Animal Lovers Disappointed in Withee Abuse Probationary Sentence

Laurie Dethloff of Grand Island's Central Nebraska Humane Society remembers what she calls a "catastrophic event," the 2008 dumping of 23 dead and dying dogs in a Hall County cornfield by convicted animal abuser Denise Withee.

Withee was sentenced in 2009 to five years of probation and was forbidden to own or possess any animals; however, authorities say that in January of this year she was discovered living with thirteen dogs. Withee was sentenced to ninety days in prison, and ordered to undergo a mental evaluation. On July 26, Withee was sentenced to nine years of probation, and forbidden to own or live with any animals.

"We were excited that there were some penalties where she had to spend time incarcerated. The probation in the past has not worked," commented Dethloff.

Some observers say the case challenged the court to separate possible mental issues from profit motives.

"There's a difference between hoarding where there's a mental illness, and you love everything and you can't let it go. There's also a system that's an animal broker, where you get animals and you buy and sell. The care is not as good as someone that is a licensed breeder. This is someone that is in it for the money," Dethloff observed.

Some folks we spoke with said they thought the Withee sentence was simply too lenient to serve as a real deterrent to animal abuse.

"It was a little bit disrespectful. He already gave her probation once and she violated it. To give her probation again would be kind of going easy on her, I would say," commented Nick Patrck while visiting Island Oasis in Grand Island.

"Honestly, I think she needs a year or so in jail to sit down and think about it, and really reflect on what she's done," said fellow swimmer Samantha Hankins.

And some recommended psychological counseling. "I don't see how any one can be exactly right in the mind doing this to animals," opined Island Oasis patron Wendy Martak.

Source: http://www.1011now.com/home/headlines/Animal-Lovers-Disappointed-in-Withee-Abuse-Probationary-Sentence--164217406.html

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