St. Bernard dog-killers' arraignment tomorrow

In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, in St. Bernard Parish, victims of flooding left their dogs at Beauregard Middle School, scrawling heartrending notes on the walls with their names, their pets' names. "Don't shoot my dog," one reads. "Very nice dog in here," says another. They left what food they could, and water.

All in vain.

Their dogs were shot and left to suffer. Shot in the stomach, the legs. Some starved to death. This, after deputies promised the owners that their beloved pets would be cared for.

This, as animal rescuers were beginning to arrive in South Louisiana to save pets' lives.

David Leeson, a Pulitzer prize-winning journalist, was driving around in St. Bernard Parish shortly after the storm, looking for the small, oil-soaked dog that he'd taken a picture of. Instead, he filmed three deputies, also driving around, shooting dogs. Showing no emotion. Not putting them out of their misery, but leaving them to whimper and cry on the ground until they died of their wounds.

Tomorrow morning, two of the perpetrators - Michael Minton and Clifford Englande - are being arraigned in the St. Bernard Parish Courthouse. They have been charged with aggravated animal cruelty. They have also been sued by the pet owners.

You may write a note to the judge here. It'll be hand delivered by the folks with Pasado Safe Haven.

Read the whole story.