Two adult men – identified as Steven Sadler and Boots Stanley – were arrested on Thursday, Aug. 25, after a video was posted to Snapchat and shared on facebook depicting them engaging in the prolonged tortuous death of an utterly helpless dog, according to KNOE 8 News.

The poor dog couldn’t possibly fathom that once these men got their talons on him, he was doomed – not just to die, but to suffer.

As the Daily Mail reported, one man is basically strangling the dog and proudly likens himself to Michael Vick. Then, the dog is seen dangling off the back of a horse, while he desperately tries in vain to get some relief. The last scene is of Sadler slicing the dog’s throat several times until he bleeds out. This incident occurred at the Bastrop, Louisiana horse slaughter pen.

Many are outraged. Even those who don’t necessarily consider themselves as animal lovers are mad. Petitions are surfacing everywhere.

Another petition has been created to specifically urge the prosecuting attorney to not accept a guilty plea (or any type of plea deal) from the defendants. The reason is stated in the petition, which reads, as follows:

We urge the Morehouse District Attorney’s Office and the prosecuting attorney to not accept a plea deal or guilty plea from Boots Stanley and Steven Sadler for the prolonged torture-killing of a helpless dog, ultimately resulting in his death.

Pursuant to section 102.1 of the enforcement provisions of corporations for prevention of cruelty to animals, the consequences for accepting a plea deal, guilty plea, or a plea of nolo contendere could potentially result in a mere slap on the wrist, and in no way reflects the severity of Stanley’s and Sadler’s intentional act of egregious cruelty. If pled down to simple animal cruelty, Stanley and Sadler will only be required to pay one thousand dollars, or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both. In addition, they may be required to perform 400 hours of community service and get psychiatric counseling.

There is no “fixing” these adult men with psychiatric counseling. The video shows that they reveled in abusing and torturing a helpless animal, and watching him suffer. Their behavior is anti-social and inherently evil. People who engage in such conduct are deeply disturbed; psychopathic. Animal cruelty is now recognized as a “signature pathology.” The link between animal cruelty and violence towards humans cannot be ignored.

Collectively, we urge the District Attorney’s Office to fully prosecute Boots Stanley and Steven Sadler and, if found guilty, to sentence both to the maximum penalty allowable in the State of Louisiana.

Supporters are asked to click here to both sign and share the petition, which will be mailed to the Morehouse Parish District Attorney’s Office, the Prosecuting Attorney in the Stanley, Sadler Dog Torture Case and Mayor Arthur E. Jones.

What prompts grown men to engage in these types of inhumane, barbaric acts? People in their right minds – normal people – don’t understand it and, as such, cannot answer that question. One thing is clear, these types of individuals are the epitome of both evil and cowardice. They are evil because they pass on suffering to another living being. They are cowards because their victims will always be helpless. Their fear is that they will not have access to victims. Therefore, their punishment should be to cut off their access to helpless victims – human and nonhuman.

Petition link here.

Updated article here.