May 2010
In addition to donations to help pay the bills, Voices for Pets also needs a dependable automobile. If you have one to donate and Voices for Pets uses it in our work, you can deduct the full Blue Book value on your taxes. We also need a person with basic computer skills in the Walnut Creek, Concord area for 1 to 2 hours a week.
Thank you for your support
Leyor Moyer, Director
December 2009
Voices for Pets has worked for 16 years to make a positive change in the way our culture treats senseless violence against defenseless victims. For those of you who have been part of Voices for Pets over the years, you know that we have had many successes and there is so much more work to be done.
The last two years have been particularly difficult for all of us, but we must not allow ourselves to be discouraged by feelings of helplessness and being overwhelmed. The larger organizations that had reserves invested in the stock market lost much of their investment and had to lay off paid staff. Some organizations, such as domestic and woman's shelters, have lost millions in government grants.
Animal welfare organizations receive no government money and smaller organizations such as Voices for Pets, which is 100% volunteer supported, have no one to lay off. The only support for our work comes from individuals like you.
Please take a moment now to make your gift to Voices for Pets so we can continue to be the "Voices" for those who cannot seek justice for themselves. We thank you and wish you and your furry companions a peaceful and joyous holiday season.
Leroy Moyer, Director
Click here for our December 2009 Newsletter
Current Case
SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA SERIAL CAT TORTURE CASE
May 2010 Update
Riverside County District Attorney Rod Pacheco has charged 26 year old Timothy Kooyman with 3 felony counts of animal cruelty, plus 2 enhancements of using a deadly weapon in the commission of a felony. These crimes were committed in his motel room April, 2008.
Kooyman was recently transported to Riverside County from Avenal State Prison where he was serving his 5 year sentence. He has pleaded not guilty to all the new charges.
Click here for our May 2010 Update Letter for the full story
Click here for the Preliminary Hearing Transcript
March 2010 Update
A preliminary hearing is set for March 23, 2010 at 8:30am in Department 41 of the Riverside Superior Court, 4100 Main Street.
Kooyman has pled not guilty to all charges.
Kooyman was recently transported to Riverside County from Avenal State Prison where he was serving a five year sentence for torturing and killing cats in San Bernardino County.
Before that Kooyman was on felony probation for a 2007 conviction of repeatedly torturing a cat.
Click here for our Press Relase for the full story
April 2009 Update
Timothy Kooyman has been sentenced to five years in state prison after accepting a plea deal from prosecutors. Pleading no contest to four felonies including three counts of animal cruelty and one account of unlawfully causing a fire. As part of his deal, Kooyman will receive one strike toward the state’s three strikes law.
Read about the case in the news
February 2009 Update
On February 20, 2009 at 8:30 AM there will be a hearing in Department R-2 of the San Bernardino County Superior Court, Rancho Cucamonga Courthouse concerning this case.
Accused cat torturer and killer Timothy Kooyman amended his plea to not guilty by reason of insanity to three counts of animal cruelty, and to one count of recklessly causing a fire. The court has appointed two doctors to examine Kooyman, and their reports are due on Februray 20, 2009.
In his response to Kooyman’s new plea, Judge Steve Malone explained to Kooyman that if his plea is ultimately found true-if he is found to be not guilty by reason of insanity either by a jury or a court trial-Kooyman could spend a minimum of 90 days or a maximum of life in a state hospital. Judge Malone made sure to ask Kooyman if he understood this. Kooyman replied that he did.
Because of Kooyman’s insanity plea, he will face trial on criminal charges, and if found guilty he will then face an additional trial phase where a jury will determine whether or not he was insane at the time of his alleged crimes.
Deputy District Attorney Debbie Ploghaus, has said “There is a difference between insane and evil. I think this is a crime of sheer evilness”.