PETITION CLOSED
PETITION TARGET: Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney
UPDATE (5/8/2023): Elmer James Givens, Jr. has pleaded guilty to 10 counts of animal cruelty. The judge hearing the case rejected a request from prosecutors for a 6-month jail sentence, saying she did not feel it would be “sufficient,” and sentenced Givens to 10 months in custody, two years probation, and a lifelong ban on owning, possessing or residing with animals, according to news reports. We thank the judge for recognizing the severity of this case, and we thank everyone who signed our petition. —Lady Freethinker Staff
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Dozens of starving, caged dogs struggled to survive after one man locked them inside a garage and forced them to live in their own excrement.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff’s Department, the poor dogs looked visibly malnourished with multiple wounds and scars. A few female dogs appeared to have given birth, the newborn puppies knowing nothing but a dark garage without ventilation or lights their entire lives.
“They were deplorable conditions,” said Pierce County Sheriff’s Detective Ed Troyer about the disturbing scene in Tacoma, Wash. “The dogs were living in small cages in the dark, no heat, inside their own urine and feces.”
The police suspect the dogs’ owner, Elmer Givens, Jr., bred and fought these dogs, based on the syringes, first-aid supplies, training tools, and related dog-fighting paraphernalia the officers found at the scene.
Givens faces charges of first-degree animal cruelty and animal fighting. After posting bond, he is already out of jail, and must be prevented from harming more innocent animals in the future.
Dogs are not bloodsport pawns to be forced to fight to the death for people’s entertainment. These 49 dogs deserve justice for the horrendous conditions and barbaric treatment they endured.
Please, sign this petition urging Pierce County Prosecuting Attorney Mary Robnett to pursue this case with the severity it deserves, including calling for a lifelong ban on Givens from ever owning animals again.
