Brownsville
police arrested a teenager accused of brutally kicking and stabbing a puppy
resulting in the animal’s death, officials said.
Mario Gasca, 18, and Jesus Javier Martinez, 17, were
arrested Wednesday afternoon in the Southmost area and later charged with animal
cruelty, said police spokesman Sgt. Jimmy Manrrique.
We encourage you to contact
our local and regional politicians, law enforcement, DA and media. Here is
an example of an excellent Letter To The Editor sent to The Brownsville
Herald:
Editor:
“Man
get angry and kills puppy” is horrifying not only in the extent of abuse
inflicted on a defenseless creature, but also in its portent for the future
violent actions of these teenaged abusers. Gasca and
Martinez
are classic case examples of the profile developed by the FBI and should be
punished to the full extent of the law.
According
to this profile, the following factors demonstrate a very high degree of
correlation between animal cruelty and serial and mass murderer predictors.
All ten factors are present in this act of violence:
1. Animal’s vulnerability – in this case, a puppy
2. Severity of injury inflicted – the
puppy died
3. Repetition of injuries on animal – puppy
received multiple kicks and stab wounds
4.
Multiple forms of injury to individual animal - puppy both kicked and
stabbed
5. Intimacy of infliction of injury – puppy
was stabbed
6. Duration of abuse – puppy was tortured for several minutes
7. Act was committed with high risk of detection or observation –
puppy
was killed in public view
8. Animal cruelty was used to threaten, intimidate or coerce a
human victim – puppy was killed in retaliation
9. Animal victim was subjected to mutilation or postmortem
dismemberment – puppy was repeatedly stabbed in stomach and face
10. Perpetrator reportedly experienced strong positive affective
changes during the violent act – killers laughed and seemed excited during assault
According
to published reports, virtually every serious violent offender has a history of
animal abuse in their past; since we can’t predict which one will continue to
commit these violent acts, ALL of them should be taken seriously
Unfortunately,
Cameron
County
’s track record in pursuing, prosecuting and convicting these cases show an
archaic and lax, bordering on negligent, attitude. Since 1997, there have
been only two convictions of animal cruelty in
Cameron
County
. Five cases were “alleged” and the prosecution took no action,
including a case in which three dogs were tied to a tree and starved to death in
Donna. Three others were “not charged”, including a case in which a
dog was sexually assaulted and videotaped in
Brownsville
.
The acts perpetrated by Gasca and
Martinez
are indicators of serious human behavior problems and should not be ignored
like so many of the other cases of animal abuse in the Valley. Animal and
human rights groups around the world will be watching this case. Let’s
hope the D.A.’s office finally gets up to speed and does its homework on
animal abuse and realize that these two are dangerous and sick people who need
to be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Linda Forse
Brownsville,
Texas
To
All:
An
open letter from the Mayor of Brownsville concerning this unimaginable act of
cruelty in our city:
As
Mayor and founder of Brownsville PAWS (Pet Advocates With Solutions), I cannot
completely express my alarm and disgust regarding the act of cruelty recently
reported in our city. I urge you, The People, to take action and assist
me and other elected officials, law enforcement and the general community in
sending a strong message to one and all that animal cruelty should never be
tolerated and certainly not in our city. We must seek justice for the helpless
and innocent puppy that died, suffering for no reason. We must be very clear:
this is not to be in any way tolerated in our city.
Brownsville
PAWS was founded with a clear mission:
To
prevent cruelty against animals, find "forever homes" for needy and
homeless pets, reduce the euthanasia numbers at our animal shelter and amongst
other things raise awareness on pet care and pet ownership responsibility.
Brownsville PAWS is for making the reality of Brownsville becoming a "no
kill" city, but the over population problem must be addressed through
spaying and neutering and a broader public understanding of the real problem
that exists throughout our great country and right here in our own beloved city.
Brownsville
PAWS continually strives to motivate others to join us in our endeavor to seek
plausible solutions, through short and long term planning and through daily,
weekly and monthly actions: Standing up to animal abuse and neglect, Reporting
ordinance violations, Volunteering with us and other rescue groups at adoption
events and Offering to provide pet foster care assistance when possible.
Together,
we have and will continue to make a difference. “It takes a village.”… and
it takes each and every one of us helping how we can.
Today, you should make our voice heard: We do not tolerate the cruel beating and
killing of pets in our city!
Respectfully,
Hon.
Pat Ahumada, Mayor
We
hope you will find this site helpful in your search for a new adoptive pet, for
searching lost and found pets as well as a launching pad for helpful information
related to the care and health of your pet.
Brownsville
PAWS, Inc dba Brownsville P.A.W.S.™ ("Pet Advocates With Solutions") is a small non-profit volunteer
group dedicated to helping homeless pets find a loving home.
