Terra Morehead
Wyandotte County
District Attorneys Office
710 North 7th Street
Kansas City, Kansas 66101

Dear Ms. Morehead,

I am writing to you because of my genuine concern and outrage over a brutal and senseless incident which occurred in Kansas City, Kansas on June 27, 1997, 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 June 27, 1997 Joe Gutierrez, Marcus Rodriguez, Richard Golubski and Lance Arsenalt lured a twelve year old, six pound Yorkshire Terrier named Scruffy away from the property of his rightful owner, a neighbor and young adult, who was devoted to this beloved pet. They viciously and sadistically burned and beat Scruffy, causing his ultimate death in a manner horrifying to any person of moral and decent caliber.

Many studies have shown 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 individuals charged, to the fullest extent of the law.

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 their conviction, you would make every effort to seek the harshest punishment possible under your state's animal cruelty statutes.

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

Thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,