His name was “Sire.”
The 5-month-old American Bulldog’s short life came to an abrupt end on June 9 when he urinated on a carpet while his owner, Bobby Loggins of Sioux City, Iowa, entertained friends.
Despite three witnesses who say otherwise, Loggins pleaded “not guilty” today to having inflicted 30 blows to Sire’s head, causing the puppy’s death. Even had Loggins pled guilty, Iowa’s current animal cruelty/torture laws would have allowed no more than aggravated misdemeanor charges being filed in his case.
The horrific puppy-killing case has drawn both statewide and national attention to animal abuse and animal torture legislation, and websites and bloggers across the U.S. are demanding change. Several focus on one key plea: those outraged with Iowa’s law should write Sioux City’s County Attorney Patrick Jennings asking that charges against Loggins be amended to reflect a crime far more serious than a simple traffic violation.
For many, Loggins’ “not guilty” plea to the misdemeanor charge only added insult to injury.
Sioux City’s KMEG 14 — who had the only crew inside the courtroom Thursday morning when Loggins pleaded not guilty — said Loggins plans to hire his own attorney before the July 21 pre-trial hearing.
Regarding the aggravated misdemeanor charge — which carries a sentence of up to two years in prison and a $6,000 fine — Siouxland Humane Society Executive Director Jerry Dominicak said, “We’re hoping for the maximum, but we would like to see the animal laws in Iowa be stronger.”
Dominicak and his staff have given out thousands of flyers asking people to flood the Woodbury County Attorney’s office with letters. “The citizens in Sioux City and the Siouxland area need their voices to be heard,” he said.
Those voices are sounding off — loud and clear.
At Monday night’s Sioux City Council meeting, local animal lovers spoke about the dog’s beating death, and the Iowa Voters for Companion Animals talked with the city council about changing city ordinance to keep convicted dog abusers from owning animals in the future.
Under “Education for Responsible Pet Ownership,” Pit Bulls for Justice began an article with “One word for Bobby: MURDERER” before reporting the crime and offering the quote: “We can tell a lot about a society by the way it treats animals, children and the elderly.”
In Lincoln, Neb., one concerned citizen called the Woodbury County Attorney’s office only to be told they would not take phone calls expressing outrage over the incident but would accept “letters for their files.” Undeterred, the Nebraska caller not only wrote and sent the letter, but posted a copy of it — along with the Woodbury County Attorney’s mailing address — to Pet Enthusiast Magazine, imploring others to write letters, too.
The Daily Hobbit’s “Beyond the Shire” also has noted the pup’s merciless killing. The article invites reader comments and prominently displays the Woodbury County Attorney address.
RunningForaPaws posted what they called a “Simple but Very Important Request” asking readers to contact Jennings and ask their letter be added to the file.
KTIV-TV reported Wednesday on the Siouxland Humane Society’s letter-writing campaign encouraging the Woodbury County Attorney to seek the toughest penalties possible.
The blog “For the Love of the Dog” — which also listed the county attorney’s address — didn’t bother mincing words. “Please, please, please…post and crosspost. Let’s get the word out and the letters and calls in!” the site reported, concluding with the final directive, “Don’t let this heartless bastard walk with just a little fine after brutally beating this defenesless little puppy!!”
Under the dogster.com forum “Dog Laws & Legislation,” there are pleas to read about “Sire’s” death and “do something!”
The Woodbury County Attorney’s address — along with, not surprisingly, more comments — shows up on the care2 make a difference site as well.
KCAU-TV in Sioux City reported today that, if convicted, Loggins could spend 2-years in prison and pay a $6250 fine. His trial is set for August.
PiddleTails took time to weigh in on what Sioux City Police Chief Doug Young called “a heinous crime.”
In addition, KPTH FOX News re-emphasized today the Humane Society’s push for stronger animal laws in Iowa and, of course, director Dominicak’s letter-writing campaign.
And, the Sioux City Journal’s June 11 article on the dog-beating death now leads the site’s “Most Commented” upon news story, with 104 angry comments — and still counting.
There are more. In fact, far more accounts of outrage than I can possibly include in this post. But, my hope is that some of the above links will provide a glimpse into a nation’s response to a particularly senseless, cruel and brutal act, and (in this case) a defendant who clearly has shown no remorse by pleading “not guilty” to a crime already defined well below the scope of its severity.
