Target: David M. Smith, Chief of Police, Rochester, New York
Goal: Complete the investigation into apparent dog abuse caught on camera and pursue appropriate charges while safeguarding the rescued animal.
A video circulating online seemingly shows a dog being physically abused at a home on Clifford Avenue. Police and humane society personnel removed the animal from the property after the footage prompted concern. That intervention provides an opportunity to secure both necessary care and evidence.
The dog’s removal is an important first step, but the allegations still require investigation. Officers are working to definitively identify the person involved and establish the circumstances recorded. Veterinary findings should determine whether the dog sustained injuries and what treatment is needed.
Rescue should lead to lasting protection and a properly supported decision about charges. Neighbors and the person who recorded the video may hold essential information. Urge police to preserve the original recording, investigate the alleged conduct thoroughly, and pursue prosecution wherever evidence establishes cruelty.
PETITION LETTER:
Dear Chief Smith,
Thank you for coordinating the dog’s removal with humane society personnel. Please now ensure that its condition is documented and its care remains secure while officers investigate the alleged abuse shown in the circulating video. An animal’s inability to describe what happened makes reliable documentation especially important.
Obtain the original recording and establish when, where, and by whom it was made. Interview direct witnesses and assess the footage alongside veterinary findings. Identify the person allegedly responsible through evidence, avoiding assumptions about everyone living at the address. Please provide a safe reporting route for people with firsthand information and coordinate any necessary protective arrangements with the authorities responsible for the dog’s custody.
If the investigation supports criminal charges, refer the evidence promptly for prosecution and support appropriate penalties for proven wrongdoing. We ask for clear updates when disclosure is possible and continued attention to the dog’s welfare throughout proceedings. A successful rescue should become the beginning of a durable response: proper care, a rigorous investigation, and meaningful consequences if the alleged cruelty is proven.
Sincerely,
[Your Name Here]
Photo credit: istolethetv
