April 1, 2006

Blooming Grove PETA weighs in on accused cat killers

A national animal rights organization is urging Orange County District Attorney Frank Phillips to vigorously prosecute three men charged in the deaths of three adult cats and one four -month-old kitten. The People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals want the men, if convicted, to be banned for life against contact with animals and to undergo psychological examinations. The men are accused of breaking into the Blooming Grove Humane Society in October 2004. In addition to the four dead cats, nine others went missing after the break-in. Seven returned on their own and two were found in the woods behind the Route 94 shelter. According to PETA, people who commit violent acts against animals are often repeat offenders and pose a threat to a community as a whole, not just the animal population. An Orange County grand jury earlier this month indicted Michael Bornhoeft, 20, and his two alleged accomplices, 19-year-old Terry Ayres of Vails Gate and 18-year-old Michael Melfi of Blooming Grove. Each of the three men face charges of four counts of aggravated cruelty to animals and one count of third -degree burglary, all felonies.

Raja Abdulrahim

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