Conklin Dairy: Express your disappointment, ask for harshest sentence
In response to the disappointing decision regarding the Conklin Dairy abuse case, PLEASE VISIT THIS LINK, OR CLICK ON THE ABOVE PICTURE, TO SEND THE MESSAGE DETAILED BELOW:
http://www.change.org/petitions/view/conklin_walks_after_good_old_boys_club_talks
- If you wish to send Mr. Phillips a separate message, please find his contact details HERE
- Please also share this message with the Ohio Department of Agriculture:
Ohio Department of Agriculture
Dairy Division
8995 E. Main St
Reynoldsburg,OH 43068
Phone: (614) 466-5550 EMAIL: dairy@agri.ohio.gov
PETITION LETTER TO PROSECUTOR PHILLIPS:
Dear Honorable Phillips,
I have learned of an extremely disturbing case of animal cruelty on the Conklin Dairy farm where certain individuals deliberately caused the suffering of numerous animals; although I have written previously, I am writing again to express my support of sentencing this defendant, Billy Jo Gregg, Jr., to the maximum penalty allowed under the law as the result of his deliberate and methodical abuse and neglect of animals. It is essential to recognize that Mr. Gregg’s decision to harm these animals was premeditated as demonstrated by the chronicle of events occurring over a lengthy period of time, namely 30 days, as established by Mercy for Animals’ undercover investigation.
I have also been informed that, as the result of a grand jury recommendation, Mr. Gary Conklin, owner of the dairy farm, may not face charges as the result of the footage capturing his treatment of animals, and I am greatly disturbed by this decision. Although I can appreciate the need for impartial testimony and evidence, humane societies and veterinarians are unquestionably biased: the AVMA, for example, frequently approves various protocols, including unanesthetized branding, dental extractions, and castration, as medically appropriate, and community humane societies decidedly favor animal farming, euthanasia, and population control, all inherently exploitive practices.
Furthermore, with the absence of any judicial animal representation, all persons involved would be prejudiced toward humans. Indeed, the law is grossly inadequate relative to non-human animals and, in fact, only defines them in accordance with human animal benefits, duplicitous rhetoric that is advantageous to humans and not the animals for whom they are intended. Any regulations that legislate the permissibility of animal exploitation and death cannot, by their very definitions, be considered protective. Additionally, you may be surprised to learn that the Animal Welfare Act specifically excludes animals “used for food” from any measure of protection, a fundamentally cruel bias. As such, to dismiss Mr. Conklin’s actions, clearly represented on video footage, as appropriate, only further endorses the inaccurate precept that non-human animals are exploitable as determined by human animals. Were his actions truly “appropriate”? Indeed, should you replace the animals he abused with humans, would you continue to define the actions as “appropriate”? I would surmise that you perhaps would not. Animals value their lives absent our definitions of them, and they all experience suffering, pain, fear, and sadness; their emotions are not precluded by our deception.
When I try to imagine what possible motive animal abusers entertain for subjecting their animal victims to such acts of brutality, I fail, but I am thankful for a lack of cognitive understanding and rationalization. To voluntarily engage in such behaviour demonstrates an incontrovertible lack of morality regarding other living beings and a gross disrespect for the law. In fact, a person who shows such a remarkable lack of compassion towards non-human animals has the ability to show such indifference towards human animals. This link between animal and human abuse has been established, and if we excuse this behaviour, or agree to a lesser punishment, we only harm ourselves by unjustly nullifying cruelty as acceptable behaviour.
Please respect the victims by penalizing the guilty and demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in any judicial setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable. As such, I trust that you are pursuing the harshest sentence legally permissible for Mr. Gregg as well as remembering the victims in future cases.
I know your time is limited and I thank you for your attention to this important message.
SIGN HERE: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/conklin_walks_after_good_old_boys_club_talks
BACKGROUND
July 6, 2010
Simulposted with The Columbus Dispatch
A Union County grand jury has decided the owner of a Union County dairy farm caught in an abuse scandal should not face criminal charges.
A grand jury met last week and heard testimony from an Ohio Department of Agriculture veterinarian, the Union County Humane Society and others before deciding that dairy farmer Gary Conklin did nothing criminal, according to Union County Prosecutor David Phillips.
