Ocala (WTFF) – The State Attorney’s Office announced that no criminal charges will be filed against Dewie Brewton, the high school teacher who made students watch and help as he drowned several animals during class.
Their decision defies the wishes of over 170,000 people who signed a petition demanding that Cruelty to Animals charges are filed against the teacher.
Even though Dewie Brewton’s actions explicitly violate Florida Statutes, our elected officials are simply choosing not to press charges. Drowning is not an acceptable form of euthanasia, according to state law. Sadly, elected officials doing the opposite of what we want is standard practice. There is outrage, but little surprise.
You may try contacting SAO5, but they will just ignore you, as they did to us.
You can vote them out if you’re not happy. Brad King has been State Attorney since January of 1989. Remember State Attorney Brad King and his Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt when it comes time to vote. The Primary Election takes place on August 28, 2018, and the General Election on November 6, according to VoteMarion.com. Florida is a closed primary state, which may affect your ability to vote.
Bradley E. King is up for reelection in 2020, according to the Marion County 2017 Voter’s Guide.
His phone number is listed as 352-671-5800 according to sao5.org under the Marion County office in Ocala. Feel free to call him out for his failure to uphold the law.
Public officials will keep defying our wishes as long as we pretend that it’s OK. Everyone should be held accountable for their actions, so it’s up to everyone to call out injustice and dereliction of duty, even when it’s rampant and seemingly unstoppable.
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Since money talks, and everything else walks, let’s play by their rules. Please help Marion County voters find this story by making a donation that will be used to purchase advertisements. We will use 100% of the money towards exposing Brad King.
A well-written post by Bill Turner reiterates how important it is that we remember the actions of these politicians when it comes time to vote again:
I have to admit this surprises me but due to Mr. Brewton’s history as a teacher for over 30 years and his relationships with his students I expected it in a way. The Article starts with “Mr. Brewton did not intend to torture or torment these animals” but In the end he and his students did and broke the law in doing so. I don’t believe Mr Brewton is a bad person but his demonstration of common sense in this act is frightening since he has been a teacher for such a long time. This wasn’t only a failure of his inability in not securing the chickens in a chicken coop strong enough to protect the students chickens but in not giving the students the option of taking the Racoons out to the forest and releasing them. Because racoons are listed as nuisance animals to their chickens he felt justified in drowning them with his students. Now the possum was of no danger to his chickens but since he was in a trap so he was drowned too. Now in this article there was an interview with a FWC official where Mr. Brewton asks the FWC Officer if his drowning of these animals was cruel and the FWC Officer was under the impression drowning was neither cruel or inhumane. When your FWC Officer doesn’t know the law then you also have another case of ignorance.
Now for our State Attorney Brad King and his Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt not choosing to prosecute even though the law states that drowning isn’t an acceptable form of getting rid of a nuisance animal because the case may be weak because of a lack of willing witnesses even with a video is a sad commentary on their lack of faith in the jurists and have decided to judge his guilt themselves. The message their decision to not prosecute seems to send a bad precedent. I hope when the men of the States Attorneys office come time for reelection that the voters ask themselves that this is how they wish to be represented.
My children went through the FFA course at Belleview Middle and High School and the leaders showed how to raise livestock and poultry in the most humane way possible and when faced with these challenges this would never have been an option. In the end my concern is what message has Mr. Brewton’s students learned about life and death.
Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt explained the office’s decision to not press charges in a lengthy “decline to file” letter on Friday, reports Gainesville Sun.
“Mr. Brewton explained that the most humane way to dispose of these nuisance animals was to drown them,” Hunt wrote. “He was clear that he never intended to be cruel, or vicious, nor did he intend to torment or torture the animals.”
While he may not have “intended to be cruel,” he still broke the law. Many people “never intended to be cruel,” but that should never be a get out of jail free card for those who directly violate Florida Statutes. That’s a terrible precedence to set. It means that some are above the law, while others aren’t.
His email address is [email protected]
He was also featured in a petition from New Port Richey, where he ignored evidence and failed to charge a gunslinger for manslaughter: Justice for Katherine Bryan Hoover and Baby Rehlin
Ashley Moody endorses him.
She’s running for Attorney General of Florida, and is “qualified” by Pam Bondi.
We may feel powerless, but the internet is changing things. Share this article. Remind yourself and others to vote against those who have proven they don’t care about us or the law.
