Your own voice makes more impact. Try to change some words in letter.

Subject:

Salutation:

I have followed the case of Phoenix, a one-year-old pit bull terrier soaked in gasoline and set afire on May 27, 2009. I understand the Baltimore City Grand Jury indicted twin brothers Tremayne and Travers Johnson, 17, on five counts of animal abuse and cruelty. I thank the state's attorney office and court for its serious deliberation in this heinous crime. Phoenix was euthanized in caring hands after her kidneys failed. Swollen and charred, her immune system simply couldn't handle burns covering 95% of her body. But this case is as much about the twins as it is about Phoenix. These youths are so desensitized to suffering, they ignored the cries of a living creature enveloped in flames. I urge you to levy felony animal cruelty penalties that include up to three years in prison, a $5,000 fine, and mandatory counseling. If the Johnsons are involved in dogfighting, as suggested by puncture wounds seen on Phoenix, please punish them under animal fighting laws too. I hope you will ensure these teens are barred from contact with animals. Juvenile violence is often connected with musings on death and Goth anarchy. Along with these dark images comes a fascination with victimizing animals. Indeed, Columbine's Eric Harris, D.C. serial killer Lee Boyd Malvo, murderer Kip Kinkle and others "practiced" on animals before graduating to people. Andrew Golden, 11, and Mitchell Johnson, 13, killed dogs in Jonesboro, Arkansas prior to gunning down four students and one teacher. Mississippi 16-year-old Luke Woodham mortally stabbed his mother, killed three classmates and shot seven more. Later in court, he confessed to bludgeoning his dog with baseball bats and setting her on fire. One U.S. study revealed that five of 11 killers involved in nine separate school rampages had formerly abused animals. In another study, "Childhood Cruelty Toward Animals Among Criminals and Noncriminals," 25% of aggressive criminals confessed to five or more acts of torturing animals. Clearly, the animal-to-human violence link demands your utmost attention. I reiterate my request that Mayor Dixon and the City Council address violence at its roots by creating an animal abuse task force with citizen representation. Please also empower animal control officers under the police department and advocate prosecution in all animal abuse and fighting cases. Thank you, in advance, for punishing Phoenix' killers to the fullest degree allowed by law. Sincerely, <YOUR FIRST and LAST NAME> <YOUR ADDRESS <YOUR COUNTRY>

To send this letter, enter your contact information: