Target: Denise Markle, Milford County Judge
Goal: Thank judge for punishing convicted animal abuser and removing abused animals from his custody.
An employee of an animal shelter was convicted on charges of animal abuse and will spend one year in jail followed by three years of probation, during which he will not be allowed to work with animals. Fred Acker worked for the SPCA of Connecticut and had been accused over a dozen times of animal cruelty. Now, he will finally serve time for his negligence, thanks in part to this ForceChange petition. Past sentencing was avoided by Acker for his seemingly remorseful attitude about what he had done, but finally a Milford County judge realized the severity of what this man was doing and deemed that he was not fit to work with animals.
Acker was known for his work with shelters but many did not realize that he was not taking good care of the pets he housed. In 2012, he allegedly bought 100 dogs after his facility had been zoned for just 29. According to reports, the overflow were kept in other locations where they would sometimes go 24 hours without care and would often fight. Thanks to Judge Markle, those animals and all pets brought in by Acker will be relocated to more humane facilities within 30 days of this sentencing, allowing them to live better lives as they wait for their forever homes. Sign this petition to thank the judge who sentenced Acker and saved the animals he abused.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Judge Markle,
I am writing to thank you for your recent decision to sentence Fred Acker to prison and prohibit him from working with animals. Those who were familiar with the facilities he was responsible for knew he was keeping the animals in poor conditions. Reports of cats with respiratory problems and dogs being neglected for 24 hours at a time surfaced as this man’s history of abuse gained exposure. While many claimed that he was a saint for taking in these pets, animal rights activists knew that the way they were being housed was inhumane.
Thanks to you, the animals under Acker’s care will be relocated and Acker will not be allowed to work with animals for at least four years. Prior judges let him get away with his crimes since he showed remorse, but I applaud you for not being softened by his act. Shelters are supposed to be safe havens and now the SPCA of Connecticut will once again be a sanctuary for pets. Thank you for standing up for animal rights.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: AlexVan
