Ms. Sara Welch
Johnson County
District Attorneys Office
PO Box 728
Olathe, Kansas 66001

Dear Ms. Welch,

I am writing to you because of my concern and outrage over yet another case of animal abuse which occurred in Olathe, Kansas and was discovered on February 28,1998 and brings to light an issue that has long affected the law-abiding citizens of Kansas, as well as the citizens of the rest of our nation.

On February 28, 1998, Scott M. Klasinski, 27, was arrested and charged with animal cruelty. He is accused of starving his dog for nearly two months and then stuffing him in a garbage bag and leaving him to die. The dog was found by the landlord in an unheated crawl space in a black garbage bag. Animal abuse, and cruelty to any helpless living being is repugnant and should not be tolerated in an enlightened society. There is no excuse or alibi worth considering for causing death or pain to an innocent creature.

There are many studies that have concluded that there is an unmistakable connection between animal abuse and subsequent violence to humans. These studies point to the importance of taking animal cruelty laws seriously, and strictly enforcing them. Such a course of action is absolutely essential in order to identify persons capable of such violent acts against helpless animals and people, and to protect innocent law abiding citizens. Therefore, I ask for your immediate and dedicated efforts in prosecuting the person charged, Scott M. Klasinsky, to the fullest extent of the law, if he is found guilty.

It is time to send a clear message to people capable of intentionally inflicting serious injury or death on helpless animals, that such brutal and senseless crimes will not be tolerated, and that there are guaranteed consequences for those who would show such disdain for the law. As a society we must call a halt to the acceptance of animal cruelty, and enforce a policy of harsh punishment for these sadistic crimes.

In addition I would request that, in the event of his conviction, that you make every effort to seek the harshest punishment possible under your state's animal cruelty statutes.

To allow individuals guilty of perpetrating such cruel acts to go unpunished or not sufficiently punished, would be to sanction these crimes, and would permit them to go on to commit serious and/or violent crimes against innocent human beings.

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,