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Suncoast Pasco News

Animal Cruelty

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FROM A READER

Published: August 2, 2008

Editor:

Where is the outrage over the K-9 dog that died while left unattended for three hours in Mulberry Police Officer Sara Movahedi's car? A civilian who left the dog alone would be prosecuted. State and local laws clearly define animal cruelty.

Why isn't this officer being charged and held responsible for the cost of replacing the German shepherd, Sam Diesel, who was donated to the department by Wal-Mart employees.

In Chandler, Ariz., last year, a police sergeant was arrested on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty in the August death of a police dog that was left alone in his patrol car for an extended period. There are several other such cases.

Mulberry Police Chief Larry Cavallaro excused Movahedi's conduct saying "in canine situations we go to calls all the time that last 3, 4, 6, 10 hours at a time," meaning the dogs stay in the cars unattended. Then, he has the nerve to blame the vehicle's failed air conditioner on a missing heat sensor.

Movahedi should not have left Sam Diesel in her car. He should have been brought into the office. Additionally, why would any police vehicle be left idling for hours when government budgets are squeezed by higher fuel costs.

John Tischner
Dunedin

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