The hearing was set in response to a request for removal made by Files that was initially denied by the Court. If Removal is granted, the state felony charges will be tried in federal court. However, if Removal is denied Files’ trial is set to begin on August 28th in Maricopa County Superior Court.
Files was charged with Felony Animal Cruelty after he allegedly used bait and a leghold trap to trap his neighbor’s dog - Zoey - in Files’ unfenced front yard, causing severe injuries to the dog.
His case has been designated as a violent crime by Maricopa County Superior Court.
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| The police report says, even when they were trying to free Zoey, she never growled or snapped at them. |
Since Files has been charged with the felony, ADLA has learned that:
Files’ wife Judi requested that the USDA trap the dog, and Files was using USDA equipment and was on the clock when he trapped Zoey.
A former longtime Wildlife Services employee says that Files and his superiors’ alleged conduct violated agency procedures in a number of ways.
One day after ADLA requested that the head of Wildlife Services initiate an investigation, William Clay, the Deputy Administrator, responded to ADLA and indicated he shared ADLA’s concern and would initiate an investigation. Instead, he requested an investigation, but directed the investigator to find that all parties in USDA acted appropriately.
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| Zoey ripped her teeth out trying to free herself from the traps |
Wildlife Services is a controversial subdivision of the United States Department of Agriculture.
Funded by taxpayers, Wildlife Services uses traps, poisons, and aerial gunning to kill thousands of animals each year, including non-target wildlife and family pets.
(ADLAZ.org - July 29, 2013)
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