"A man is truly ethical only when he obeys the compulsion to help all life which he is able to assist, and shrinks from injuring anything that lives." ~ Albert Schweitzer, Humantarian
This Page Remains As a Memorial to the Kmart Dog Abuse Case
Update to the shocking case involving the absolute inhumane death of a tiny stray dog in a KMart discount department store:
September 29, 1999
Source: J. Bird
twobirds@earthlink.net
I just wanted to let you know that the K-Mart/Chihuahua issue has been one that I have felt compelled to pursue for two reasons. First, I have a Chihuahua and second, I used to volunteer with the Long Beach shelter before I moved. This is the news I have to provide: I recently called the Long Beach store to talk to the manager. His name is James and the number is 562-531-6400. When I asked what measures K-Mart was taking to clear their name with the public he beligerently informed me that there are plenty of other issues - like starving children, and homelessness - that "you people" (I'm assuming he thought I was some kind of activist) should be concerned with. I asked if K-Mart intended to pay any form of restitution and he replied no. As our conversation came to a close he said that K-Mart did indeed pay restitution to the Long Beach Animal Shelter but would not disclose the amount. I contacted my friends from the shelter who informed me that K-Mart has NOT paid ANY restitution to the shelter. One volunteer did inform me that her letter to K-Mart was responded to with a "sorry" and a $10 gift certificate to shop at K-Mart!! She was furious. Topursue the issue further, a friend of mine who is well respected on the legal side of labor law called to speak with James. He seemed to get a little further. James (the manager) told him that K-Mart tried to pay restitution but was refused because the shelter thought it was extortion (another untruth I confirmed with the shelter). He said his store has been getting many phone calls and he will be meeting with his superiors soon to discuss what measures they can take to clear their name and restore their name in the primarily hispanic community. My suggestion is that if anyone has not called or sent a letter to the store, please do so now. They may be on the brink of agreeing to pay restitution to the shelter. While many of us would still like to see the woman responsible more severely punished, K-Mart should not get off so easy as to think because they cooperated with the police they did everything they could. By the way, James was the manager on duty when this woman went over the edge. J. Bird
A dear online friend, Dick Weavil, was one of many who let me know about this horrific animal cruelty case. He, however, expressed best his anger, disgust and determination in giving this little stray justice. At the end of the article, you will find resources in contacting KMart to let them know that the woman who allegedly admitted to the crime, should not have a position in
any KMart store. Let them know that unless the KMart store in Long Beach, CA (USA) takes positive restitution action toward this abuse case involving their employees and Long Beach store,
all KMarts will be boycotted by you and your friends as you spread the word of this abuse story. Please, please speak for this small, innocent victim of a brutal attack, which led to an agonizing death.
I am angry --- no, I am furious --- and you will also be after you read the following report. If you can read this and not be upset, angry, offended --- something is terribly wrong.
If ever there were a reason to lock someone up and throw away the key --- in my opinion, this is it!
The following report will make you angry, it will make you sick, it will make you cry, it will make you want vengeance for an innocent animal beaten to death --- an animal who must have suffered terribly, physically and psychologically, before it died in what must have been excruciating fear, pain and agony.
AnimalTalk is affronted and astounded that this woman may get off with nothing more than a misdemeanor charge, and, most likely, a suspended sentence with some form of probation. We intend to follow this case and provide as much information as possible to our subscribers so that you can take appropriate action to see this person punished as severely as the law will allow.
To this end, AnimalTalk requests that anyone having any information whatsoever pertaining to this case, either as a witness, or to provide addresses, fax and phone numbers, names, etcetera, to contact ---
please forward that information to nyppsi@aol.com for publication. We must move quickly, so please forward the information as soon as it is available.
This information needs to reach as many readers as possible.
There is no excuse for this --- NONE. Nor is there any excuse for the many people who must have stood around and watched this woman beat this helpless dog to death, right before their eyes --- and who did
NOTHING to stop the carnage.
What, as a species, have we come to? It is horrible enough that this kind of unspeakable cruelty goes on behind closed doors, out of sight, and unbeknownst to us until we hear about it in the press --- but when we sink to the ethical and moral depths where someone can beat an animal to death before our very eyes, and people just stand around and do nothing to stop this cruelty --- one has to wonder if there is ever, really, any hope for the human race.