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The Difference Between Euthanasia and Torture, Morally and Legally
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Thank you for the update. I just called the office and asked if there was a response to the fact that no charges will be filed even though it was against the law and there’s proof. They told me there would be no more statements. I really think that if a ton of people called and civilly inquired why charges weren’t filed when laws were broken, it would get his attention. If he doesn’t do his job and enforce the law, there should be a movement to remove him from office! I encourage people to call (NOT harass, but ask and demand answers).
Obviously the State Attorney General has lost touch with reality. This is animal abuse — period!
I am so angry at the callousness of this teacher and Bradley E. King, a so called representative of the people. As a man of Faith I do not use the typical name calling many others do, but if I did, man, could I ever lay a few on these guys.
I have spent the last 40 years of my life dealing with criminals both as a police officer and minister. I KNOW that animal abuse leads to spousal abuse, child abuse, and all sorts of forms of degradation. It would be interesting to keep record of those students and see how many end up in trouble and maybe even prison. Mr. King and Dewie Brewton should be held accountable for the future of these kids.
Both of these men are sick, vile, decrepit individuals who need to be kept away from society in general and children in particular.
Abusers, both of you creeps.
I’ll tell you this if I’d been in his class I’d been go n to jail because Ida beet his ass and choked him out!! Think I’m kidn?!! Piece of filthy trash!
This kind of “teacher” should not be allowed to teach..his excuses are worthless, and what is the matter with those students?! They could have stepped in…they could have refused to help him. I would not allow any kid of mine to be near this heartless monster.
PS. SOMEBODY PLEASE DROWN BRAD KING and ASHLEY MOODY!
First of all, Ashley moody doesn’t deserve ANY post. I have cast my ballot for Frank White. She doesn’t give a damn about animal#, she’s a turncoat (democrat to republican;) she supports this asswipe King. She doesn’t deserve the time of day!!!
I hope someone drowns King he is a spineless punk.
Brad King is garbage I hope someone knocks his head off.
6/7/2018 I called him out! I said he needs to lose the election and go to jail! Keep calling them! We are opposed to him. Yes the staff will intercept but you keep calling and it will wear on them. Do not stop. When you see hi out in public call that POS king out. Oh and vote him out!!
All animals need to eat. Dont kill them cuz they
are hungry. Just feed them instead and they wouldn’t need to eat farm animals. They are Gods creation, you have no right to destroy.
Fuck You Scumbags! I pray all if you that agreed with this die of Aids!
He could have re-located the animals to another location. Also if he allowed his students to witness this animal drowning I think this is abuse of children as well as animals. This is the year 2018 we need to not accept this behavior any more. I truly think this man is old school abusive , SICK
Guess it depends who or what you murder in the State Of Florida for it to be a crime seems anybody with the last name King lately supports animal cruelty. Animal lovers in Florida you have a vote so please use it and vote this useless POS out.
The problem with Florida is that it is riddled with a corrupt legal system where there is NO JUSTICE. Brad E King is a low life piece of shit who must be sacked. He is an evil Narcopath, he is a character disordered empty shell with no empathy. The teacher is an animal abusing sadist who must be held to account for his wickedness. Florida is notorious for corruption. Low life degenerates do as they please and get away with it especially if their skin tone is the right shade. Eurotrash criminals are above the law in Florida. Any stunted psychopath can kill anyone and get away with it. Welcome to the American dream. To allow a criminal to get away with animal abuse is out of order. Brad King is in abuse of office and he should lose his job because he has failed the animals who were abused and killed by a psychopath teacher who will abuse again, he is a serial abuser who is addicted to his supply and his supply is animal abuse and causing heinous abuse and death. How many other animals has the criminal piece of trash teacher killed that nobody knows about??? Corrupt Attorneys such as Brad E King is what keeps standards low in America. No wonder Florida is riddled with criminals because you cannot trust the corrupt legal system, which is riddled with people of bad character who are unfit to hold office and should be serving a prison term or given a lethal injection. Mr Brewton did intend to harm the animals because he is a psychopath always looking for supply. Character disordered individuals know exactly what they are doing. They know how to control themselves when they have to. The low life piece of scum teacher knew what he was doing was wrong because he threatened students. He is a criminal who should be put before a firing squad. I have zero tolerance for criminal animal abusing scum and even less for… Read more »
Hi all. bradley king’s work number is 352-671-5800. I spoke to a staff member at brad king’s office and she said they will not prosecute. I concluded the call by saying bradley king is a subhuman. Well, then we can keep pressuring them until they change their mind! If not we can put so much pressure that they will not be able to sleep at night. Anyone who sees these messages please call and share this widely on facebook and such! That piece of shit state atty’s number, if you can call him that, is listed as 352-671-5800 according to sao5.org under the Marion County office in Ocala. Feel free to call him out for his failure to uphold the law. Also email the assistant state atty at: [email protected] These pieces of subhuman shit are the enabler of murderers! Let us pressure on them so he does charge him.
