A felony animal cruelty case on the Kenai Peninsula has prompted concerned residents there to urge state prosecutors not to offer a plea deal to the defendant, 44-year-old Samuel Stroer.
An online petition started by a local animal activist had amassed about 2,400 signatures as of Monday. Jill Garnet, who created the petition, said she was surprised at the quick outpouring of support -- the petition had 800 signatures in its first 12 hours.
"The petition is basically to say enough people in Alaska care about this kind of behavior that we think this case should be taken seriously and proceed with a trial rather than plea it down to a lesser charge," Garnet said in a phone interview.
Alaska State Troopers alleged in mid-October that Stroer's actions led to the death of a Labrador-pit bull mix named Paco. Stroer used a large metal pipe to beat the dog unconscious after it growled at him, troopers said.
Troopers said Stroer told them that when the dog awoke, it became aggressive, so he beat the dog again with a piece of wood with a screw sticking out at its end.
Troopers took the severely beaten pet to Soldotna Animal Hospital, where a veterinarian determined it would have to be euthanized. The vet told Cierra Conklin, Paco's original owner, that the animal's internal injuries were too severe to treat.
Conklin said she'd provided a home for Paco since he was born in May 2012. She said he started to get jealous of her other dogs, and she didn't want him to "live in a box." It wasn't fair to Paco, she said.
So two months ago, she gave Paco to a couple living in Stroer's home. It seemed a like a good fit, she said. That couple was at the grocery store when troopers called about the alleged beating in the garage, she said.
Stroer was initially charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty, according to troopers. Court records show his charge is a felony; it accuses him of causing severe physical pain to Paco.
Since the charges were handed up, Paco's supporters have kept close watch on the court proceedings. Frequent updates on the Facebook page "Justice For Paco" offer a glimpse of their efforts: the continued collection of signatures, people vowing to attend hearings and maintain a community presence through the legal process, and calls for harsh punishment.
The petition raises concerns about a similar animal cruelty case in Bethel. Last year, a small, white-haired terrier named Irvina was beaten to death with a flashlight. James Whitman, then 29, was sentenced for misdemeanor animal cruelty in December, after the state amended the felony and dropped two other charges.
Those behind the petition believe Stroer's case is clearly a felony.
The state's animal cruelty statute was last amended in 2010, when Rep. Bob Lynn, R-Anchorage, changed the law to incorporate sexual activity with animals.
Anchorage Sen. Bill Wielechowski and former Palmer Rep. Carl Gatto added to the amendment language that made it a first-time felony "to knowingly inflict severe and prolonged physical pain and suffering on an animal, kill or injure an animal by using a decompression chamber, or to intentionally kill or injure a pet or livestock by use of poison."
Offenses not falling within those criteria are generally charged as misdemeanors. Animal cruelty may not even be charged. A Wasilla man stands accused of shooting and killing a family member's dog Thursday; he is currently charged with weapons misconduct.
Seven people have been convicted of felony cruelty to animals since Jan. 2010, according to data provided by the Alaska Court System. Six of the convictions were related to inflicting severe pain on animals; the remaining case involved the poisoning of an animal.
Alaska Attorney General Craig Richards and Kenai District Attorney Scot Leaders did not respond to requests for comment. A Department of Law official said in an email that many factors are considered when resolving cases, and public input is "certainly one of those factors."
"When deciding to make a plea offer in a case, the prosecutor considers many things such as the nature of the case, the circumstances surrounding the case and the rights of the victim," said assistant attorney general Kaci Schroeder.
Prosecutors can offer plea deals to defendants at any point before a jury issues a verdict, she said.
The petition was recently delivered to the Kenai District Attorney's Office following a phone meeting with prosecuting attorney Sam Scott. The plan calls for continued circulation before it's sent to Richards, the state's lead attorney general.
Garnet said she's optimistic the signees' voices will be heard but thinks additional letters to the judge will also help.
"We have the petition, the letters and people coordinating to go to all the hearings. It will show that people really care," she said. "We deserve to hear all the evidence, and that's what this petition is about."
Conklin said about 10 people have been showing up at the Kenai Courthouse for the hearings. The judge and attorneys appear to be surprised by their continued presence, she said.
Conklin wants to have Paco cremated and brought home, "so he's resting in a house where he was loved." The Soldotna Animal hospital was instructed to keep the dog's remains while the case moves forward, however.
Following the court case and all the emotional turmoil that comes with it is imperative, Conklin said.
"If we keep on it, Paco's case could set a precedent so similar cases aren't swept under the rug," she said.