On July 12, 2013, in Savage, Minnesota, Rudolph Poppe brutally beat his Golden Retriever, Millie, in the head more than 15 times with a sledgehammer and then put a plastic bag over her head to end her life. Despite pleas from neighbors to stop, and an offer to take Millie to the vet, he continued beating her.
When police arrived, they found Millie in the driveway with Poppe standing nearby covered in blood. Poppe told police that the dog was old, could barely walk and had pooped in the house and that he wanted to put Millie out of her misery.
Police said when they removed the bag from Millie’s head, her skull was open, she was still breathing and her eyes were open . . . and she tried twice to get up. She was taken to an emergency vet where she had to be euthanized due to the extent of her injuries.
MILLIE’S LIFE ENDED VIOLENTLY. This violence traumatized the whole community and the neighbors who witnessed this unspeakable act (adults and children).
Poppe has been charged with four crimes: two counts felony animal torture/cruelty, one count gross misdemeanor obstruction of justice/resisting arrest, and one count misdemeanor disorderly conduct.
Justice4Millie demands that Poppe be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and convicted of felony animal torture. NO PLEA DEALS FOR POPPE.
Millie deserves justice.
Media Stories about Millie:
Star Tribune, Minneapolis: Protestors demand 'Justice for Millie' at hearing for man who smashed dog's head with sledgehammer (http://www.startribune.com/local/south/216176151.html)
KSTP, Channel 5 News: Savage Man Appears in Court on Animal Cruelty Charges (http://kstp.com/news/stories/S3103606.shtml?cat=1)
Shakopee Patch, Savage Man Allegedly Attacks Pet Dog With Sledgehammer (http://shakopee.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/savage-man-allegedly-attacks-pet-dog-with-sledgehammer_5c337eae)
Dear County Attorney Ciliberto
We know you love dogs as much as we do. Attached is a petition by over 10,000 people who read about what happened to Millie and shared their support for you in prosecuting Rudolph Poppe to the fullest extent of the law.
Millie's life ended violently, but what happened to her also traumatized a whole community and the neighbors who witnessed her death.
We hope that you and the judge will hear our pleas for justice for Mille and for those who witnessed Poppe's violent actions.
Thank you.
Justice 4 Millie