Supporting the wrongful deaths of roaming Katrina survivors as well as pets left behind by owners who believed they would be safe.

In the mist of the turmoil of catastrophic devastation and lost of life, Katrina left survivors, both human and animal, who struggled to survive the winds, the flooding, and abandonment in southeast Louisiana. Long after the humans were rescued, thousands of animals roamed the streets in search of food and family, while thousands of others, secured in homes and other buildings, faced dehydration and starvation as their food sources were depleted. While every animal rescued was worth every effort, every cost, thousands of animals died as time ran out.

While the rescues took place, & while rescuers opened feeding stations for those they were unable to immediately rescue, there were others, the sick gun toting "officers of the law," who, during a time of complete chaos, joyfully took matters into their own hands, using pets as target practice, shooting pets as a game, torturing pets to fulfill sadistic pleasures -- remember these are the sick beings paid to protect society.

Their lame excuses: They claim they had to shoot the dogs on the street for their own safety--dogs greeted these deputies, ecstatic to see a human, tails wagging: "maybe my family," "maybe these humans brought food." They claim it was more humane to kill the dogs than let them starve. Animal rescuers were everywhere, while thousands of pounds of pet food poured into the area. A simple alert would have brought in truckloads of food for these animals. Understand too, that these dogs were far from starving to death. (Remember, the last live pet, who is still living, was rescued from a house, with NO FOOD AT ALL approx. 6 weeks after the storm.) These "mercy" killings were not instant death for the helpless pets, as video footage depicts the slow death of one dog, struggling to stand, while deputies watch. We'll never know all of the atrocities afflicted upon animals during this period.

But then, the most horrific animal torture of all, the St. Bernard school shootings, where pets were tortured beyond the comprehension of most people. The aftermath of the horrendous sight of animal sacrificing brought even the strongest person to his knees. The ability of humans to take pleasure in inflicting such pain, agony, & fear upon other living beings, upon completely innocent and defenseless animals, upon obvious loving pets--it is frightening. The suffering these helpless animals endured is unimaginable. In addition, these brutal acts are relative to the insanity demonstrated by serial killers before they begin taking human victims.

With evidence secure, with video footage, with photos and witnesses (including camera crews and military,) in addition to the intense brutality of the crime, I never would have dreamed that this case would be thrown out. Would the evidence have been considered "insufficient" had the victims been human? What good are animal protection laws with corrupt politics, personal opinions and legal issues influenced because the accused is "my brother-in-law's sister's cousin."

Therefore, once again, animal cruelty receives a slap on the wrist (or perhaps that was a "pat on the back") as animal torturers applaud the great judicial system that allows them to continue their sadistic pleasures.

Information below on the memorial to be held today, Jan. 30, as well as a petition--please sign.

Pam Leavy
Baton Rouge, La.