Cross post from Jackie's community:

IF YOU ARE OVER THE AGE OF 18 PLEASE SIGN!!!

rom: Angel (Original Message)
Sent: 10/4/2002 11:18 AM

: Firedancer (Original Message)
Sent: 10/1/2002 8:22 AM


PLEASE DO NOT SIGN IF YOU ARE UNDER 18.

On August 21, 2002, 17-year old Russell Watson, brutally beat a 1-year old pitbull,
Rahkim, with a baseball bat. The beating was recorded by a security camera in a
laundromat in which the puppy went into seeking refuge from Watson.

The video shows the pup entering the site limping and bloodied from Watson attacking
him and hiding behind a row of washing machines. Watson can then be seen walking in
dangling a baseball bat. The next thing the tape shows is sickening. Watson finds the
pup, lines up the bat, and delivers several crushing blows to Rahkim’s head and
rendering him unconscious. Watson then drags Rahkim out of the laundromat by his
legs and abandons him a block away, leaving Rahkim to die.

Rahkim sustained severe injuries and on August 22, 2002, Rahkim’s owners/family
had him euthanized. The puppy belonged to 10-year old Alexis Broadway who lives only
a few blocks from where the attack took place.

Under Pennsylvania law, Watson will only be charged with a 2nd Degree Misdemeanor
which sentencing is at least $1,000 and/or 2 years imprisonment. Pennsylvania is on of
21 states that do not recognize Aggravated Animal Cruelty as a felony.

I understand that these 21 states may not recognize animal life to be as valuable as
human life, hence, the misdemeanor statutes. However, tests show that violence
towards animals is often linked to violence towards humans including family violence,
school shootings, and serial killings.

Unfortunately, animals can not speak up for themselves. The animals are counting on
you to support them. Please sign and forward this petition to ensure that people that
commit such acts of extreme animal cruelty will be charged as felons and prosecuted to
the fullest extent of the law. The battle to make America a humane country is just
beginning.

To sign petition, go to http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/786667561

Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi,
Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South
Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, West Virginia, and Wyoming are the 21 states that charge
aggravated animal cruelty as a misdemeanor. I am looking for volunteers in these
states to post the petition in local veterinary hospitals, pet stores, and SPCAs. Please
contact me if you are interested.