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Shocking Dog Shooting Must Be Punished

Shocking Dog Shooting Must Be Punished

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference.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

On a recent May morning, an English bulldog named Pearl was in her own front yard relieving herself in Greenwood, Mississippi when ex-cop Rafus Davis walked by and shot her completely without provocation. By witnesses’ accounts, Pearl was minding her own business. Davis, who was walking past Pearl’s yard, pulled out his 9 mm handgun and shot Pearl. Unjustified attacks on our animal companions by madmen with guns must be prosecuted!

Pearl’s guardian, Jim Holly was loading his four children and infant in the family vehicle to take them to school at the time. He heard the gunfire and saw Pearl running toward him bleeding from her mouth. Mr. Holly called for police assistance and approached Davis, telling him he had summoned the Greenwood police. Davis left. Besides the traumatized Holly children, there were other horrified children standing by the street while waiting for their school bus.

Officers arrived and Mr. Holly told them that a man walking in the street in front of his house had shot his dog. He described the man and police found Davis still out walking. Davis admitted to shooting Pearl and claimed that she charged at him, growling. Police only charged Davis with discharging a weapon within the city limits, but unfortunately released him on his own recognizance and amazingly did not charge him with Pearl’s shooting.

Mr. Holly has since filled an affidavit charging Davis with aggravated cruelty to a dog. In Mississippi the 1st offense for aggravated cruelty under § 97-41-16, Maliciously injuring dogs or cats is a misdemeanor punishable by up to a $2,500 fine and/or six months in jail. This lax statute means that the judge could charge Davis with as little a fine as he rules. Additionally, the judge has full discretion as to the fine for discharging a weapon within the city limits. Davis has lawyered up and a court date has not been set.

Pearl is alive, but she suffered severe injuries to her mouth.  Her gums were peeled, teeth were lost, and her jaw was broken in two.  With veterinary care, it will be months of healing for Pearl and the family that so dearly loves her.

What YOU Can Do

This alert is no longer active, but here for reference.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

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