Target: Shane Young, Commonwealth’s Attorney, 9th Judicial Circuit, Hardin County, Kentucky
Goal: Seek the maximum lawful sentence, lifetime animal-ownership ban, restitution, and counseling in a case that reportedly left 21 dogs dead and others starving.
Prosecutors allege that 33 animals suffered under deplorable conditions, with 21 dogs apparently found dead and 14 others exposed to starvation and filth. The defendant is on trial for charges that include torture under Kentucky law, while the defense argues the conduct does not meet the statutory definition of “torture.” Whatever the legal theory, the alleged suffering of dozens of animals demands a serious response if guilt is proven.
Court filings and testimony have reportedly described malnourishment, unsanitary surroundings, and prolonged neglect. The defense has also claimed that animal control response times contributed to outcomes, which underscores a distressing timeline where animals were apparently trapped in deteriorating conditions. These are allegations for a jury to weigh, yet the imagery of lifeless and emaciated dogs reportedly recovered from the scene is hard to forget.
Accountability matters because cruelty to animals often tracks with broader risks to communities. Kentucky statutes allow for meaningful penalties, rehabilitation, and protective conditions. This petition calls for the toughest lawful sentence upon conviction, a lifetime prohibition on owning or controlling animals, mandatory counseling and monitoring, and full restitution for rescue and veterinary care.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Mr. Young,
We respectfully urge your office to pursue the strongest possible sentencing recommendations if the jury finds the defendant guilty in the case that reportedly left 21 dogs dead and 14 others starving or living amid filth. Public reports and trial coverage describe animals who were subjected to prolonged deprivation and extreme distress. Such allegations, if proven beyond a reasonable doubt, warrant a response that protects both animals and the public.
Please advocate for the maximum lawful penalty, a lifetime ban on owning or controlling animals, comprehensive mental-health counseling, and strict supervision conditions that include unannounced welfare checks. We also ask that your office seek restitution covering the costs borne by shelters, veterinarians, and local agencies that reportedly intervened to save surviving animals.
A clear, decisive outcome will deter future offenses and affirm that seemingly organized neglect and suffering will not be tolerated. Thank you for your continued commitment to justice in cases where vulnerable beings cannot speak for themselves.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Christine Zenino
