Dog Trainer Puts Shock Coller on Genitals

For Immediate Release:
  September 5, 2006

  Contact:
  Stephanie Bell 757-622-7382

  Chicago, Ill. – This morning, PETA sent an urgent plea to Cook County
  Assistant State’s Attorney Ankur Srivastava urging him to
  vigorously prosecute Ami Moore, the so-called “dog
  whisperer” of Chicago’s Doggie Do Right 911, Inc. Moore
  faces charges stemming from her alleged mistreatment of dogs with
  shock devices—in violation of the manufacturer’s
  guidelines—during training sessions. Moore allegedly placed a
  shock device on one dog’s genitals, apparently in accordance
  with her “When your dog does something that you don’t
  like, then make nasty things happen for the dog” training
  premise. Moore is scheduled to face these charges in court tomorrow,
  September 6, at 9 a.m.

  “If these allegations are true, Ms. Moore violated the trust of
  her clients as well as the law,” says PETA Cruelty Caseworker
  Stephanie Bell. “The way to train dogs to behave well—as
  well as to love and respect their guardians—is not by causing
  them pain but by using positive reinforcement.”

  PETA is asking that¯if convicted and in addition to serving a
  period of incarceration—Moore be prohibited from owning or
  harboring animals and that authorities seize any animals currently in
  her custody. In addition, PETA is asking that Moore be required to
  undergo a thorough psychological evaluation followed by mandatory
  counseling.

  For more information, please visit HelpingAnimals.com.

  PETA’s letter to Assistant State’s Attorney Ankur
  Srivastava follows.

  September 5, 2006

  Ankur Srivastava, Assistant State’s Attorney
  Office of the Cook County State’s Attorney
  Branch 43, Misdemeanor Division
  3150 W. Flournoy St.
  Chicago, IL 60612

  Dear Mr. Srivastava:

  People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) is the
  world’s largest animal rights organization, with more than 1.1
  million members and supporters dedicated to the protection of animals.
  This letter concerns a recent case of cruelty to animals that your
  office is handling, involving Chicago resident Ami Moore, the
  purported “dog whisperer” of Doggie Do Right 911, Inc. Moore faces
  charges stemming from her alleged recent use of electronic shock
  devices on dogs who were evidently brought to her for training. We
  understand that Moore is accused of using the shockers in manners that
  were inconsistent with their manufacturer’s guidelines; she
  reportedly strapped the devices on one dog’s genitals in an
  apparent manifestation of “When your dog does something that you
  don’t like, then make nasty things happen for the
  dog”—one of the dog-training rules professed on Moore’s
  Web site.

  We understand that Moore is scheduled to answer to these charges in
  court tomorrow, September 6, at 9 a.m.

  Mental health professionals and top law enforcement officials consider
  cruelty to animals to be a red flag. The American Psychiatric
  Association identifies cruelty to animals as one of the diagnostic
  criteria for conduct disorders, and the FBI uses reports of these
  crimes in analyzing the threat potential of suspected and known
  criminals. Experts agree that it is the severity of the
  behavior—not the species of the victim—that matters.
  Abuse is abuse, whether or not it’s couched in the context of a
  “training method.”

  On behalf of our thousands of members and supporters in Illinois, we
  respectfully ask that, if convicted and in addition to serving a
  period of incarceration, Moore be required to undergo a thorough
  psychological evaluation followed by mandatory counseling (and anger
  management classes, if applicable) at her own expense. Because repeat
  crimes are the rule rather than the exception among animal abusers and
  given the violent nature of her alleged actions, we implore your
  office to take every measure necessary to ensure that the convicted is
  prohibited from contact with animals and to immediately seize any
  animals who may remain in her charge.

  Thank you for your diligence in this matter and for your time and
  consideration.

  Sincerely,

  Stephanie Bell, Cruelty Caseworker
  Domestic Animal and Wildlife Rescue & Information Department