You know what kind of monster inflicts this kind of torture on innocents?….ISIS…that’s what the picture reminded me of (I could not watch the video) as soon as I saw a glance. Perhaps this monster Brewer belongs with the rest of the psychopaths who don’t realize that DROWNING is painful and a horrific way to die! What a crock. You know this is not the first time this idiot did this to some poor animal. He probably has a “collection” in his back yard. His trophys. Absolutely sickening. The AG had better do something or his JOB and reputaion are history!
I’m pretty POSITIVE Michael Vick went to jail for drowning animals. This monster Brewer failed in his responsibility to secure the chickens therefore endangering them. What “teacher” teaches his students to witness torture? What “student” likes to watch? Something is definitely wrong here on both sides and for the State Att General to do nothing is beyond dereliction of duty. No wonder criminals run rampant in the state of Florida.
Call and leave a message for Attorney General King of Florida about this terrible situation of animal abuse. Who and what state subjects students to killing… an animal, and is not held accountable?
To drown those animals was a horrific act of violence and animal cruelty.
I am concerned about the Congress man who cannot identify abuse. It makes me wonder what he is capable of doing?
Can’t have this elected official in office. Too many of them are out there and don’t represent their community and care about 2 things. 1) Re-election and 2) Their legacy
I can’t watch the video as I will have nightmares. I cry my eyes out at the still photos. We are a disgusting species. We take over this planet, every inch of it and when the animals have nowhere else to look for food but our rubbish bins we call them “nuisance animals”. ? This man wasn’t prosecuted because he’s black plain and simple. I am an animal rights activists and I will find where this disgusting teacher lives and I will hound him for eternity. Those students who stood by and watched are no different than that POS teacher. They’re like the kids who would gather in a circle to watch a fight at school and do nothing. My heart aches for those poor babies ( animals ). Raccoons visit me nightly and actually knock on my front door to let me know they’re here. They’re smart and beautiful. I found a possum on the side of the road that was hit and left alive suffering and I rushed it to an ER vet clinic only to be told it didn’t matter because it’s a “nuisance animal” I was sick to my stomach. I screamed until they put it down. Literally screamed in the lobby until they did the right thing. Don’t let this go or it will keep happening.
The letter: https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A%2F%2Fwtfflorida.com%2Fblog%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2018%2F05%2FBrewton-Raccoon-Filing-Decision-memo.docx&h=ATNMByaYdx9AsGjtrkMFIqtRE1oseQ4lOW1Avg97FJtChDd_X19LbtU-JlKelBZ1GTYAzQ_5FzIXSrWFSvT5VXH4MPqDvZ2x6F4cLOolfMOrguHb
My Letter to State Attorney: I have just read the 4 page letter explaining why you did not prosecute Dewie Brewton. I believe the State Attorney is mistaken. Had you fully read the AVMA euthanasia document or even the glossary you might have been better informed. I don’t believe you understand the term “primary method”. A secondary method such as drowning can only be pursued in an unconscious animal. These raccoons and possums definitely were not unconscious. From the Glossary: “Secondary Method: A euthanasia method employed subsequent to a primary method to ensure death of an unconscious animal before it can recover consciousness. See ADJUNCTIVE METHOD. Adjunctive Method: A method of assuring death that may be used after an animal has been made unconscious.” Drowning is inhumane according to AVMA guidelines. This letter also clearly ignores the fact that Mr Brewton failed to secure his chickens which was a catastrophic disservice to his students, the chickens, the animals and his profession. He also did not know that these particular animals were responsible for the destruction and he absolutely knew that the opossum was not. It is equally likely that an urban coyote, fox or dog harmed the chickens. One raccoon does not kill 8 chickens. Properly securing his chickens would have totally prevented this tragedy. As an FAA teacher he failed his responsibility to teach his students the most primary consideration in raising livestock, securing them. He failed to contact FWC to seek alternatives. From FWC: “Human activities can attract certain wildlife species looking for an easy high-calorie meal or shelter under a convenient structure. Unfortunately this can bring them into conflict with the interests of people, and the wildlife can be considered to be a nuisance. Most wildlife/human conflicts can be resolved by removing the attractant. If removing the attractant is not feasible or has been tried and is not working, other measures to remove nuisance wild animals can be taken. Trapping a nuisance animal should be a matter of last resort.… Read more »