Jurors saw hours of video tape recorded by an undercover employee of the animal-rights group, Mercy For Animals, not just the few minutes that group posted on YouTube, Phillips said.
On the tape, Conklin employee Billy Joe Gregg is seen viciously beating and abusing cows and calves at the Plain City farm. Gregg has since been fired. He has been charged with 12 misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty and faces a felony weapons charge. He has pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
Also on the tape, Conklin is shown kicking a cow that is lying down.
Phillips said the portion of the tape shown publicly was spliced together and that Conklin’s behavior was taken out of context. The Union County sheriff’s office said it had four veterinarians with experience in large-animal care review the tape.
“In context, Mr. Conklin’s actions were entirely appropriate,” Phillips wrote in a news release this morning. “The veterinarians told law enforcement that cows who remain down are at risk of injury or death. A cow’s muscles may atrophy. Once that happens, the cow may never get up and may suffer or die.”
In an e-mailed statement, Gary Conklin called the announcement bittersweet.
“It is gratifying that the grand jury found no reason to bring any charges against our farm, family members or current employees,” he wrote. “However, we remain extraordinarily saddened by the willful abuse of animals on our farm by one of our former employees.”
He said this has been “a horrible time for the Conklin family” and that Gregg’s abuse did not reflect the farm’s commitment to animal care. He said he hopes to put the matter behind him, and continue to run the fourth-generation cattle-sales business along Rt. 42.
Jurors also reviewed the actions of another Conklin employee as well as the Mercy for Animals investigator, who admitted to poking animals with pitchforks to maintain his cover, and they found nothing that merited criminal charges, Phillips said.
The criminal investigation isn’t over, however. Phillips said threats of violence and murder made by animal-rights activists against the Conklins are still under review and information may be forwarded to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for possible charges under the federal Animal Enterprise Terrorism Act.
Daniel Hauff, director of investigations for Mercy For Animals, said he could not comment until he had seen the prosecutor’s office news release.
PLEASE SIGN HERE: http://www.change.org/petitions/view/conklin_walks_after_good_old_boys_club_talks
Our Compass 
These cowardly animal abusers should be kicked off planet earth.
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Please respect the victims by penalizing the guilty and demonstrate your commitment to justice, responsibility, and integrity, attributes unquestionably necessary in any judicial setting: rejecting cruelty by maintaining an unyielding position towards it would be a model for all community members and would serve to characterize this type of behaviour as both impermissible and punishable. As such, I trust that you are pursuing the harshest sentence legally permissible for Mr. Gregg as well as remembering the victims in future cases.
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This man is a disgusting human being with mental and emotional problems. We want the harshest sentence possible! I will sign and push for it all I can. I am SICK to death of all the violence towards animals! Bad enough we have violence against children and women! ENOUGH IS ENOUGH!!! Unless these kind of actions are considered criminal and punishable by law, this will never stop!!!!!!
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How much were you paid? This is not over!
This country, with its institutions, belongs to the people who inhabit it. Whenever they shall grow weary of the existing government, they can exercise their constitutional right of amending it, or exercise their revolutionary right to overthrow it. -Abraham Lincoln
“I am in favor of animal rights as well as human rights. That is the way of a whole human being.” -Abraham Lincoln
It’s not the government of the United States who fought to free the slaves. The abolitionists did.
It’s not the government of the United States who fought to give women the right to vote. The suffragists did.
It’s not the government of the United States who fought for the environment. The environmentalists did.
And it’s NOT the government of the United States who are fighting for the protection of animals. Animal activists are.
Considering the biggest movements in the governments history of this count, their record is a poor one. -Shaun Monson
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They really makes me sad that people are aloud to get away with something like this:(
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PLEASE GIVE THESE ABUSERS THE WORSE PUNISHMENT POSSIBLE !! THIS IS TOTALLY SICKING TO HURT THESE ANIMALS !! ALL THEY WANT TO DO IS TO BE MILKED, FED, WATERED AND CARED FOR .. IF THEY COULD DO IT THEM SELVES THEY WOULD BUT WE AS HUMANS HAVE THE BRAINS AND ABILITY TO HELP THEM.. BUT APPEARENTLY THE ABUSERS DON’T HAVE ANY BRAINS !! OR A HEART !! TAKE THEM DOWN FOR HURTING THESE OR ANY ANIMAL !!!
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So the abusers get to commit horrendous acts of violence while suffering a single consequence. Anyone who thinks these acts do not transfer to humans and every aspect of the abusers life is beyond hope. It is proven, and they will only get worse if not removed from society.
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Meant without suffering a single consequence…
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Another FAIL for the animals!!!!!
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this is reprehensible let me kick you in the face when ur terrified and unable to fight back-this monster should be locked up for years!! what a joke America SHAME ON YOU!!
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I am extremely disappointed that Gary Conklin will not be held accountable for the despicable actions against those docile animals. In my opinion, a person who engages in such cruelty is not fit to live among a free society and instead, should be incarcerated for a very long time. In my opinion, by allowing him his freedom, the lawmakers in Ohio share the guilt of his actions. Shame on every single one of you! I am thrilled beyond thrilled that I do not live in Ohio!
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I am extremely disappointed that Gary Conklin will not be held accountable for the despicable actions against those innocent animals on his very own farm. A person who engages in such cruelty is not fit to live among a free society and instead, should be incarcerated for a very long time. By allowing him his freedom, the lawmakers in Ohio share the guilt of his actions. Shame on every single one of you! I am thrilled beyond belief that I do not live in Ohio & I will never, ever come visit your state, or buy any product from there whatsoever. What a disgrace this is! You should be ashamed. May you come back as one of those poor abused cows on his farm in your next life.
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I think your justice system & your Vets suck ass & hope Gary rots in hell!
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I can’t believe such horrible acts go unpunished!! No animal deserves to suffer at the hands of humans… And anybody who takes pleasure in letting animals suffer has serious mental problems and needs to be locked away… THIS IS WRONG AND IT NEEDS TO STOP!!
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I am not at all surprised that a state known to us civil educated animal loving people in Connecticut would react this way as cowards! To allow this sort of behavior to go unpunished is nothing more than a disgrace, inexcusable, inbred in behavior, barbaric, twisted, sadistic, heartless and shameful.
I absolutely am disgusted in the fact that police protection was given to these sick evil rotten wastes of live when a peaceful protest was to take place. COWARDS!
I m outraged and my intelligence has again been insulted with the lax judicial system and the so called clown prosecutors who ought to go back to scholl and refresh themselves on rights and laws. Your all worthless watses of life from the police, to the court system on down to the hillbilly animal torturing coward Billy Joe and Conklin Farms. Your all disgusting pigs.
I have lost sleep over that video. Nights of torture over and over seeing that freak coward abuse those poor animals and why are they being let go unpunnished?? because it is a dairy farm? Is someone being bribed? No…..nobody would line their pickets and make this al go away now would they.
ohio has been known to be anything but civil. No animal laws let alone a judicual system that acts any more eucated than the redneck trash like Billy Joe and the owners of Conklin Dairy farm.
May the video haunt you for the rest of your life.
May the thoughts of the child this monster Billy Joe sodomizes or tortures way on your head.
because he will move on to a child. If he hasnt already!! BUT DO NOT INSULT US ALL BY SAYING THAT THIS VIDEO WAS SPLICED. YOU DISGUSTING LOW LIFE COWARDS. HOW MUCH IS CONKLIN PAYING YOU TO RULE THIS WAY?
BASTARDS THATS WHAT YOU ARE AND YOUR MOTHER RAISED YOU ALL TO BE ABUSIVE DEGENERATE HILLBILLY TRASH ANIMAL ABUSING TRASH AT THAT.
I CAN ONLY THANK GOD I LIVE IN A STATE THAT PUNISHES ANIMAL ABUSERS AND I AM NOT SURROUNDED BY THE PROSECUTION- THE JUDGES- AND THE DAIRY OWNERS IN THIS RECHID STATE.
