Dear Activist:

The Cass County, Michigan, man charged earlier this year with tossing a puppy from a bridge and abandoning the injured animal has pleaded no contest to felony charges and will be sentenced on November 3.

Please take a moment to urge the judge who will sentence him to carefully consider imposing a lengthy jail sentence—among other sentencing provisions—for the defendant.

Joshua Scott Hamman, 21, of Niles was charged with multiple felony counts of cruelty to animals stemming from his alleged May attack on a puppy. The animal, since named Lucky, was evidently abducted from her guardians' Howard Township property on May 5; Hamman reportedly then beat her and dropped her approximately 30 feet from a bridge. She was found four days later and has since undergone two surgeries after suffering three broken legs and other fractures; Lucky continues to recover.

Hamman evidently pleaded no contest to these charges on October 11.

Please remind Judge Michael Dodge that cruelty to animals is an aberrant behavior that's often symptomatic of a pathology, which—if left unaddressed—fuels additional violent crimes against humans and other animals. Respectfully ask His Honor to:

• Incarcerate Hamman for four years.
• Require Hamman to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling (and anger management classes, if applicable) at his own expense.
• Prohibit Hamman from ever again having charge, custody, or contact with any animal in Michigan .

The Honorable Michael E. Dodge
Chief Judge, 43rd Circuit Court
Cass County Law and Courts Building
60296 M-62
Cassopolis , MI 49031

Please also thank prosecutor Jason Ronning for his successful prosecution of this case. Politely encourage him to recommend that Judge Dodge hand down the above penalties for Hamman:

Jason Ronning, Chief Assistant Prosecuting Attorney
Office of the Prosecuting Attorney, Cass County
Cass County Law and Courts Building
60296 M-62, Ste. 6
Cassopolis , MI 49031
269-445-4409 (fax)

Please forward this message to others in Michigan who might be willing to lend their voices to this important issue. Lucky is counting on you.

Thank you for your compassion for animals and for your willingness to act.

Sincerely yours,

Dan Paden
Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals