For Immediate Release:
August 2, 2005

Contact:
Stephanie Boyles 757-622-7382  

Naples, Fla.--- Today, PETA sent an urgent plea to Supervising Assistant State Attorney Norman F. O’Rourke, urging him to vigorously prosecute Mark Metzger and Fred Rowe for an incident alleged to have occurred last month at a Naples golf course where they were employed. Each faces multiple felony charges stemming from the incident, in which they reportedly removed a live alligator—caught in a “live capture alligator trap”—from a pond and dragged the animal a distance behind a golf cart. According to news sources, the men admit that the animal died during this time. The men then allegedly butchered the alligator with a filet knife.

“People who demonstrate such blatant disregard for life and desensitization to suffering can pose a serious risk to the people and animals with whom they come into contact,” says PETA Wildlife Biologist Stephanie Boyles. “Mental health professionals and top law enforcement officials consider cruelty to animals to be a red flag.”

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

For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

PETA’s letter to Supervising Assistant State Attorney Norman F. O’Rourke follows.

August 2, 2005

Norman F. O’Rourke, Supervising Assistant State Attorney
Office of the 20th Judicial Circuit State Attorney, Collier County
3301. E. Tamiami Tr., 6th Fl.
Naples, FL 34112

Dear Mr. O’Rourke:

We hope this finds you well. This letter concerns a recent cruelty-to-animals case that your office is handling, involving Mark Metzger, 34, and Fred Rowe, 42, residences unreported. Each faces multiple felony charges stemming from their alleged July fatal attack on an alligator at a Naples golf course. According to news sources, the defendants—said to be employed at the course—captured the 7-foot-long animal from a pond there and dragged her to a maintenance building behind a golf cart, during which time they evidently claim that she died. They then reportedly used a filet knife to butcher her carcass and remove her flesh and tail.

Mental health professionals and top law enforcement officials consider cruelty to animals to be a red flag. The American Psychiatric Association identifies animal abuse as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of cruelty to animals in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known criminals. Experts agree that it is the severity of the behavior—not the species of the victim—that matters.

On behalf of our thousands of members in Florida, we thank you for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

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