If you’ve been following the story of the three men who worked for Jayco RV in Middlebury, who got rid of some cats by putting them in a trash compactor while they were alive, were arrested and the charges dropped soon after, a group called Meow Mission is fighting to have those charges reinstated.
The group staged a protest in Elkhart on Wednesday outside the county prosecutor’s office.
“We just want the prosecutor to know that we want justice and we want charges refiled in this case,” said the narrator of several Facebook videos of the protest, which were streamed while the protest was happening.
The incident happened Feb. 27, but charges weren’t filed until this month. Then, almost immediately, the felony animal cruelty charges were dropped.
“We want these three men to be charged and see their day in court,” said one of the protesters.
The men were fired from their jobs once charges were filed. The company disavowed their actions.
Elkhart County Prosecutor Vicki Becker issued a statement saying, in part, she won’t file charges because evidence established that the cats caused damage to a ceiling structure of the business property where they were captured, and state law allows exceptions for animals that cause destruction to be put to death.
Also, she said there was no evidence documented that suggested that any of the three individuals engaged in the behavior with the intent to cause suffering or prolonged physical pain to the cats.
Below is a portion of Becker’s statement:
The evidence now received by the Office of the Prosecuting Attorney establishes that the two (2)
cats that were destroyed by the individuals originally accused of animal abuse in Elkhart
Superior Court were feral cats that had not only damaged a ceiling structure of the business
property where they were captured, but also an item with established and documented value to
the business.
Over the week before the destruction of the cats, attempts had been made to find homes for the cats and to relocate one of the cats, which traveled approximately ten (10) miles to come back to the business property.
These efforts were not successful, and the individuals responsible for resolving the matter made the choice to destroy the cats using a compactor that caused death within a few seconds of the physical injury that was inflicted. Each of the individuals, as well as the business that employed them, were cooperative and honest during the investigation. There was no evidence documented that suggested that any of the three individuals engaged in the behavior with the intent to cause suffering or prolonged physical pain to the cats involved.
All criminal actions prohibited by the State of Indiana are defined by its laws and are to be
strictly construed against the State. A person’s conduct, no matter how offensive or
objectionable it may be, will only be actionable under criminal law where there is specific
authority granted to the State, by its Legislature, to hold a person accountable. Prosecutorial
decisions regarding formal charges may not be emotionally driven, nor be inconsistent with the
intent of the Legislature.
After evaluation of the additional evidence, and with consideration of applicable law in Indiana,
an exception to the law prohibiting the abuse of a vertebrate animal exists when the animal that
is destroyed is endangering, harassing, or threatening livestock or a domestic animal, or
destroying or damaging a person’s property. Indiana Code 35-46-3-5(a)(10).
7 comments
I completely understand everyone’s feeling on this. it is a terrible feeling inside to think of such an act happening to an animal. Yes there should be discipline for these 3 men. However is it a crime that needs to take up the courts.
1. Way to many crimes against humans that need priority.
2. They lost there jobs. That is a punishment.
3. They will have a hard time finding another job. That’s a punishment.
4. They will be marked for life unless they work to change it. That is a punishment and a task.
5. Give them probation at an animal shelter. Teach a lesson and help them overcome what they did.
6. Root cause, Root Cause, Root cause
RCQ
“state law allows exceptions for animals that cause destruction to be put to death.”
I cant believe I just read this line! Appalling that laws look at animals with such disregard. Shame on the state and the prosecutor!!
I cannot believe this. What is wrong with this prosecutor, Elkhart city, this state?? What they did was downright cruelty and evil! You just let this pass by? Omg like the cats knew they were damaging property and would have to be crushed? This is ridiculous! I deal with Meow mission and believe they are so right and cruelty to animals is or should be a felony! SHAME on you Elkhart! I’m ashamed to be a part of this community and you should be punished for your “I don’t care attitude” not making it clear to these 3 killers this is not allowed! What a horrible justice system! I need to leave this state and never look back. There is so much wrong here and all you politicians just go with it, Shame and unjust actions of the law is on you all!
I’m with you Jacqueline. I don’t live in Elkhart but I’m more than willing to drive up there & protest anytime!! And I’m interested – just what has the company’s response been? And I was under the impression that a prosecutor was “supposed” to uphold the law – when did THAT change?!? If I lived in that area, I would make sure that prosecutor knew I would be campaigning against him/her when it came time for re-elections!!!
It worries me that people get more worked up about murdering animals than murdering people.
too many people on this planet already
They put living, breathing, feeling creatures in a compactor for Pete’s sake!!! Oh heck NO they haven’t faced justice yet!! They should be prosecuted. No ifs, ands, buts, or maybes. Prison time period. Does anyone realize the level of inhumanity it takes to commit such an act against an innocent animal?!? Does anyone realize what a small step it is to commit violence such as this against a human when one thinks nothing of committing such an act against an innocent animal?!?