Trial for the cat Chevelu: One Voice asks for an exemplary sentence
On
September 15th,
One Voice will be a plaintiff in the trial of the tortured cat
Chevelu in Draguignan, kicked to death last May. After a summer
marked by an upsurge in acts of cruelty on dogs and cats, the
association is calling for exemplary punishment for this man. A man
whose past is marked by recurrent acts of violence and already
condemned for allowing his dog to die.
Investigation
The
story of Chevelu the cat moved many in France, sparking social
network interest within a few weeks. The cat was found dead, its
skull fractured, after visibly undergoing acts of extreme cruelty.
Thanks to a thorough investigation by the gendarmerie, which made
every effort to identify the culprit (s), including DNA analyses of
the victim’s hair, which quickly implicated the defendant Mr. M in
the death of the cat. His testimony, as well as that of his
companion, which made it all more possible to assess the violence
experienced by Chevelu.
Facts
That
evening, in the centre of Draguignan, Mr. M. came down from his
apartment where he lives with his partner, Mrs. C. He saw Chevelu on
his scooter and that was enough to make him fly into a rage of anger.
He knew Chevelu, a homeless cat, who was known by a neighbourhood
association. He had fed him on a regularly basis. So, when the cat
came down from the bike, the man pretended to feed him. Chevelu,
confident, approached. Mr. M. then he gave the cat his first kick. He
wore safety shoes, with a reinforced toe. Chevelu flew into the wall.
But that was apparently not enough for Mr. M who caught the cat again
for a second kick, throwing it back against the wall. After a third
kick, the cat collapsed, its head bleeding. So Mr. M. got rid of his
shoes, he threw them into a rubbish bin and went to bed … With his
girlfriend, they then concocted their story to make sure that a group
of young people in the neighbourhood were made the suspects.
Note:
According to Dr. Peter Gallego, veterinarian and consultant for One
Voice, the conclusions of the autopsy report were as follows “think
of an action whereupon an exerting centrifugal force is applied to
the head, probably by holding the cat by the tail or the hind legs
and then swinging its head against the wall. “
The
suspect
Mr.
M. was not unknown to the authorities. His criminal record is already
well provided in convictions for violence, not only towards animals
but also humans with the threat of a weapon. In particular, he
allowed his dog to starve in his apartment. Mrs. C. will admit in her
testimony to be afraid of him because “he breaks things”.
Yet, or because of that, she protected him … Their child, barely 7
months old, has been placed into care.
The
link between violence
This
case is just another dramatic illustration of the link between
violence against animals and humans. The blows fall on to the victims
regardless of the species. Many countries have already understood
this, especially with regard to the fight against domestic violence,
where the penalties and accompanying measures apply to the victims,
spouses and abused children as domestic animals (United States,
United Kingdom …).
Arielle Moreau, lawyer for One
Voice, explains:
“Chevelu
was a very vulnerable little being. He had no chance of escaping his
executioner. He fell into a trap. After having put his trust into
this man, his torturer kicked his skull with his shoes, which he used
as a weapon, before getting rid of them in an attempt to escape
prosecution. If Chevelu had been a human, his murderer would have
been sentenced to life. But he is a cat, and today the maximum
penalty is only two years, which is ridiculous.”
Muriel Arnal, president of One
Voice says:
“Getting
an exemplary sentence for Chevelu goes beyond just giving him
justice. Mr. M. is a repeat offender. Similar cases are numerous
enough not to discount the probability that he will start again if
his evil act is not condemned as he should be. And who will be his
next victim? His partner is scared for herself, but also for her cats
and her daughter. For One Voice, violence must be condemned for what
it is. Mr. M. is a dangerous man. He must be put out of harm’s way,
to protect everyone.”
