This is more than disgusting...where's the outrage on this one, posters??? Anyone want to join me at the Oct. 29 hearing? I think just punishment for Rioux is that he endure the same torture he imposed on the poor cat...and his "friends" can watch as they did before...

I'm angry and sick over this...what is wrong with people? Being intoxicated is no excuse for depraved and evil behavior!

The story made me cry. The idea of what this cat had to endure.... so inhumane.

Whatever the ultimate punishment, it will not be adequate. The law just doesn't punish these crimes. Richard Rioux has three charges against him - animal cruelty, animal cruelty cause/auth, theft less than $100. I wish our laws could find more charges. Microwaving , freezing, hitting, and ultimately killing a cat - you would think they could get 10 cruelty charges at least.

Richard bonded out and is roaming probably near his address (public info).
Name:RIOUX, RICHARD
Address: 5411 BANGERT ST
City: WHITE MARSHState:MDZip Code:21162

Jill - I'm curious what HSBC and SPCA have to say about this? I'm not aware of a county task force similar to what was recently formed in the city. Who will be in court to represent the animal?

if anyone has an address on these fools, please post it. It is time for people like this to worry about their own safety for acting in this fashion. Only then will they stop acting this way. It is time for the Karma bus to run over a few of these idiots.

Jenny: sure, there's outrage at what happened to the cat. Outrage that goes beyond words, which may account for why you don't see more posts -- how many ways are there to say "I'm at a loss for words?"

Besides outrage, there's gratitude that evidently a witness came forward in this case.

I commend Jill for providing details on the hearing, and you for trying to determine who will be representing the cat. Showing up at court *could* make more of a difference than posting "I am outraged and I want to do (horrible violent act) to the people who did this."

I get that people sometimes feel the judicial system has been soft on animal abuse, but maybe showing up at court to remind judicial officials that people care about cases like this is a more constructive approach to take than, say, imagining how we would mete out vigilante justice.

Thank you, and see you on 29 October.

Kevin Abel has a Facebook. 'nuff said. Feel free to leave comments about what he did.

Here is info to write our Government Officials. In addition, here is the email I wrote today to them ALL. PLEASE PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO WRITE THEM.
Good Morning, All. This case is so sickening that I've decided NOT to make a page for this animal. This morning, I wrote the following letter to: Martin O'Malley, Dutch Ruppersberger, Barbara Mikulski, Sheila Dixon and States Attorney Patricia Jessemy. This link to the cruelty case is there. HERE IS A LINK TO FIND YOUR ELECTED OFFICIAL: http://mdelect.net/
Here are the email addresses for Martin, Sheila and Pat: 'MOM@GOV.STATE.MD.US', 'information@sheiladixon.com'; 'mayor@baltimorecity.gov'; 'mail@stattorney.org'.

IF YOU DECIDE TO WRITE, would you mind posting your letters on our sites for Phoenix or Gabrielle?

BELOW IS MY EMAIL:

Good Morning! My name is Lisa Stilli.
I am a 42 year old resident of Baltimore City, Maryland. I realize that times are difficult, hardships are prevalent and the issues we face, daily, are many.

Reading the local, regional and national news used to be a source of enjoyment for me. These days, reading what's happening is a source of pain and anger.

You may or may not be aware of the latest Animal Cruelty case reported in Baltimore County last evening. If you are not, I have attached this information. http://wjz.com/local/animal.abuse.animal.2.1130327.html

With each case, I try to raise awareness of the issues, raise funds for the care of the animals who have managed to survive and for those who haven't, raise funds for the reward fund needed to catch these criminals., via Facebook. I have set a page for each animal and continue to update with current news. These pages also provide a forum for those like-minded individuals to voice their opinion. I am at a complete loss as to what to say or how to react to this particular case.

After catching the "persons" that committed this horrific act, the sanction, should the be convicted of these charges, will be 90 days in Jail and $1,000.00.

Please read this article carefully and tell me if you agreeif this punishment fits the crime. I plan to post this email on my Facebook page to reach out to each member so that their voice may be heard as well.

