Update on Edna’s Abduction and Murder Case
Thanks to Edna’s furdad, Bill, for barking in this update on the case against Edna’s murderer.
The DA’s office has taken the unprescedented step of releasing his name to the press. 15 year old Victor Rodriguez of Nicetown, Philadelphia, PA.
Here is the main message:
To the members of the press and media outlets:
The juvenile charged with ‘terroristic threats’, ‘attempted robbery by extortion and a litany of other offences, following the animal cruelty case, failed to show up at his pre-trial hearing today at the Youth Study Center. The Philadelphia District Attorney’s Office has issued a bench warrant for his immediate arrest.A pretrial hearing had been scheduled today, Thursday, January 31st, at 1PM (Petition #830-07-12) under the jurisdiction of DA, Angel Flores.
For additional information contact Cathy Abrookshire at 215.686.8711.
This hearing was to have been closed to the press and the outside public due to the age of the perpetrator, (he is fifteen). His name remains withheld.
This case is being closely followed by Governor Rendell’s ‘Dog Law Advisory Board’, as well as the Pennsylvania SPCA and PETA, (who combined resources along with an anonymous donor to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for the following animal cruelty crime).
For further comments and information on this case, please contact Tom Hickey of ‘Dog Law Advisory Board’ at 610.304.3753.
Nicetown, PA doesn’t sound so nice. We hope that little criminal, Victor Rodriguez, is caught and punished to the full extent of the law - asap!
What those Bastards did to BIll and Edna has made me sick to my stomach.
Where are the parents of these monsters. Why wasn’t Victor at least fitted with a electronic monitoring device.
Kids this evil should be put away forever.
This evil demon should never have been released to his irresponsible parents.
God Bless Bill and Edna.
We would definitely like to know more about the parents of these monsters, and you are right - why was such an evil kid released? Did he run back to Mexico?
Thank you very much for the update. I hope Victor Rodriguez finds himself suffering the same pain he inflicted on that poor little dog.
I’m glad someone finally posted an update on this. I hope that they find this little punk and the D.A. punishes him to the fullest extent of the law! The parents are obviously lowlife’s just like their son. My thoughts go out to Mr. Whiting.
ROT IN HELL, Victor Rodriquez!! Is this kid an illegal?? Running from the law is making it worse for himself. I hope they lock him up and throw away the key forever. And where were the parents of this kid? What part did they play in protecting him on Thursday. A no show? Big surprise there, huh?
Let’s not get off the topic. The murderer’s citizenship status is not important. We have plenty of homegrown animal abusers in the States.
True, we have plenty of homegrown animal abusers here, but take note that we also have laws against bullfighting, cockfighting, dogfighting, and other forms of animal cruelty. We have a different culture and civilization.
Bullfights are a cruel and bloody entertainment, widely acceptable in many countries. The pain and blood are real. Horse and man may be gored as well. Painful, cruel things are done to bull and horse to prepare them for the fight. That’s why you don’t hear the horse screaming. This is Sunday afternoon entertainment for families and children in many cultures. Do you think about kids being exposed to violent entertainment? We are importing these value.
It was a battle to get a certain (imported) rodeo sport stopped in California. It was defended as “cultural.” -A running horse was lassooed around the front legs, and jerked to a stop, often causing permanent damage to tendons, etc. The end of the horse.
We have also imported drunk driving problems, another bloody story… work in a hospital or social services, and you will see family violence and other problems we are also importing…taxpayers pay and pay for the damages.
I am glad to finally get some updated informaton on this case. I have been very concerned for Bill (and for Edna). Yes, there has to be some incompetent parenting that went on here. The 15 year old should pay to the harshest extent of the law, regardless of his background. I along with others I am sure, will follow this case avidly, to its conclusion.
May God strengthen Bill.
when i read what happened to bill and edna, i wanted to throw up. there are no appropriate words to describe a crime like this. i hope that monster rots in prison. mr whiting, my heart goes out to you and edna. every time i look at my puggy, i get reminded of this and say a prayer for ednas safe return. please keep us updated. unfortunately news today never follows up on anything.
I think about Bill and Edna and check for any updates everyday. I have 2 dogs of my own and won’t even pretend to know what Bill is going through. My hope is for Edna’s safe return.
If your reading this Victor, grow up, turn yourself in, admit your quilt, do your time and learn from your ignorant mistakes. And by the way, try to teach your parents right from wrong to. Don’t be a thug the rest of your life.
Yes I as well would like to know why parents of this monster and either his kid brother or young friend are not being questioned?
Creatures like them have no use on this earth and should have never been born because all they do is cause good people sadness and heartache. This Victor Rodriguez and his family are scum of the earth his parents should be ashamed for conceiving such an evil monster and I hope that his parents place of employment and other employees are aware that they are the parents of this scum as well as their neighbours.
I am sure that there are many that would love to have a few moments alone with this bastard just to show and teach him some pain and suffering and how it feels which is what he deserves and others need it to so that they would think twice before harming another human being or animal.
I don’t know how to edit a post here but I wanted to add that I feel so heart broken for Bill Whiting and have hoped that Edna would show up but so much time has passed and I really feel for him. I just hope that there will be some kind of closure for him.
