Tell the courts how you feel about a plea deal for a woman accused of starving her dog to death.
Christine Abrams, the 29-year-old Central Florida woman accused of starving her German shepherd to death by leaving the dog locked in her crate after she moved away, goes before a Brevard County judge on animal cruelty charges next Tuesday, June 17. Abrams has said she left the dog, Ella, behind because her new roommate didn't like pets.
Abrams' attorney is trying to negotiate a plea deal so she will avoid jail time. But animal lovers from around the world have been sending letters to the court and prosecuting attorneys, demanding Abrams be punished to the full extent of the law -- which sadly, isn't very full. Florida law states deprieving an animal of food and water is a misdemeanor, not a felony.
Reader TJ told me about an update on the Voices For Ella Web site that gives very detailed instructions on how to tell the courts personally how you feel about this case. The more voices heard, the site suggests, the better. Click here for the information. And do remember: Be respectful for maximum impact.
Here also is a YouTube video commentary from Kathleen Burns as she tries to explain this sad case to her own dog, Sadie.
Oh, and the Voices For Ella folks did write us this week, thanking SSS! for the support -- and pointing out they make no profit on the items they sell through the CafePress site. Here is their note.
FYI - the Cafe Press store with Voices for Ella items have NO mark-up on the items - the cost goes strictly to Cafe Press. We had two generous people donate their time & artistic skill to create those items, and run the Cafe Press store.
Thank you again!
Voices For Ella
ANGIE BRENNAN, a Sun-Sentinel page designer,
lives with four dogs and one boyfriend. And has a lifetime of animal stories to share.
DIANE LADE, a reporter on the Sun-Sentinel's Help Team, has lived with cats, dogs, reptiles, fish, an iguana, and an armadillo.
CYNDI METZGER, editor of the Sun-Sentinel's Outlook section, is smitten with Bella, her poodle who regularly ignores requests to sit, stay and get off the ivory-colored sofa. 
JOHN TANASYCHUK, a Sun-Sentinel lifestyle writer, has lived with cats as long as he can remember. He and his partner currently share their home with three.
Comments
How can Ella even begin to understand when it's hard for most humans to do so? As part of her "sentence" the owner should be required to work at a Humane Society in her area so she can see some of the pain workers see when abandoned animals are dropped off there. Shame on her!! Send her back to jail for awhile..
Posted by: Jan Saxton | June 13, 2008 4:26 PM
Put the "lady" in a box and let her exist without food and water for several weeks. She deserves it.
Posted by: Allen | June 13, 2008 4:52 PM
Thanks, Diane, for posting this.... The court date is coming up this Tuesday, June 17, and we all need to write to the judge, etc. as soon as possible on this... This woman did a totally heartless, despicable thing, to abandon her loving dog to a caged starvation, with food and water so close at hand. She needs to be locked up for a very long time or put somewhere for the criminally insane.
Posted by: TJF | June 14, 2008 1:18 AM
This woman has no conscience because she left Ella caged which left no means of finding food on her own. It's a terrible thing and woman needs to be held accountable for her actions!
Posted by: Paloma | June 16, 2008 9:43 AM
There is ABSOLUTELY no excuse for this woman not taking the responsibility to take her unwanted dog to a humane facility. To be left in a cage to die, this woman should not be allowed to have pets, and I'd also worry about any children she may decide to have as well. INEXCUSABLE and INHUMANE. This woman needs MANY hours of public service.
Posted by: Pamela Dortch | June 19, 2008 9:38 PM