ONLINE PETITION DEMANDING JUSTICE FOR MURDERED 2-POUND YORKIE
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/448957577Kerwood, Ontario, Canada - "Gizmo," the frail 17-year-old 2-pound Yorkie brutally kicked to death in Tennessee on April 6, 2004 by Chad Daniel Crawford and his two companions is gone but far from forgotten. The tiny dog's savage killing has sparked international outrage amongst animal welfare groups and concerned citizens around the world. One such person, a long-time animal advocate and now the operator of a non-profit wolf center in Ontario, Canada, has created an online petition demanding justice for the murdered Yorkie.
Vivian Singer-Ferris, executive director of Kerwood Wolf Education Centre, says, "I normally deal with wolf issues these days but Gizmo's murder is just too shocking, too horrific to ignore." Among other animals, Singer-Ferris owns a Yorkie and also an elderly Maltese very close in age and size to Gizmo. "This could happen to anyone, anywhere" she says and notes "there are very distinct, proven connections between animal cruelty and violence against humans, including murder. It is my hope that the District Attorney in this case is well aware of these connections and prosecutes all three killers to the fullest extent of the law."
Thus far, only Chad Daniel Crawford, the kicker, has been charged and is scheduled for a hearing in May. Although the newly created state law for aggravated animal cruelty is in place, Crawford is charged with only cruelty to animals and felony vandalism (because Gizmo's papers indicate he was worth about $1500). The petition calls for upgraded charges against Crawford, the same charges against his two accomplices, the maximum punishment allowed by state law and court ordered psychological counseling that is possible under the more serious conviction.
As Gizmo's owner Jelani Lewis watched in horror, Crawford, who is 5 feet, nine inches tall and weighs 175 pounds, kicked Gizmo like a football as one of his companions held Gizmo in place. The tiny Yorkie flew threw the air, landing more than 30 feet away, and rolled under a parked car. He was dead upon impact, blood staining the pavement where he crashed with such brutal force.
The petiton can be found online here:
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/takeaction/448957577.