Let us not allow this animal to have suffered and died in vain. It's time to send a message that this kind of despicable behavior will not be tolerated in our society. This woman should receive the harshest
punishment the law will allow. I cannot imagine any explanation that would excuse her from this horrific behavior.
Let's help ensure that she gets what she rightly and justly deserves.
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August 27, 1999
KMart Employee Beats Chihuahua To Death In North
Long Beach, CA KMart Store
Dog beating charged Store: Crimes against animals alleged in Chihuahua's death.
By Tracy Manzer
Staff Writer
LONG BEACH - Criminal charges were filed Thursday against a Big Kmart employee in connection with the beating death of a Chihuahua dog that had wandered into the chain's North Long Beach store.
Paramount resident Norma Elizabeth Torrico, 24, faces a misdemeanor charge of crimes against animals. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to six months in jail and fined up to $2,000, said senior animal control officer Wayne Besenty.
Besenty launched his three-week investigation into the stray animal's death after two employees told investigators at least one store employee used a 20-pound weight-lifting metal bar to kill the
9-year-old dog on July 16. Neither of those employees witnessed the alleged attack at the store on Cherry Avenue at Market Street.
A necropsy revealed the 10-pound, 9-ounce white and black dog sustained numerous injuries during the beating. Both Torrico and witnesses told Besenty and other investigators that Torrico and another employee chased the dog around the store for at least 20 to 30 minutes.
During that time, Torrico allegedly fractured one of the Chihuahua's front legs with the bar, Besenty said. When the dog was finally cornered in the lay-away department and trapped with a fishing net,
"Norma alleges she then became frightened of the animal and thought she would get bit," Besenty said.
Several store employees spoke to the Press-Telegram on condition of anonymity about the attack. They said the dog could be heard whimpering and was still alive when it was placed in a plastic bag,
although its breathing was ragged. By the time Animal Control and police arrived, the dog had died.
One employee said he found the metal bar still covered with blood and turned it over to investigators. He also provided Animal Control with the names of Torrico and several witnesses.
"We received full cooperation from Kmart management and a number of employees came forward ... and tried to help us with this," Besenty said, adding that the store provided him with employee schedules so that he could easily conduct interviews.
Besenty said he chose to file a misdemeanor charge against Torrico because of the difficulty of obtaining a conviction on a felony charge.
"For a felony I would have to prove malicious intent," Besenty said. "I would have to prove a person went there with vengeance in their heart and was planning to kill the dog."
A store security guard and supervisor who had witnessed portions of the fatal beating and may have helped corner the dog were not included in Besenty's criminal complaint filed with the City Prosecutor's
office Thursday morning.
Torrico will be notified of the charges and her arraignment date in a letter from the prosecutor's office, Besenty said. If she does not appear in court for her arraignment, a bench warrant will be issued for her arrest, he said.
Deputy City Prosecutor Sandy Stolpe said Thursday the arraignment date has not been set, but such cases are usually in court within a month after charges are filed.
News of the small dog's death outraged many in the community who flooded the Press-Telegram, Animal Control and animal rights organizations with complaints. Spokesmen for People for the Ethical
Treatment of Animals and the Humane Society said they are following the case closely.
An assistant store manager at the Big Kmart store who would give only his first name, Earl, said he could not comment on the matter or say whether Torrico is still employed at the store. Another employee
who did not give her name said Torrico still works at Kmart, but Thursday was her day off. Neither Torrico nor officials at Kmart's headquarters in Troy, Mich., could be reached for comment.
KMart Website
Snail Mail Address:
Kmart Corporation
3100 W. Big Beaver Rd.
Troy, Michigan 48084-3163
Phone: 1-800-866-0086
Fax: 1-643-240-1000
Online Email Form
(Be sure to mark your comments as a "Complaint")
1. KMart Email Address
2. KMart Email Address
There is no email address provided on the Governor's web site, but those of you willing to put forth the expense of a single 33 cent first class stamp to speak for a defenseless, homeless little dog, let Governor Davis know animal abuse is NOT tolerated by decent Americans and you are
demanding the maximum penalty be given to this woman:
Governor Gray Davis
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814
Phone (916) 445-2841
Fax (916) 445-4633
ALL California residents should also demand the
maximum penalty by contacting their legistalors:
California Residents - Write Your Representatives
