they had the legal right to kill their dog.

what they didn't have was the legal right to shoot the dog and leave it to die on it's own.

Those who shoot their guns to kill know they have a responsibility to make sure that what they shot is not merely wounded but dead.

not to mention the responsibility to the public to dispose of the corpse...

They have admitted to shooting the dog and walking away from their responsibilities...

why is it that personal responsibility is only a slogan directed at those who have suffered life's misfortunes.. as in they should take personal responsibility..

but not a personal ethic worth taking seriously.. or being held to?

Any hunter knows that what they did was not only cruel but irresponsible.

They did get away with murder. In my opinion they should be shot and left for dead. Anyone who tortures animals is beyond reproach.

Waterworld, you raise very valid, accurate points about just/unjust convictions. I firmly believe we should err to the side of an ‘unjust acquittal’.

In this specific case, perhaps I have done my research...very thoroughly.

Yes, waterworld, this situation is completely different. These guys didn't kill any people (that we know of), they just brutally tortured their poor dog and left it to die. They also weren't facing life imprisonment or the death penalty. And their high priced lawyer wasn't Johnny Cochrane. But, just like OJ, they got away with murder.

For every OJ, there are about 200 people who get the death penalty or life without parole for crimes they didn't commit. It amazes me how quickly people compare a verdict they don't approve of to OJ's case when (a) the situation is completely different, and (b) overall, the odds of an unjust conviction are literally hundreds of times greater than the odds of an unjust acquittal.

Waterworld...you can look up their very well know defense attorney's name.

"Is it possible the jury heard all of the evidence, unlike any of us who were not at the trial, and reached the best conclusions they could?"

As in OJ's case, yes, it's possible.

Perhaps I'm revealing my ignorance here, but how do any of you know that these defendants had "expensive lawyers" or that they bought their freedom -- or indeed that there's a genuine connection between those two things? Was there a news story purporting to reveal who their lawyers were and what they paid for them? Is it possible the jury heard all of the evidence, unlike any of us who were not at the trial, and reached the best conclusions they could?

Kbear...you're right. I was thinking it was a mistrial in both cases. I'll contact the PA and ask why they aren't going to re-try Terrence (Terry), who was not found, 'not guilty'...but let go because of a hung jury.

Money does often seem to buy freedom in our justice system.

KBear..

Travis Hedin may not be able to be retried in the courts... but life isn't done with him yet.

Sooner or later bullies nearly always run into a bigger bully... at least once

Funkietoo, unfortunately Travis Hedin can't be retried. He was acquitted.

Maybe OJ will help them track down the REAL shooters.

scumbags with expensive lawyers often walk free..
it's a sad commentary on our judicial system

you really do get what you pay for:(

Damn! I was really hoping they would have to spend some time in prison where they would need to explain to their cellmate what they were convicted for.
My guess is their reception would have been akin to the ones given to child molesters.
--
What a couple of scumbags.

Livid! I am absolutely livid. I'm writing to our Prosecuting Attorney to see why they are not going to retry Terrance (terry) and Travis. Hope the two of you read this blog and realize that we all know the truth of your actions---you are guilty of animal cruelty. Period. How is it the two of you could not afford to humanely euthanize Maynard, but you could afford one the best, and most expensive, Defense Attorneys in Washington State? The math doesn't add up.

Your own karma will come back to bite you...and you will have earned it.

they have apparently closed comments at 677...

but euthanization means death..
not possibly fatal injury.

if you do it yourself, it is your responsibility to make certain the animal is dead and to dispose of the corpse..

what part of that was so difficult to understand?

They got away with it. Unbelievable.

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/theblotter/2011353676_two_men_charged_with_animal_cr.html

Dburns..

LOL.. i thought it went without saying that they were stupid... anyone who tries to claim the reward for turning themselves in for cruelty to their own dog is pretty stupid...

WSMom...

no.. this didn't happen in West Seattle.. but if some of the posts are any indication... it could.

tho.. i have to admit.. i don't think any of our posters are actually stupid enough to try to turn themselves in for the reward...

