Beating death of dog sparks outrage, anguish in Bethel (AK) and beyond

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.adn.com/article/20140912/beating-death-dog-sparks-outrage-anguish-bethel-and-beyond


?itok=IyC8B9so

Sarah Whitman's dog Irvina was beaten to death with a flashlight in Bethel.
Sarah Whitman


BETHEL -- The beating death this week of a moppy-haired white terrier named Irvina is prompting outrage among animal activists, veterinarians and rescue groups who are urging police and prosecutors to pursue a criminal case with a vengeance.

James Whitman, 29, of Bethel is jailed on charges of beating his sister’s dog to death with a flashlight and then tussling with police, according to a criminal complaint filed Thursday in Bethel. He originally was booked on misdemeanor animal cruelty, resisting arrest and disorderly conduct charges but the cruelty charge was upgraded to a felony because of the dog’s death, Bethel Police Chief Andre Achee said Friday.

Some people were misinformed and circulated an email that mistakenly said Whitman didn’t face an animal cruelty charge, Achee said. He and District Attorney June Stein were flooded with emails, and the case is showing up on Facebook pages.

In the hours before the attack Wednesday, Whitman was drinking, another sister, Eunice Whitman, told Bethel police. She took her kids and left for the day because she wanted him “to sleep it off,” the complaint says.

FULL story at link.

[tooeyeten]

1. If the guy

Was an employee of a sports team, sports media outlet, victim was a woman,he'd get a slap on hand and back to work.

[Omaha Steve]

2. Kick