Saturday, July 22, 2006

Saturday, July 22, 2006 Police seeking puppy’s abuser By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press OCEAN SPRINGS — When Colleen Lennep completed veterinarian school in May she dreamed of helping the animals of the Gulf Coast. Now, the young vet is left wondering who could be so cruel to an innocent animal. ―I went to school to help animals, not to euthanize them,‖ Lennep said. ―But, this had to be done. This act of cruelty was something that no class could prepare me for.‖ Early Thursday morning, a 16-week old black male Labrador Retriever covered in PVC pipe glue was discovered on Martin Bluff Road in Gautier across from the Singing River Grocery. The animal’s eyes were sealed shut from the glue. His mouth, the inside of his throat and deep in his ears were also saturated. Lennep said she was positive the puppy could no longer hear or see. His hind legs were also fractured in several places. The entire situation was shocking to her and her staff and Lennep said they were disturbed by the incident. ―People who can do that to defenseless animals eventually think nothing of hurting a child or another person,‖ Lennep said. ―I urge anyone with information to help the police out.‖ Officials at the Gautier Police Department said their policy on animal cruelty is to file a report, find the owners of the animal and file charges if necessary. According to officials, charges were filed against an unnamed individual late Thursday afternoon and his for three dogs escaping his yard and mauling another canine. Both crimes are currently under investigation and anyone with any information should contact the Gautier Police Department at (228) 497-2486. Animal cruelty a misdemeanor crime and carries a fine on a case by case basis. According to officials, individuals can even be given up to six months of jail time if the crime is extremely cruel. Lennep identified ―a good Samaritan‖ as the person who tried to rescue the puppy. ―He was getting gas and took the puppy to his home in Hickory Hills. He called the Gautier Police Department,‖ Lennep said. ―They told him they didn’t know when they would be able to get there so he just went ahead and brought him to us. I know the crime has really increased in that area and I hope the police department will get those people, and now animals, the help they need.‖ After a full examination, Lennep said she knew there was no hope and euthanized the animal. ―When I first saw him I prayed he would have a chance,‖ Lennep said. ―But, he was nearly comatose and in respiratory distress. All he could do was whine and whimper. Like he was begging for help. So it was the correct things to do. It was the only humane thing we could do.‖ Lennep said the puppy weighed only 20 pounds and should have weighed about 30 pounds. She said she suspects the puppy was starved as well as tortured. ―I can’t believe someone would actually do something like that,‖ Lennep said. April Zachary, a veterinarian assistant for the office, said it was the worst thing she’s ever seen. ―He was in such bad shape,‖ Zachary said. ―You could tell his mouth had been forced shut and it looked like he was help down in a bucket of glue. He obviously struggled because there was glue all over him and it was dried and cracking. It was the cruelest thing.‖ Bill Richmond, director of the Jackson County Animal Shelter, said unfortunately these type of cruel acts are common. ―Really, it just depends on your definition of cruelty,‖ Richmond said. ―We see people who just refuse to take care of their animals and that’s a form of animal cruelty in my opinion. And truly, I’ve seen animals in far worse shape than the puppy sounds like it was. Most of those kinds of acts are not suitable for your readers.‖ Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. Tuesday, July 25, 2006 Rewards offered for puppy abuser’s arrest By NATALIE CHANDLER The Mississippi Press GAUTIER — The Humane Society of the United States and Gautier police are each offering rewards for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever glued a puppy’s eyes, ears and mouth shut. ―It’s absolutely horrific,‖ said Jen Hobgood, program coordinator for The Humane Society of the United States. ―I wish I could say I’d never heard anything like it.‖ Last Thursday, a 16-weekold black male Labrador retriever covered in PVC pipe glue was discovered on Martin Bluff Road across from Singing River Grocery. The dog’s eyes were sealed shut from the glue. His mouth, throat, and ears were also saturated. Colleen Lennep, a veterinarian at Pet Connection Town and Country Veterinary Hospital, euthanized the puppy after determining he could no longer hear or see. Lennep also said the dog’s hind legs were fractured in several places. After a full examination, she said there was no hope for saving the puppy. ―He was nearly comatose and in respiratory distress,‖ Lennep said. ―All he could do was whine and whimper, like he was begging for help. So (euthanasia) was the correct thing to do. It was the only humane thing we could do.