Alley Cat Allies sent the following letter on December 26, 2024, supporting prosecution for the horrifying poisoning and killing of 13 community cats in Summerville, South Carolina. We are calling for the maximum possible punishment to achieve justice. We are also offering our support and assistance in the case.
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On behalf of Allies Cat Allies and our more than 14,000 supporters in South Carolina, we are writing in support of your prosecution of Andrew Dock, Charles Ulmer, Michael Kemmerlin, Sara Dock, and Laura Dock for the unlawful and horrific killings of 13 community cats in Summerville.
Alley Cat Allies is the leading advocacy organization with a mission to protect and improve the lives of all cats and kittens. Since our founding in 1990, we have worked in communities large and small to develop humane, evidence-based policies for cats and take strong action, including in court, against incidents of cruelty to cats.
Our organization applauds your leadership in addressing this case with the diligence and commitment it deserves. Far too often, our judicial system does not adequately recognize the implications of cruelty to animals and, as a result, does not work to ensure the abusers receive a punishment that reflects the severity of the crime.
To underestimate the depravity of animal cruelty and the harm it causes is to fail to recognize cats as sentient beings with inherent value who suffer and feel pain, and deserve neither. It is also a grave failure to grasp the role of cruelty to cats in the greater landscape of violence in our society.
As you may know, the link between animal cruelty and child abuse, domestic violence, and adverse mental health and community health outcomes is well established, and research has found that violence against animals is predictive of, and often co-occurring with, violence against humans. To protect us all, animals and people, it is critical to enforce our animal cruelty laws. It is particularly important in this case, where one of the charged defendants, Andrew Dock, is employed as a High School teacher.
The allegations surrounding the poisonings of these 13 community cats are egregious and extremely disturbing. These cats suffered slow, agonizing deaths. While these cats are the known direct victims, the community at large is also at risk. Animal abuse does not occur in a vacuum, and acts of violence toward cats are a public crisis. Violent perpetrators must be held accountable for their crimes and sentenced with appropriate severity to deter future abusive conduct and enhance community safety.
We appreciate your efforts to pursue the animal cruelty charges against these individuals and encourage you to seek the maximum possible sentence for these crimes. We would also encourage you to advocate for mandated mental health treatment given the depravity of the acts alleged in this case. Alley Cat Allies wishes to offer continued support and assistance to ensure this case concludes in a manner that brings justice to the victims and sets a standard for future investigation and prosecution of animal cruelty. Please contact us to discuss how we can help.