Alley Cat Allies Praises Virginia Authorities For Guilty Verdict in Cat Beating Death; Calls For Officer's Dismissal

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Mar 13, 2012, 02:46 ET

Officer convicted of animal cruelty receives minimal sentence of $50 fine

BETHESDA, Md., March 13, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Alley Cat Allies, the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats, today applauded a Virginia judge for finding Officer J.N. Snoddy guilty of animal cruelty.

In November, Snoddy was accused of viciously beating an injured cat to death with his nightstick on the porch of a resident's home. According to news reports, he admitted to "hitting the cat with a nightstick three to four times."

"Our thanks and appreciation to the judge and to the Virginia State Police for recognizing this vicious act of cruelty for what it was and for investigating and pressing charges," said Becky Robinson, president and co-founder of Alley Cat Allies.

While lauding the guilty verdict, Alley Cat Allies expressed dismay at Snoddy's light sentence: a mere $50 fine. As a public figure, an appropriate punishment would have been more severe and included jail time, the organization argued.

"Given Snoddy's conviction of animal cruelty in the fatal beating of a defenseless animal, we are deeply disappointed with the minimal sentence he received," said Robinson.

Alley Cat Allies continues to press for Snoddy's dismissal from the Harrisonburg Police Department, where he is currently on paid administrative leave.

"To retain someone found guilty of a violent crime against an animal as an officer of public safety is dangerous for the community," said Robinson.

About Alley Cat Allies
Alley Cat Allies is the only national advocacy organization dedicated to the protection and humane treatment of cats. Founded in 1990, today Alley Cat Allies has more than 260,000 supporters and helps tens of thousands of individuals, communities, and organizations save and improve the lives cats and kittens nationwide. Their web site is www.alleycat.org.

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Becky Robinson
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SOURCE Alley Cat Allies