The man responsible for burning a pit bull alive received the maximum sentence possible for animal cruelty. Twenty-year-old Jyahshua Hill will be spending the next five years in prison, with no chance of parole. He is also banned from caring for an animal for the rest of his life.
A Lady Freethinker petition calling for justice for Tommie garnered more than 31,000 signatures, joining the voices of activists across the nation; we thank everyone who spoke out for justice.
“It’s a victory for animal rights activists and Tommie’s memory,” said prosecutor Denise Anderson following the hearing on August 29.
Tommie’s abuse was horrific and heartbreaking. In February, Hill dragged the dog to Abner Clay Park in Richmond, Virginia, poured lighter fluid over him, and set him on fire. The local fire department doused the flames, but not before Tommie suffered burns to 40 percent of his body.
Richmond Animal Care and Control (RACC) fought hard to save Tommie, but his wounds were so severe that he died five days later.
“Justice was served today,” said Christie Peters, director of RACC. “We’re the voice for the animals. I think the voice was loud and clear today. I’m hopeful that people might think a little bit differently about things they may want to do in the state of Virginia to animals because we have really robust laws that allow us to prosecute in this manner. I’m hopeful that it sends a message that we don’t play around, and that if you hurt an animal, we’ll find you.”
While Tommie’s death was truly heartbreaking, it did result in positive action for animal rights. Lawmakers passed Tommie’s Law in July, a bill which considerably strengthened animal welfare laws in the state.
Tommie will always be remembered by those who fought to save him and battled for justice in his memory. Thank you to the police, prosecutors, and judge for taking this case seriously and sending the message that violence against animals is an intolerable offense.
What’s New…
Glad he has no chance of parole and hopefully he will SUFFER worse in prison! Though 5 years is not enough, it’s a start for animals protection laws to be more severe. What a monster! I cannot imagine how that poor animal must have suffered being burned alive!
This man is sick and depraved and unless he was found to be severely mentally ill, this was a lenient sentence for him. His karma may well have been the same thing being done to him. Just happy that justice is being served behind bars for this menace to society and I believe those who nave to live near him will feel safer with him behind bars. Who knows what else he may have done if he weren’t given this sentence. The animals thank the judge as well as the people he may have hurt.
Oh my gosh! Yessssss. Thank you Jesus for putting this horrible person away!
You can Rest In Peace sweet Tommie!
” YOUR GOING TO GET YOUR .. ” KRAMA ” ..!!!!!..
Save these babies!
Save them
Thanks to the judge who handed down the punishment for Tommie’s abuser and killer. Those in the state of Virginia must feel safer already just knowing he is behind bars and Tommie’s death, although sad and painful for us all, was not in vain. We need to send a clear message to those who would abuse and kill animals that their abuse will not be tolerated. We need more judges like the one who put Tommie’s killer away. I know I feel like he’s a hero to many of us in every state.
Tommie’s Law is a bright light for many of us who felt this was a dark day in our lives when Tommie died of his horrific abuse. I know I am one of many who am glad to see his abuser go to prison for those five years for his crime. I wish it were longer. I feel he is a very disturbed person who needs many years behind bars before he will pose no threat to society, if ever. I know his prison term won’t give Tommie his life back and nothing can, but it sends a clear message to those who think animal abuse
will be tolerated. I say we need to step it up in every state and hand this sort of sentence out every day in every case where the lives of animals are threatened and taken. NO MORE! Make the punishment fit the crime. Thank you to the judge who took Tommie’s life seriously and handed down this punishment. Those who walk in that state must feel safer just knowing he is there.
Happy that got justice for tommie and law is getting serious about animal abusers should of gotten longer sentences.
Happy law is taking animal abuse serious and giving out prison time
Jail for this monster
Monster
Violence and cruelty towards animals is disgusting.
Five years?????? Um….I guess that’s okay for some but not for me. But I am glad this punk got something other than a slap on the wrist and I hope “it” does all of the five years, not this 2 or 2 1/2 years crap. I also hope that “it” meets the same fate or worst while serving time from some of those other inmates. What an evil coward this bastard is! This type of sadistic behavior almost always start with the harming of animals before it escalates to harming/murdering a human being. This misfit-of-society has all the makings of a serial killer.
I agree with Sheila T.
And I hope the psychopath receives the justice he deserves and has earned, which is to be set on fire and then to die a slow and conscious death. May the Devil greets him with open arms, a can of gasoline and a lighted match.
I understand that this is a victory, but 5 years?!?! It is horrible that some people (the “justice” system) think that 5 years is enough punishment! It has now turned to murder, not just abuse. It should be comparable to killing a human.
I agree with you — the verdict is lax — someone else mentioned — AND is really bothersome to me — this sadistic killer may be released early due to “good behavior” (whatever that means — what is “good” behavior in a prison setting?) — I hope someone is watching this case and following it — every step of the way — to ensure he does NOT get out early — he just may repeat his horror with his next victim — so, how do we know? — Again, I hope LFT is keeping an eye on this case and informs the world if anything changes.
I really hope the inmates know what he is inside for. may he reap as he has sown, I curse your miserable life.