Dog Named Trinity Goes From Abuse Victim to Ambassador
5th Grade Kiwanis K-Kids and Others Learn from Canine
No doubt Trinity had no idea what important work would be in store for her when she was adopted into a new, forever home after enduring severe abuse. But she seems to have gladly taken on the challenge, armed with a smile, genuine canine enthusiasm and the companionship of her human caretaker, Ray Davis, and Grant County Sheriff Deputy, Mike Burns.
Since October 2009, Trinity and her human partners have been visiting local schools, fraternal organizations and anyone else willing to listen in order to teach people about animal cruelty, the link between animal abuse and other kinds of violence, and kindness to animals. Their first visit, to the Silver City Rotary Club, was used to raise funds for First Strike® materials, made available by the Humane Society of the United States. Its First Strike® campaign was created in 1997 to raise public and professional awareness about the connection between animal cruelty and other violent crime violence and to help communities identify some of the origins of violence, predict its patterns, and prevent its escalation.
Because of Trinity, Mike and Deputy Burns decided to do whatever they could to stop animal abuse. Now with Trinity at their side, they are on a mission to teach adults and young people anywhere in New Mexico about the terrible effects of animal abuse and to work to end it. Other audiences have included the Silver City Kiwanis Club and the Student Success class at Western New Mexico University.
Most recently Mike and Trinity visited the Kiwanis K-Kids, 5th graders at Stout Elementary School in Silver City. The response from the youngsters was overwhelming.
Silver City residents Ray Davis, Deputy Burns and Trinity target animal abuse by informing and activating young people like these.
|
|
APNM’s supporters may remember that in the fall of 2008, we reported that the perpetrator responsible for the appalling abuse of a Silver City dog now named Trinity would finally be brought to justice.
When Trinity was found by an area resident near a Silver City landfill, the young female dog was severely emaciated, she'd been shot in the head with a pellet gun, her right hind leg was mangled and nearly two inches of bone was exposed. Her foot had rotted and turned black.
APNM was able to place the story on local TV news broadcasts, and added funds to the reward that Grant County Crime Stoppers was offering. People in the Silver City area started talking.
The dog's former “guardian” was arrested by Deputy Burns and eventually convicted in March 2009 of animal cruelty, sentenced to 200 hours of community service, but later sentenced also to five days in jail for violating the terms of his probation, which included court-mandated counseling sessions. Trinity was adopted into the loving arms of Ray and Bonnie Davis of Silver City.
If you would like to help ensure other animals have a chance at a happy ending like Trinity did, please contribute to APNM and its life-saving programs that help animals anywhere in New Mexico. Our effective programs span the state, and with your support we will continue to make sure that animals matter in every New Mexican community.
Visit Local Santa Fe Establishments
in March and Support APNM!
Support the Animals Saturday
Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM) is very pleased to participate in “Support the Animals Saturday” sponsored by Tullivers Pet Food Emporium (
www.tulliverspetfood.com) in Santa Fe. Please visit us at Tullivers on
March 13th from 11:00am until 3:00pm, when we will be present to provide information about the life-saving work we do for New Mexico’s animals and the people who care about them. Don’t forget to shop for your furry friends too, as Tullivers will contribute a generous 10% of the day’s proceeds to APNM! Tulivers is located at
807 Cerrillos Road, Santa Fe, phone: (505) 992-3388.
Vegan For A Buck Supports APNM
Come hungry to Sunflower Farmers Market at Santa Fe’s DeVargas Mall on
March 27th from 11:00am until 2:00pm, when they will prepare a delicious vegan meal, sell it for “a buck”, and donate the proceeds to Animal Protection of New Mexico (APNM)! APNM will be present to meet, greet and inform the public about the many ways we make sure animals matter in every New Mexican community. The public will also be urged to get personally involved and help APNM make an even bigger difference with their participation and financial support. Please join us for “Vegan for a Buck” and take home a terrific, heart-healthy recipe that’s cruelty free too!) Sunflower Market is located at
De Vargas Center, 199 Paseo de Peralta, Santa Fe, phone: Phone: 505-988-1140.
