Justice for Tigger

To: Ashtabula Prosecutors office, Ashtabula, OH

9 June 2004

Tom Simon, City Prosecutor
Margaret Draper, Assistant City Prosecutor
110 West 44th St.
Ashtabula, Ohio 44004

RE: The Tuesday, June 29, 2004 prosecution of Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing of Ashtabula, Ohio.

Dear Mr. Simon and Ms. Draper,

We are writing this letter to draw your attention to the animal cruelty that occurred at the hands of Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing on May 12, 2004 in Ashtabula, Ohio. This extreme incident of cruelty occurred near 627 Bunker Hill Road in Ashtabula, Ohio.

The event began after 9:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 12, 2004 when Mr. Mark Roloson took his dog Tigger, a 12-pound, 11-month-old Pomeranian, outside. Soon after, Mr. Roloson returned to retrieve Tigger, but saw the little dog walking on the road toward the yard, dragging his back paw. Then, Mr. Roloson, accompanied by his neighbor, Mr. Kelly McConnell, watched in horror as Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing used a vehicle in their possession to drive over Tigger, hitting him with both a front and a back tire. The driver swerved to hit Tigger directly. Suddenly, Mr. Roloson saw Tigger lift his head. Before Mr. Roloson could get to him, Mr. Shelott and Ms. Warsing steered their vehicle to hit Tigger again. Mr. Roloson immediately called 911 and filed a report with the Ashtabula Police. The Roloson family buried Tigger the next day.

Although Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing have pleaded Not guilty, eye witness accounts of the incident depict a horrific and cruel scene of torment and torture inflicted upon Tigger. Ashtabula Police believe that Mr. Shelott and Ms. Warsing switched seats and repeatedly drove over Tigger while he laid bleeding and dying in the street. Mr. Shelott and Ms. Warsing are no strangers to the Ashtabula courts. Each has faced court appearances within the last year. This was a deliberate and premeditated attack on a very small, defenseless dog. The incident is a clear indicator that Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing are dangerous to society, and we are gravely concerned that lack of fervent reaction from the Ashtabula County Court will contribute to public ignorance regarding responsible pet ownership

Animal lovers throughout the U.S. are outraged at Mr. Shelotts and Ms. Warsings behavior. As animal advocates, we are highly sensitive to the issues surrounding Ohio state ordinances regarding animal abuse. We are also well aware of the Ashtabula County Humane Societys obligation to educate the public on the compassionate manner in which animals must be treated.

As you have the power to compassionately address this matter, we urge you to make note of the way in which Tiggers life was taken. No living being should be treated with such disregard and inhumanity. We are extremely saddened by the unimaginable anguish and despair Tigger experienced. Please assist in sending 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. You can help the Ashtabula community in their effort to prevent this cruelty from occurring at the hands of these people again.

Therefore, the reasons we seek your help are twofold. One, we wish to prevent Mr. Shelott and Ms. Warsing from inflicting such misery onto other animals. Second, we hope to educate the citizens of Ashtabula, Ohio 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. The only way to assist in curtailing and/or preventing Mr. Shelotts and Ms. Warsings violent behavior is to confiscate any animals currently under their care and to impose on each a maximum sentence of 3 months in jail, psychological counseling, and a hefty fine. This is a much more merciful sentence than Tigger received. Please use your authority and human kindness to prosecute Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing accordingly.

We sincerely thank you for pursuing charges against Mr. Barry A. Shelott and Ms. Cassie R. Warsing. Now, we implore you to pursue the maximum possible sentence of three months in jail, the largest fine the law will allow, psychological testing, and confiscation of animals in their possession. We also ask that you assist the Ashtabula community in establishing stiffer penalties for those convicted of animal cruelty.

Thank you for your swift attention to this matter.

Sincerely,


Animal Welfare Advocates