For Immediate Release:
February 23, 2007

Contact:
Dan Shannon 757-622-7382

Atlanta -- Today, PETA sent an urgent letter to Atlanta Falcons CEO Arthur Blank regarding the arrest earlier this week of defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux on cruelty-to-animals charges. PETA is urging Blank to suspend Babineaux until the case is resolved and to kick him off the team if he is found guilty. Babineaux allegedly struck a dog belonging to his girlfriend on the head after the pair argued, and the dog later died en route to a veterinary hospital.

"For the protection of both humans and other animals, Falcons management must take swift action in response to crimes against animals committed by the team’s players," says PETA researcher Dan Paden. "Mental health professionals and law enforcement agencies agree that perpetrators of violent acts against animals can pose a serious threat not only to other animals but to the community as a whole."

For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

PETA’s letter to Atlanta Falcons CEO Arthur Blank follows.

February 23, 2007

Arthur Blank, CEO
Atlanta Falcons
4400 Falcon Pkwy.
Flowery Branch, GA 30542

Dear Mr. Blank:

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 1.6 million members and supporters dedicated to the protection of animals. We are writing to you today regarding defensive tackle Jonathan Babineaux, who faces felony charges in Gwinnett County stemming from his alleged February 18 fatal attack on a dog. On behalf of PETA’s thousands of members and supporters in Georgia and compassionate people everywhere, we respectfully ask that—if this case is still pending in court at the start of preseason—Babineaux be suspended until its adjudication. Furthermore, if Babineaux is convicted, we ask that your organization release him.

Babineaux allegedly attacked one of his girlfriend’s two dogs, Kilo, inside their shared home. He reportedly inflicted blunt force trauma to Kilo’s head after arguing with the woman; she reportedly arrived home to find the dog in distress. Kilo vomited blood en route to an emergency veterinary clinic, according to news sources, and was pronounced dead.

As you may know, mental health professionals and top law enforcement officials consider cruelty to animals to be a red flag. The American Psychiatric Association identifies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of these crimes 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.

While a disciplinary action of this severity might be outside the norm for the NFL, what better way is there to send a message to your fans and the general public that your organization—and the league as a whole—has zero tolerance for any form of off-field violence, regardless of who the victim is?

Thank you for your diligence in this matter and for your time and consideration.

Sincerely,

Dan Shannon, Youth Outreach Manager
Sports Columnist, PETA Animal Times