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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE - June 16, 2003 Court of Appeal Dismisses Crown’s Appeal in Cat Mutilation CaseAnimal Activists Demand an Appeal to the Supreme CourtProtest & VigilMonday, June 16, 2003 Toronto - On June 13, 2003, the Court of Appeal of Ontario dismissed the Crown’s appeal to obtain a stronger sentence for Jesse Power who tortured, mutilated, and murdered a cat on videotape. Because of the serious implications of this case, animal activists are demanding an appeal to the Supreme Court of Canada. This case has affected many people locally, nationally, and internationally. Activists are calling on all concerned citizens to call, write, or e-mail the Attorney General of Ontario, Mr. Norm Sterling, for an appeal. Freedom for Animals and the Kensington Market Stray Cat Rescue will be holding a protest and vigil for the cat named ‘Kensington’ outside the Court of Appeal today. Although the Court of Appeal judges acknowledged that the act was “torture for torture’s sake,” they agreed with the lenient sentence of 90-days to be served on weekends. They even went so far as to say, “the trial judge was faced with the difficult task of crafting a fit sentence for a young first offender who, but for this terrible act, is a good person with considerable potential.” “Kensington’s pain is unforgettable, unforgivable, and unpunishable. We vow to keep Kensington’s slaying fresh on everyone’s mind,” said Suzanne Lahaie, co-founder of Freedom for Animals. Kensington’s case is a glaring example of how badly our animal protection laws need to change. The federal government’s Bill C-10B, legislation that would strengthen the animal cruelty sections of the Criminal Code, is currently being threatened with amendments in the Senate. “Animals need strong legal protection in our society because they are always innocent victims who cannot speak for themselves," said Susan Krajnc of Freedom for Animals. - 30 - For more information: Return to the Cat Torture Video Cruelty Case home page.
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