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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 27, 2009
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I was intimately involved in this case - I was on the scene shortly before his arrest at the request of another reptile rescue and the police dept/animal control. In all of my years in the wildlife profession I have never in my life seen such neglect,torture, and cruelty towards animals. Tank after tank of dead, decaying and/or dying herps. The lucky ones were packed in a freezer (three large chest freezers full of animals that undoubtedly died from torture). Most of those that were rescued died w/in a few weeks after being removed from this "store". What probably shocked me most was that customers were coming in the store surprised that the place was being closed down. In his store front pond, you could see half a dozen dead turtles floating from the sidewalk outside! The place was no doubt just a drug front because anyone with a soul would never let this happen. 43 years may sound harsh but this guy has had his chances to clean up and has not learned his lessons. I hope he can get his life in order but at some point you have to man-up and take responsibility for your actions.
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by pictigaster1 on September 27, 2009
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Thanks Rob that is exactly what I thought and what I was hopeing for real information .Drugs is what I thought 43 now sounds more realistic.
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by agkistrodude on September 28, 2009
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The cases against him for the mistreatment of animals alone is what he faces 43 years for.That's not enough in my eyes.I don't believe there are any drug charges at this point that I've read. I could be wrong though.
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by Rob_Carmichael on September 28, 2009
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No, I do not believe drug charges are involved...just extreme animal neglect. When you are talking about literally 100's of abused animals, the years rack up pretty fast. Yes, 43 years sounds pretty severe considering fricking murderers get off far easier (and rapists, child molesters, etc.). My gut feeling is that he'll get a much less severe sentence but whatever he gets, he'll have to take ownership of.
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by kacz on September 28, 2009
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I believe the quote was “He faces up to 43 years”. This may very well be the sum of all the potential maximum sentences served consecutively. Even if convicted on all counts, I doubt this will happen. The court will probably see this case as a single incident or act. Most often the sentences, even multiple counts, associated with a single act are served concurrently. In effect the length of the sentence will be determined by the longest sentence associated with the most egregious act. And we haven’t even mentioned plea bargains.
While his guilt or innocence is determined on its own merit, sentencing can also consider his previous record and his mental state. Remember that this is a crime with no human victims (please don’t belabor this point). A lot will depend on the judge, lawyers, notoriety generated by the press and the local political climate.
Personally, unless he’s a real “nut case” and doesn’t understand his actions, I think this guy should be thrown to the wolves for the ammunition he’s giving the animal extremists. But don’t count on it.
Kacz
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by Nakita on September 28, 2009
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I completely agree. These types of cases rarely result in long term prison sentences.I'd be surpised and at least partially satisfied (although he deserves much more) if he had to pull 5 years but I don't see it happening. We'll see soon enough I reckon.
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by jenni on November 2, 2010
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think about what kind of person that it would take in order for him to torture animal by leaving them in a cages with other dead animal to watch them slowly be eaten away. think about what kind of person that it would take for him to laugh at the fact that he put life bate in with crocs, but the crocs had their mouths taped shut for weeks and weeks starving to death. it was his hobby to starve the animals, see how long he could starve them before the animals around them ate it. what kind of person says, this animal can go a months without food, that saves me this much money, and i can sell it by then. what was said that happened, and how bad it really was before he had his ppl cover his ass, is two diff stories. said 100 animals, think about the 100s of animal i saw in just a few months. not only did mike find it funny what he was doing, but he also would lock me in his apt unstairs from the shop, turn off the power at the box, leave not a crumb of food anywhere, and threated to kill me on a daily bases if i left, the longest he left me was 3days. now i know what you are thinking, leave!! well i finally did, after months of mental, and unspeakable physicall abuse. he tortured my mind, he beat my body, and he used my love and guilt for the animals to keep me around. one day i ran, and i never looked back, learning to get through life with the permanat damage he did to me. dont look at this charge and say, prison for not caring right for animal, look at what was happening, and the mental state a person would have to be in to do this to hundreds of animals for months and months and months. everyday he had new games he would play torturing the animal, he said he liked to play mind games with the animal, and if he couldnt take it out on them, he would be taking it out on woman. which he already did, but i dont think he was far from putting me in a cage. he lived upstair with the smell of death everyday, he got off on this, just as he got off on scaring the people around him, manipulating them, and hurting them. this man has children most dont know about, him doing 43yrs would save them and their mother!!
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by pictigaster1 on November 2, 2010
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Jenni thank god you got out.If what you say is true then 143 years is not enough.Ihope you are doing a little better away from this evil sadistic dude
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RE: Michael Wilk - not again
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by CanadianSnakeMan on November 2, 2010
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Jenni,
To echo what Archie said, I'm also glad you got out and that you're safe now. You should definitely contact the authorities about this. I would imagine that you would be an excellant witness in court. Sharing your experience with this bottom-feeder could definitely help to give him the sentence he really deserves. I sincerely hope that you will consider doing this, but I understand if you decide not to, as the memories can be painful to re-live.
The way people treat animals often reflects how they treat other people. For example, abusing a family pet is often a forshadowing of an abusive or controlling relationship.
People bond with pets to experience compassion and care over another being. It is a selfless act that nurtures our sense of responsibility and love. Any abusive relationship with an animal is inexcusable. Even livestock for food deserve a better life and death.
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