1/9/07

 

As many of you know, a dog fighting trial starts this morning and continues tomorrow in Richmond, Virginia.

 

It is described as one of the largest dog fighting cases in the history of Richmond.

 

We understand the charges to be:

            1 felony dog fighting charge

            13 misdemeanor animal cruelty charges

            2 felony animal cruelty charges

            2 misdemeanor controlled substances charges

 

The defendant is Stacey Miller, and the case numbers start with 0600651F.

 

Please let the Commonwealth Attorney know you want a conviction in this case along with maximum penalties.

 

Note that we have been assured there will be a court reporter covering this trial.

 

The Commonwealth Attorney is Michael Herring.  He can be reached at 804-646-3500, and his email is Michael.herring@richmondgov.com

 

The trial will be held at the Manchester Courthouse, Richmond Circuit Court.  It is located at 10th and Hull Street in Richmond.  The phone there is 804-646-8704.

 

You cannot support this too much.  Those who prosecute people involved in dog fighting need your words and appearance at the trial in support of their efforts.  If you want prosecution to be more than a slap on the wrist, then you must provide that message.  This will also illustrate its importance to the media.

 

Please attend if you can.  Please call or email if you cannot.

 

One of the VVAW initiatives this session is to require that suspected dog fighting be reported.  This trial comes at an opportune time to support our bill, and to support the prosecution.

 

Thank you.  Can you it being much worse for dogs than being forced to fight, and going through the horrible training to be a fighting dog?

 

Lillian Clancy and Don Marro