The Honorable Ernest Johnson
Wyandotte County Courthouse
Division 13
710 North 7th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101


Dear Judge Johnson,

This letter is in reference to the probable cause hearing scheduled to take place in your courtroom on March 18, 1998, for Joe Gutierrez , Marcus Rodriguez , Richard Golubski and Lance Arsenalt, the four men who have been charged with animal abuse and arson in the burning, beating and ultimate death of Scruffy, a tiny Yorkshire terrier and cherished family pet, belonging to the Whitmire family of Kansas City.

These four men have been accused of luring Scruffy from the property of his rightful owners and wantonly and viciously torturing him till his death, while recording these despicable acts on videotape. I am outraged and sickened by the senselessness and extreme cruelty of this crime, and wish to express to you my hopes that you will not dismiss either (any) of the charges brought against them by the district attorney's office.

It is my firm belief that our judicial system and law enforcement officials must recognize that individuals who perpetrate such brutal and senseless acts of cruelty against defenseless animals are exhibiting deviant and criminal behavior and that animal abuse (cruelty) must not be considered a mere prank.

Cruelty to animals, child abuse, and domestic violence are interrelated crimes. They are symptomatic of disturbed individuals, dysfunctional families, and predictors of repetitive violence that often escalates in it's range and severity.

In many of our cities special agents have been trained to recognize these symptoms when investigating animal cruelty reports. If children are present in homes where animal abuse crimes occur, these specially trained agents are required to report their findings to other agencies that will then assess the family situation for any suspicion of child or spousal abuse. People are at risk when animal abusers are not held accountable and punished sufficiently for their crimes.

It is my sincerest hope that you will both recognize and acknowledge this symptomatic behavior of potential future violent and anti-social misconduct by upholding both the charge of animal cruelty and that of arson, and by bringing these men to trial on these charges.

Thank you for your time and consideration on this matter.


Sincerely,





goldenrule


Kansas State Officials


Senators


Address: The Senate
Washington, D.C. 20515

Brownback, Sam, (R)
302 Hart Senate Office Building
PHONE: 1-202-224-6521
FAX: 1-202-228-1265
Email:
sam_brownback@brownback.senate.gov
Website:
http://www.senate.gov/~brownback/
Roberts, Pat (D)
303 Hart Senate Office Building
PHONE: 1-202-224-4774
FAX: 1-202-224-3514
Email:
pat_roberts@roberts.senate.gov
Website:
http://www.senate.gov/~roberts/













Representatives


Address: House of Representatives
Washington, DC 20515

Todd Tiahrt, (R)
Phone: 1-202-225-6216
Fax: 1-202-225-3489
Email:
428 Cannon tiahrt@hr.house.gov
Website:
http://www.house.gov/ tiahrt/guestbook.html
http://www.house.gov/tiahrt/

Vincent Snowbarger, (R)
Phone: 1-202-225-2865
Fax: 1-202-225-5897
Email:
509 Cannon rep.snowbarger@mail.house.gov
Website:
http://www.house.gov/snowbarger/
Jim Ryun, (R)
Phone: 1-202-225-6601
Fax: 1-202-225-2983
Email:
511 Cannon jim.ryun@mail.house.gov
Website:
(none)


Jerry Moran, (R)
Phone: 1-202-225-2715
Fax: 1-202-225-5124
Email:
1217 LHOB jerry.moran@mail.house.gov
Website:
http://www.house.gov/moranks01/























goldenrule

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