‖ Gautier police, who said there are still no leads in the case, offered a $500 reward on Monday for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or people responsible for the dog’s death. Hobgood, who saw The Mississippi Press story on the Internet, said her agency is offering a reward of up to $2,500. ―We want solid information,‖ Hobgood said. ―One of our concerns is that anyone who would commit this act of violence will commit other acts of violence against animals or people, or both.‖ Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor and carries a fine on a case-by-case basis, Gautier police said. Convicted animal abusers can face up to six months in jail if the case is extremely cruel, police added. ―Our hope is that the story will get out again so someone will feel compelled to come forward with information,‖ Hobgood said. ―Because whoever did this needs help, and this puppy needs justice.‖ Research shows that animal abusers could be more prone to commit other acts of violence, Hobgood said. ―Such as acts of violence against family members and elder abuse,‖ she said. ―This is not just an animal issue. The issue is violence.‖ Anyone with information on the case is asked to call the Gautier Police Department at (228) 497-2486. Reporter Natalie Chandler can be reached at nchandler@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1435. Thursday, July 27, 2006 “This puppy needs justice” Buddy’s Hero Reward for lab’s abuser grows as police seek suspect By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press GAUTIER — All Gary Emerick wants is 10 minutes alone with the person who tortured a black Labrador Retriever puppy last Thursday. ―That’s all I want,‖ Emerick said. ―The laws for animal cruelty are not enough. Just give me 10 minutes and I guarantee they’ll never be mean to animals again. This puppy needs justice.‖ The dog has been affectionately named ―Buddy‖ and although donations are pouring in to assist with the arrest of the puppy’s abuser, Emerick said the penalties the law holds for animal cruelty is simply not severe enough. ―PVC pipe glue burns if it comes in contact with skin,‖ Emerick said. ―It’s made to fuse pipe together and for it to have been placed the puppy’s eyes, well that’s just torture. It would have burned that poor puppy’s eyes before making him blind. And his gums, that’s tender skin. And the laws aren’t strong enough to fit the crime. This person will get a slap on the wrist and it’s just not good enough.‖ Jeff Smith, District 39 representative to the Mississippi House of Representatives, is trying to change the law. Smith said he would like to see a first offense of animal cruelty stay a misdemeanor, but then become a felony with a repeat offense. He’s pushing a bill that would give repeat offenders up to one year of jail time. ―Anyone can err and deserves a second chance,‖ Smith said. ―But a person who continues to harm innocent animals has a problem and needs to be punished.‖ Currently, the law states animal cruelty is a misdemeanor with limited, if any, jail time and a minimal fine. Smith said a bill was presented to the agricultural committee in 2005, but unfortunately it was overshadowed by bills asking for Hurricane Katrina support and failed before the House. ―I was told they had just not received enough input on the matter,‖ Smith said. The bill is slated to return to the House in 2007. ―Hopefully,‖ Smith said. ―We’ll have the support we need and can make the torture and abuse of animals a harsher penalty.‖ The outrage over the incident is not only being felt locally, but nationally as well. Michele Sebesto, of Staten Island, N.Y., has requested information on the abuser when caught. ―I am a member of the Humane Society and the American Society of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals,‖ Sebesto wrote in a letter to the Gautier Police Department. ―I work in Manhattan in a law firm and in my spare time I am an animal rights advocate. I am the voice for the helpless.‖ Sebesto requested the information so the person’s name can be posted on the nationwide Do Not Adopt List. The list prevents any person convicted of animal cruelty from adopting pets through any Humane Society. She also intends to make sure the person or persons are punished to the fullest extent of the law. Both Smith and Sebesto’s actions brought a little relief to Emerick. ―After what I saw, the law needs to be looked at,‖ Emerick said. ―And that person never needs to go near animals again.‖ Emerick was putting air in his tires at the self service car wash on Martin Bluff Road when he heard a whimper from a diaper box placed before the gate of the Hickory Hill Nursery. ―The box was sealed with tape,‖ Emerick said. ―But, I could see a little leg sticking through a hole and I knew it was some kind of animal.