Dear Sherriff Paul Babeu,

I am writing your department to thank you and the arresting officer involved in the case from August, 2008, involving the arrest of Gordon Allen Bates of Florence in a criminal animal cruelty case. The officer arrested Bates and his minor daughter in the act of dragging, beating and kicking a downed horse. Subsequently, this case (#CR-200801401) has been assigned to be brought before Judge Soos on Tuesday, March 17.

I have worked for the Humane Society of Southern Arizona in Tucson, and I witnessed many unspeakable acts of animal cruelty. So I can express my sincere gratitude that this case is being taken very seriously. I urge you to make sure that the arresting officer in this case can be present to testify against Bates, so that D.A. Lawrence Wharton can make the strongest possible case for conviction with serious jail time and fines.

Just to let you know -- this case has been given national coverage again. I was made aware of it through the Animal Legal Defense Fund organization to which I belong. Many of the ALDF supporters are taking part in an email campaign directed to D.A. Wharton, so that he knows how much support this cruelty case has across America.

Sincere Regards,

Sally Beckham
Providence, Rhode Island