The man who shot the black dog 100 times, Aaron Armstrong of Waldoboro, should have a psychiatric evaluation as part of his sentence. People who torture animals often graduate to hurting people. He should also be banned from ever owning an animal of any kind.

These conditions on sentences should become law on all degrees of cruelty and neglect. Animal control officers should have the ability to check on these people, remove any animals on the premises and bring charges.

I’ve been told that animal cruelty cases are sometimes not prosecuted because of the heavy schedules of the courts. In some aspects, animal cruelty can be more serious than burglaries given the long term possibilities.

I hope with psychiatric evaluations we may prevent another Sandy Hook.

Jessica Winfield

Augusta