Westport selectmen back creation of court animal advocate

Posted 10/18/17

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to endorse the creation of a special animal abuse unit within the District Attorney’s office.

Animal rights activists had called for such a unit …

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Westport selectmen back creation of court animal advocate

Posted

The Board of Selectmen voted unanimously Monday to endorse the creation of a special animal abuse unit within the District Attorney’s office.

Animal rights activists had called for such a unit in the wake of what they said were unduly light sentences handed to two Westport residents charged with six felony counts each of animal cruelty. The two had moved out of their home and left pets behind — two dogs, a cat and a lizard died and two more cats were found in bad condition. The two received probation — one was not required to plead guilty.

Members of Stop the Insanity, Westport had already met with District Attorney Thomas Quinn to discuss the prosecution and sentencing of animal abusers.

To the selectmen, the group wrote, “ Each of you is all too aware of the terrible damage local animal abuse cases have inflicted on the spirit and reputation of our community. Westport has become the “Ground Zero” of an animal abuse epidemic that, to date, defies resolution.

It has fallen to us, as a community, to take a public stand against animal abuse and its lax sentencing by the courts. Part of securing more appropriate sentencing is to make the prosecution of animal abusers a genuine priority within the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office.

“We, your constituents, respectfully request that the Westport Board of Selectmen formally endorse the creation of an Animal Abuse Unit within the Special Victims Unit of the Bristol County District Attorney’s Office. Please note that such a unit should include the regular services of animal advocates in the courtroom—advocates to speak for victims who are unable to speak for themselves. Please send District Attorney Quinn a letter supporting this request.”

The selectmen vote comes shortly after the board received public criticism for not speaking out strongly enough about local animal cruelty incidents. Board members disputed that accusation.

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