Just got this reply to my e-m, from Dan Donahoe:

"Mr. Xxxxx,
Thank you for writing to the King County Prosecutor's Office regarding the upcoming trial of Travis and Terrance Hedin. I want to assure you that we have charged both defendants with the maximum charge under state law, which is animal cruelty in the first degree. Animal cruelty in the first degree is a felony that carries a standard sentence range of up to a year in jail, but the maximum sentence is up to five years in prison. We consider this a very serious case and it is scheduled to go to trial on February 1st at the King County Courthouse in Seattle.

Sincerely,

Dan Donohoe
King County Prosecutor's Office"

Mike

did this happen in West Seattle??

JoB, please add 'stupid' to 'cheap and mean' - did you read my earlier post? :)
Which is also why you are exactly right to say that irresponsible behavior with a firearm ought to be grounds for losing AND ever again owning guns, how about!?! Wow.

velo_nut..

i didn't pull your post. i confess.. i didn't even read it.. so i have no context.

my point is that even if you choose to put your own animal down... which would not be my choice... you can do so in a humane fashion.

Tieing a dog to a tree so that two people can repeatedly fire at it is target practice... and could perhaps have been excused if it had been effective.. tho i would argue that the first shot that did not kill was cruelty.

Not following the dog down the bank to check and dispatch a killing shot was both indifference and cruelty..

Aside from being cheap and mean.. these guys aren't even effective. If they own guns for protection, they are likely to end up dead unless their target is totally defenseless.

Throw the book at them. These guys are a classic example of the need for better gun control laws...
irresponsible behavior with a firearm ought to be grounds for revoking licenses and confiscating guns. We don't allow that kind of irresponsible behavior with automobiles...

As it is, even if convicted, these bozos will retain their weapons.

Yeah, I hear that works at the airport too. </sarcasm>
-
Back on topic, if you believe the line needs to be drawn in cases like Maynard's (or slaughter houses, don't think they're exclusive), let the decision makers know. Thanks again for bring it to our attention.

Oh, I'm sorry. I forgot to use my </sarcasm> tag.

Whether I agree with it or not, I'm not sure what the law says about "putting down" an animal with a bullet to the head. Maybe someone else can quote the law. But from what I saw, velo-nut, your other comment (deleted before the thread was closed) began with "what they don't know..." in response to another that specifically said what you were proposing was illegal. Though I suspect you're looking for attention, that's bold (arrogant or stupid) talk coming from someone who has all of his personal info linked to his user name.

Wow JoB, I talked about shooting a cute little raccoon and it gets flagged and closed for being illegal.

You graphically describe how to kill an animal, "you walk up next to it and discharge your weapon into it's skull".

I'm so offended! I'm gonna tattle on you!

fj..

if you want to put your animal down.. you walk up next to it and discharge your weapon into it's skull.. that requires one shot.

you don't tie it to a tree and use it for target practice...

i don't think you have to be a kid for violence to escalate from animals as targets to humans.

all you have to do is be indifferent.

This is horrible and tragic and unnecessary. However, I agree, it is just a dog. We treat animals like this way worse in many slaughter houses across America. It's horrible. Worse than horrible. Why is that OK? So you can have your steak?

Two to be exact. And a cat. But really, it's just a cat.

Pigeonmom, that was beautiful. It drives me crazy when people use the phrase "just a dog" - especially someone like velo who in fact has a dog.

Just sent my email - please do it - it could really help the case and other animals in the future!

Just sent this off:

"Dear Mr. Satterberg,

I'm am writing to you regarding Superior Court Case Numbers: 09-1-04527-1 (Terrence Hedin) and, 09-1-04528-0 (Travis Hedin)
Charges: 1st Degree Animal Cruelty.

These are currently scheduled to be heard on Monday, January 11, 2010, at 9:00 a.m.

Considering the sheer cruelty shown by these two, I urge you to consider charging them to the fullest extent the law allows.

I don't, for a second, believe they were trying to humanely "put the dog to sleep", and had no other choice, or couldn't afford another method. From what I have heard about them, it sounds as if they are far from destitute. Even if they were, there are options out there to humanely put an animal down, and I'm not even sure that it would have been necessary. Perhaps not all, but some dogs deemed as vicious, can be rehabilitated, or at least relocated to a place that is both safe for them, and the general public.