‖ He was horrified when he broke the tape and pealed back the cardboard flaps. Inside was a 16-week-old black male Labrador Retriever covered in PVC pipe glue. The animal’s eyes were sealed shut from the glue. His mouth, the inside of his throat and deep in his ears were saturated with the glue. Emerick said he thought the dog was covered in salvia or vomit from being taped in a hot box and nearly suffocated. When he realized it was actually glue, he broke the seal on the puppy’s eyes and mouth then took the dog home in an attempt to rescue the canine. He called the Gautier Police Department and the Jackson County Animal Control unit, but could not be given a time anyone would arrive with help. Emerick decided time was of the essence and drove the animal to The Pet Connection in Ocean Springs. That’s when Emerick was given devastating news by veterinarian Colleen Lennep. ―I just knew we could save him,‖ Emerick said. ―But she said no. The only thing we could do was put him down.‖ Emerick was already planning to keep the puppy and begged the vet to try anything to save him. ―I told her I didn’t care,‖ Emerick said. ―I would have paid anything. Just save him.‖ Emerick’s friends, Jenny Saulters and Joanne Hanson, both of Gautier, said finding the puppy had a heart-wrenching effect on Emerick. ―He cried the whole way home,‖ Saulters said. ―His heart just broke when he realized nothing could be done.‖ ―Crime has really increased in the area (Hickory Hill) since the storm,‖ Hanson added. ―But, we still think it was an adult. I don’t think kids would take the time to tape the puppy in a box alive. They would have just left it somewhere.‖ Now, Emerick just wants the abuser found and as the reward money increases, the leads are few and far between. Capt. Eddie Williams of the Gautier Police Department said they have not received anything concrete yet, but would make the public aware when they do receive something substantial. Anyone wishing to added to the reward can do so two different ways. Concerned citizens can send their donation to The Mississippi Press at PO Box 849, Pascagoula, MS. 39568. Please write ―Buddy’s Reward Fund‖ on the donation. Or visiting any Hancock Bank and asking for ―Buddy’s Reward Fund‖ Currently, the reward is $3,000 but steadily growing. If the person is not apprehended then the funds will be returned. John Bergstrom of Gautier plans to make a donation of $500 to the cause. ―I don’t have a lot of money,‖ Bergstrom said. ―But the amount of abuse that dog took is unreal. This person needs to be caught and if it’ll help then it’s worth every penny. It will be money well spent.‖ Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. TO DONATE Mail your donation to: The Mississippi Press P.O. Box 849 Pascagoula, MS 39568 Please write on the donation: For Buddy’s reward fund. or Visit any Hancock Bank and ask to donate to ―Buddy’s Reward Fund.‖ If the person is not caught the donations will be refunded. TO CHANGE THE LAW To help change the animal cruelty laws in the state of Mississippi call Rep. Jeff Smith at (662) 328-2711 to express concerns. TO HELP If you have information on Buddy’s abuser-abusers call the Gautier Police Department at (228) 497-2486 to report it. Friday, July 28, 2006 Dumping Ground Paul Hammond, owner of the nursery where Buddy was found, says other abused animals have been abandoned on his property By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press GAUTIER — Buddy, the puppy that was tortured and abandon last week, was not the first puppy to be left for dead at the Hickory Hill Nursery. Paul Hammond, owner of the plant nursery, said Buddy was actually the fourth dog left on the property. ―Three dogs were left right after I opened,‖ Hammond said. ―Two were thrown inside my gate and look starved.‖ A third dog was discovered that was clearly abused before it was abandoned, according to Hammond. ―I felt sorry for him,‖ Hammond said. ―He was in bad shape and I couldn’t just send him to the pound where he would be destroyed.‖ Instead, Hammond kept the long-haired mini dachshund and mini Doberman Pinscher mix and nursed him back to health. Hammond said it appeared as if the person who abandoned the dog had used a rubber band to dock the dog’s tail. ―It was terrible,‖ Hammond said, ―It was all infected and I’m sure I’ll have to have what’s left of his tail professionally removed eventually. He has problems with simple things — like his business.‖ Hammond said his plant nursery is also being used as a dump. He said there is a constant influx of trash being left on the property, including a mutilated shark. Hammond said it’s hurting his business and he wants it to stop. ―There was the fins, the head and all the guts just everywhere,‖ Hammond said. ―No one wants to stop by here and do business with that here. Do you know what the hot sun does to a fish carcass? Heck, I don’t want to see that. Neither does anyone else.‖ Hammond said the lack of police patrols in the Hickory Hill area are the blame. ―The public needs to know the level of crime we have here,‖ Hammond said. ―It’s awful. When people are gluing a puppy’s eyes shut — well something needs to be done and we need some help.