JANESVILLE, WI - July 6, 1998 - Animal abuser Barry Herbeck received the maximum sentence on five counts of animal abuse, and one count of felony firearms possession. Herbeck received two years for each of the five animal abuse counts, and two years on the firearms charge, for a total of twelve years. The sentence, handed down by Judge Richard Werner, surprised the hundreds of citizens who came to attend Herbeck's sentencing at the Rock County Courthouse, in support of a stiff sentence. The sentence significantly exceeded even the recommendation of District Attorney David O'Leary, who asked for a total sentence of four years.
Approximately 300 people attended the sentencing. About 50 of those present represented animal rights and animal welfare groups, but the vast majority of the crowd was made up of local Janesville and Rock County residents, concerned about the threat to public safety posed by Herbeck. Judge Werner closed the courtroom after about 80 citizens were admitted, along with press personnel. The crowd outside the courtroom, numbering about 200, were dismayed that their presence would not be known in the courtroom. After several discussions with the Rock County Sheriff, it was agreed that sign-up sheets would be passed around among the crowd, and they would be carried into the courtroom by the bailiff. The judge's comments during the sentencing did acknowledge the significance of the community outrage against Herbeck's acts.
Your letters, faxes and phone calls worked! "Your actions have offended the community and offended the sensibilities of the community as evidenced by the number of people here today," Werner told Herbeck.
To all of you who wrote and called Judge Werner and DA O'Leary, THANK YOU! All our tireless efforts have paid off. Not only has animal abuse finally been seen as the violent crime that it really is, but we have significantly raised the awareness of the danger of giving away pets using "Free to Good Home" ads, which is how Herbeck obtained the animals he abused and killed. Following this event, Isthmus, Madison's weekly newspaper, has run an insert at the beginning of their "Pets" classified section stating that they will not accept ads for animals "to give away."
Awareness of this issue is snowballing, thanks to your efforts.
For more detailed information, please visit the Animal Lobby's Barry Herbeck Site. Note: The information on this site is of a graphic and, to some, disturbing nature, as is the nature of Herbeck's crimes. VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED.
Read our Outline of the Herbeck Case for early background information.
WHAT YOU CAN DO:
Contact:
| The Honorable Judge Richard Werner Rock County Courthouse 51 South Main St. Janesville, WI 53545 |
Thank Judge Werner for his response to the community interest in this case, and for acknowledging Herbeck's acts as violent crimes. |
| Rock County Humane Society Ph# (608) 752-5622 WWW: http://www.inwave.com/rchs/main.html E-mail: rchs@inwave.com |
Shelter Director: Chris Konetski Kennel Manager: Cheryl Silha Humane Officer: Jim Hurley Thank them for their efforts and perseverence in this case. Tell them that, like them, you support strong enforcement of animal cruelty laws. |
The most important thing to remember from this case is that one should never give pets away "free to a good home". These are "magic words" not only for "bunchers" who obtain animals to sell ultimately to research labs, but to abusers like Herbeck. If you see or read a "Free to good home" ad, if you can, contact the person posting the ad and tell him/her about the Herbeck case. Many right-thinking people are unaware of threats like this, but would never want it to happen to their former pets. They are often grateful to be notified of this danger. This simple act of private/public service may save countless animals' lives.