Justice for "Frankie"

Athens, NY - English springer spaniel's throat cut - Two Men Charged - released on their own recognizance
Two Greene County men who allegedly cut a dog's throat and dumped him on a country road were charged with felony animal cruelty Tuesday. Frankie's new owner Michael Scheir and his original owner Joseph Wheeler were arraigned and released on their own recognizance pending further court action. They face up to two years in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted on the Buster's Law violation and up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine on the misdemeanor, police said.
Michael Scheir, 32, and Joseph Wheeler, 24, both of Athens, told police Frankie, an English springer spaniel, had nipped the face of a child, so they decided to kill it, authorities said.
They took a kitchen knife and drove to the roadside to allegedly dispose of the dog, they told police. According to their statements, Scheir tried to cut one side of the dog's throat but experienced some difficulty, so Wheeler took the knife and slashed the other side of the dog's neck, troopers said. They then allegedly tossed the pet out the car window

Authorities say the investigation began on April 18, when a resident saw a car pull away from the roadside and saw the occupants of the car dump an English springer spaniel on the ground.
State Police Sgt. Lisa Barkman said the animal was rushed to a veterinarian with cuts from a knife on both sides of its throat. The vets saved the dog.

State Police in Catskill charged both Scheir and Wheeler with aggravated animal cruelty, a felony under the state's 1999 Buster's Law, named for a Schenectady cat that was set on fire. They also are charged with animal abandonment, a misdemeanor.

The pair were arraigned and released on their own recognizance pending further court action. They face up to two years in jail and a $5,000 fine if convicted on the Buster's Law violation and up to a year in jail and a $1,000 fine on the misdemeanor, police said.
This attempt at wanton slaughter of a beautiful, innocent animal deserves an appropriate punishment. This issue speaks to the heart of where we stand as a society in protecting the innocent creatures in our midst. I urge you to apply the highest penalties available for this heinous crime and in so doing send a message to other animal abusers that this type of activity will not be tolerated in our community.