‖ Capt. Eddie Williams of the Gautier Police Department said Hammond’s issues are probably just a reflection of the neighboring self service car wash. Williams said it’s more than likely people are discarding the contents of their vehicles and boats and then leaving it on Hammond’s property. According the Williams, what happened to Buddy is an act of animal cruelty that the Gautier Police Department is taking very seriously and there are no plans to stop until the person is apprehended. ―We’ve increased our patrols,‖ Williams said. ―A car travels down Martin Bluff Road 100 times a night.‖ Williams said that although manpower is an issue, officers wrote 79 speeding citations from July 17 through July 24 and most were issued on Martin Bluff Road and Gautier –Vancleave Road. ―We’re doing everything we can,‖ Williams said. ―We’re really cracking down on streets like Lima and Whitewood. If we only get called 10 times a night to those streets — we’re doing good.‖ Williams said he plans to hire four new officers by the end of August and then another four before the end of October. ―We’ve got two that have nearly completed the process,‖ Williams said. ―But so many people can make more with construction that we’re short applicants. As soon as we’re fully staffed the entire city will feel the full impact of the police department. ―We’re aggressive now, but then we’ll have even more aggressive patrols then.‖ Hammond said a fully staffed police department is good news. ―That’s what we need,‖ Hammond said. ―If someone will do that (glue) to a puppy then how long before they do something similar to a child or an elderly person? They need to be caught.‖ Hammond said he will donate $100 to the Buddy’s Reward Fund and hopes others will follow. The reward for information leading to the capture and conviction of Buddy’s abuser is $3,025. The U.S. Humane Society had contributed $2,500, other donors have contributed $525 to Buddy’s Reward Fund at Hancock Bank. But, State Rep. John Read said catching Buddy’s abuser is not enough. ―We need to change the law,‖ Read said. ―Animal cruelty is asensitive issue. The wording has to be just right, but this act was clearly done by a sick individual. We need harsher punishments.‖ Currently, the law states animal cruelty is a misdemeanor with limited, if any, jail time and a minimal fine. Rep. Jeff Smith told The Mississippi Press on Thursday he would like to see a first offense of animal cruelty remain a misdemeanor, but repeat offenses would be considered felonies. He’s pushing a bill that would give repeat offenders up to one year of jail time. ―If anyone can get the wording right Jeff can,‖ Read said. ―He’s brilliant and I know he’ll get it right.‖ Read said it will be January before the bill is presented to the House of Representatives and although donating to the reward fund and writing letters gives satisfaction now — Read said we can’t forget Buddy in January. ―If we’re going to change the law that’s when it all needs to be done,‖ Read said. ―To make the greatest impact people need to remember Buddy in December and start flooding their local and state representatives with letters. Let’s not forget Buddy come December.‖ Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. TO DONATE The reward is currently up to $3,025. To contribute to the reward fund for the capture and conviction of Buddy’s abuser, mail your donation to: The Mississippi Press P.O. Box 849 Pascagoula, MS 39568 Please write on the donation: For Buddy’s reward fund. or Visit any Hancock Bank and ask to donate to ―Buddy’s Reward Fund.‖ There is currently $525 in the bank account. If the person is not caught the donations will be refunded. Saturday, July 29, 2006 BUDDY Abuse heaped on Labrador retriever could be sign of future violence against ‘fellow humans’ By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press GAUTIER — As the abuse and torture of Buddy the Labrador still stings residents, experts reveal that animal abuse is a factor in human violence. Dr. Karla Pope, a criminal justice expert for the Mississippi Gulf Coast Community, said cruelty to animals is one factor in a person developing serial killing tendencies. According to Pope, violent acts toward animals have long been recognized as indicators of a violent psychopathology that does not confine itself to animals. ―Anyone who has accustomed himself to regard the life of any living creature as worthless is in danger of arriving at the idea that human life is worthless,‖ Pope said. ―They usually begin with torturing birds, cats and dogs. They take pleasure in these acts and then slowly escalate to children and/or adults. Just depending on their fantasies.‖ Pope said an act as extreme as holding a puppy down and gluing it’s eyes, mouth and ears shut as well as breaking its legs, displays classic animal cruelty that can be linked to social violence. According to Pope, studies have now convinced sociologists, lawmakers, and the courts that acts of cruelty toward animals deserve the attention of the law and can be the first sign of a violent pathology that includes humans. Pope also said dysfunctional family issues can play a role. ―This almost sounds to me like a child,‖ Pope said. ―Probably a child who has experienced some form of abuse, or has been exposed to abuse. Most often these kids come from a single parent household or has been shuffled from family member to family member and has no true stability.