Magnum and Heaven

This is Magnum.

This local Kansas story just killed me... I cried when I heard this....

Puppy abuse causes stir in Wichita

Two Wichita puppies capture the attention of the community and help for the abused animals continues to flood in. On Tuesday we reported the story about Heaven, a four week old Akita found in a hot stairwell in a crate full of trash. She's now been taken in by a new foster family until she can be adopted. The next day, we told you about Magnum. Magnum was found in a dumpster with wires around his paws and 75% of his skin gone from chemicals burns. He is now at a 24-hour care facility in Kansas City, and will come back to Wichita when he has healed.

The stories about Magnum and Heaven have upset a lot of people especially when they found out animal cruelty is only a misdemeanor in Kansas. We're one of nine states that don't charge a felony for crimes against animals. Now a Wichita radio station wants to change those laws. 105.3 The Buzz is causing quite the buzz about Kansas animal cruelty laws. Afternoon DJ “Carson” watched the news about Heaven and Magnum and launched a campaign over night.

The job of a DJ has it's perks-ightlife, recognition and a microphone.
“Tell you what, we got really fired up about this and decided God gave us the power of the microphone so we're going to use it.” Carson’s voice boomed loudly inside Heroe’s Sports Bar and Grill in Old Town Friday night. Carson was outraged when she saw our story about Heaven and then about Magnum.
"I just cried. I just couldn't stop crying. This can't happen. The thing that bothered me the most is even if they catch these people nothing is going to happen to them- a little slap on the wrist.”

That's why Carson is putting her microphone to work.
“Our goal is to show up in Topeka with a vanload of petitions but we need your help.” She tells the crowd.

Ten businesses have already agreed to post the petition.


Carson says hundreds of signatures have already been collected. At the same time, Jayne Deemer, the foster parent taking care of Heaven, is in the beginning stages of forming the Animal Cruelty Task Force of Kansas. She plans to push lawmakers to change the law as well.


FACT FINDER 12

To clear-up confusion Fact Finder 12 looked into the laws. Animal cruelty is a misdemeanor in nine states, including Kansas. The rest have enacted some sort of felony law, most in the last 10 years. But the laws vary from state to state. Many states only call for a felony if the cruelty is done to a cat or a dog. Cruelty is considered a misdemeanor for all other animals. And even in felony cases, some states only require six months jail time. Fact Finder 12 also found what the Humane Society recommends as a solid felony law. It says the law should apply to all animals, to first time offenders and should require convicted abusers to get counseling. The law should also have no exceptions. The Humane Society says cruelty to animals isn’t just an animal issue because research has found a link between that and violence towards people.


Abused puppy passes away

Saturday, August 6, 2005
Two puppies found abused and abandoned captured the attention of the community, but now a somber end for one tale.

Magnum, a mixed-breed pup found in a Wichita dumpster, died overnight at a care facility in Kansas City.

He suffered from chemical burns over 75 percent of his body and a broken leg. He was found with his front paws wired together and a paw stuck in his mouth.

The other puppy, Heaven, was found in a crate full of trash in a hot stairwell. The week-old Akita is now doing well in a foster home.

There are reward funds to help find whoever abused and abandoned the dogs.

If you would like to donate money to Heaven's reward fund, call Bed and Biscuit at 316-682-1111.


If you would like to donate money to Magnum's reward fund, take your money to any Commerce Bank location in Wichita, attention Magnum.

To learn more about state laws regarding animal cruelty, go to the Humane Society of the United States Website at www.hsus.org.

If you know anything about who abused and abandoned these puppies call Wichita Animal Services at 316-268-8378.