Another use for a cat. :o)
By JIM FITZGERALD
The Associated Press
OSSINING, N.Y. -- A Sing Sing prison guard accused of squeezing five kittens to death in a trash compactor used a dozen burly colleagues for protection from animal advocates Tuesday outside a village courthouse.
Sgt. Ronald Hunlock was rendered nearly invisible as fellow correction officers, all out of uniform, surrounded him like rugby players as he left a hearing in Ossining Village Court. The protesters, who waved signs but made no apparent threat, simply stepped aside.
One carried a placard that lumped Hunlock with famous serial killers, asking, "What do Jeffrey Dahmer, Ted Bundy, David Berkowitz and Ronald Hunlock all have in common? They all abused animals."
Hunlock found the kittens while searching an inmate's cell March 11 and allegedly ordered the inmate to put them in the compactor. When the inmate refused, Hunlock allegedly dumped them in and turned it on.
The kittens' mother, Midnight, was found by prison officials and is now boarding with the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in Manhattan. A spokeswoman there, Jacqueline Sammek, said Midnight is in excellent health, "all cuddly and loving," but can't be offered for adoption until the court case is over.
In court, Hunlock was silent as his lawyer, Daniel Gallivan, argued for a reduction in bail. Hunlock, who is charged with felony animal cruelty, is free on $25,000 bond.
Gallivan said Hunlock's record gave no reason to think he might not show up in court but prosecutor Lynn Rosenthal opposed the request, calling the crime serious and unique. Village Justice Raymond Barlaam kept the bail at $25,000.
Rosenthal said the case would be presented to a Westchester County grand jury for possible indictment. The charge, aggravated animal cruelty, carries a maximum two-year prison term.
After the brief hearing, Hunlock's supporters tried to keep him hidden from news cameras. Hunlock did not answer questions, taking refuge in the moving knot of men while walking to a car several blocks away. His supporters would not comment and Gallivan did not immediately return a call.
Jim Flateau, a spokesman for the state Department of Correctional Services, said Hunlock was suspended without pay Monday when departmental charges were filed. Dennis Fitzpatrick, a spokesman for the state correction officers union, complained that the department had "already found him guilty of all charges."
Flateau also said the prison administration had nothing to do with the kittens' demise.
The protesters, organized by In Defense of Animals, stood outside the courthouse, which happens to be across the street from the headquarters of Rotanis Pet Products, which makes beds and sweaters for cats.
They demanded a conviction and maximum sentence "to send a strong signal to animal abusers that this type of crime is heinous and unforgivable," said Barbara Stago, the group's Northeast director. "Can you imagine the suffering these little kittens went through? And it's really scary that this is a man who has control over other human beings."