Speak up
Re “Investigators confiscate device used to force breeding in animal cruelty case involving Hampton sheriff’s lieutenant” (Aug. 1): I appreciate the recent articles concerning Lt. Carolyn Johnson, of the Hampton Sheriff’s Office, and her husband, Michael Johnson Sr., being charged with numerous counts of animal cruelty involving eight pit bulls being kept on their property. Johnson was also charged with “three felony counts of promoting or being engaged in ‘the fighting of animals for amusement, sport or gain.’”
Kudos to the neighbor who took the initiative to report “hearing dogs screaming and whining” behind the Johnsons’ house. Too often citizens look the other way when suspecting or even witnessing animal cruelty, neglect and/or abuse. The eight pit bulls kept at the Johnsons’ house had no voice to report their surroundings. Thankfully, the neighbor was the dogs’ voice in this instance. Let’s hope justice prevails for these dogs. Kudos also to animal control officers Samantha Denney and Michael Falls. Despite Johnson allegedly refusing to allow officers into the backyard to view any dogs, these officers got warrants from the Hampton magistrate’s office.
Hampton citizens, please call 757-727-6111, option 1, to report cases of suspected animal cruelty, abuse and/or neglect. You do not have to leave your name if you prefer not to do so. I urge you to please always be the animals’ voice; they depend on us and deserve it.
Pamela Withrow, Hampton
Dog fighting
Re “Investigators confiscate device used to force breeding in animal cruelty case involving Hampton sheriff’s lieutenant” (Aug. 1): We commend the Virginia Attorney General’s Animal Law Unit and the Hampton city attorney’s office for investigating and prosecuting an alleged dogfighting case involving a Hampton sheriff’s lieutenant and her husband. Dogs forced to fight suffer terribly not just in the fighting pit. Law enforcement officials seized from the scene in this case a “rape stand,” a treadmill, and other paraphernalia that gives us an inkling about what these animals were allegedly subjected to.
Dogfighters typically keep victims chained outdoors 24/7 and starve, beat and purposely train them to “fight to the death.” And if they “lose a fight,” some dogs are “punished” by hanging, electrocution, drowning, beating or just left to die slowly of infection, starvation and or dehydration.
If convicted, the accused — one of whom was tasked with upholding our laws and expected to be a model citizen — should receive the maximum sentence, including jail time and a lifetime ban on contact with animals. Animal abusers have a high recidivism rate. Too many animals have suffered already.
Our thanks to the neighbor who alerted authorities to dogs “screaming and whining.” Animals need us to remain vigilant and notify animal control and or police immediately if we suspect that abuse is occurring. For more information, please visit PETA.org.
Daphna Nachminovitch; senior vice president, Cruelty Investigations Department, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals; Norfolk
President Biden
President Joe Biden is the weakest and most incompetent U.S. commander in chief in my lifetime and 45 years of U.S. military and government service. The Aug. 7 Gold Star families congressional hearing spoke very loud and clearly to Biden’s dismissal of his administration’s best advice and the subsequent disaster, chaos and abandonment that took place in our flight from Afghanistan.
His narcissistic, cavalier and impatient treatment of the 13 Gold Star families at Dover Air Force Base during the deceased heroes’ return was appalling and only highlighted Biden’s detachment from his commander-in-chief responsibilities.
The intentional no-show at the congressional hearing is his “middle finger” to every currently serving military member and all veterans. Forget politics — we are all Americans. As an American, if you support and defend our Constitution, and you treasure America’s most treasured resource — its people — then you need to get rid of Biden and his inept administration and Cabinet that are destroying the very fiber of American strength.
John R. Baer, Yorktown
Trump’s chances
It was announced that former President Donald Trump is being indicted for the third time in roughly four months. A fourth indictment is expected to be forthcoming against Trump in Fulton County, Georgia. As of Aug. 5, Trump is facing 78 different legal charges across various legal jurisdictions.
Overwhelmingly, courts have dismissed more than 60 lawsuits of alleged electoral fraud and irregularities presented by Trump and his allies. Overall, U.S. election security officials have said the 2020 election was “the most secure in American history.” It is interesting that just recently, The New York Times reported a “secret memo” that shows Trump and allies planning a fake-electors plot.
Many believe that Trump is basically uncontrollable and impulsively challenged when it comes to the office of president, that Trump is not a devotee of party, principle, participation and or patriotism. After all, Trump claims to be the “retribution” for his supporters and voters (always, an “us-against-them” mindset).
However, I firmly believe that truth, justice, democracy, the Constitution, and rule of law will hold steadfast and perpetuate and sustain our nation until its eventual victory for our future and existence. In these circumstances: “Failure is not an option” — associated with former NASA Chief Flight Director Gene Kranz.
John L. Horton, Norfolk
