I'm not sure if any of you heard about this case. Peter Stratigos, a Niles IL Correctional Officer was accused last summer on a misdemeanor charge of animal abuse. He kicked his 12-week old GSD puppy to death in front of his wife and 4 year old child.
This case garnered quite a bit of national publicity, and many people across the US took action by writing the IL State Attorney's office. Collectively we were successful in getting the charges, in keeping with IL law, upgraded to Felony Class 4.
The case was heard last week (2/26) in the IL District Court in Skokie IL by Judge Garritt Howard. Mr. Stratigos was aquitted.
Here is the summary from the local news:
"County Correctional Officer Peter Stratigos said he was trying to protect his 4-year old son when he used deadly force against a 15-pound, 3-month old puppy. On Thursday, a judge agreed, acquitting him of animal cruelty charges. He testified he kicked the 20-inch dog three or four times as it lunged repeatedly at his son, who suffered scratches on his legs and hands. Judge Garritt Howard suggested Stratigos not adopt any more dogs."
This makes me sick. What the HE!! is a Corrections Officer doing KILLING a 15-pound puppy (it was a GSD by the way)??? PICK IT UP!!!! PUT IT IN A CRATE!!! PUT IT OUTDOORS!!! Please don't tell me a CORRECTIONS OFFICER cannot find a way to control a 15-pound 12-week old puppy short of killing it.
I am in contact with the court to obtain the actual trial transcripts. As much as we all debate the merits of show lines / working lines / pet lines / etc., I hope we are all united against this type of situation. There IS no double jeapordy, so Peter Stratigos is "gone" as far as punishing this particular puppy abuser. I just hope that we can somehow unite to stop this madness. I can't believe he got away with this. His 4-year old son who witnessed a puppy murder will be the one bearing that cross for the rest of his life, according to psycholigists I know. Animal abuse leads to human abuse. This is just plain wrong.
Let me know if any of you are interested in more information once I obtain the trial transcripts, etc. Maybe that's all a mute point, or whatever. I will provide additional info if it is of interest to posters here.
Thanks,
Beth
Thanks for indulging me - I'm really fired up right now.
I never heard of this case and if the facts are as you state then this is a sad situation. But this is a training forum and not an animal cruelty forum. If anyone want to PM Beth they can. This topic is closed.
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