April 3, 2008

Lisa Zavogiannis
District Attorney

Lucas the Siberian Husky
131 East Main Street
McMinnville, TN 37110

Reference: Christopher Lee Barnett Animal Abuse Case - Lucas, Siberian Husky

Dear District Attorney Zavogiannis,

I have already previously sent letters concerning this issue, dated March 1, 2008 and March 30, 2008 directly to you. I am sending this letter in reference to the Grand Jury who will now hear this case.

I commend General Sessions Court Judge Larry Ross for his conviction of aggravated animal abuse which could result in a $3,000 fine and two years in prison, turning this over to the Grand Jury. This is one of the most horrendous crimes against another living and breathing creature that I have ever heard of. It was brutal, sadistic and clearly demonstrates that Christopher Barnett should never own or be around any animal for the rest of his life.

The Grand Jury should already be aware of the horrible details in this case and thankfully there were witnesses to testify to the facts involved. Joy Percell and Maxwell Vincent should be commended for standing up and testifying against Christopher Barnett. Andy Anderson, Warren County Human Society, should also be commended for not euthanizing Lucas but instead focusing on giving Lucas a second chance regardless of the cost involved. All too often people won’t go the extra step and testify or go the extra expense to save a life; it takes courage and I admire each of them for taking action when it was so desperately needed by Lucas.

I wanted to reiterate a few of the facts that was printed by the "Southern Standard" to be certain it is not forgotten."…including grinding 30 of the dog's teeth down with a metal file - some to

the root and exposing the nerves.

"The teeth on both sides, upper and lower, had been filed almost to the gum line," the report read. "In the process several teeth were fractured and splintered beneath the gumline. A total of 16 upper teeth and 14 lower tooth pulps (nerves) were exposed and the majority were still bleeding. In order to minimize pain and infection most of these teeth would require root
canals, fillings, or removal. Due to the manner in which the teeth were filed, the instrument used was probably either an equine dental float or a very coarse wood rasp or hoof rasp. In my opinion in order to do that much painful dental damage, the dog would have had to be semiconscious or unconscious."

I urge the Grand Jury to review and consider each of the aspects and the details submitted by the veterinarian attesting to the senseless brutality of what Christopher Barnett did to Lucas. Please keep it fresh in your mind for sentencing. Lucas endured not only this but prior abuse as noted by the veterinarian. This was not a one time occurrence.

As you know, there is a significant correlation between animal abuse and children, adult and senior abuse. Each day the crimes become more horrendous and despicable, all because the laws are far too lax. Our society, and every society on the face of this earth, as a whole has become so aggressive and blatantly cruel in solving temporary problems with permanent solutions that are not appropriate. A majority of time the abusers are given a "slap on the wrist" and they go on their way and commit more crimes and more and more animals suffer because no court took appropriate action. The time for action to prevent animal abuse is now.

First time offenders should be no exception. Abuse is abuse and it is something that is done with thought. As long as the justice system does not make justice prevail for the victims in abuse crimes, the abuser will continue the abusive behavior because the justice system just showed him "his crime was no big deal." Please do not let Christopher Barnett off easy, because it is a big deal to Lucas for the rest of his life and the next time an animal may suffer even more and it may not be a dog the next time. Abuse is not a one time thing, it is a continuing action and Christopher Barnett has demonstrated that.

Again, the time is now to enforce the laws to the fullest extent to show abusers a "slap on the wrist" is not sufficient for their actions and they have the responsibility to pay for their crimes to the full extent of the law. Abuse is painful, cruel and has a direct affect on the victim forever.

I urge you, the Grand Jury, to find Christopher Barnett guilty:

1. Aggravated animal abuse;

2. Sentence him with the conviction of the maximum fine of $3,000;

3. The full two years in prison WITHOUT A CHANCE OF PAROLE OR PLEA BARGAINING;

4. Christopher Barnett should NEVER BE ABLE TO OWN OR BE AROUND ANY LIVING CREATURE FOR THE REST OF HIS LIFE.

5. Christopher Barnett should be placed on the new ANIMAL ABUSERS DATABASE that Tennessee recently approved. While he is serving his prison sentence I would recommend he study for another trade that does not involve animals.

Send a strong message to people, that abuse like this will never be tolerated. Animal cruelty continues because courts fail to apply appropriate justice. You, as the Grand Jury, can make a difference for each animal that suffers abuse. Please do it for the living, breathing creatures who can not stand up in court and testify what was done to them by the abuser. You can send that message with your decision. Search your hearts, you are the decision makers in this case; prosecute Christopher Barnett for what he has done to the full extent of the law.

I may not be from Tennessee but I do care about all the creatures God has created. God created man and God created the animals and He did not create them to be abused. Thank you for your time.

Regards,