|
|
| PETA CALLS FOR LIFETIME BAN ON OWNING ANIMALS, PSYCHIATRIC INTERVENTION IF ALLEGED CORTLAND CAT ABUSER, KILLER IS CONVICTED |
|
For Immediate Release: Contact: Cortland, N.Y. - This morning, PETA sent an urgent plea to Cortland County District Attorney David S. Hartnett urging his office to appropriately prosecute Eugina Cute of Cortland. Cute faces charges stemming from authorities’ September 1 discovery of 275 cats who were reportedly suffering from severe neglect on her property as well as the remains of 21 others who had apparently starved to death. News sources describe "the deafening whine" of hundreds of cats Because Cute may be an "animal hoarder"—someone who obsessively accumulates animals—PETA is requesting that, if convicted, she be banned for life from owning animals, as allowed by New York law. PETA is also asking that Cute be required to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling. "Cute appears to be either unable or unwilling to provide the most basic care to animals," says PETA researcher Dan Paden. "Experts agree that dementia and other mental health disorders may be at play in many hoarding cases and that upon conviction, only carefully considered sentencing and probationary conditions can preclude the otherwise inevitable recurrence of these crimes." PETA also sent its new report on animal hoarding—available at HelpingAnimals.com—to District Attorney David S. Hartnett. PETA’s letter to Hartnett follows. October 3, 2006 The Honorable David S. Hartnett Dear Mr. Hartnett: We hope that this finds you well. This letter concerns a recent cruelty-to-animals case that your office is handling, involving Eugina Cute of Cortland. She faces charges stemming from authorities’ reported September 1 discovery of 275 severely neglected cats—and the remains of 21 other cats—on the 7 Wheeler Ave. property where she lived. We understand that approximately 68 of the animals were seized from Cute’s home and that the remaining animals were found in a second building on the property. Many of the animals were malnourished and suffered from upper respiratory infections, according to news sources, and some have been euthanized in light of their condition. We understand that Cute is scheduled to answer to these charges in court tomorrow, October 4. We believe that Cute may be an animal hoarder. As you may know, the "hoarder syndrome" is not rare (please see enclosure). Experts agree that dementia and other mental health disorders may be at play in such cases. Hoarders’ behavior is akin to that of substance abusers in the following ways: preoccupation with the addiction, repetition of the addictive behavior, alibis for their behavior, neglect of personal and environmental conditions, claims of persecution, the presence of enablers who assist financially, denial that the addiction exists, varying degrees of social isolation, and abuse of animals through neglect. Upon conviction, only carefully considered sentencing and probationary conditions can preclude the otherwise inevitable recurrence of these crimes. On behalf of our thousands of members and supporters in New York, we respectfully ask that, if convicted, Cute (and any codefendants later named) be required to undergo a psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling at her own expense—her safety may depend on it. Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers—and this is especially true of hoarders—we also ask that your office ensure that she is banned for life from owning animals (as is permitted by law) and that any animals currently in her custody are immediately seized. Thank you for your diligence in this matter and for your time and continued consideration. Sincerely, Dan Paden, Researcher
|
