Community Should Fear for Its Safety, Say Experts
For Immediate Release:
June 30, 2011
Contact:
David Perle 202-483-7382
St. Paul, Minn -- This morning, PETA sent an urgent plea to Apple Valley Prosecuting Attorney Michael Molenda calling on him to vigorously prosecute Michael Richard Fessler of Apple Valley. Fessler faces charges stemming from an April 15 incident in which he allegedly hurled his wife's dog across the room, breaking the dog's right pelvis and injuring the left pelvis. Instead of rushing the badly injured and screaming dog to the veterinarian, Fessler reportedly called his wife home from work to take the animal herself. According to news reports, the veterinarian said that the dog will require extensive treatment in order to heal from the injuries. Fessler is scheduled to answer these charges in court on July 1 at 8:30 a.m. in Dakota County District Court in Apple Valley.
"The viciousness shown in abusing this dog must not go unpunished," says PETA Director Martin Mersereau. "Area residents have reason to be concerned. According to leading mental-health professionals and law-enforcement agencies, perpetrators of violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders who pose a serious threat to all animals, including humans."
PETA is asking that Fessler, if convicted, be sentenced to a period of incarceration, prohibited from owning or harboring animals, and ordered to undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling.
For more information, please visit PETA's website HelpingAnimals.com. To view PETA's anti-violence public service announcement featuring Inglourious Basterds star and Hostel director Eli Roth, please visit http://www.petatv.com/tvpopup/Prefs.asp?video=eli_roth_violence_link_psa_peta.
PETA's letter to Apple Valley Prosecuting Attorney Michael Molenda follows.
June 30, 2011
The Honorable Michael E. Molenda
City of Apple Valley Prosecuting Attorney
Dear Mr. Molenda:
PETA is an international animal protection organization with more than 2 million members and supporters globally. This letter concerns a recent cruelty-to-animals case that your office is handling involving Michael Fessler, 26, of Apple Valley. Fessler faces charges stemming from an April 15 incident during which Fessler reportedly severely injured his wife's dog. According to reports, Fessler threw the dog across the room and smashed his or her pelvis after becoming frustrated with the animal for defecating inside the house. Instead of rushing the badly injured and screaming animal to the veterinarian, Fessler reportedly called his wife home from work to take the animal herself. Fessler is scheduled to appear in court on these charges on July 1.
Because repeat crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers, and particularly given the suspect's apparent violent temper, we implore your office to take every measure necessary to ensure that if convicted, he is barred from possessing animals for as long as possible and that all animals who are currently in his charge be seized.
On behalf of our thousands of members in Minnesota, we thank you in advance for your diligence in this matter and for your time and consideration.
Sincerely,
Kristin Simon
Senior Cruelty Caseworker
Cruelty Investigations Department