‖ Pope also said police officials should be seeking someone 12-to-16-years-old. ―This is most likely not the work of someone 20-to-30-years-old,‖ Pope said. ―Police need to be looking for someone younger who is just beginning to experiment with acts of violence. They need to stop them before it gets worse.‖ Pope said there is a long road of the violence that produces a serial killer. ―Animal abuse is not just the result of a minor personality flaw in the abuser,‖ Pope said. ―But a symptom of a deep disturbance. Research in psychology and criminology shows that people who commit acts of cruelty against animals don't stop there. Many of them move on to their fellow humans and don’t stop with just one person.‖ Latisa Virgil, counselor for Pine Grove Counseling Center in Gautier said, thankfully, the center has never treated an adult or child who has committed the type of violence Buddy endured. ―If we did see someone who was abusive to animals we would give them a full evaluation,‖ Virgil said. ―After that is completed we would refer them to the appropriate treatment center or agency.‖ Virgil said they treat each person case by case and treatment one patient reacts favorably to may not be the proper course of action for another. ―We would just have to evaluate them,‖ Virgil said. ―But, someone who commits something that horrific would probably require impatient treatment.‖ Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. Notorious killers who began as animal abusers According to the Predators Web site, evidence suggests that animals can play a similar role with regards to social violence. Some of the most striking evidence for a link between animal cruelty and human violence lies in the case histories of many of the 20th century’s most infamous criminals. • Mass-murderer and cannibal Jeffrey Dahmer killed neighbors’ pets and impaled a dog’s head on a stick. • Patrick Sherril, who murdered 14 co-workers and then killed himself, stole pets, then tied them up and allowed his own dog to mutilate them. • David Berkowitz, the so-called ―Son of Sam,‖ shot his neighbor’s Labrador retriever. • Albert DeSalvo, the ―Boston Strangler,‖ shot arrows into boxes of trapped cats and dogs. • Brenda Spencer, who fired 40 shots into a crowd of children, killing two and wounding nine, had a history of setting the tails of neighborhood cats and dogs on fire. • Edmund Emil Kemper III, who murdered his mother and seven other women, abused cats and dogs. • Carol Edmund Cole, who murdered 35 people, admitted that his first violent act was strangling a puppy. • Richard Allen Davis, kidnapper and murderer, doused cats with gasoline and set them on fire. Studies of prison inmates reveal that as many as 75 percent of violent offenders had early records of animal cruelty. There is also a high correlation between family violence and animal cruelty. A 1983 study of New Jersey families referred to youth and family services for reasons of child abuse reported that 88 percent of cases had at least one member of the household who physically abused animals. An English researcher found that 83 percent of families reported for animal abuse also had children listed at high risk of abuse or neglect. Visit predators.tv/research/animalabuse.asp for more information. — From Staff Reports Thursday, August 3, 2006 Woman to push Buddy’s Law By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press BILOXI — As donations pour in from across the country, one local woman said it’s just not enough. Julie Tayor of Biloxi was surfing the Internet several months ago and discovered Pasado's Safe Haven. A national Web site dedicated to stopping the abuse and torture of animals all over the United States. She said she researched the organization and discovered Pasado's Safe Haven was an integrate part in rescuing animals that were abandoned after Hurricane Katrina. They either found the animals new homes or reunited them with their owners. Taylor said she was touched by everything the organization did for the Coast and she said when The Mississippi Press broke the story about Buddy, the 16-week-old Black Laborer that was tortured with PVC pipe glue and left for dead, she thought they could help. ―I just new they needed to know about Buddy and I had to do something,‖ Taylor said. ―I donated and I had my friends and family donate to the reward money, but it’s not enough. I e-mailed your (The Mississippi Press) article to Rita Morgan and she responded — quickly.