While I find the county attorney letter-writing campaign absolutely worthwhile and certainly worth pursuing, there’s still another Iowa address conspicuously missing from these appeals; it’s the one for your state legislator.
Sharpen your pencils. It’s time for change in Iowa.
Feb. 18, 2010 update: Read Jody’s latest post on this case
They should hang that scumbag!!!
Murder that bag of human shit for murdering that poor pup bulldog and the judge is sooo stupid for this act that he could not even know how to peel a banana if he let the owner off with a slap that’s all-I would the guy the electric chair myself if I was the judge really-andy
I agree hang them all
THE JUDGE SHOULD BE HUNG ALONG WITH THIS BASTARD SCUM BAG THIS IS NOT A JUDGE THIS IS A PERSON WHO BELIEVES IN KILLING A BREATHING LIVING HUMAN THIS JUDGE NEEDDS TO BE THROWN THE HELL OUT OF THE COURT SYSTEM THE NERVE HE HAS SHOWN IS ZERO
Since when is OK to go ahead and abuse your own animals???
The guilty man is an abuser, always will be. The judge is obviously nuts. And we wonder what is wrong with society. Insanity…………….
That is crazy how could this not have a serious consiquence, plus i bet this guy really thought he was cool for this act. Thats what is crazy if you ask me.
The person that committed this crime should be sent to prison and hopefuilly he would get a cellmate that will beat him 30 times on the head. The judge needs to join him but this the same state that was in the news last year with all of the abuse of the pigs at a pig farm. Not too smart in that state.
People outside of Iowa would like to comment on Sire’s death, too. Would you please send us an e-mail addy so other animal advocates can contact the appropriate authorities? E-addys for attorneys, judges, DAs, the sheriff . . well, ironically, those are nowhere to be found.
Thank you for your help.
The judge (if that’s what you want to call this fool) needs to be removed from his post. He gave this animal abuser 30 days in jail. WHAT A JOKE!!! This sends a really good message for kids & other freaks just what they can get away with in Sioux City!!! Way to go asshat……….your actions will have large ramifications in the future. THE JUDGE NEEDS TO RETIRE & GO SPEND TIME TENDING FLOWERS BECAUSE IT’S EVIDENT HE HAS NO BRAINS!!!
Isn’t that when you start to be a serial killer?
This person needs to go a jail.. if he killed animals next will kill human beings. how it state let them get away with murder.. Shame of you Iowa
I demand, that this cruel inhumane killer will be brought to justice, and spend the rest of his life in JAIL!!! TGHIS IS WHERE HE BELONGS, BEFORE HE TORTURTE AND MURDER ANOTHE ANIMAL!!!!!!
Thank you!!!!
GABRIELA CANASTRARAO.
Show the killers picture, let everyone know who he is, let the animal cruelty be a felony to prevent him from ever getting a job, let him be listed on CBI for backgrounds, so he can never pass a background again. Let him loose everything slowly, so he can die in the same pain.
I demand that this piece of crap pay dearly for murdering a baby! I am so ashamed of our justice system thus far. Judge please throw all you have at this probable future human baby murderer and more non human babies, which all have a right to life!! This can’t be allowed to stand! He must do hard labor in prison for years and years!
Thank you,
Paul Hester
I just read he got 30 days! Is this a joke? Judge what the hell are you thinking? Prosecutors what did you ask for and are you going to have another hearing against this sub-human? Damnit, this country needs to overhaul the whole “non-justice system” we have. 30 days for murder, 5-10 years, for having so many pounds of pot. It’s nucking Futs!
Paul Hester
Since when does the Testimony of a Wife of a Drug Addict weighs more then this MurderCrime????????
It says it all! Intoxicated my ASS! A good Person can be intoxicated all the Way to Palastine and will either get sick or go to sleep but not MURDER a PUPPY!!!! This Guy is a Mercyless, Sadistic Murderer who should get Life Imprisoment……under hardest Labour and only Bread and Water for the Rest of his miserable Existence!!!!
I do not get it-the FBI KNOWS and has KNOWN that there is a Link between killing a ANIMAL and Serial Killers or Abusers.
I GUARANTEE YOU that IF u do NOT lock this Monster away YOU will regrett it one DAY……Oh and THIS OUTRAGE is NOW International!!!
As for the Judge i agree with what was said before-you must be NUTS! or in Solidarity with Male Violence against the week and Voiceless, which is something very typical for Rednecks!
