Target: Tony Golik, Clark County Prosecuting Attorney
Goal: Prosecute man accused of trapping dogs in fire to fullest extent.
A man in Washington allegedly committed arson in retaliation against his landlord. Curran Fine reportedly resisted when a friend who had been allowing him to stay in her home evicted him. Following apparent verbal threats from Fine, emergency workers arrived at the residence and extinguished a fire. But the landlord was not the only reported victim. Multiple dogs were said to be inside the house at the time of the fire, with two rescued.
While Fine was charged with animal cruelty, the cruelty-related charges were only second-degree. With this distinction, the alleged crime is viewed as less serious and comes with a lesser penalty. But the commission of animal cruelty in direct connection with other reported crimes should strengthen charges, not lessen them.
Sign the petition below to urge prosecutors to seek stronger charges and penalties for this and future similar cases.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Prosecuting Attorney Golik,
Killings that occur during the commission of a felony – even if unintentional – are typically automatically raised to first-degree murder charges. Why is the distinction different for horrific animal cruelty prosecutions? Take the case of Curran Fine.
This man allegedly threatened to harm a friend at whose home he was staying – along with her dogs – by setting a fire. A short time later, emergency personnel were extinguishing a fire from the very residence that was threatened. At least two dogs were reportedly trapped inside during the blaze. Yet this suspect faced only second-degree animal cruelty charges. What is the lesson…that these lives are of lesser value?
Shouldn’t the reported commission of other crimes aggravate rather than mitigate the circumstances and the charges? Please take a second look at this case, seek an appropriate punishment in the event of a conviction, and do better for vulnerable victims in the future.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Pixabay
