- Jan 7, 2002
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Killing of dog sparks angry protests
TACOMA ? Scores of animal lovers and animal-rights activists packed a Pierce County courtroom yesterday wearing yellow cards that said "5 years for dog killers."
Dozens more, many of whom had brought their animal companions, crowded outside the courtroom and spilled down the hall. Another hundred or so stood outside the building.
Those inside the high-security courtroom hissed and hooted as Steven L. Paulson, 20, and Troy L. Loney, 18, both of Wilkeson, Pierce County, each pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of first-degree animal cruelty during their first court appearance.
"Disgusting," said one spectator. "They're not sorry at all," said another.
Paulson ? who is the son of Wilkeson's mayor ? and Loney are accused of tying a stray Siberian husky to a tree near a Wilkeson school on March 8 and repeatedly shooting the dog with a single arrow, which they removed and reused, according to charging papers.
Witnesses told police the two then dragged the dog's carcass to a nearby river and dumped it.
The two men have said in previous newspaper and television reports that the dog was sick and they were trying to put it out of its misery.
The case sparked international attention and outrage when animal-rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, began a letter-writing and Internet campaign.
Deputy Prosecutor Dennis Ashman said he's received hundreds of letters, calls and e-mails from as far away as Canada, England, Finland and Florida expressing shock, outrage and anger and asking him to prosecute to the full extent of the law.
TACOMA ? Scores of animal lovers and animal-rights activists packed a Pierce County courtroom yesterday wearing yellow cards that said "5 years for dog killers."
Dozens more, many of whom had brought their animal companions, crowded outside the courtroom and spilled down the hall. Another hundred or so stood outside the building.
Those inside the high-security courtroom hissed and hooted as Steven L. Paulson, 20, and Troy L. Loney, 18, both of Wilkeson, Pierce County, each pleaded not guilty to a felony charge of first-degree animal cruelty during their first court appearance.
"Disgusting," said one spectator. "They're not sorry at all," said another.
Paulson ? who is the son of Wilkeson's mayor ? and Loney are accused of tying a stray Siberian husky to a tree near a Wilkeson school on March 8 and repeatedly shooting the dog with a single arrow, which they removed and reused, according to charging papers.
Witnesses told police the two then dragged the dog's carcass to a nearby river and dumped it.
The two men have said in previous newspaper and television reports that the dog was sick and they were trying to put it out of its misery.
The case sparked international attention and outrage when animal-rights groups, including People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and the Progressive Animal Welfare Society, began a letter-writing and Internet campaign.
Deputy Prosecutor Dennis Ashman said he's received hundreds of letters, calls and e-mails from as far away as Canada, England, Finland and Florida expressing shock, outrage and anger and asking him to prosecute to the full extent of the law.
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