How unfair of that judge! NO JUSTICE HAS BEEN DONE YET!
Annamaria Boscarino
(citizen of this world)
I CANNOT BELIEVE THAT THE AUTHORITIES WILL JUSTLET THAT SLIDE….ARE YOU KIDDING ME, HERE’S A SERIOUS CRIME THAT NEXT COULD LEAD TO A HUMAN BEIMNG HURT OR KILLED, MAY HE ROTH IN HELL FOR DOING THIS TO THIS LITTLE ANGEL, MURDERER.
THIS IS SO SAD AND THIS MONSTER IS GUILTY, WE ALL KNOW IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS THAT THIS MONSTER IS GUILTY AND HE DESERVES TO SERVE TIME IN JAIL, THE ONLY REASON WHY HE IS SAYING HE IS ” NOT GUILTY’. BECAUSE HE IS A DAMN COWARD AND HE KNOWS THAT HE CAN NOT GET BY WITH THAT CRAP IN JAIL, SOMEONE WILL BEAT HIS ASS, DO NOT LET HIM GET BY WITH THIS MURDER………….IS THERE JUSTICE FOR…….. THE ANIMALS, CHILDREN, ELDERLY AND HANDICAP……. IS THERE A VOICE FOR THEM…..WHAT ABOUT THEM, WHAT ABOUT THEM……
I read about this killing on the care2causes website. I wrote a letter to Leesa McNeil who I assume is the presiding judge on this case protesting the leinent sentence of a habitual criminal. Her name and address was given in an article on care2causes/animal welfare. I also emailed Governor Culver of Iowa requesting that he denounce her publicly and investigate her action. I ask every animal lover in the world to do the same. We can get action if we demand justice for the atrocious actions committed on these innocent precious creatures. Look up the governor’s email on the internet. Leesa McNeil’s address is
District Court Administrator
Woodbury County Courthouse
7th and Douglas, Room 210
Souix City, IA 51101 PLEASE WRITE A PROTEST LETTER.
Voletta, you have erred in identifying Leesa McNeil as the presiding judge. She is the court administrator. Judge Gary Wenell was the presiding judge.
If we want to reign in this obviously apathetic Judge Gary E. Wenell, we need to all write to every national news organization and keep writing to all of them encouraging them to publicize this pathetic Judge. This issue has noting to do with pet lovers but rather, has everything to do with the poor administration of justice. There are volumes of documented evedince demonstrating that most violent crimes are perpetrated by people that start out with perpetrating crimes on animals (they can’t fight back). The fact that this offender was let off so lightly will not serve either as enough punishment for the offender himself nor to others that harming animals is a crime that carries sentences stiff enough to disuade others from committing acts like this.
There are studies shown that people who beat to death and/or kill small helpless animals are a sure bet to become serial killers!! This guy needs a taste of his own treatment as far as I am concerned. Why the heck aren’t there stiffer punishments for people that abuse helpless animals??? The laws need to change, NOW! The Judge in this case needs to step up and make an example of this man or it is never going to end. He needs to never own or be around animals ever again in his lifetime.
This is a very sad story and I believe that judge is a heartless peice of garbage along with the man. I would never live near or around that state or any state for that matter as NO ONE would be aloud to get away with that in Canada. This is a disgrace and any human being that could let along do that to a dog, but allow for it to continue by the minimal punishment that has been set forth but the gutless Judge should be taught a lesson. I have been breeding american bulldogs and olde english bulldogs for a long time and they are my children, my life, my passion and I would never ever sell to anyone that may bring harm to them with an extreme screening process. I feel terrible for Sire and I will pray for him because he deserves it. This man who beat his dog should not ever be aloud to step foot in the same room is an animal again. I hope someone see’s him in the streets and beats him half to death..actually 3 1/4 to death so that he wakes up in the hospital damaged if not paralyzed. Someone will get him and punish him for what he has done and Im sure I speak for all dog lovers, especially bulldog lovers that we can’t wait to read “Justice for Sire as dog abuser is almost beaten to death if not dead”
That Scum beat and Murdered an innocent defenceless baby and that is a Crime period! Whether it be a baby puppy or a baby human it is still a life. If he is Allowed to get away with this he will murder again. Any judge that disregards this is just as guilty of this crime! Maybe we need to go back to lynching, as the law cant seem to seperate the real criminals from the petty criminals!
hope he doesnot have kids. this is alfull.