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'WE ARE WATCHING': Protesters send message in animal abuse case involving former Big Kahuna's owner (with PHOTO GALLERY)
CRESTVIEW — Joe Bruner wasn’t in court Thursday afternoon, but several animal rights protesters showed up with signs to garner support from passing motorists.
“We wanted to send a message to the judge that we are watching,” said Kathy, a protester from Destin who asked that her last name not be used.
View a photo gallery of the protesters »
Kathy and about six others gathered in front of the Okaloosa County Courthouse just like they’ve done during several other animal abuse cases this year.
Bruner, 56, is the former owner of Big Kahuna’s water park in Destin. He is charged with using an animal to fight or bait another animal and felony battery with a prior conviction.
A surveillance video from Bruner Middle School in April 2008 caught a suspect believed to be Bruner taunt his dogs with a cat before placing the cat on the ground for the dogs to chase. The cat was found dead the next morning on school grounds.
“It was the video that made me come out today,” said Joseph from Panama City, who also asked that his name not be used. “This is something small I can do to make sure he gets punished.”
“Cruelty is cruelty and murder is murder,” said Michele McCormick of Fort Walton Beach.
Bruner did not have to be present for his arraignment Thursday. His lawyer entered not guilty pleas to both charges, according to the Clerk of Courts Web site.
“I was really worried (the state attorney’s office) would say they didn’t have enough evidence and dismiss it,” Kathy said. “So many of these cases the person just gets off. These people have lawyers and witnesses. The animals have nothing.”
That was the thought behind the protesters’ Crestview Kitty group. The gatherings began last year when Jason Williams decided to organize rallies to stand up for animal rights after charges were filed against two Crestview men who were accused of abusing a kitten and then bludgeoning it to death with a sledge hammer.
“I’m pleased everyone has been so dedicated,” Williams said as a passing motorist honked a car horn. “I’d stand out here by myself if it came down to it, though.”
Bruner is scheduled to be in court again at 9 a.m. Jan. 14.
