ANIMAL ADVOCATES FROM THROUGHOUT THE SOUTHLAND KICK OFF ANIMAL RIGHTS AWARENESS WEEK
BY ATTENDING LATEST HEARING OF ACCUSED ANIMAL ABUSER ON MONDAY JUNE 20, 2016
BEGINNING AT 8:30AM IN VICTORVILLE
Gathering Marks Latest Of United On-Going Efforts By Leading Animal Rights Advocates
And Animal Welfare Non-Profits To Hold Animal Abusers Accountable In California – And Everywhere!
Midnight and Tucker were skin and bones when removed from Defendant Sherre Kay Buell’s Home
Animal Rights Awareness Week is June 19 through June 26 this year; but for many animal advocates throughout the Southland this is something they are committed to, daily.
On Monday, June 20, 2016 dozens of animal rights advocates from animal welfare groups and non-profits will once again attend a preliminary hearing in Victorville for alleged animal abuser Sherre Kay Buell who is accused of a total o fifteen counts of felony animal cruelty in Hesperia and Apple Valley. Buell is accused of the starvation of animals to the brink of death, and even death itself. This most recent hearing follows on the heels of the Court’s May 13, 2016 rejection of Buell meeting the criteria for Mental Health in-patient treatment instead of facing time in the county jail.
“If we expect the judicial system to work towards serious change, we must continue to show up,” said Annie Hart, Founder of Los Angeles-based non-profit Rescue From The Hart. “By doing so, we continue to show just how important a cause this is and that it needs to be taken seriously.”
Buell is facing charges for three felony counts and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty in Hesperia, and a further twelve felony counts in Apple Valley. She was found to be harboring numerous severely emaciated dogs in April/May 2015 following the investigation of a dog license violation by Apple Valley Animal Services (AVAS). AVAS removed a total of thirteen dogs from Buell’s property. One of the animals was in such poor health that it died whilst being transported to the local veterinarian, and two of the animals had to be humanely euthanized due to the impact of the starvation. A deceased dog was also found discarded in a trash can at Buell’s rented home.
“Animal abusers must be held accountable for their actions,” added Laura Jones, Co-Founder of All About The Animals, a 501c3 based in Los Angeles and Orange County which also sends representatives to each of Buell’s hearings. “Animal abuse is unacceptable. Finally, through our united efforts and the increased support of the media, animal abuse and animal rights are starting to become issues more recognized by the legal system as well as by the public. Animal abuse has always taken place, but is finally being recognized as a crime.”
Gina Whiteside, Director of Apple Valley Animal Services agrees. “The Town of Apple Valley is committed to the prosecution of the Kay Buell case,” stated Whiteside. “We have been working aggressively on this case to ensure that justice is served and are ready to provide testimony in a felony criminal trial.”
Jones is also a board member of Davey’s Voice, a Santa Barbara-based anti-pet cruelty organization that faithfully shows up to show support at Buell’s hearings.
For further information or to schedule an interview with any of the above-mentioned people, please contact Lauren Lewis at (818) 970-0052 or llewispr@aol.com.
