PETA Demands Jail Time if Accused Dogsledder Is Convicted of Neglecting Dogs
Group Asks D.A. to Seize All Animals at Snowmass Village Dogsled Business, Prohibit Owner From Obtaining Others
For Immediate Release:
February 14, 2014
Contact:
Shakira Croce 202-483-7382
This morning, PETA sent an urgent letter to District Attorney Sherry Caloia asking her to vigorously prosecute Dan MacEachen, owner of the Krabloonik dogsled operation in Snowmass Village, who faces eight counts of cruelty to animals stemming from the reported discovery of multiple dogs without proper care or shelter at his business in December. Allegedly, some animals were found to be malnourished and suffering from untreated infections, and two were in need of immediate veterinary care.
“Too often, people who are convicted of crimes against animals walk out of court with a slap on the wrist,” says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. “These dogs suffered terribly from their infections and lack of food, so we’re asking the D.A. to make sure that if MacEachen is convicted, he has plenty of time to mull over that suffering in a jail cell.”
PETA is also asking that—if MacEachen is convicted—the animals on his property be seized and that he be prohibited from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible.
For more information, please visit PETA.org.
PETA’s letter to District Attorney Sherry Caloia follows.
February 14, 2014
The Honorable Sherry Caloia
Office of the District Attorney, 9th Judicial District
109 Eighth St., Ste. 308
Glenwood Springs, CO 81601
Dear Ms. Caloia:
PETA is an international animal-protection organization with more than 3 million members and supporters, thousands residing in Colorado. This letter concerns a case that your office is handling involving Dan MacEachen, owner of Krabloonik sled dog operation in Snowmass Village, who faces eight counts of cruelty to animals stemming from officials’ reported December 12 discovery of multiple dogs languishing without proper care or shelter at his business. Allegedly, some animals were found to be malnourished and suffering from untreated infections, and two were reportedly deemed in need of “serious veterinary care.”
For those unwilling or unable to meet basic duties of ownership, being “in the system” is unlikely to instill any legitimate sense of compassion or responsibility. Given that repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers, we respectfully ask that if convicted, as part of the sentencing and in addition to incarceration, MacEachen be prohibited from owning or harboring animals for as long as possible (a common provision in such cases) and that he be relieved of any animals currently in his custody.
Thank you for your time and consideration and for the difficult work that you do.
Sincerely yours,
Kristin Simon
Senior Cruelty Caseworker
Cruelty Investigations Department