Last news I heard is that Edna’s legal case is in good hands. The wheels of justice are turning, but obviously very slowly. Sadly, no further word on Edna.
I have been praying for Bill and Edna every day since I first heard about this case. I also hoped that Edna was being kept somewhere and would eventually be returned. It’s been frustrating trying to get details. I find it unfathomable that these monsters made these calls and tortured an animal in the dead of night and the parents didn’t hear anything. They didn’t notice a strange dog in the house? Where are they now? How could they let this poor man’s suffering continue? Were the police able to learn anything about Edna’s fate when they arrested this thug?
I know I’m praying for a miracle but I hope Edna and Bill are reunited soon and have many years together. Barring that, I hope he gets closure. What a horrific story.
I am happy to find site with updates. I am wondering why the parents aren’t being held responsible in some way for their child. If someone else gets locked up he may be forced out into the open, how long can a teenager hide without adult help. Bill, I have emailed you before and I am still praying for a miracle for both of you. Sincerely -Jeanette, Cubby, Tootsie and Kookie
We are moving into the second half of February. Here are my thoughts. I think: V. Rodriguez is living with very unpleasant consequences of his actions, daily and probably hourly, V. R. is probably not an endearing character to whomever he is spending time with and relying upon, V.R.’s parents bear much responsibility in this case, people know this, and things are probably not going swimmingly for V.R.’s parents, people who know where V.R. is, are having a hard time forgetting about the reward money, I’ll bet there are some dedicated, very smart professionals working on this case, they know, and I think, time is on Bill Whiting’s side.
ACTION ALERT: Calling all animal welfare advocates to help seek justice for Edna!
Join us March 5th, in Philadelphia, PA for a peaceful presence at a press conference concerning the case.
Victor Rodriguez, the juvenile of Nicetown charged with ‘terroristic threats’, ‘attempted robbery by extortion’ and a litany of other offences, following the ‘Edna’ animal cruelty case, failed to show up at his pre-trial hearing on January 31st (Petition #830-07-12 under the jurisdiction of Assistant District Attorney, Angel Flores) at the Youth Study Center. The court issued a bench warrant for his immediate arrest. Since then, Rodriguez has eluded Police.
In response to this case, a petition was created to Verizon and to Mayor Michael Nutter. The petition, which gathered over 5000 signatures, requested Verizon streamline its coordination with the Philadelphia Police and other law enforcement so delays in providing information would never happen again in cases of animal cruelty. Verizon responded with a cover letter enclosed with 2 responses that were previously posted in the Philadelphia Daily News. This cover letter and responses put the blame for the delay on the Philadelphia Police and did not address streamlining its policies with law enforcement. The petition also requested Mayor Michael Nutter address this case by putting the pressure on the Philadelphia Police to find the individual(s) responsible and to find Edna.
WHAT YOU CAN DO
Join Edna’s guardian, William Whiting, at a press conference scheduled for March 5, 2008 from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in front of the Verizon - Pennsylvania Building (1717 Arch Street, Philadelphia) to formally present the petition to Verizon and to Mayor Nutter.
Please share this action alert with all of your animal loving friends, family and rescue contacts. 5,000 of us signed this petition - now let’s see how many people we can get to physically come out and show their support!
If you plan to attend and would like to purchase a $5 t-shirt (design pictured above) to show your support, please contact steffie92_bfas@yahoo.com.
All proceeds go directly to the purchasing of the shirt- they are being sold at cost. All t-shirt orders MUST be sent to steffie92_bfas@yahoo.com by Thursday, February 28th.
There will also be posters distributed.
This case is being closely followed by Governor Rendell’s ‘Dog Law Advisory Board’, as well as the Pennsylvania SPCA and PETA, (who combined resources along with an anonymous donor to offer a $10,000 reward for information leading to a conviction of the person or persons responsible for this animal cruelty crime).
CONTACT INFO
For information on how YOU can contribute to the peaceful presence and stand beside Edna’s guardian, contact William Whiting at billandedna@hotmail.com.
For t-shirt orders, contact steffie92_bfas@yahoo.com.
Click here for recent news on this case.
Visit this site to see the t-shirt design: http://www.network.bestfriends.org/pennsylvania/news/23073.html
Reprinted with permission
Posted by Nicole, PA Team Leader, and Steph, PA News Associate and County Rep
It is sad to say, but, that dog (Edna) was worth at least ten of that kid (V.R.) I looked carefully at the pictures and I read carefully all I could about Edna since I first heard about this case. I would like to tell the things I learned and that I will remember about Edna. She was trusting, friendly, enjoyed people, and she was very, very sweet. (My dog is sweet like that.) She was so special that, at some point, her master decided to share her with others, and she was a therapy dog for some sort of patients. Her owner has a gift of reaching out to others in a healing way, and so he was a team worker with Edna. Edna was deeply loved by and given thoughtful care by her owner. Edna liked to give long blissful kisses to her owner’s face. She was given many years of happiness by Mr. Whiting and she gave him much happiness also. After much time goes by, her owner will find great comfort in the memories of having given Edna a wonderful life. I, for one, will never forget her. Cait
Is there a happy ending to this story…or is it still on going?