Benton, La. (August 21, 2020) – In Defense of Animals presented more than 20,000 signatures to the Bossier County District Attorney supporting the prosecution of Bossier City Patrolman Terry Yetman for sexually abusing a dog in April, 2019. Yetman’s status hearing will be held today, August 21st. Yetman’s attorney and the District Attorney will either agree on a plea bargain, or Yetman will stand trial at a later date. The decision should be recorded by Tuesday, August 25th.

Access to the courtroom is restricted owing to the COVID-19 pandemic and will be held by video from the jail where Yetman is incarcerated, having not made bond. In Defense of Animals and its supporters are expecting a guilty verdict and are calling for maximum sentencing for Yetman’s vile abuse of Boss (previously referred to as Hero), a police dog whom he sexually violated, while videotaping his perverse cruelty.

“Thousands of In Defense of Animals supporters were horrified by this case and have called on District Attorney Marvin Schuyler to push for the conviction and maximum sentencing of Terry Yetman,” said Doll Stanley, In Defense of Animals’ Justice for Animals Campaign Director.  “It would be astounding if Yetman didn’t receive sentencing that would put him away for life. A healthy society protects its innocents: the vulnerable who live among us.”

Disgraced former officer, Terry Yetman. Credit: Bossier District Attorney’s Office 

In August 2018, the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit launched an investigation into Patrolman Terry Yetman’s alleged perverse animal abuse. The investigation uncovered electronic evidence of the once-decorated Domestic Task Force officer’s acts of bestiality on Boss, a retired police dog. 

Yetman surrendered himself to the Bossier County Sheriff’s Department on December 19, 2018, to face charges. He was arrested and booked into the Bossier County Maximum Correctional Facility and charged with twenty felony counts of violating Louisiana’s crime against nature law — LA Rev Stat § 14:89 — for performing sexual acts on an animal, and twenty felony counts of filming sexual acts on an animal. Yetman’s bond was set at $350,000. 

In April 2019, Yetman was arrested on 31 counts of possessing child pornography.

The Crime against nature statute carries a first offense penalty of a maximum $2,000 fine, a prison sentence of five years, or both. The code also stipulates a psychological evaluation and no contact with animals for a minimum of five years. A second offense carries a maximum $25,000 fine, a maximum prison sentence of ten years, and related restrictions.

Boss was seized and sent to a rescue in Texas. 

“The trauma and degradation of sexual exploitation can debilitate a victim permanently. The explosion of cases of human trafficking, sexual assault and murders should compel our elected officials to legislate sentencing that will at least give society relief from the threat of such a person living among them, even if it won’t deter criminal acts. There must be zero tolerance for such crimes,” said Stanley. 

In Defense of Animals has served animals and communities in the Deep South for 27 years. The organization carries out educational initiatives and directly rescues and rehomes abused, neglected and homeless animals through its Hope Animal Sanctuary in Mississippi. Its Justice for Animals campaign aids law enforcement and courts to prevent, investigate and prosecute animal cruelty, and works with legislators to both create and improve animal protection laws.

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

Images: http://bit.ly/OfficerDogSexAbuser

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In Defense of Animals is an international animal protection organization with over 250,000 supporters and a 37-year history of fighting for animals, people and the environment through education, campaigns and hands-on rescue facilities in India, South Korea, and rural Mississippi. www.idausa.org