MEMPHIS, Tenn. (USA) - Last week, The Commercial Appeal reported on a
recent Tennessee Court ruling that was "worthy of a standing ovation."
Judge Alan Glenn, rebuked an appeal of a couple from Humboldt who had
bred and kept as many as 350 dogs sick and starving in filthy kennels.
Not only did Judge Glenn deal very sternly with the offenders, he
delivered an excellent oratory that ought to be framed above the door
of every court that handles animal abuse cases.
He said:
"The Court finds that Judy Fay Johnson and Stanley Paul Johnson have been
found guilty of 11 counts of cruelty to animals. Bonds are set at $1,000
in each of the 11 counts, which was done by a jury of good and lawful
citizens of Gibson County. "Over 350 puppies and dogs were victims of
this gross violation of the law. The victims of this crime were animals
that could not speak up to the unbelievable conduct of Judy Fay Johnson
and Stanley Paul Johnson that they suffered. Several of the dogs have
died and most had physical problems such as intestinal worms, mange,
eye problems, dental problems and emotional problems and socialization
problems.
"Since dogs have entered domestic service of human beings, they have
given solace and companionship when needed. They have helped hunt,
guard flocks, and in ice and snow have pulled sleds. "They have rescued
people when lost in snowdrifts. They act as police in sniffing out crimes,
and they become eyes for those who cannot see. They guard homes and
possessions. All this, these creatures do for kind, humane treatment.
"Watching this video of the conditions that these dogs were subjected to
was one of the most deplorable things this Court has observed in the 22
years in the course of being on the bench. "And though, Judy Fay Johnson,
you urge this Court to take into consideration the mitigating factors that
you've been sick up to two years prior to them being rescued from your
care. You say you've been sick. You talked about reducing the population,
but the only thing you did was sell puppies. "The Court finds that you
have a previous history of criminal convictions or criminal behavior, that
the offense involved more than one victim, that the victims were
particularly vulnerable, that you have a previous history of
unwillingness to comply with conditions of a sentence involving release
into the community, and that you abused the position of public or private
trust. "The Court further finds that you were charged with this exact
same charge in 1993, and after a period of probation, the matter was
dismissed. "Judy Fay Johnson, you're sentenced to 11 months and 29 days
in each of the 11 counts of cruelty to animals. These will be run
concurrent. Further, this Court finds that probation would not serve
the ends of justice, nor be in the best interest of the public, nor
would this have a deterrent effect for such gross behavior.
"Therefore, you, Judy Fay Johnson, shall serve six months of your
sentence on condition that you make restitution to the Dyersburg Humane
Society for $3,242 for the expenses involved in freeing those dogs from
their purgatory and your payment of the fine and costs in full. You are
further prohibited from ever running or owning any animal kennel or
owning any animal as a pet.
"Stanley Johnson, the Court finds that your offenses involve more than
one victim. The victims were particularly vulnerable. You treated the
victims with exceptional cruelty. You abused the position of public or
private trust. You were charged with the exact same charge in 1993 that
after a period of probation was dismissed. "You are sentenced to 11
months and 29 days in each of the 11 counts. . . . You shall serve 90
days of your sentence on condition that $3,242 be paid to the Dyersburg
Humane Society for the expenses involved in removing the helpless dogs
from your custody. You are further prohibited from ever running or owning
any animal kennel or owning any animal as a pet. "There are those who
would argue that you should be confined in a house trailer with no
ventilation or in a cell three-by-seven with eight or ten other inmates
with no plumbing, no exercise and no opportunity to feel the sun or
smell fresh air. However, the courts of this land have held that such
treatment is cruel and inhuman, and it is. You will not be treated in
the same way that you treated these helpless animals that you abused
to make a dollar."
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