ASPCA - sends animal abuser to jail - but not nearly long enough...

Today I read at the ASPCA website (through a link in their newsletter through my Gmail) that a chronic abuser of animals, through her puppy mill, has been sent to jail for cruelty to animals. However it is ludicrous that this woman only has to spend 20 days in jail! Nor did the jury convict her of the felony charge - only misdemeanors. Angry? You bet I am. What is wrong with people? Just the fact that Kathy Bauck operated on animals without a license should have given her more jail time. (She was sentenced to 90 days but only has to serve 20 unless she is again caught violating her parole.) The jury deliberated six hours. How could this jury let this woman off so easy?

A little history...Kathy Bauck, operator of Pick of the Litter Kennels in New York Mills, MN, is a breeder that sells animals to pet stores and online. The ASPCA stated she has at times housed more than 1,300 dogs of at least 32 different breeds. Kathy Bauck has a history - evidently - of animal abuse. Bob Baker, an ASPCA Anti-Cruelty Initiatives Investigator states “I visited her facility in 1998 and reported her to the USDA for violations of the Animal Welfare Act—but as far as I know, there was no follow-up on the part of USDA.” In 2006 she was issued a cease-and-desist order from the Minnesota Board of Veterinary Medicine for performing surgery on animals without a veterinary license!

In August 2008 she was arrested for performing veterinary medicine without a vet license (again or still, I do not know which!), felony animal cruelty, and torture. Their was testimony by Dr. Melinda Merck, ASPCA Senior Director of Veterinary Forensics, and a freelance animal cruelty investigator, had videos which included footage of injured, ill and emaciated dogs, as well as of Bauck dunking dogs in vats of insecticide.

I give many thanks to the ASPCA and to the freelance animal cruelty, Jason Smith. I wish for many more Jason Smith's in this world because animal cruelty, while getting more attention and punishment the past few years, still does not get enough. Evidence of this is the jury not convicting Kathy Bauck of a felony.