Community Should Fear Future Incidents, Say Experts

For Immediate Release:
December 20, 2004

Contact:
Daniel Paden 757-622-7382

Norfolk, Va.- Today, PETA sent an urgent plea to Douglas County Assistant District Attorney Jim Boughner, urging him to vigorously prosecute Bryan James Hathaway of Superior. Hathaway faces felony charges stemming from a December 6 incident in which he allegedly shot a 26-year-old horse—named Bambrick—to death. News sources state that Hathaway was already on probation for threatening a group of teenagers with a loaded rifle last year. Hathaway is scheduled to face these most recent charges in court this Wednesday, December 22.

"Animal abusers are cowards," says PETA Cruelty Caseworker Daniel Paden. "They take their issues out on the most defenseless beings available to them. Douglas County residents have reason to be concerned. According to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat not only to other animals, but to the community as a whole."

PETA is also sending its new anti-violence public service announcement hosted by actor Dennis Franz to TV stations serving the Superior area.

For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

PETA’s letter to Assistant District Attorney Jim Boughner follows.

December 20, 2004

Jim Boughner, Assistant District Attorney
Office of the District Attorney, Douglas County
1313 Belknap St.
Superior, WI 54880

Dear Mr. Boughner:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 800,000 members and supporters dedicated to animal protection. This letter concerns a recent case of cruelty to animals that your office is prosecuting, involving Bryan James Hathaway, 18, of Superior. Hathaway faces felony charges stemming from his alleged December 6 fatal shooting of an elderly horse in Parkland. According to news sources, the accused told authorities that he shot the animal following the animal’s defensive response to his apparent attempt to rape her. News sources also indicate that the incident occurred while Hathaway was on probation in connection with his November 2003 use of a loaded rifle to threaten a group of teenagers.

We understand that Hathaway is scheduled to answer to these charges in court on December 22.

Mental-health professionals and top law-enforcement officials consider cruelty to animals, including zoophilia, to be a red flag. The American Psychiatric Association identifies all forms of animal abuse as diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of animal abuse in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. A recent study by Jory, Flemming, and Burton shows that 96 percent of offenders who had engaged in bestiality also admitted to sexual assaults on humans. When asked how many serial killers had a history of abusing animals, FBI supervisory special agent Alan Brantley, a psychologist who was formerly on staff at a maximum security prison, said, "The real question is, ‘How many do not?’" Experts agree that it is the severity of the behavior, not the species of the victim, that matters.

We ask that, upon conviction and in addition to a period of incarceration, Bryan Hathaway be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling at his own expense—the safety of the community may depend on it. Because repeat crimes among animal abusers are the rule rather than the exception, we implore you to take every measure necessary to ensure that Hathaway is prohibited from all contact with animals for five years, per §951.18.4(c) of Wisconsin Statutes, and that any animals currently in his custody are immediately seized.

Thank you for your diligence in this matter and for your time and consideration. Please do not hesitate to contact me at 757-622-7382 if you have any questions or if our office can be of assistance.

Sincerely,
Daniel Paden, Cruelty Caseworker
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department