This seems to be nothing more than a revenge killing. The dog had apparently bitten the wife, of the younger Hedin, on a couple of occasions. I'm not certain, but I seem to remember hearing, or reading somewhere, just after the story originally broke in the media, that on at least one of the occasions, the wife had actually taunted the dog. If that is indeed the case, it makes the actions of these two even more reprehensible. Sure, truly vicious dogs are a concern, but a dog that is being taunted, that bites the one doing the taunting, is only instinctively acting in self defense.

But, even if that isn't the case, there's no excuse for how these two acted. Again, there are other options. Even in our more rural areas, these are not the times of decades past, when it was considered that taking an animal out and shooting it, because it needed to be put down for whatever reason, to be the most humane method.

These two left the dog to suffer, instead of checking to see if it was indeed dead. There is nothing humane about that. Plus, if the dog was so loved, even using the "logic" of their choice in putting down, it seems they certainly would have taken the body back home and buried it. This, in my opinion, was nothing more than a cruel revenge.

So, again, I urge you to bring full charges, with no plea bargaining. No matter what status these two may have in their community, their actions do not warrant any leniency. From what I have read and heard on this, I have come to the opinion that it was an intentional, pre-meditated action on the part of both of these two.

Thank you for your time, and consideration of my opinion.

Sincerely,"

Thank you, funkietoo, for bringing this to our attention, and urging us to act on it.

Mike

done - thanks for the email address
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and a little googling tells me where I might NOT want to spend my money...geesh, you never know what people are capable of do you

GenHillOne,
Dan Satterberg's email address is prosecuting.attorney@kingcounty.gov.

And here is the court case information:

Trial Date: Monday, Jan 11th 9:00am (This date may change so be sure to check court schedule-website and required search info provided below)
Case No: 09-1-04527-1 (Terrence Hedin--father)
Case No: 09-1-04528-0 (Travis Hedin--son)
Charges: 1st Degree Animal Cruelty (a felony)
Case Type: Criminal
Court Name: Superior
Year Filed: 2009

Thank you for your question and for wanting to take action. The more citizens that Contact Mr. Satterberg, the better.

I sent an email yesterday, outlining some of the cruelty specifics including how animal cruelty translates directly to abusing humans and that these two should be punished to the fullest extent of our Animal Cruelty laws. They should not be granted the 'priviledge' of a plea bargin just because they make good money/have careers; might lose their careers/jobs if convicted of a felony; etc. These two knew exactly what they were doing and need to be held accountable. (IMO only)

Pigeonmom, you rock. That was a lovely piece you wrote.

this is so wrong in so many ways

"Just a dog" Wow. Kidding or not, that's cold.

"Until one has loved an animal
a part of one's soul remains unawakened"
-Anatole France

From time to time, people tell me,
"lighten up, it's just a dog,"
or, "that's a lot of money for just a dog."
They don't understand the distance traveled,
the time spent, or the costs involved for
"just a dog."
Some of my proudest moments have come about with
"just a dog."
Many hours have passed and my only company was
"just a dog,"
but I did not once feel slighted.
Some of my saddest moments have been brought about by
"just a dog,"
and in those days of darkness,
the gentle touch of "just a dog"
gave me comfort and reason to overcome the day.
If you, too, think it's "just a dog,"
then you will probably understand phases
like "just a friend," "just a sunrise," or
"just a promise."
"Just a dog" brings into my life the very essence
of friendship, trust, and pure unbridled joy.
"Just a dog" brings out the compassion and
patience that make me a better person.
Because of "just a dog" I will rise early,
take long walks and look longingly to the future.
So for me and folks like me, it's not "just a dog"
but an embodiment of all the hopes and dreams
of the future, the fond memories of the past,
and the pure joy of the moment.
"Just a dog" brings out what's good in me and
diverts my thoughts away from myself and the
worries of the day.
I hope that someday they can understand that
it's not "just a dog"
but the thing that gives me humanity and keeps
me from being "just a man."
So the next time you hear the phrase "just a dog."
just smile, because they "just don't understand."

Sandra Dee

Amen DBurns, HunterG, miws, GenHillOne, etc...

How can anyone think that "they" are so much more important than any of God's creatures? An arrogance like that will come back to bite ya!

Sorry Maynard you had to spend your short time on Earth with the the lowest of lowest scum of life-forms. Not everyone is this way.

