In Defense of Animals, an international animal protection organization that runs the Justice for Animals Campaign in Mississippi, and other Mississippi animal advocates held a vigil at the Leflore County Courthouse Thursday evening. The event was held after Eddie Gene Matthews of Greenwood, who pleaded guilty to shooting a malamute-husky mix named Luke in June, was given a fine of $500 and a suspended six-month sentence, which Doll Stanley of In Defense of Animals called “miserably inadequate.” The injured dog’s owner, Teddy Harris, is pictured with his son, Liam, while the 11-month-old pets Luke. The wound from the gunshot is still visible on the right side of the dog’s face.
