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Tell Milwaukee Judge Paul Van Grunsven that dogfighting is a serious felony!
 On Monday, June 28, Steve Blackmon pled guilty to two counts of dog fighting. Have you taken 5 minutes to be the voice for the animals that suffered at his hand? BAD is here to try to put an end to the gruesome practice of dogfighting but our message means nothing to youth if they see that it's not taken seriously by the court system. Part of the plea agreement with the District Attorney is that the D.A.'s office is not recommending a sentence (the minimum is 3 years, the max is 9.5 years).
We hope that YOU will pick up a pen and write a letter recommending the maximum penalty for this horrific crime (one that 12 dogs paid for with their lives!).
We encourage everyone to write polite, professional, and informative letters to the judge and DA's office explaining how serious the entire community suffers when dog fighting is tolerated.
Letter can be sent to:
Judge Paul Van Grunsven
Milwaukee County Courthouse
901 North 9th Street, Milwaukee, WI 53233
**The DA's office will also be gathering letters in a public impact statement, so please also email copies of your letters to Grant Huebner (Grant.Huebner@da.wi.gov) and Marti Hensiak (Marti.Hensiak@da.wi.gov) **
A few important statistics to note when drafting your letter:
- Dogfighting goes hand-in-hand with other illegal activities such as drug use, gang activity and illegal weapons, thereby making the communities where it takes place less safe. (Note: A substantial amount of cocaine was found when Blackmon was arrested but those charges were dropped as part of the plea deal.)
- Dogfighting promotes emotional desensitization to animal suffering and an enthusiasm for violence. Young children are often present at the fights, which can promote an insensitivity and acceptance of cruelty and suffering, an enthusiasm for violence, and a lack of respect for the law.
- 65% of people arrested for animal abuse crimes, including dogfighting, were also arrested for violent crimes against people - People who abuse animals are 5 times more likely to commit violent crimes against other humans.
- Dog fights can last for hours; often dogs die from their injuries after extensive suffering or are simply abandoned or mercilessly killed by electrocution or gunshot.
- Dog fighters breed and train dogs to be dangerously aggressive. These dogs unleashed on an unsuspecting public can be dangerous and result in bites or serious injuries. Children are especially at risk, because their small size may cause a fighting dog to perceive a child as another animal.
For additional information on how dogfighting is related to other criminal activity, violence, and how it affects the community as a whole, visit: www.madacc.com/bad/dogfighting.
Blackmon's sentencing hearing is scheduled for Thursday, September 9 at 8:30a.m. - We will be there & hope the court will show just how serious this violent crime is by giving him the maximum penalty!
Thanks for your continued support
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