YOUR ALL FILTH AND I CURSE YOU ALL
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I could not have said this better! The cows on that dairy farm should all be placed in sancutaries and the farm be dismantled piece by piece by the owner while being stabbed with pitchforks.
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I couldn’t agree with you more….I am only sorry that I just this minute was made aware of what transpired there. I would have been MORE THAN HAPPY to send letters to everyone concerned….ESPECIALLY the legal ones involved…..(judge, attorneys, etc.) As always, I will continue to do EVERYTHING in my power to speak for the animals.
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Hang this asshole by the balls, that still won’t be enuf punishment if you ask me. How can you allow this man back on the farm to continue the abuse, You have no brain and this makes no sense. I say kick him to the curb, or we’ll be throwing him under the cow stampede for you!
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IM OLD SCHOOL. I BELIEVE THESE SKUM BAGS GET WHAT THEY GAVE. AND I WOULD BE TOO HAPPY TO GIVE IT BACK ONLY HE WOULDNT BE WALKIN OR TALKIN ABOUT IT. TRUST!
THIS IS JUSTICE? WHAT KIND OF COURT IS THIS?
YOU GUYS ALL SUCK. YOUR CLOWNS. AND PEOPLE LIKE US ARENT GOING AWAY.
YOU ON THE OTHER HAND YOUR A SMALL TINY MAN WITH A TINY COCK TO GO WITH HIS TINY HEART AND HIS TINY LITTLE JOB.
YOU ARE AN ABSOLUTE WASTE OF A PAY CHECK AND A POSITION OF WHICH SOCIETY DEPENDS ON YOU TO TREAT CRIMINALS AS SUCH.
YOU OUGHTA BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELF SKUMBAG.
I HAVE NEVER WANTED TO SPIT N SOMEONES FACE LIKE I WANNA SPIT IN THIS PIECE OF SHIT PROSECUTORS FACE RIGHT NOW.
BUT ALL ON YOU DOUCHE BAGS. WHEN HE RAPES SOME KID, BEATS HER TO DEATH OR GOES ON THE NORMAL AFTER TORTUERING ANIMALS THEY GO ON A SERIL KILLIN SPREE.
LET IT WEIGH ON YOUR HEAD AND ITS ALL ON YOU DOUCHE BAG.
NICE TO KNOW YOU COULD CARE LESS ABOUT SOCIETY AND THEIR SAFETY.
ACTUALLY IF YOU AND THIS PIECE OF ROTTING FLESH VET THINK THIS IS NORMAL PRACTICE MAYBE YOU TWO OUGHT TO BE IN JAIL WITH THAT BILLY BOB BILLY JOE BILLY TWAT BILLY PUSSY WHAT EVER HIS NAME IS.
YOU ALL SICK.
JETHRO MENTALITY LOW LIFE TRASH
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There are too many sociopaths in our society today and sadly so many work on factory farms. What is wrong with the human race?
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Do not understand your verdict. This man should have received a tougher sentence.
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I am absolutely outraged that this monster and his employees are not being put in jail for extreme animal cruelty.
I would like to know the name of the name of the expert who testified that the treatment of those animals was acceptable. The Judge is a freaking idiot period!!!!
Someone or many got paid off I’m sure of that.
I am sickened totally by the treatment of those animals.
The video spliced so what that video shows extreme cruelty. That is against the law!
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i only can see the court is full of clawns, people who doesn’t show any interest in protection of the non-humans, allowing people to harm innocent creatures,and is terrible to know that this behavior is spreading around the country without a serious laws to enforce the people to act right.
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It’s ok. The law of reciprocity has a funny way of evening things out. One of those psychos will end up working next to one of the Grand Juror’s kids, making close friends with them, or dating one of them…and BAM…justice rules.
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This is an outrage!!! Stupid Humans!!!!!
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So wrong that these monsters get away with inflicting abuse on innocent animals.It is time for our justice system to wake up and start giving harsh punishment to these sickos.Letting them off is an outrage.There was video of these horrifying abuses,video that proves the torture and pain inflicted upon harmless cows,some just babies.I do not understand how one can NOT be guilty.It is an outrage!As for tape being spliced together….that does not change the fact that these cows were horribly abused and the workers got real joy out of it.Just nasty excuses for human beings.
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This is PURE WHITE TRASH! Boycott Ohio and boycott ALL DAIRY PRODUCTS!
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I dont understand how jabbing a cow with a ptchfork while caged or admitting on camera laughing about it that you beat an animal[cow] in the head til it couldnt walk and it would be shipped to slaughter the next day because of your abuse, or twisting a baby calves head around and punching and kicking it- isn’t abuse and punshable by our laws .I dont believe any of those actions are normal practices on farms and if they are we need to change our laws .this was and is animal cruelty
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I am furious beyond words about this, have signed petition and sent e-mails, and I hope everyone takes the time to do the same. We cannot let these animals down………
Thanks for the letter and link.
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I have never experienced such cruelty, these farmers should be
banned from keeping animals. That poor calk being kicked in the
head is too painful to watch. I wish these people nothing but bad
luck.
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This makes me straight up angry. What more proof do they need to press charges, they already have a video tape !
It’s obvious that the Conklin family has some deep roots in Union Co., roots that feel as though they are above the law, so much for our judicial system once again !!!
Well Gary Conklin, I hope to see you on the 16th of Aug., because I will be protesting my ass off, to get yours locked up !!!
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i have signed the petition and i have sent the a email……telling them what i really think of them and their laws
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“Spliced together” footage? This makes no sense at all. What the film is depicting is the specific acts of cruelty that took place–the important material for a prosecutor to look at. The footage shows exactly how awful these humans are treating these poor animals. It’s hideous, it’s cruel, it’s inhumane and these people need to be held accountable for their actions.
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Once again, we see the validity that animals have no rights. Human beings can do whatever they want, and there is not justice. He is a severely unstable and spiritually lacking in all areas, and I guarantee you he will go on to do it again and again and again.
This is TRUE INJUSTICE! I demand THIS MAN BE PUNISHED, AND HIS RIGHTS STRIPPED FROM BEING AROUND ANIMALS!
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I saw the small amount of video shown on TV and was appalled at that. I then watched the video with this petition and was even more horrified. My only question while watching this was, “why.” I cannot understand anyone being so cruel. I sometimes think they need the same treatment they give the animals. The man is definitely disturbed and should not be walking around free.
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http://ofbf.org/media-and-publications/listen/6/464/
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that is a disgrace and now more animals will suffer because lawmakers are so lenient on this subjest.
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I have recently viewed video and learned about the egregious animal abuse which is usual,
acceptable business practice in Ohio. It reminds me so very much of the egregious atrocities which were perpetrated against blacks here in Alabama during the civil rights movement, and those humans rights violations were also tolerated.. Based upon the Union County grand jury decision that the horrific abuse and cruelty to animals does not warrant criminal charges against the perpetrators, I can only conclude that Ohio citizenry is as backward and stupid as Alabama citizenry once was. Alabama still carries the stigma of being racist. Now Ohio will be known as the most lenient against animal cruelty. Makes one wonder if Ohio also celebrates and reveres pedophiles. Why not? The animals are every bit as innocent and unable to speak for themselves as the children the priest pedophiles abuse. No problem for tolerant Ohio!
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Veter. stated that kicking downed cow was acceptable because “muscles may atrophy” . What crapola . It takes years of non-use for muscles to atrophy.
The dear animal-doctor was bought by the Daity Industry, the Conklin Family, the USDA or some other pervert .
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Express your disappointment, ask for harshest sentence
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it´s horryble….!!!
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Please help and stop this nightmare!
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When is enough. The truth is plain. Stop this cruelty.
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Please help and stop this nightmare!
enough is enough
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completely enraged at this industry!!! our society must demand change NOW
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Is it any wonder people continue to abuse animals with the justice system being such a joke? Harsher penalties PLEASE!!!
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Animal abusers should get MUCH harsher punishment.They are abusing such helpless and innocent victims.It is very much like child abuse.If they are not given harsher punishment,they will just do it again and again!
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GO TO: Gary Conklin walks because of prosecutor David Phillips! Resignation demanded! change.org. This is going to David Phillips! Sign the petition!
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How can ppl be so evil
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