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| Max the Boxer |
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| Source |
| Lynn Walker |
| On June 9, 2001, in Saltville, Virginia, a man and his girlfriend had a disagreement. What happened after that disagreement is truly horrible! Charles Ratcliff, 28, stole his girlfriend's boxer, Max, tied him to the bumper of his truck and dragging him at slow speed of 0.9 mile. As if *that* wasn't enough, he got out of his truck, loaded Max, who was still alive, into the back of his truck and drove to a secluded area where he threw Max over an embankment and buried him under tires and an old chair. Max died by the time police recovered him. Police said that have a signed statement from Ratcliff admitting what he did to Max. Ratcliff lived with his girlfriend, Karen L. Johnson, at 518 Nickels Street in Saltville. "The nature of the criminal charges to be made depends on the results of the autopsy and the advice of the Smyth County Commonwealth Attorney's office," Poice Chief Surber said. "The Smyth County Humane Society also offered its assistance." At this time, there is no need to contact officials in this case. The latest correspondences have proven that officials DO see this man as a serious threat, and they are doing an excellent job on this case. So, for now, please hold off on contacting them. If it looks like it will be necessary to contact them, we at PTI will let you know. R. David Bradley Smyth County Sheriff's Office 111 West Court Street Marion, VA 24354 Phone: (540) 783-7204 Roy F. Evans, Jr Commonwealth Attorney Smyth County Courthouse Room 104 109 W. Main Street Marion, VA 24354 Phone: (540) 782-4042 Fax: (540) 782-4043 Email: [email protected] Police Chief Barry S. Surber Saltville Police Department 217 Palmer Ave Saltville, VA Animal Control 121 Bagley Circle Suite 100 Marion, VA 24354 Phone: (540) 646-2222 Letters to the Editor of the local newspaper at: http://www.smythnews.com/contact.html Here is a letter from Police Chief Surber: All Concerned: Thank you for your letter of support concerning the above case. Our Department has received to date more than 310 e-mails and 100 personal letters along with several faxes concerning the same. Please be assured that every member of this Department from the Office Staff to the Patrol Department are animal lovers and have been very much moved by the serious cruelty concerning this case. I give you my word that our Department will do everything within our power to see that Mr. Ratcliff is punished to the fullest extent that Virginia Law allows on all charges. We also plan to host a luncheon and invite as many political representatives as possible sometime in August to present the Max Case to try to get Legislation passed for stiffer penalties concerning these type cases in Virginia. You may also contact Teresa Dockery, Virginia Federation of Humane Societies, 24237 Mock Knob Road, Abingdon, Virginia 24211 or call 1-423-968-9136. We need all the help we can get to get stiffer penalties passed. I am forwarding a copy of your letter to Officer J. H. Dishman, III who is handling the court proceedings for our Department so it may be presented to the Commonwealth Attorney prosecuting the case and made a part of the case file. Again, thank you very much for your letter. Sincerely, Barry S. Surber Chief of Police Saltville, Virginia Police Dept. |
| A Virginia jury has found Charles Ratcliff guilty of charges stemming from the cruel dragging death of his ex-girlfriend's dog, Max (please see issue 151 of Humanelines). Although Ratcliff admitted to the grisly crime, prosecutors could only charge him with misdemeanor animal cruelty because Virginia law does not allow for felony charges on a first incident of animal cruelty. However, prosecutor Jim Pereas was able to procure the maximum sentence possible against Mr. Ratcliff --- one year's incarceration and a $2500 fine. This case highlights the need to strengthen Virginia's animal cruelty law, and YOU can help. If you are a Virginia resident, and you'd like to take part in efforts to make first offense animal cruelty a felony in Virginia, please contact The HSUS' Julie Janovsky: [email protected] or (202) 955-3664. You can also encourage Virginia's Commonwealth Attorney to participate in strengthening Virginia's animal cruelty laws (and thank him for his efforts in prosecuting Mr. Ratcliff) by sending a note to: Jim Pereas Commonwealth Assistant Attorney Smyth County Courthouse 109 Main Street Room 124 Marion, VA 24354 Email: [email protected] |
| SAMPLE LETTER: Remember to add your name & address and change a few of the words. Mr. Jim Pereas Commonwealth Assistant Attorney Smyth County Courthouse 109 Main St.; Room 124 Marion, VA 24354 Email: [email protected] RE: Thank you for requesting maximum penalty in dog-dragging case Dear Attorney Pereas: Thank you for requesting the maximum penalty against Charles Ratcliff, who was found guilty by a Virginia jury of charges stemming from the cruel dragging death of his ex-girlfriend's dog, Max. I understand that although Ratcliff admitted to the grisly crime, prosecutors could only charge him with misdemeanor animal cruelty because Virginia law does not allow for felony charges on a first incident of animal cruelty. However, you were able to procure the maximum sentence possible against Mr. Ratcliff --- one year's incarceration and a $2500 fine. Thank you for giving this case the serious consideration that it deserved, and for not allowing Mr. Ratcliff to get away with a slap on the wrist for such brutality. Your compassionate decision will send the message to the community that such cruel acts will not be tolerated by a civilized society, thereby discouraging similar acts. Respectfully yours, |
| Sample Letter Written and Contributed By Bonnie |
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