Justice for Pom Puppy beaten to death

To: The Honorable Arthur Danner, III, Judge of the Superior Court, Santa Cruz County



19 February 2004



Honorable Arthur Danner, III

Judge of the Superior Court

Santa Cruz County

701 Ocean St., Room 120

Santa Cruz, CA 95060



RE: The March 29, 2004 sentencing of Mr. Steven David Jackson - Superior Court Case No. F03128.



We are writing this letter to draw your attention to the severe animal cruelty that occurred at the hands of Mr. Steven David Jackson, resident of Santa Cruz, CA. On June 10, 2001, Mr. Jackson used a golf club to stop a puppy from barking. The puppy, a purebred Pomeranian, was beaten until severe incapacitation. Through his attorney, Mr. Arthur Dudley, Mr. Steven David Jackson has evaded the punishment he deserves for over two years, hiding under the auspices of judicial prudence.



At 4-months-old and 8.5 pounds, the puppy, Chiquilin, was defenseless against Mr. Jacksons 260-pound mass of violent, uncontrollable fury. Mr. Jackson loomed over the terrified puppy wielding a Big Bertha golf club with the intent to kill. Evidence indicates that Mr. Jackson insatiably pursued Chiquilin as a hunter would his prey, clubbing the puppy as he cowered in fear. Eyewitness accounts of the event state that Mr. Jackson not only struck the puppy multiple times with the weapon, but also committed the atrocity in the presence of his 9-year old son and 7-year old daughter. Mr. Jacksons claims of playing golf with the same club three days later are malicious and sickening. Mr. Jacksons laissez-faire attitude toward the life of Chiquilin and the sensitivities of his children suggest that he is a danger to animals and humans alike.



At the time of the crime, Chiquilins owners, Lourdes Rivas and Cecelia Morales, were Mr. Jacksons neighbors in a Santa Cruz mobile home park. After Mr. Jacksons flash of uncontrollable rage, he placed Chiquilins bleeding and battered body in a plastic food storage container and gave it to the mobile home park manager, deceitfully stating that the dog had been hit by a car. Rivas and Morales rushed Chiquilin to their Veterinarian, who discovered that the puppy was suffering from comminuted fractures (shattering) to the skull, a fractured maxilla (upper jaw), and a dislodged right eye (exposed out of the socket). Chiquilin was humanely euthanized to end his misery. His owners notified the Santa Cruz Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA), which investigated the event and contacted police.



Mr. Steven David Jacksons guilt is not in question, considering his recent conviction of one felony count of Cruelty to an Animal and one felony count of Attempted Dissuading of a Witness. However, we do question Mr. Jacksons ability to function normally in society. Therefore, the reasons we seek your help are twofold. One, we wish to prevent Mr. Jackson from inflicting such misery onto other animals. Second, we hope to educate the Santa Cruz County public on the consequences of abusing animals. Specifically, if an individual is found to have mistreated an animal in any way, they will be severely penalized. Please use your appointed authority and human kindness to sentence Mr. Jackson accordingly.



As animal advocates, we are highly sensitive to the issues surrounding California state ordinances regarding animal abuse and the Santa Cruz Humane Societys obligation to educate the public on the compassionate manner in which pets should be treated. A vast number of animal lovers in the U.S. are outraged and distressed by Mr. Steven David Jacksons behavior. It has been statistically proven that individuals who commit such violent atrocities will not only commit them again, but also heighten their methods of aggression associated with this type of cruelty. Therefore, the only way to assist in curtailing and/or preventing Mr. Steven David Jacksons violent rampages is to confiscate any animals currently under his care and to impose a maximum sentence of 3 years and 8 months in prison, psychological counseling, and a $20,000 fine. This is a much more merciful sentence than Chiquilin received.



According to Helpinghands.com (2004), Violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a dangerous psychopathy that does not confine itself to animals. Studies have convinced sociologists, lawmakers, and the courts that acts of cruelty toward animals deserve our attention. They can be the first sign of a violent pathology that includes human victims. Animal abuse is not just the result of a minor personality flaw in the abuser, but rather a symptom of a deep mental disturbance. If people who abuse animals are five times more likely to commit violent crimes against humans, what can we expect from Mr. Steven David Jackson in the future?



Perhaps you are not aware that Ted Bundy, Jeffery Dahmer, and David Berkowitz were all abusive to animals before turning their aggressions to the human species. Mr. Steven David Jacksons actions are not to be mistaken for simple negligence. His deliberate attempt to kill Chiquilin was virtually successful in that a Santa Cruz Veterinarian was forced to finish what Mr. Jackson started by humanely euthanizing the tortured animal. Mr. Jacksons threatening and derogatory remarks directed toward Chiquilin owners after they contacted police prove his instability and intensify his need for psychological intervention and incarceration.



As you have the power to compassionately address this matter, we urge you to make note of the way in which Chiquilin life was taken. No living being should be treated with such disregard and inhumanity. We are extremely saddened by the unimaginable anguish and despair this animal experienced. You have the power to send a strong message that violence against any creature human or not is unacceptable. Please do not contribute to the pattern of societal neglect that chooses to overlook animal welfare issues. Please help the Santa Cruz community in their effort to prevent this type of abuse from occurring at the hands of this man again.



Mr. Steven David Jacksons premediated attack on a very small, defenseless dog is a clear indicator that he is not capable of providing a safe, healthy environment for his children, and we are gravely concerned that lack of fervent reaction from the Santa Cruz County Court will contribute to public ignorance regarding responsible pet ownership. Therefore, we implore you to solidify Mr. Steven David Jacksons guilt by removing any and all animals currently in his care, sentencing him to 3 years and 8 months in prison, including mandatory psychological counseling, and issuing him a $20,000 fine.



Thank you for your swift attention to this matter.



Sincerely,





Animal Welfare Advocates