stick the ag under water see if he still feels that way
I read that the teacher was allowed to retire, which means he gets a full pension. Perhaps you should get Marion County residents to vote out the members of the School Board and the Superintendent who approved his retirement. I tried emailing Gov Scott (he prosecuted the shark torturers)and Senator Nelson (usually our most humane public servant) and got no replies. Marion County Schools doesn’t even have an email option on line. Talk about a good ole boy system! Vote them out. Get the parents to change the school board. And don’t forget the state teachers union and the pta! Make them take a stand. Glad I don’t live there. The school district should provide professional grief and animal appreciation counseling to their students faculty and staff, at the very least.
Very short-sighted of the school district and legal authorities. Quite often when they fail to prosecute a crime others take matters into their own hands to punish the offender. Speaking for myself, I wouldn’t shed a tear if they did!
Doing this is seriously disturbing. It’s traumatic for good kids, and encouraging for sociopaths, which this teacher clearly is!
one of the most traumatic things from my childhood was watching animals be killed. It is truly damaging.
I am not sure HOW this can happen. It is wanton killing of a living creature, life. And some people wonder why so many horrendous things are happening in the world today. Many of these kids will have nightmare about it. It really sickens me. OK Folks who have voted for this creature – You may want to re-think on the next vote. And, perhaps, appeal to the next level in Court.
This is disgusting but hardly supprising! If students are not safe in American schools then why would the teachers be mentally compitant
[…] No Charges for Teacher Who Drowned Raccoons in Class […]
The teacher committed an act of egregious animal torture. He apparently broke 1 or more state laws pertaining to animal abuse. The children in his class who had to watch and even assist should be counseled by a therapist or even some normal school administrator that the teacher’s action was cruel, inhumane and absolutely unacceptable. The AG and assistant AG must be voted out of office by voters. It is difficult to understand how the teacher, Dewey whatshisname thinks that his drowning of the animals wasn’t cruel and inhumane. Let him experience having his air supply cut off. His thinking is twisted and aberrant—–either that or he is incredibly ignorant. And this is a Florida teacher for 30 years! What are Florida credentials for teaching? In the meantime, keep his name, face and actions in the public eye. Use newspapers, T.V. and the internet to publicize him and also the local government for failing to follow the laws and press charges.
This teacher should be sacked I would not want him teaching my children how is this teaching respect for any living creature including humans
Me pregunto si ese “profesor” que enseña violencia y maldad… No habrá cometido barbaridades ocultas… Supongo que necesita la crueldad y la violencia para poder respirar… Jamás dejaría a un niño en sus manos…
I hope your life ends as a result of drowning. The only thing that would make that more enjoyable is if people were standing around watching with no interest in helping you! In case you haven’t figured it out yet, I detest you and your unwillingness to do the right thing you piece of shit!!
Hopefully whoever runs against this doucebag will use this story over and over again to get elected. Because this decision is simply based on whether or not the office thinks they can get a conviction, rather than going after this guy because it’s the right thing to do. It shows that Brad King has no integrity and go after the cases he can be sure of winning. In other words, he’s become LAZY and complacent and has no ethical integrity. Definitely not the values of someone in this position. We should support whoever runs against him and help use this story to showcase Brad Kings incompetence.
Please keep updating us on this story and many us who live out of state, like me, will help Brad King get defeated. I will contribute to his/her campaign. Shame on him for not setting an example for animal cruelty.
They deserve to suffer the same fate
WTF Florida. Fire the State Attorney General and everyone in his office!
