PETITION TARGET: Davison County Prosecutors
A sweet black Lab named Buddy reportedly had his mouth and legs bound with duct tape before being punched and kicked to death by his guardian’s boyfriend in Davison County, South Dakota, according to news.
Officers who responded to a call for a domestic incident witnessed a man punching Buddy in the head with his closed fists, according to a probable cause affidavit. The officers then noticed that Buddy’s mouth — as well as his front and back legs — had been bound tightly with duct tape.
Buddy was actively bleeding from his nose when officers removed the tape. Although they rushed him to a veterinary clinic, Buddy has since died.
The man reportedly told officers that Buddy had gone to the bathroom inside the house, after which he took Buddy outside, bound him, and started beating him — taking a break only to go inside to rinse the blood off his hands before continuing the violent assault.
Authorities have since charged the man with one count of animal cruelty, punishable by up to two years in prison and fines of up to $4,000, as well as several drug-related charges.
The link has been well established that people who brutally abuse animals also often hurt people — and an increasing number of states are recognizing hurting animals as an act of domestic violence.
It’s critical that this case be treated with the severity it deserves.
Sign our petition urging the State’s Attorney’s Office to hold the individual(s) responsible for Buddy’s death fully accountable — including a lifelong ban on owning or being around animals ever again.
