Cat-skinning sentence angers animal rights groups

CTV News Staff, April 18, 2002

Animal rights activists were outraged Thursday over the sentences given to two Toronto students convicted of skinning a cat alive as part of a school project.

Anthony Wennekers, 25, was sentenced to the time he has already served since his arrest almost a year ago.

Jesse Power, 22, was sentenced to 90 days' jail time to be served on weekends, plus house arrest that will require him to stay in his home except to attend school and work.

The pair were charged after producing an unsettling video that showed a cat being skinned alive. They said it was a statement about the cruelty of the commercial use of animals for food.

Both men were charged with cruelty to animals and mischief. The cruelty charge carries a maximum sentence of two years; the mischief charge a maximum of six months. The Crown had been seeking a 2 1/2-year sentence for both Power and Wennekers.

During their trial, courtroom spectators were brought to tears when the gruesome tape was shown.

Ontario Court Judge Ted Ormston told the courtroom he didn't sentence the men to the maximum time allowed because he felt their crime was not the worst offence possible.

"I just simply can't believe the judge - a 30-year cat-owner himself - had the audacity to say that cat's suffering wasn't enough, it wasn't heinous enough,'' said Anne Gibson, a member of a Toronto animals rights group.

"He felt the intention was not to torture the cat. I can't imagine how he could come up with that conclusion.''