Target Gail P. Hardy, State’s Attorney for Hartford County, Connecticut
Goal: Applaud the pursuit of justice for slain calf.
The macabre case of a young calf allegedly slaughtered in a public parking lot drew swift condemnation, including the calls for justice voiced in this ForceChange petition. These calls were answered in part with the cruelty to animals charge leveled against the accused slaughterer, butcher shop employee Badr Musaed. Now, continued public pressure has helped expose the full scope of the alleged atrocity and bettered the odds that an innocent animal will receive true justice.
This disgusting incident happened in July. A scared calf had apparently escaped a butcher shop, with a few of the shop’s employees in pursuit. One of the employees even seemingly endangered potential bystanders by firing an arrow at the calf. Once this attempt at slaughter proved unsuccessful, authorities on the scene described how “three of the employees grabbed onto the cow … one employee … pulled out a knife and proceeded to cut the cow’s throat.”
Initially, it appeared that this slaughter would go unpunished. Despite the eyewitness account and the employees’ demonstrated lack of remorse, the involved parties merely received a ticket for “creating a public disturbance.” Vigils at the scene of the crime and public outcry kept investigators on the case, however, and the man allegedly brandishing the deadly knife was charged with animal cruelty. The man who allegedly used the bow and arrow also faced charges.
Moreover, the consistent public pressure compelled investigations into the butcher shop itself. Following an inspection of the facility, authorities added new charges of animal cruelty against another employee, Bilal Musid, including an accusation of cruelty to poultry. Most importantly, this alleged shop of horrors will not soon be able to harm another living being. The Connecticut Department of Agriculture issued a cease-and-desist order, effectively closing down the shop for now. A guilty verdict could make this closure permanent.
Sign this petition to thank the professionals who stayed with this case and helped give vulnerable animals a fighting chance.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Ms. Hardy,
The Home Depot calf slaughter case could have fallen by the wayside and fallen victim to indifference and inaction. Your office’s vigilance in ensuring this case stays alive is commendable. Gross abuse and deadly violence inflicted on another living being should never become routine or tolerable.
The animal cruelty charges brought against the accused for the reported slaughter of a calf sent a strong message against unchecked animal cruelty. More beneficial still, this case brought needed attention to a business engaged in questionable conduct that likely enabled even more egregious abuse. Prevention is just as vital as punishment in ending these injustices once and for all.
Please keep up the vigilant work and help ensure justice is fully served for all the fallen victims of animal cruelty.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo Credit: Jim Rosie