We
can use your help; we need volunteers! If you'd like to help at adoption events
or can foster a pet, please contact
us!
While
visiting our site, please visit our Lost Pets
area to see who is lost in our area and can use your help by keeping an eye out
for them.
Please
visit our News page to read our Press Release on this event by clicking
here.
Ms.
Catherine Stillman was a strong supporter of many animal welfare endeavors and
helped organizations such as Bideawee, founded in 1903 by Mrs. Flora D'Auby
Jenkins Kibbe, and one of the oldest humane organizations in the United States.
Bideawee means "stay a while" in Scottish and is a unique organization
which brings together animal lovers.
Bideawee's
mission is to promote safe, loving, long-term relationships between people and
companion animals by providing a continuum of services and programs that are
innovative, personalized, and high-quality.
The Brownsville Herald and The Monitor (McAllen) both ran an informative article on
Edgar Trevińo, our director. He has received a humanitarian award from the
mayor of Brownsville for his efforts to save homeless pets.
Please click on the photo below to read the whole story!
Teenage member Daniel Ramos, 14, pictured with his mother Elvira Ramos, was the
recipient of an award for his volunteer work in saving homeless pets. Just click
on the picture to go to our Brownsville
PAWS Kids!
page:
We
work very closely with the new, state-of-the-art Brownsville Animal
Regulation and Care Center ("BARCC") - also
known as the "Brownsville Animal Shelter"which is located at 416 FM 511.
From
Expressway 77/83, take the FM 511 exit... Head East on FM 511, about 1/2 mile
on the right hand side... watch for the sign for Brownsville Animal
Regulation and Care Center. Please
click on the photo to be taken directly to the Shelter's Web Site or click
on the "BARCC" button on the left menu bar to visit the site
directly from this Web Site:
IMPORTANT:
THERE IS CONSTRUCTION ON FM 511 RIGHT IN FRONT AND AROUND THE SHELTER! PLEASE
Click Here or on the "Road Closed" Sign
for
Road Construction Information!
NEW
Operating
Hours for BARCC are 1PM - 5 PM (afternoons only) 7 days per
week!
For
directions to BARCC from your location, please click on the "Find BARCC"
link on the left menu bar. An interactive map will guide you!
Please
look for this sign on FM 511:
Love pets?
Have time to volunteer?
Simply
click below to Learn More!
Our Mission
Pat
Ahumada, Lavice Laney, Edgar Trevińo and Casey VanAtten with the help of a group of dedicated
volunteers, have embarked on a campaign to raise awareness of pet-related issues
in
Brownsville. The over population of pets in the City of Brownsville and
surrounding areas is a major concern. This
explosion of un-cared for animals poses unnecessary health risks and expense for Brownsville
Citizens and inhumane conditions for these unfortunate homeless pets.
Brownsville
PAWS™ has a mission to educate, empower and help resolve the issues related to
unwanted pets, pet over-population and to raise the number of spayed / neutered
and vaccinated pets in Brownsville. As a completely volunteer group, Brownsville
PAWS™ endeavors to keep costs low and direct funds to results-generating
programs. Together, we can make a huge difference!
Please Click Below to watch an Adoption
Public Service Announcement by Jake and Tycho:
Webite
stuff we are working on:
TNR
Page!
Pitbull
Info you need to know: Most are wonderful dogs
Pets
with Special Needs Page: For those who can adopt these special pets
Contact Information
Brownsville PAWS Telephone
956-371-7320
Mailing Address Only
3400 Charmaine, Brownsville, TX, 78526
Please note: To keep costs down, Brownsville
PAWS™ has its adoptable animals in volunteer foster homes. We do not
have a "brick and mortar" location to view our pets.
Instead, we work with BARCC and meet weekly at the Brownsville and
other area PetSmart™ stores to show our dogs and puppies seeking an
adoptive home. We are generally at PetSmart™ Saturdays and/or
Sundays from 1 PM - 4 PM. Please note that our kittens and cats are
housed in the Cat Adoption Areas of the Brownsville, Harlingen
and McAllen PetSmart™ stores on an ongoing basis. Please feel free
to visit anytime!
Important Disclaimer: By using this
Web Site you expressly understand and agree that this site is intended as
a useful resource to those interested in adopting homeless pets or volunteers
involved in these activities. Although we make every reasonable effort to assure
that the information presented is current and accurate, we cannot assume
responsibility for the accuracy of all information as it is subject to change.
We are not responsible for content of third party Web Sites or information
posted to this site by third parties. Please alert the Web Master to any
concerns. Thank you for visiting our site!
Welcome !
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