There are some of us that take responsibility, care for their loved ones and don't just tie them to a tree and shoot them when their entertainment levels aren't raised.

Assholes like this deserve to be treated in the same manner...IMO. Many will see this as extreme, but, again IMO, animals deserve to have this planet as their own much more than humans do. I am not a misanthrope, but I do understand what true compassion is and know what my patience level is in regards to acts of cruelty, whether it be toward an animal or human.

Before we (humans) came along our companion animals did just fine on their own. They hunted for their food, only exhibited aggression in regards to an attack, or for breeding rights and lived according to life's system. "Eat, sleep, breed, die".

Systematically over time we have bred them to depend on us almost completely. Which is a double edged sword. They love us and depend on us, yet love us and depend on us - its a crap shoot as to if they get a good human or not. Cruelly killing an animal like this, is an act bred from anger, sheer ignorance and a complete lack of morals.

And Velo...although I understand PBR fueled postings, I bet those men who did this to Maynard also said "its just a dog"...just to put your insensitive statement into perspective. Do you really want to be grouped with those types of individuals?

Putting an animal down humanely and killing an animal are two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT THINGS. This angers me in so many ways. And someone who says "its just a dog" IMO (again) is severely lacking in the compassion department.

Wow...what a couple of D-Bags. I hope Maynard gets to bite them once again in his afterlife.

And did you read this part?
An animal rights group, Pasado, posted a $10,000 reward for any information leading to the arrest of the person/s who shot the dog and left him for dead - and then, "Allegedly, one of the two men turned himself in an effort to collect the reward."
Wow.
http://www.examiner.com/x-9726-Seattle-Pet-Laws-Examiner~y2009m6d25-Man-turns-himself-in-to-collect-reward-for-shooting-his-dog

1) thank you for summing it up, Mike, and I myself also visualize junior as a roid case in a "wife beater" with overly-gelled hair, perhaps with small genetalia; pathetic excuses for men, both of them, but that's just my opinion.
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2) funkietoo, do you have contact info for P.A.? I didn't see it in the links, but to be totally honest, I did scan quickly because I can't stand to read the story too many times :(

Back on topic:

I didn't see it mentioned in either of the linked articles, but I seem to remember reading/hearing at one point that "the wife" had actually taunted Maynard, which would explain why he apparently bit her.

Oh, but those that think this is "no big deal" would probably argue that that is no excuse, because,(in their mind, perhaps) a dog should have the reasoning ability to differentiate between "harmless" taunting, and a true threat.

Just knowing the way some other people think, I can understand, but not accept their "logic" of putting an animal down in that manner. However, as funkietoo mentioned above, why didn't they take Maynard back home and bury him?

That right there, tells me they didn't give a rat's ass about the poor dog, and didn't "love" him, and weren't trying to "humanely put him down".

Macho Dude Jr. was just pissed off, because Maynard hurt his woman. He probably went crying to Daddy about it, and they decided they had to teach the dog a lesson.

I wouldn't be surprised if MD Jr, as he was shooting Maynard, said something like; "That'll teach ya to hurt my woman, you son-of-a-bitch! Don't nobody hurt her but ME"

Mike

Upside down on my mortgage, man. That and I love it here. Absolutely love it!

I actually DID end up egging a few cars on 35th too. It was great for the nerves. I made sure I was a couple blocks away from my house though.

Just kidding... I would never waste an egg. So yummy!

I used to shoot gophers in Montana though (way back when). So I guess I do shoot critters. Aw crap.

You state that you don't shoot little critters yet you wanted the regs on whether or not shooting them within city limits is legal...hmmm? Egging cars on 35th was a good post too.

On the WSB front page today you told the first commenter for the Spokane Street Viaduct update "jsrekd" to just "move". Why don't you consider your own recommendation?

it happens... (even naked ones sometimes)

Still just a bike rider...just sayin'

Still a dog though... just sayin'.

Naw.. just too many PBR's and being a devils advocate.

GOTCHA!

PS... I don't shoot little critters. Although the cat from 3 doors down keeps pooping in our flower bed and I'm getting a tad annoyed.

Y'all are way too up tight. Relax!

Blissfully Arrogant!