I would like YOUR input on these issues. As is standard, I would usually receive from your office(s) a form letter/email. I am strongly urging a personal written response from you letting us, the citizens of Maryland, know course of action you plan to take and how you will manage TOUGHER LAWS AND STIFFER PENALTIES for these crimes.

Thanking you, in advance, for your time and effort. I look forward to hearing from you shortly.

FACEBOOK GROUPS:
Help Save Gabrielle the Burned Kitten: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=110495276667&ref=ts

Help Save Phoenix "The Burned Pit Bull: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=95127119888&ref=ts

Sincerely
Lisa in Baltimore

ew what is wrong with people these days!!!!

I've said it before and I'll say it again - the criminal justice system in Maryland is totally broke! Why do we keep electing officials who appoint and or allow such lax laws and punishments? This goes beyond animal cruelity (which is much too rampant in this state - why, lack of punishment and enforcement) - if these savages could do this to a defensless animal imagine what they could do to you or your family?
Come on Maryland, let's get serious about such crimes and demand our elected officials do something about it. Changing animal cruelty laws and making them more severe is a great place to start!

Jenny,

I'm in.

I'm a prosecutor in Howard County and my co worker has - successfuly! - prosecuted animal creulty cases and got some significant jail time.

These cases make me ill.

The more people that show up - the better!

I will be there.

I have 2 shelter babies, & I cannot fathom what I'd do to people who did that to them.

Plus, don't people who hurt animals usually wind up hurting people? Maybe they should have some kind of evaluation before they're out in the general population.

I am a pet lover who is really appalled by this story. However, I am even more appalled because I know one of the men arrested. While I believe they should all be held responsible for their actions, I urge you not to seek personal retaliation against them.

While it may feel great to send them hate mail or threaten them at their homes, this is NOT the way to get justice in the situation. Let the courts do their jobs. If you don't believe that the punishment for the crime is tough enough (and I would agree with you), then write tons of letters to legislators, and certainly show up at the hearings in support of the family who lost their pet. That is the right way to go. It would be immature and irresponsible to seek vigilante justice in this case.

Also, please remember that these men have families who do not, in any way, support the actions of the men. Their families have been affected enough by all of the news coverage, and they have to live with this for the rest of their lives, even though they did nothing wrong. Think of their families. Like I said, let the justice system do its job, and if you want to make something happen, do it the right and legal way.

@ Concerned in Baltimore:

Maybe the right time to be concerned about your friend was BEFORE he tortured & murdered somebody's pet. & as far as his family goes, I think they're better off knowing him for what he is.

Wendy, Lisa, Tricia and others...thanks for all your thoughts...I intend to channel my anger in a more constructive way, so will be writing our gov't officials this week. I've been doing some research and have found some great information on the websites for the Animal Legal Defense Fund (includes tips on attending a court hearing), Humane Society of America, and the ASPCA. I'd also like to contact the newly formed Anti-Animal Abuse Task Force, but am having trouble locating information. My biggest concern is why were these guys not charged with the felony offense of Aggravated Cruelty (maximum three yrs confinement and/or maximum $5,000 fine. A court may also order psychological treatment to be paid for by the offender. Aggravated Cruelty is defined as "intentionally mutilating, torturing, cruelly beating, or cruelly killing...") ????

From what i know about richard rioux (my ex boyfriend) when we where togather and he lived with me in harford county maryland he has always had issues with anger thats one reason why we broke up which at a couple times when we where togather he would threaten to hurt my cat (which wasnt about the case in court) i dont no what the court was thinking when they didnt look hard at his anger issues when i had a court case with him and he got locked up in the harford county detention center from losing the case

Lisa, I will write and send the letters to our government officials this weekend. Jenny's question about why the charge was not for Aggravated Cruelty when it clearly was a case of this crime is a good one.. Where is that Task Force? Where is the Humane Society of Maryland? Seems like this city/county lacks Animal Police like on Animal Planet channel - New York and many other cities have them ? I agree that the more people that show up for the court hearings the better but, unfortunately, most of us are overwhelmed with other responsiblities and can't do that. Why do these people think it's cool to hurt animals? Smoking was cool once. Maybe PSA's illustrating how "uncool" - "unmanly" mistreating animals is could have the same affect as those anit-smoking campaigns? Just a thought. Thanks to everyone who cares and who take action. "

Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has. ... Margaret Mead

All of this is overwhelming. I was like a possessed person when I read about Cheyenne Cherry and her crime against Tiger Lily. When I heard the one year sentence I was outraged and wrote vicious letters to judge, prosecutor and Bronx DA. An officer who worked for the judge called me. They were “somewhat concerned about” one of my letters. But he explained to me that a plea agreement had been accepted because the court there did not want the case to go to a jury. He said, “all it takes is ONE PERSON on the jury who thinks, ‘it’s just a cat” or “I’m going to be ruining that girls life’, and she goes scott free. We wanted her to do time.” He seemed sincere, very sincere, he had animals, etc. I do think these letters make a difference.
The point is, I guess, that there must to be very well drawn guidelines, mandatory sentences, etc.
First, I will have to get unemotional about this. Next I will have to figure out what I can do. I give generously to local and national animal welfare groups. There is a colony of feral cats that I’ve been wanting to neuter. Must do this. But then it’s a matter of figuring out where to put my energy in this fight, figure out what groups to align with, etc. IT IS SO HUGE.
Why is The Media so uninterested?

That very fact that we are ALL still writing about this case means that people do care. Perhaps Richard's ex, who wrote previously, may want to write her own letter to the prosecutor's of the current case....?? Susan - AGREED... MEDIA is uninterested..... JUST AN FYI... Since I wrote these letters, a week ago, I have received NOT ONE RESPONSE from any of our government officials.

For those of you who are sincere in your efforts to seek justice for this poor creature who suffered unimaginable pain, I would like to make a recommendation. There is a newly-formed group in Annapolis whose goal is to tackle "our legislator's sad history of indifference to animal protection laws". Their first goal is to insist that MD pass humane legislation during the 2010 legislative session. Please go to their website & consider joining forces with others to be a voice for the animals in this state. The organization is Maryland Votes for Animals. The website is: www.voteanimals.org. In just one year, they have grown to over a thousand members. While I'm a firm believer that one person's voice can be heard, the voices of many will be much louder.

The animals need us!!!!

I'd also like to suggest that we keep this story alive in the media by contacting the tv stations & newspapers. Their websites will list their titles & make sure you direct your messages to those at the top.

Can someone please advise the name of the Delegate for that district? We can all begin sending e-mails to him/her to get the ball rolling by letting them know how outraged we are that this torture took place in their legislative district.

I hope to see you at the court house on Oct. 29th.

LINDA!!! THANKS SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS INFO. I will post on the Facebook Group pages and invite ALL of my members to join your cause!!! The link for finding a particular delegate is: http://mdelect.net/
THANK YOU, AGAIN, FOR CARING!

I too am appalled by the actions of these three males ... such horrendous violent acts toward a KITTEN! Good grief.. not sure how this all came to be... but it's simply tragic that one of the three didn't stop the other two. All three should be held w/o bail...show no mercy at this point.

Abuse is abuse...there is NO EXCUSE for abuse. They should be punished!

Is there a petition started yet?

@Weaselbaby: There are a lot of people who have been concerned about this young man for a long time. He has had what I understand to be an incredibly difficult life for such a young person, and there are many people who care for him and have tried to be positive influences for him. Unfortunately, he allowed himself to be influenced by someone who is not a positive role model in any way, and that was a poor choice on his part. I am not trying to victimize him in this situation; clearly, he has to take responsibility for his actions. But to suggest that no one cared for him prior to this is offensive on the part of those who have invested an incredible amount of time into this young man's life and were just as horrified as all of you to hear what he had done.

Also, I never said anything about his family not "seeing him for who he is." His family is having a difficult time trying to understand why he did what he did, and they are not in any way in denial about his behaviors. They know he did something wrong, and they are trying to figure out how to continue to live as a family when he has done something they are appalled by. I am simply asking everyone to not make this harder on them. They don't need to deal with broken windows, threats of harm and other invasions of privacy that are completely unfair to inflict upon them.

Hey all,

Appears the case was postponed until February 2010.

I'd like to contact the ASA handling it and come to court --- maybe prepared with letters/ petitions?

Trish