‖ Morgan is a national director for the Web site and has put together an entire page dedicated to passing Buddy’s Law and making the abuse of animals a felony in the state of Mississippi. ―We’re one of seven states that animal abuse is still only a misdemeanor,‖ Taylor said. ―I know (Rep.) Jeff Smith wants the first offense to remain a misdemeanor and that’s just not acceptable. We have to let them know it. We can’t let this go. Things need to change and I don’t want Buddy’s death to be in vain. The person who did that to him needs more than just a slap on the wrist.‖ The Web site provides information on how to help change the animal cruelty laws in Mississippi and offers links to a variety of Web sites. ―Julie is so passionate,‖ Morgan said. ―We want to partner will people like her and make sure the laws get changed. We empathize with Buddy’s case because we’ve seen cases like that here. This way we can help with all we’ve learned and get the laws changed in Mississippi and get the best possible law in place to protect the animals.‖ Co-founder Susan Michaels said Buddy’s story reminds her of the way Pasado died. Michaels plans to travel to New Orleans to participate in the making of a memorial wall for the pets that were lost during Hurricane Katrina. ―We saved thousands,‖ Morgan said. ―But, we lost thousands, too. We want them to be remembered. Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. On the net Visit Pasado's Safe Haven at pasadosafehaven.org/ to help pass Buddy’s Law. Friday, August 4, 2006 Investigators report break in Buddy’s case By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press GAUTIER — Buddy had six siblings. Four are dead. Three were poisoned and one was beaten with a hammer, according to private investigator Darren Versiga. Versiga, the owner of Covert Investigations and Consulting Services, has been working closely with the Gautier Police Department to help catch the person who tortured Buddy, the 16-week-old black Labrador retriever, with PVC pipe glue. Buddy’s hind legs were also broken. Versiga and investigator Rod Rodriguez have been combing through the Federal Emergency Management Agency trailer park on Lima Drive for two days after receiving an anonymous tip. Thursday he received the break in the case he’s been hoping would come with the leg work. ―We’ve traced the litter back to a house on Daylily Street,‖ Versiga said. According to Versiga the litter belonged to Charlene Porter of Daylily Street. Buddy was one of seven puppies. Porter told Versiga that after three of the dogs became sick and died, she kept one of the labs and gave the remainder of the litter to neighbors. ―It looks like those three were killed with anti-freeze,‖ Versiga said. ―All of the dogs were just permitted to run wild in the neighborhood, and that’s just the average animal hater’s way of getting rid of what they consider to be a nuisance. They dig in the trash and destroy their property, so people like that think nothing of poisoning them.‖ Versiga interviewed Ashley McDaniel and he is convinced she discovered two of the puppies in a ditch on Laurel Green Road. McDaniel kept one puppy and gave her neighbor the other. ―Those puppies are fine,‖ Versiga said. ―When she found them they we malnourished, but not abused.‖ Another Labrador puppy was discovered tortured and abused on Fishhawk Street, Versiga said. ―The dog was nearly the same age as Buddy, but a different litter,‖ Versiga said. ―The owner found the dog at the end of her drive with it’s head beaten in. She said the dog’s head was flatten by a hammer or other blunt object.‖ Versiga said the dog was owned by Kimberly Mullins and Fishhawk Street exits next to the Martin Bluff Fire Station. The fire station is directly across the street from the Hickory Hill Nursery, where Buddy was found. Because of those circumstances, Versiga is convinced Buddy’s killer lives in what residents of the Lima Drive FEMA trailer park referred to as the ―FEMA hood,‖ which includes Daylily Street, Laurel Green Road, Lima Drive and Fishhawk Street. ―What happened to Buddy and the dog with it’s head beaten in is sadistic,‖ Versiga said. ―That person needs to be caught. Whoever did that to Buddy does not look at an animal like most people do. Most people see a cute little puppy or kitten, people like that see something to torture.‖ Versiga has 18-years experience in law enforcement and is currently a deputy with the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department. Rodriguez is a former police officer. Both men agreed tips such as the ones he’s received are what breaks cases like Buddy’s. ―I’m not doing this for anyone but Buddy. I don’t work for the Gautier Police Department,‖ Versiga said. ―And I’m not doing this as a deputy I just want justice for Buddy. Tips from people in the neighborhood is one thing we can count on to help. They hear and see things we don’t.‖ Versiga said he and Rodriguez have devoted all their spare time to finding Buddy’s abuser. ―We have clients, paying clients, who understand,‖ Rodriguez said. ―They’re animal lovers and they understood when we explained we wanted a few days to try and help the police department track this person down.‖ ―What bothers me the most is Buddy was found in a diaper box,‖ Versiga added. ―That tells me this person has access to children.