Letter to the Editor: Christopher Pope should be punished

KENTUCKY -- Dear Editor:

I am trembling with anger that an alleged persistent felon — and alleged abuser of animals — Christopher Pope gets to regain custody of the seven Presa Canarios (of original 12) who have not died at his hands through neglect or fire.

His lips should have burned when he said, “I’m just glad I can get my dogs back and be able to take care of them.”

This is a man who is currently under indictment in Fayette County, so if he goes to jail there, what will become of these dogs?
 

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Will Lincoln County, where they’re being sent, house and feed them for over two months as the Danville-Boyle County Animal Shelter humanely did, or will they just be put to death, without even contacting a rescue society?
 

It is clear from his comments that Boyle County Attorney Richard Campbell is not pleased with this outcome, but I cannot fathom why he calls it a “reasonable disposition of this case.”

The rescue society for Presa Canarios was interested in the dogs, but Campbell asserted that “if Pope went to trial and were found not guilty, he could rightfully reclaim his dogs.”

But Pope, found guilty of the reduced charge of animal mistreatment (WHY, with his long record of animal abuse charges?), got to “reclaim his dogs” anyway!
 

Where, then, was the risk? I also feel it’s a shame that District Court Judge Jeff Dotson was in such a hurry to get off on his vacation that he couldn’t sign an arrest warrant against Pope until after a fire where three of his dogs were found dead.

Two of Pope's Presa Canarios

It’s time Kentuckians demanded more effective laws and lawyers against animal cruelty. And it’s past time that Christopher Pope be caged and subjected to the special brands of abuse that some animal-loving prisoners may administer.

 

Kathy Barbour, Danville, KY

(Central KY News - July 10, 2015)

 

Earlier:

• Judge Jeff Dotson lets twice-convicted cocaine dealer Christopher Pope to get dogs back after guilty plea