Last week Puppy Doe torturer, Radoslaw Czerkawski, was found guilty of 12 counts of animal abuse and sentenced to 8-10 years in state prison. Czerkawski, who was in this country illegally, will be deported after he has served his time.
Those of us who have been following the Medeiros Tenant Farm cases in Westport noted several important developments that we hope will inform the Bristol County Superior Court and the Attorney General’s Office, and which we hope will cause intense digestive distress to the Medeiros Farm defendants and their lawyers.
Norfolk County Superior Court Judge Beverly Cannone set a precedent in the relative severity of her sentence, and we applaud her for it. Under Massachusetts law a single count of animal abuse (i.e., “knowingly and willingly authorizing or permitting an animal to be subjected to torture, suffering or cruelty of any kind”) is punishable by up to seven years in prison.
While, to our knowledge, none of the Medeiros defendants stabbed, burned, or mutilated their animals as did Czerkawski, many of the 1,400 animals found on the Medeiros property were in grievous condition — starving, diseased, standing on rotting hooves in their own feces amidst the decaying bodies of other animals. Remember that over 200 of them had to be euthanized on the spot.
Cannone allowed veterinarians to testify, that is, to “speak” on behalf of Puppy Doe. Forensic experts stated that the dog’s many injuries had been inflicted on purpose and over time. Lawyers representing defendants in the Medeiros cases have already attempted to squelch grand jury testimonies of attending veterinarians and forensic experts, and will surely continue to call to question the use of such testimony should any of these cases make it to trial. May the presiding judge for the Medeiros cases follow Cannone’s lead in clearing the way for victim witness advocates speaking on behalf those who cannot.
Thirdly, Cannone is to be commended on her recommendation that Czerkawski be deported after he completes his prison time. This decision may also have bearing on several Medeiros Tenant Farm defendants.
Puppy Doe’s name was “Kiya.” She was an individual, with her own body and mind. Each of the 1,400 animals on the Medeiros property was an individual, too. Many of them suffered terribly from starvation, abscessed sores and filth. Just as in Kiya’s case, their injuries were inflicted on purpose and over time. Their abusers must be incarcerated for what they have done.
The Norfolk County Superior Court has raised the bar for justice for abuse victims. May Bristol County follow suit.
Constance Gee
Westport