‖ As Versiga and Rodriguez pounded on FEMA trailer doors Thursday they were met with concerned residents. Grace Hancock said she’s convinced the little dog that no one cared about roamed her neighborhood. Hancock relocated from her Pascagoula home to FEMA trailer on Lima Drive. She’s positive Buddy was the stray dog she was feeding on a regular basis. ―I just know that was him,‖ Hancock said. ―I know in my heart it was Buddy.‖ Hancock described Buddy as sweet and trusting. ―Because of that it wouldn’t be hard for someone to get near him,‖ Hancock said. ―How could someone do something like that. I was feeding him until him up and disappeared. Anyone who would do a dog that way would do kids that way.‖ Her neighbor Charles Killingsworth said what happened to Buddy was horrible. ―And it could be that dog that used to run around here. We all used to feed him, but I ain’t seen him lately,‖ Killingsworth said. Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. Saturday, August 12, 2006 Do it for Buddy Investigatorscontinue to workleads in caseof abused puppy By CHERIE WARD The Mississippi Press GAUTIER — As letters asking local representatives to help change the animal cruelty laws pour into The Mississippi Press, investigators still need help from the community to find those responsible for abusing a 16-week-old Labrador retriever. ―We’re going to be out in the community Saturday,‖ private investigator Darren Versiga said. ―We have no new leads, but we have a couple of things to follow up on. Just nothing substantial at this point.‖ Versiga, the owner of Covert Investigations and Consulting closely with the Gautier Police Department to help catch the person who tortured the Buddy with PVC pipe glue. He and investigator Rod Rodriguez have been searching for the person or persons responsible and have been asking the community to help. ―I’ve heard every horrible story you can imagine,‖ Versiga said. ―But, nothing concrete so far. We’re going to be out this weekend and with the help of the community, hopefully, we’ll get a break.‖ Hundreds of letters asking legislatures to expand the animal cruelty law and provide a felony penalty for animal abuse are being received as well as an outpouring of support from local senators and representatives. In a letter to The Mississippi Press, State Rep. Henry Zuber of Ocean Springs wrote: ―I assure you that on the House side, I will confer with Chairman (Jeff) Smith to push the passage of House Bill 710, which was introduced during last year’s session. Additionally, if there is a problem with specific language of House Bill 710, I will again confer with Chairman Smith to make sure that we can get something out of the committee and on to the House floor for a vote.‖ The bill, along with Senate Bill 2410, would expand the animal cruelty law and provide a felony penalty for: • Cruelly beating, mutilating or intentionally killing an animal. • Unjustifiably administering any poisonous or noxious drug or substance to any domestic animal. • Extreme deprivation of minimum care that causes critical physical injury to any living animal. Rep. Billy Broomfield, of Moss Point, Rep. John Read, of Gautier, and Sen. Ezell Lee, of Picayune have called The Mississippi Press and pledged support to pass the bill as well. Ray Carr, a 26 year animal control officer veteran with the city of Pascagoula, would like to see a uniformed animal control law for the state and has been busy calling the local representatives. ―I’ve seen some pretty tough things,‖ Carr said. ―And those people only received a slap on the wrist.‖ Carr said he thinks the law should be a case-by-case bases and the judge should determine the appropriate punishment. ―If it’s kids,‖ Carr said. ―Then, they need rehabilitation, not a felony. We need to help the future Ted Bundys and Jeffrey Dahmers. Kids don’t need a fine or a felony, they need help. If we get them help today maybe they’ll be OK tomorrow.‖ Most of the animal cruelty cases the control officers respond to are done by children, according to Carr. ―I’ve seen cats skinned and hung up in trees,‖ Carr said. ―And animals cut up. Dogs that had been left on chains so long the skin had grown up over the links of the chain around their neck. It’s horrific how cruel people can be.‖ But, Carr said if an adult performs an act of cruelty, ―the time needs to fit the crime.‖ Boxes with pre-written letters asking the local representatives to help increase the animal law are at more than 25 local businesses. An independent committee is being formed to help decide the amount of the reward money a person will receive for providing information that leads to the capture and conviction of the person or persons responsible. Due to the growth of the reward, no more donations are being sought. Reporter Cherie Ward can be reached at cward@themississippipress.com or (228) 934-1442. TO HELP If you have any information about Buddy’s abuser contact: The Gautier Police Department at (228) 497-2486 or Covert Investigations at (228) 762-9622 or dversiga@aol.com.