Top penalty sought for abuser of kittens

Animal advocates have launched a campaign to get people to encourage a judge to impose the maximum sentence on a man who abused kittens to get sympathy from an ex-girlfriend.

Clint L. Wilkes of Kearns was accused of having collected free kittens from classified advertisements and abusing them in order to maintain contact with a former girlfriend by asking her to help with the injured animals.

Earlier this week, Wilkes agreed to a plea bargain and pleaded guilty to an amended assault charge. In exchange, two counts of animal cruelty were dismissed. Judge Peggy Acomb is expected to order his sentence on May 21 in Salt Lake County Justice Court.

In a press release Thursday, the Humane Society of Utah said it wants people to contact Acomb in writing, urging her to impose on Wilkes the maximum possible penalty of six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.

The release asked those who want more information on how to contact the judge to call 261-2919.