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This past week, a man was captured on film throwing a cat, Willow, in a dumpster. The cat was injured and was later found out to be owned by the man's roommate. As the OC Register story details, he was arrested and faces felony animal abuse charges. You can also see the story on this ABC7 piece.
We submitted this Letter to the Editor which highlights our work to get more mental health treatment for those convicted of animal abuse:
Dear Editor:
As the President of Social Compassion in Legislation (SCIL), an animal protection advocacy group, I was heartened to read that the alleged abuser of Willow the cat will face felony animal abuse charges. In 2023, SCIL sponsored and helped pass AB 829 (Waldron) to encourage courts to expand mental health treatment for those convicted of animal abuse. This case highlights the need. Only someone with serious mental health issues would harm a cat and then dump it while it suffers and, had Willow not been saved, tortured in a garbage truck to be suffocated or crushed to death.
Study after study have closely linked animal abuse with violence against humans. We urge the Orange County District Attorney to punish the alleged abuser to the fullest extent of the law. It is time we strongly enforce animal abuse crimes, for the sake of the animals and for the sake of future victims, both animal and human.
Please contact the Orange County District Attorney and tell him to prosecute the perpetrator to the fullest extent of the law.
You can send your email to the OCDA media contact:
Media@ocdapa.org
Feel free to keep the message short and simply urge them seek true justice for Willow.
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