[PAA-Discuss] Cat helps prove child abuser's guilt

[Juli3 at aol.com]

October 2009        
One Abuser, Two  Victims 
When 9-year-old Beth* was  sexually abused by her stepfather, she told the  
prosecuting attorney that someone else knew  about it -- but that he couldn’
t talk. She was  referring to her beloved cat, Oreo. 
Beth explained that Oreo  would bravely lie outside her door at night and  
hiss whenever her attacker appeared. In trying  to protect her, the loyal 
black and white cat  also became another victim of violence; Beth’s  
stepfather would always brutally kick Oreo away  from the door. 
Beth’s revelation gave the  prosecutor an idea. She decided to have Oreo  
examined by a veterinarian. The results were  chilling. Sure enough, poor 
Oreo had sustained  injuries consistent with being physically  abused. 
When the prosecutor  submitted the veterinarian’s report to the jury  as 
evidence showing a pattern of violence in the  home, Beth’s allegations gained 
credibility. In  a way, Oreo was able to testify, convincing the  jury that 
the traumatized little girl had been  telling the truth.  
Beth’s stepfather was  convicted and received a long prison sentence.  
Meanwhile, Beth and Oreo were finally able to  experience what every child and 
animal deserves:  a safe home. 
Help Empower  Victims Like Beth and Oreo 
The prosecutor in Beth’s  case was Allie Phillips, who now works for  
American Humane as vice president of our Public  Policy Office. She and our staff 
regularly  conduct trainings for attorneys, judges,  veterinarians, social 
workers, domestic-violence  counselors and other social services providers  
on what American Humane calls _The  Link®_ 
(http://site.americanhumane.org/site/R?i=PXUa9LCfQtp-K7hYBJPwvw..)  between violence to people and  violence 
to animals, increasing awareness of the  powerful role it can play in 
unmasking and  preventing abuse. 
It’s a vital message -- one  that Allie and our Link team are uniquely  
qualified to spread on behalf of abuse victims  everywhere. But she can’t do it 
 alone. 
Please help Allie and our  team continue to educate others about The Link  
and stop the cycle of violence affecting  innocent people and animals alike. 
_Donate  today_ 
(http://site.americanhumane.org/site/R?i=K2c3ctIFztkZJpFEPOq-fw..) ! 
*This is a true story.  However, the child’s name has been changed to  
protect her privacy.   

Allie Phillips has a  special black-and-white cat of her own -- Oscar,  who 
closely resembles Oreo.     
The Link impacts thousands  of people and pets every day. _Act  now to help 
fund trainings on The Link that  unmask abuse and empower victims like Beth 
and  Oreo_ 
(http://site.americanhumane.org/site/R?i=kto49O9BWODwGyjzHUXjHA..) !  
 
____________________________________
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Our _mission_ 
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and neglect of children  and animals. 
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effectiveness and cost effectiveness. 
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