Cook County, IL: In a decision cheered by advocates everywhere, the original misdemeanor animal cruelty charges filed against 20-year-old West Allis, WI resident, Kyle Voissem have been upgraded to a felony. Voissem has been charged with throwing boiling water on his dog, Byron, after the dog reportedly urinated on the floor. (Source.)
The original misdemeanor charges had been filed after the Anti-Cruelty Society had filed a complaint regarding the horrible act of cruelty against Byron. The judge hearing the case, Judge Maria Kuriakos Ciesil upgraded the charges and set bond at $100,000. The reasoning for the upgrade to a felony is believed to be based in part because of the severity of Byron's injuries.
A police officer testified at the February 2nd preliminary hearing that Voissem originally admitted to intentionally burning Byron, but later changed his story, stating that the water had accidentally splashed on him. Doctors have stated the severity of the wounds speaks to the truth of what happened to Byron, however. (Source.)
On October 20, 2011, Voissem allegedly became enraged when he witnessed Byron urinate on floor, and thew a pot of water already boiling on the stove on his head, which splashed onto his torso. Byron suffered second- and third-degree burns over 50% of his body, but received no treatment for the burns until October 28th, adding to the suffering this poor dog endured. (Source.)
After receiving treatment for the horrible burns at the Chicago Anti-Cruelty Society Byron, described as a mountain cur mix, was adopted into a new loving forever home, where hopefully he will be cherished and adored the way he deserves.
The Facebook page, "Byron's Pain: Misdemeanor Animal Cruel Charges Not Enough", created before the upgrade of the charges as well as the video shown here depicts the life Bryon had prior to coming to live with Voissem. He had had to be rehomed because of allergies by one of the guardians and had clearly been a treasured family member. Byron deserves to have that life again.
A petition has been drawn up by the wonderful advocates at Hand4Paws, asking for the maximum penalties to be imposed on Voissem as well as asking he never be allowed to have another animal in his life. The petition can be accessed here or at the link below.
Please consider adding your name to this petition for justice. As always, advocates are the only voice these innocent animal victims have.
Hopefully the momentum that has been gained in the upgrading of the charges will follow through on this case, with the harshest possible penalties given. With that kind of justice, hopefully others will think twice before taking their rage out on a helpless animal in the future.
Click here for Byron's Facebook page: "Byron's Pain: Misdemeanor Animal Cruel Charges Not Enough"
Click here to see the website "For Byron's Sake", providing further details of his story.
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