Animals need love - and lawyers! Unimaginable acts of cruelty must end. In courtrooms across America, ALDF is winning the case against cruelty!

It was not Dexter who ignited Travis Wilson's rage, but abusing the 35-pound Basset Hound was one way to send a message to Wilson's girlfriend, who was Dexter's guardian. After kidnapping and beating Dexter until he was left paralyzed, Wilson returned two weeks later to cut off all of the convalescing dog's limbs, burn his body and leave his remains in his girlfriend's driveway. Sentenced to a minimum of four years in jail, Wilson was set free after serving just 193 days. Following this tragedy, the Animal Legal Defense Fund (ALDF) worked with legislators in Wyoming to strengthen their animal cruelty laws. This effort culminated with Wyoming's passage of a felony cruelty law--"e;Dexter's Law"e;--in 2003.

Few people realize how often animals like Dexter are victims of abusive partners who see their partner's pet as a target for their anger. A 1997 survey found that 85 percent of women seeking shelter came from homes in which companion animals were also abused. Almost half of women delay leaving a dangerous domestic situation because they fear that their partners will harm or kill the family pet.

To help combat this fear, seven states and counting have enacted laws that specifically allow judges to issue orders of protection for animals in domestic violence situations.

ALDF works to promote legislation protecting animals, and to protect the lives and advance the interests of animals throughout the legal system. For more information, visit www.aldf.org.