Justice for the Pets Murdered in St. Bernard Parish

Warning: Extremely Graphic Photos Contained Within this VideoCharges Dropped in Katrina Dog KillingsIn the days following Hurricane Katrina, former Sheriff's Deputy Michael Minton and Sergeant Clifford (Chip) Englande were video taped by David Leeson, a Pulitzer Prize winning photographer for The Dallas Morning News. Patrolling the hurricane devastated region of St. Bernard Parish, Louisiana, one sequence in the video shows dogs being shot, another shows the men driving away, leaving a mortally wounded black Labrador retriever on the street.Video can be viewed here....com/watch?v=Cmjgy7...Additional footage can be viewed here...youtube/watch?v=KtU2AFCbJlYIn a subsequent interview recorded by Leeson, Minton acknowledged shooting the dogs, citing safety and humanitarian concerns.Indictments were obtained by Charles Foti in November 2006 and both men were indicted on charges of Aggravated Animal Cruelty. A State Grand Jury concluded that they fatally shot numerous dogs that had been separated from their owners and were roaming the streets after Katrina swamped the Parish. State Drops Dog Death CaseCiting insufficient evidence, the new Attorney General James Caldwell, Foti's replacement, has dropped the animal cruelty charges against Minton and Englande. Filed Tuesday, January 22nd, 2008 in 34th Judicial District Court in Chalmette, Louisiana Despite the existence of probable cause for the arrest and sufficient evidence for a grand jury indictment, considering all the facts and circumstances in this matter there is insufficient evidence to prove the guilt of the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt. Here was the loophole the AG found: The video never showed the shooters and the dogs in the same shot. Shortly after the street shootings had taken place more than 33 dogs were found massacred in three separate schools within the same Parish. Their owners had sought shelter in these buildings during the days following Katrina. Upon rescue they were forced to leave their pets behind. They were told that their pets would soon be rescued and taken to safety. That would not be the case.The owners of some of the dogs you are about to view have filed a separate suit in federal court in New Orleans against the St. Bernard Parish Government, former Parish President Henry "Junior" Rodriguez, the Parish Council, Sheriff Jack Stephens and numerous deputies. This lawsuit is still pending.Upon learning of the dismissed Animal Cruelty charges against Minton and Englande, a Memorial Service took place on Wednesday, January 30th, 2008 at PGT Beauregard Middle School to honor and remember those lives lost.Memorial story and video can be found here...com/watch?v=mK6Jty...org/Anderson Cooper reports the school shootings on CNN, October 2005...com/video/#/video/law/...CNN video taken in November 2005 at PGT Beauregard Middle School regarding the school shootings and the reunion of Mercedes, one of the dogs who by the grace of god somehow managed to escape...com/video/#/video/us/2...Urgent Action is Needed! How YOU can Make A Difference.For Case Updates, click here...pasadosafehaven.org/With your help The Animal Cruelty Case could still be sent to the United States Attorney Federal Court. For those viewing this video, when sending your comments to Pasado's Safe Haven, please bear in mind that the street shooting case is the case that has been dismissed by Attorney General James Caldwell. The school shooting case is still pending. You need to express your outrage at what has happened and beg the court to hear the street shooting case.Pasado's Safehaven will forward your comments to the U.S. District Court. Send comments here...pasadosafehaven.org/KATRINA/DO...Please take a moment to sign this petition as well.com/takeac...A $25,000 cash reward is offered by Pasado's Safe Haven for information leading to the arrest, prosecution, and conviction of the person(s) responsible for shooting dozens of dogs and cats at four St. Bernard Parish Schools in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina. If you have any information regarding this cowardly act please call Pasado's Safe Haven at 206-779-9102. Violence towards Animals Leads to Violence towards PeoplePlease help us seek Peace & Justice for the pets murdered in St. Bernard Parish."We Are Their Only Voice"Thank you,Susan BongiornoTransport & Out of State Adoption CoordinatorSt. Bernard Parish Animal ShelterChalmette, LouisianaMusic by Enya AmadeusMay It Be Mornie Utulie ~ Darkness has comeMornie Alantie ~ Darkness has fallen