09/17/2024
URGENT & GRAPHIC BUT AN INCONVENIENT TRUTH: THESE 59 ABUSED DOGS VICTIMS OF A CRUEL DOG FIGHTING RING IN TYLER, TX NEED YOU TO BE THEIR VOICES. Who wants to attend their hearing with me tomorrow, Wednesday, 09/18/24 at 1:30 pm? Will leave Houston at 9 am. If you cannot be at the hearing, please email the Honorable Derrick Choice at to let him know how you feel. Template to use below —it is not my best writing but it will have to do. Pictures are courtesy of Nicholas Pet Haven who has rescued 2 of the dogs and could use more donations. Other photos are from Jennifer Scott from the Tyler Daily Telegraph.
https://tylerpaper.com/news/crime/2-were-arrested-on-accusations-of-dog-fighting-in-tyler-61-animals-were-rescued-heres/article_9684815a-707f-11ef-a02f-27009ae9ca4d.amp.html
TEMPLATE ⬇️
Honorable Derrick Choice
Justice of the Peace, Smith County
200 E. Ferguson St.
Tyler, TX 75702
[email protected] ⬅️ email address
Re: CRUELTY TO NON-LIVESTOCK ANIMALS & DOG FIGHTING —CASE No. AD24-127JP1
Dear Judge Choice,
I live in Texas and have recently found out about the horrifying dog fighting ring bust in Smith county, Texas.
Dog fighting is a brutal, inhumane, and illegal act, causing immeasurable harm to the animals involved. In Tyler, Texas, Kerry Jermon Isiah Jones & Michael Cameron Jones were arrested on 09/09/2024 as suspects for operating a dog fighting ring where over 50 dogs, were bred and trained solely for the purpose of fighting. These poor innocent dogs, subject to horrific acts of cruelty and neglect, were forced to fight for their lives and endured horrendous suffering. “Many of the dogs had fresh injuries with visible blood and scars “consistent with being fought;” Injuries ranged from minor to severe; one dog had part of its bottom jaw missing while another had its nose removed, possibly from a bite, the document states. Others had scars. Some of the dogs were lethargic and unable to move. […] Some were confined in cages or make-shift kennels while others were found in a shed, tied to treadmills where they were being forced to “work out” with heavy weights on their necks, police said. The dogs had no ventilation or air conditioning in 85-degree weather and were susceptible to heat stroke or death, an investigator said in an arrest affidavit. Others were chained in the yard. The dogs were malnourished with their ribs showing, according to the affidavit. Smith County Animal Control Supervisor Amber Greene said the animals had no access to clean water. […] There were puppies being used as bait … some of these dogs are being trained to tear them apart.” One dog is recovering from wounds the vet believes had been stapled as a makeshift repair before she was thrown back into fights. there were puppies being used as bait … some of these dogs are being trained to tear them apart.” (Source: https://tylerpaper.com/news/crime/2-were-arrested-on-accusations-of-dog-fighting-in-tyler-61-animals-were-rescued-heres/article_9684815a-707f-11ef-a02f-27009ae9ca4d.amp.html)
According to the Animal Legal Defense Fund, Texas ranks only 8th in the nation for its animal protection laws, yet cases like this highlight the urgent need for tougher enforcement and more severe penalties (source: Animal Legal Defense Fund's 2020 report). I urgently ask that these two individuals who will appear on Wednesday, September 18th, 2024 at 1:30 in your courtroom at 200 E. Ferguson in Tyler, TX on the 5th floor face rigorous prosecution and punishment to the full extent of the law (as a felony with $10,000 minimum in fines AND 2 years of prison although they ought to stay for life to reflect on the horrors they orchestrated; not just for one charge but each of the 61 individual count representing every single life they've harmed.)
The 59 dogs and 2 cats, plus the many many more prior to the raid, had No Freedom! They had no say!! Tortured, Starved, in Pain! Please help us be their voice and show the United States and the world that Texas will not stand for animal cruelty.
Sincerely,
