Ban on Owning or Harboring Animals Is Vital if Alleged Dog Dragger Is Convicted, PETA Says

Animals May Be in Danger if Left in the Hands of Man Who Allegedly Dragged Two Dogs Behind His Truck

For Immediate Release:
August 26, 2014

Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382

This morning, PETA sent an urgent plea to Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox calling on her office to prosecute William Wilkinson of Spraggs vigorously. Wilkinson faces charges stemming from a July 25 incident in which he allegedly dragged two golden retrievers from the back of his truck. Veterinary sources show that both dogs sustained abrasions to their legs and heads and that one dog’s eyelid had an open, bleeding wound. Wilkinson is scheduled to appear in court on these charges on Thursday, August 28.

“To have allegedly dragged these dogs behind a moving vehicle is horrifically cruel,” says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. “Too often, people who are convicted of crimes against animals walk out of court with a slap on the wrist. We urge Ms. Fox to prevent other animals from suffering at this man’s hands by ensuring that his sentence, if he is convicted, includes a ban on owning or harboring animals.”

If Wilkinson is convicted, PETA—whose motto says, in part, that “animals are not ours to abuse in any way”—is asking that his rights to the confiscated dogs be permanently revoked, that any animals in his custody be removed, and that he be prohibited from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible.

For more information, please visit PETA.org. To view PETA’s anti-violence public service announcement featuring Inglourious Basterds star and Hostel director Eli Roth, please visit http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=eli_roth_violence_link_psa_peta.

PETA’s letter to Greene County District Attorney Marjorie Fox follows.

August 26, 2014

The Honorable Marjorie Fox
Greene County Courthouse
10 E. High St.
Waynesburg, PA 15370

Dear Ms. Fox,

Your attention is urgently requested.

PETA is an international animal-protection organization with more than 3 million members and supporters, thousands residing in Pennsylvania. This letter concerns a recent case that your office is handling involving Spraggs resident William Wilkinson, who faces cruelty-to-animals charges for allegedly dragging two golden retrievers from the back of his truck on July 25. Wilkinson reportedly told police that he could find no other way to get the dogs home. PETA worked closely with responding officials to ensure that the victims received emergency veterinary care and then, at our expense, arranged for their boarding before securing temporary housing with a local rescue organization, where they are now. Veterinary records indicate that both dogs sustained abrasions to their legs and heads and that the male dog had an open, bleeding wound on his eyelid. Photographs of the wounds, taken by the attending veterinarian upon the dogs’ arrival at the clinic, are attached. Wilkinson is scheduled to appear in court on these charges on August 28.

On behalf of our thousands of members in Pennsylvania, if Wilkinson is convicted, we ask that his rights to the confiscated dogs be permanently revoked, that any animals in his custody be removed, and that he be prohibited from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible (a common provision in such cases). Even if this alleged act wasn’t committed maliciously, surely, more animals would likely fall prey to what can be characterized only as a stunning lack of judgment. Please know that we would be happy to assist with finding permanent placement for both dogs.

Thank you for your time and consideration and for the difficult work that you do.

Sincerely yours,

Melissa Lewis
Cruelty Caseworker
Cruelty Investigations Department