Officer Out on Bail for 40 Counts of Dog Sex Abuse Now Arrested for Child Pornography

Yet another disturbing case reveals the strong link between animal cruelty and crimes against humans.

A former police officer in Bossier City, Louisiana was arrested for possession of child pornography while out on bail for multiple acts of sexual abuse against a dog.

On April 12, Terry Yetman was booked into the Bossier Parish Jail on 31 counts of child pornography. Yetman had previously been arrested on December 20 of last year on 20 felony counts of bestiality and 24 counts of filming the sick acts with a retired police dog.

“Yetman’s second arrest for sickening abuse of the vulnerable should come as no shock to anyone involved in law enforcement or animal protection,” stated Doll Stanley, campaign director for In Defense of Animals. “Yetman’s case is a classic example of how animal abusers are a threat to the entire community. Statistics bear out the indisputable fact that acts of animal cruelty and violence to fellow humans are linked.”

An investigation was launched in August 2018 by the Louisiana State Police Special Victims Unit into the alleged animal abuse, during which electronic evidence of Yetman’s abuse against a Belgian Malinois was uncovered.

The day before Yetman’s arrest for child pornography, In Defense of Animals delivered a petition containing 20,000 signatures to Bossier District Attorney Schuyler Marvin calling for the rigorous prosecution and sentencing of Yetman for these crimes. The organization is also calling for animal protection training among law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

It is unclear whether Yetman was charged under state or federal child pornography laws. He faces a possible life sentence in prison for his animal abuse charges.

Yetman’s bail is currently set at $620,000 and additional charges could be filed. He is currently being held at Bossier Maximum Security Facility, and his next bond hearing is set for April 23.

Judge Dishes Out Triple the Recommended Sentence in Brutal Dog Stabbing Case

Posted by Carly Day | April 26, 2019

A Michigan judge has sentenced an animal abuser to three to six years in prison, triple the recommended sentencing guidelines.

Judge Richard Caretti had initially accepted a plea of no contest from the accused, agreeing to a lower sentence. However, on hearing the gory details of the case, Caretti withdrew the agreement (known as a Cobb’s agreement).

“I cannot in good conscience follow the Cobb’s agreement,” said Carretti. “Any way you view this crime, it’s despicable and reprehensible. In my almost 17 years on the bench, your case is by far the worst, most deplorable example of animal cruelty I’ve ever seen. Sterling would have looked to you for love, shelter, and food. Instead, he was a victim of your unbelievable cruelty.”

County Prosecutors requested a harsher sentence, noting that the penalty for animal cruelty in Michigan had recently increased – but only after this horrific crime took place.

The crime committed by Alexander Gerth was an especially brutal one. After the Michigan Humane Society refused his request to adopt a dog named Sterling, the 23-year-old had a friend adopt the animal for him. Not long after taking possession of Sterling, Gerth viciously stabbed the dog to death and left his body lying in a local park in below-freezing temperatures.

Gerth also admitted to beating and kicking two-year-old Sterling during the short time the dog was in his care.

The case drew the attention of animal lovers across the state, who started a petition calling for the maximum sentence possible. The petition gathered more than 6,500 signatures and likely influenced those involved in prosecuting and sentencing.

County Prosecutor Eric Smith praised the longer sentence, saying it shows that “crimes of this nature will never be tolerated.”

“Sterling has brought great awareness to such a critical issue that troubles us as a society,” said Smith.

On top of the prison sentence, Gerth must cover the autopsy costs of the Michigan Humane Society and is banned from ever owning a dog again.

We thank the prosecutors and Judge Caretti for taking this devastating case of animal cruelty seriously and working to ensure that Gerth can never harm another animal.

The award winning author, barrister and international ecocide law advocate passed away on the 21st of April. Higgins, a British barrister, led a decade-long campaign for “ecocide” to be recognised as a crime against humanity.

She was diagnosed last month, at the age of 50, with an aggressive cancer and given six weeks to live.

Polly had been campaigning to make ecocide an international crime and had launched a push for businesses to be made liable for any harm they do to the environment.

She presented her proposal for ecocide to be recognised as an international crime to the United Nations Law Commission, describing it as ‘one simple law to protect the Earth’.

She gave up her job and sold her house to finance the campaign.

Polly was also author of “Eradicating Ecocide” and created the first non-commercial trust fund for Earth Protectors.

The Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI) announced the news of Polly’s death on twitter, posting: “A sad day and big loss to our community. Polly will be sorely missed but always remembered for her incredible work.”

Simon McBurney wrote: “Polly Higgins has left us. Inspirational friend, campaigner, lawyer, she dedicated her life to hold those committing ecocide to account. We must finish what she started.”

Women’s Voices Matter tweeted: “May her legacy live forever.

“Her dying wish was that we all sign up to Stop Ecocide: Change the Law.

“Everyone can sign up as an Earth Protector via https://www.stopecocide.earth/ ”

Stroud MP David Drew added to the tributes, saying: “Like so many people in Stroud, and indeed across the globe, I was sad to learn of the death of pioneering climate campaigner, Polly Higgins.

“Polly chose to make Stroud her home. This is a town which has a proud history of being at the forefront of change – and change is essential.

“The climate crisis is quite simply the biggest issue of our time. The growing cacophony of voices calling for action – from the Extinction Rebellion campaign, to Greta Thunberg, David Attenborough and Mark Carney – must not continue to be ignored.

“Climate change has been ignored by this government, which has eroded support for renewable energy. It is little wonder that frustrations are running high.

“I support the calls for proper government recognition that the crisis exists and the need for urgent action.

“Climate change is also a consequence of an economic system based on inequality. Taking the economy out of the control of the super-rich and creating a fairer more equal society will also create a greener world.

“Polly led the way, with her imaginative approach to valuing our environment. I have no doubt that Stroud people will continue to build on her legacy and she will remain an inspiration to us all.”

Details of Polly’s funeral have now been announced: it is set to take place on Friday, May 3 at 10am. This will be followed by her burial in Slad, close to where she lived. Everyone is welcome at the service.

Polly requested that nobody should wear black.

https://www.stroudnewsandjournal.co.uk/news/17589118.stroud-eco-warrior-polly-higgins-dies/

Only a few words about this: Why do the good, useful and hopeful people go out of the live so early?
And the assholes, the torturers, the criminals live long and have so much time to destroy life and nature?
This is an injustice that we experience more often and that offends us deeply.

Thank you for everything you have done for nature and animals, Polly.
We will not forget you and we will continue to fight as you would have done.

My best regards to all, Venus