Maryland Cat Torturer gets wrist slapped
Quote:
Last year, Steven Richard Schatz, 38, of 9701 Longview Dr., Ellicott City, was charged with felony cruelty to animals stemming from his alleged systematic April 2004 beatings and sodomy of his then-girlfriend's cat, Clyde. According to court records, Clyde was found suffering from blunt-force traumas on numerous occasions that month, including severe ocular hemorrhages, liver trauma, and seven broken ribs. Clyde's rectal muscles were also found to be flaccid, consistent with his having been sodomized. A digital recorder placed in his guardian's home later reportedly captured Clyde rhythmically screaming in obvious agony and Schatz yelling at the animal. Three months later, Clyde had to be euthanized because of his injuries.
On May 27, The Baltimore Sun reported that Schatz had been convicted of the charges and faced three years in prison.
Despite prosecutors' reported request that Schatz be given 18 months in jail, Judge Neil Axel instead apparently sent the felonious animal abuser to jail for just 90 days. Handcuffed and being led out of the courtroom, Schatz allegedly told the cat's guardian, "This is going to come back to you, in some way or form."
Please let Judge Axel hear from you. Inform him that further crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers and that this is especially true among so-called "zoophiles". Politely suggest that His Honor's decision may well have jeopardized the safety of the community at large and its animals.
It is imperative that all correspondence be dignified and polite, or our campaign will suffer:
The Honorable Neil Edward Axel
Associate Judge of District Court, Howard County
3451 Courthouse Dr.
Ellicott City, MD 21043
410-480-7701 (fax)
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