip’s back, his mouth was consumed with sores, he was coughing blood, and maggots were devouring his flesh. He was mercifully euthanized. 

In Defense of Animals is championing Dr. Drip’s tragic case. Over 11,000 supporters of the non-profit sent letters to St. Landry Parish District Attorney Earl Taylor demanding Doucet’s prosecution and the stiffest of sentencing if convicted. 

“This gross injustice follows a pathetic slap on the wrist for the Bastrop, Louisiana ‘Snapchat Dog Killers’ who got off with probation instead of the three-year sentence of hard labor that Judge Carl Sharp probated,” said Stanley. 

“Law enforcement and district attorneys do a fantastic job of catching and prosecuting the criminals, but judges are letting down the public and failing to bring criminals to justice,” added Stanley. “Animal cruelty and violence to humans are strongly linked, and lawmakers are starting to understand this chilling fact. We are poised to approach Louisiana state senators to enlist their aid in passing mandatory minimum sentencing for animal cruelty crimes.”

In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals campaign is working tirelessly to advance the cause for justice in Mississippi and the Deep-South. We stand united with a coalition of organizations and are aligning with judges, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officials, legislators, animal advocates, and concerned citizens for maximum sentencing in such egregious cases of animal cruelty. In Defense of Animals is acting to pass meaningful regional ordinances that will protect animals when state statutes fail. In Defense of Animals has served in Mississippi for 25 years, aiding victims and law enforcement with hundreds of cruelty reports. 

For more information, please visit www.idausa.org