Muskrat could cost Munith man $3,000

Saturday, September 09, 2006

By Steven Hepkershepker@citpat.com -- 768-4923

A road-killed muskrat could eventually cost a Munith man about $3,000, once he has paid off his legal fees, court costs and a $700 fine for cruelty to animals.

Waterloo Township police and Jackson County prosecutors charged James Carroll with felony animal killing for intentionally running over the varmint in July.

Chief Tom Cottrell said he saw Carroll swerve to hit the animal near the Waterloo mill pond. He arrested the 24-year-old driver and booked him at the Jackson County Jail -- apparently a first for such a crime in Jackson County.

"I didn't swerve to hit it," Carroll said Friday. "I saw the cop before I hit the muskrat. It could have looked like I intentionally hit it, but I didn't."

Carroll said he has four dogs and 10 chickens and loves animals.

The initial story two weeks ago in the Citizen Patriot has caused him significant embarrassment from teasing in the community and at his work, he said.

Carroll said he had planned to fight the felony at trial, but relented upon expert opinion that it was his word against a chief of police.

"It scares me the power police have to ruin you," Carroll said. "I am not a cruel person. I love animals."

Cottrell said he is no animal rights activist, but was inflamed when he said he saw a motorist swerve to hit a muskrat.

Carroll pleaded guilty to the misdemeanor charge before District Judge Charles Falahee Jr. Prosecutors dropped the felony.

Thank you to Chief Cottrell and the prosecutor’s office for pursuing charges against James Carroll for killing the muskrat.

Shame on the Jackson Citizen Patriot for their editorial mocking this decision. It is both unfair and irresponsible to suggest that law enforcement overlook cruelty to animals.

Abuse of animals is a symptom of a deep mental health issue and commonly a precursor to more violent and aggressive behavior.
Many serial killers tortured and abused animals prior to crimes against human beings.

Many of us easily recognize the names Jeffrey Damer, Charles Albright, Albert DeSalvo, Dennis Radar, Kip Kinkel, Luke Woodham, Eric Harris, Dylan Klebold and David Berkowitz. Of course the list could go on and on. Each of them had a history of killing animals.

JCP ask what’s the point of prosecuting this as a felony.
The answer is quite simple. To hopefully stop Mr. Carroll’s violence from progressing to human victims. This was probably not the first instance of abuse, only the first witnessed by law enforcement.

I do feel that part of the plea agreement should have included not living with any animals and mandatory therapy.

All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing