Man Pleads Guilty to Animal Cruelty Charges
A Victory for the Washington Humane Society's Humane Law Enforcement Division

Washington, DC– During the course of an investigation of a dog fighting case in November 2006, Washington Humane Society Humane Law Enforcement Officer Chris Schindler impounded 3 pit bull puppies from Burudi Faison in the 5000 Block of Sheriff Road, NE. The puppies were found emaciated, living in filthy conditions and 1 was suffering from infected bite wounds.

On June 19, 2007 the owner of the three pit bull puppies, Burudi Faison, pled guilty to 2 of the 3 charges of misdemeanor Cruelty to Animals in DC Superior Court; Judge Rankin presiding. Burudi Faison was charged with 1 count of Cruelty to Animals for failure to provide veterinary care to the emaciated pit bull puppy with the infected bite wounds, and a 2nd count of Cruelty to Animals for a second emaciated pit bull puppy.

Burudi Faison was sentenced to the following:

• 180 days in jail all suspended, but 15 days for each count to be served consecutively (30 days total jail time)
• $600 in fines for each count ($1200 in total fines)
• $100 court fees for each count ($200 total)
• 2-years supervised probation with drug testing
• A “stay away” order from all animals for 2-years (defined by Judge Rankin as in Mr. Faison’s care, custody, control or being cared for on his direction)

Chartered by Congress in 1870, the Washington Humane Society is the only animal protection agency in DC to enforce anti-cruelty statutes and protects all of the District’s animal residents, and enforces the District’s Animal Control laws under a contract with the DC government. In order to keep up with the city’s 24-hour-a-day, 365-day-a-year demand for animal protection, the Society depends on the support of the community.

For more information, please contact: Tara deNicolas Phone: (202) 723-5730 (ext. 226) E-mail: Tara.deNicolas@washhumane.org

Please visit the Washington Humane Society web site for information: www.washhumane.org

The Washington Humane Society is the oldest animal protection agency in Washington, D.C. Since 1870, WHS open door policy has served homeless, lost, and abused animals in the District of Columbia; providing protection from cruelty, shelter from the elements, and a second chance at a loving home. No call for help goes unanswered, and no animal is ever turned away.

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