Jeffrey J. Chandler case - Lee County, FL

Posted 06/04/2006 


Attn:  Clerk of Court

I am writing in reference to the animal cruelty case involving the repeat offender Jeffrey J. Chandler.  Mr. Chandler is charged with  the extreme cruelty of dragging a small dog for some distance behind  the van he was driving.  His actions resulted in severe injury to the 
dog.  I would wish to have this email printed and provided to the  Judge in this case prior to the disposition of the case against Mr. Chandler.

I am actively involved in dog rescue efforts in the state of Virginia and am affiliated with rescue groups in the Mid-Atlantic and across  the country.   It is important to me to express my anger and  frustration to the repeated "slap on the wrist" mentality often  applied by our legal systems to animal abusers.  This particular case  coming to trial on June 6 in your jurisdiction is a perfect example  of the abuse to which I am referring.  Mr. Chandler's past 
convictions and arrests prove him to be a threat to society, a  'career criminal' on several levels.  He obviously HAS NO RESPECT OR  REGARD FOR THE LAW.  Additionally he displayed no remorse at the  injury he inflicted on this poor DEFENSELESS animal.  If he is not  held accountable for his disregard for the LAW and for the welfare  and safety of those around him, who will he be responsible for  injuring (or worse) next?  Will he run down a child while driving  drunk?  Perhaps he will swerve up on another sidewalk and mow down a 
pregnant pedestrian peacefully  going about her day.  Who knows what  carnage looms in this man's future, given his penchant for IGNORING  THE LAW and living as if it did not apply to him and his actions.  If  and WHEN that happens, the disposition of this case will become a  significant factor in the news articles DEMANDING ANSWERS as to  why  he was not sufficiently punished and DETERRED from future damage to  society by the Judges before whom he appeared in cases (such as this  one) past.

Perhaps, Judge, you are not one with a history of attachment to  animals, and so this particular case is not as abhorrent to you as it  would be to someone with a history of loving and respecting family  cats and dogs.  If that is the case, then it is your RESPONSIBILITY 
to look beyond the realm of your personal experience and consider the  true magnitude of this case.  People who abuse animals statistically  demonstrate the same indifference to the rights and welfare of  humans.  This man's record proves that fact; he shows no RESPECT FOR  LAW or the rights of those whom he encounters.  This poor dog  SUFFERED severe pain and injury at this man's hands.  HE NEEDS TO BE  HELD ACCOUNTABLE  for his neglect and cruelty-to the MAXIMUM EXTENT  OF THE LAW.  Not only is it appropriate for this CRIME, but it also  sends a message that THIS TYPE OF BEHAVIOR WILL NOT BE TOLERATED in a  society that believes in holding  each of us accountable for our 
behavior.

I would request that you protect the rights of this poor animal, and  also safeguard the well-being of all of those who may encounter a  drunk and un-caring Jeffrey Chandler in the future if he is not  stopped now!  I urge you to impose the MAXIMUM SENTENCE ALLOWED BY 
THE LAW on this man.  You have an opportunity to set the standard to  which others may reflect and aspire.

Thank you.

Respectfully,
Cayce O'Keefe