William Burl Harrison stood in court before Jefferson Davis County Justice Court Judge Calvin Graves, charged with beating a four-month-old puppy he adopted, took home, and sadistically beat with the hard, plastic handle of his leash.  

On February 10, Harrison’s landlord, Leanna Woodward, videoed Harrison first coming home with the puppy and then within a short time psychotically beating the pup. Leanna called the Jefferson Davis County Sheriff’s Department and her son rescued the puppy when Harrison briefly went inside. Deputy Michael Davis arrested Harrison. Rescue Revolution took in the abused puppy and named him Davis after the arresting officer. Davis has since found a safe, forever home.

On March 1, Harrison, chained and wearing orange, plead guilty. He was fined only $500, with $340 left to pay as he had been incarcerated since his arrest and had been credited for some work. 

It was puzzling for those of us who attended court to represent animal advocacies, because Harrison was mistakenly charged under MS §97-41-1, the standard cruelty statute for animals other than dogs and cats. The first line of the statute omits dogs and cats. MS §97-41-16, the dog & cat law, carries a penalty of a maximum $2,500, six months in jail or both for aggravated cruelty to a dog or a cat. 

We and fellow advocates spoke to Justice Court Judge Calvin Graves, the prosecuting attorney, Deputy Davis and Sheriff Ron Strickland with our concerns about Harrison’s charge and standard first offense fine. All were receptive and agreed that the Sheriff’s Department would benefit from a training session on handling and charging cruelty cases. It is being arranged.

Our Justice for Animals Campaign, along with Animal Advocacy Initiative of MS and Rescue Revolution presented a Justice for Animals Award to the Sheriff’s Department for acting immediately when the call came in for puppy Davis. We are aligning with judges, prosecuting attorneys, law enforcement officials, legislators, animal advocates and concerned citizens to encourage strong prosecution and sentencing and to pass meaningful regional ordinances that will protect animals when state statutes fail. In Defense of Animals has served in the Deep South for 25 years, aiding victims and law enforcement with hundreds of cruelty reports.