A daily click of the mouse, now through May 3, could help a staunch foe of animal abuse win a prestigious honor.Sheriff John Montgomery of Baxter County, AR, is one of eight finalists for America's Most Wanted's All-Star Award. He's nominated because he guided the creation of a state-of-the-art website to help fight crime (learn more about it here), but we admire him for an additional reason.
Sheriff Montgomery relentlessly pursues justice in cases of animal abuse, and had a pivotal role in bringing a felony animal cruelty statute to Arkansas, Desiree Bender, Arkansas Director of the Humane Society of the United States, tells us.
In 2005, Tammy and William Hanson were operating the Every Dog Needs A
Home pet sanctuary in Gamaliel, AR, when Baxter County
Sheriff's deputies executed a search warrant and discovered hundreds of
dogs in a deplorable state (read details of the case here). Sheriff Montgomery and the Baxter County
Sheriff's Department worked closely with the HSUS and United Animal Nations to set up an
emergency operation which sheltered and cared for more than 500
neglected dogs.
Tammy and William Hanson were both found guilty of 20 counts of animal cruelty. The Hansons failed to appear for sentencing and fled to Vermont, assuming new identities and becoming fugitives. Sheriff Montgomery set out on a successful four-year pursuit to bring them to justice.
Desiree writes that honoring Sheriff Montgomery with the All-Star Award "would be a huge win for animals in the South. This is national recognition and would greatly influence how law enforcement officials handle and respond to reports of animal cruelty. If you've ever felt frustrated when you've read that an animal abuser was slapped with a puny penalty or that a law enforcement agency blew off your serious complaints of animal cruelty, you're sure to exclaim 'Bravo!' "
Let's reward Sheriff Montgomery and all law enforcement personnel who treat animal abuse cases with the seriousness they deserve. Go to the America's Most Wanted voting site today and every day through May 3 to vote for Sheriff Montgomery!
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Tammy and William Hanson were both found guilty of 20 counts of animal cruelty. The Hansons failed to appear for sentencing and fled to Vermont, assuming new identities and becoming fugitives. Sheriff Montgomery set out on a successful four-year pursuit to bring them to justice.
Desiree writes that honoring Sheriff Montgomery with the All-Star Award "would be a huge win for animals in the South. This is national recognition and would greatly influence how law enforcement officials handle and respond to reports of animal cruelty. If you've ever felt frustrated when you've read that an animal abuser was slapped with a puny penalty or that a law enforcement agency blew off your serious complaints of animal cruelty, you're sure to exclaim 'Bravo!' "
Let's reward Sheriff Montgomery and all law enforcement personnel who treat animal abuse cases with the seriousness they deserve. Go to the America's Most Wanted voting site today and every day through May 3 to vote for Sheriff Montgomery!
You might also like:
Blog: Shelter pets get their own stamps -- plus a million-meal donation
Video: Alaska hero dog leads state troopers to burning building