Omg I can’t believe this happened. Seriously on what level is this acceptable?! And kids assisting him! That’s insane. They should of tried to stop him or go report
Him. We need to teach our kids to have respect for each other and respect for human lives and animals lives If anyone including the teacher or students thinks this was okay they need counseling. What will they do next? That proved they enjoyed watching these animals suffer! Omg that’s sick! And we’re trying to stop our kids from performing violent acts? ! Well this certainly didn’t help! Action needs to be taken. And talk to the students who helped him. Cause not normal at all!’
As someone that almost died by drowning I personally know the absolute terror and pain that one goes through before loss of consciousness and I would not wish that on any living creature. I only advocate a clean and painless death if euthanasia is appropriate.
What this teacher did was animal abuse hands down. It’s no wonder the teenagers in this country are shooting and killing people. If this is the type of behavior these students are being subjected to while in school, it’s no wonder there is so much violence in this country and in our schools. This teacher should be in prison… not teaching the young people of this country. Shame also on the students who stood by and watched him do this animal abuse. For heaven’s sake, have an opinion, learn to stick up for something and do the right thing. They should have stopped him from proceeding with this horrific act. Animal abuse is a felony charge and should be treated as such. The politicians and law enforcement officers who don’t want to do their jobs need to find new ones then. Shame on all of them!
I would gladly watch that little shit Dewie given the death penalty for what he has done . Absolutely a waste of time shouldn’t be breathing Scum !!!!
I don’t want this so called teacher anywhere near my kids, teaching them to drown animals he considers a nuisance. Why isn’t he in jail?!!
I can’t stand raccoons. In my area they are a terrible nuisance…But to drown them like this stupid man did is horrible.
And in front of children. They don’t need that in their heads!!! At the very least he should lose his job. Who would want a teacher like that around their kids?? WTF ???
“He was clear that he never intended to be cruel, or vicious, nor did he intend to torment or torture the animals.” SERIOUSLY!! So everyone that’s ever done anything illegal and criminal but never intended the consequences are going to be set free now and all cases that ended in tragedy but were of good conscience, we’ll just drop those too. That is the precedent that Florida is condoning and that is very very terrifying. I didn’t mean to rape them but I thought they wanted and liked it; It wasn’t my intent. It’s a universal excuse for a lot of crazy crimes. Now yes I’m Canadian and it really doesn’t affect me but I have American friends and social media is a justice called karma. These sorry excuses called politicians that make an oath to be the representation of the people that elected them in and then crap on their promises are an epidemic that needs to be eradicated immediately. This is a global issue and until the citizens say no more, these politicians will continue on their own personal productive agendas and not for the collective whole. If taking ANY animal (there’s no distinction between them in the law), labelling them a nuisance and killing them in a violent inhumane way like drowning is okay with you, you need empathy and Jesus. To do it in front of children and make them witness this crime, is even more contemptible and even more horrifying. What kind of adults are these children going to become with this kind of garbage being instilled in their basic understanding of life and the rules? Does Brad King think of the consequences? Attorney General Ashley Moody endorses him and even goes to say “State Attorney King has served his constituents with integrity, diligence, and strength. I’m honored to have his support and will bring the force of those valued principles to Tallahassee.” Doesn’t seem so to me but what do I know. I’m an outsider.
How can you not feel sick to your stomach when seeing that picture of the wet scared raccoon about to be drowned? How is it this teacher thought this was ok? This is cruel and in humane. Drowning an animal just for trying to eat, to do what nature innately draws it to do to survive is ignorant. The teacher should learn how to protect the chickens properly. Relocate the trapped raccoons and opossums (that were innocent animals caught in the crossfire). That is the humane thing to do. This sorry excuse of a teacher and man deserves to be fired and convicted for animal abuse at the very least. I hope everything bad comes his way.
From what I can gather, you’re all wrong on the law. Your collective approach is purely emotional, not reasoned. If you don’t agree with what was done, petition to have the law(s) changed. Please be more intelligent and better behaved than the dolts at USC Berkley.
This is not just animal torture, but should be considered child abuse for having children watch, and possibly assist with the unnecessary killing of these animals.
If my child would have been exposed to this horrendous act of cruelty, I would look into legal recourse and sue for traumatizing my child. Maybe that would get the attention of State Attorney Brad King and Assistant State Attorney Toby Hunt.
And what do you bet that this is not Dewie Brewton’s (teacher) first victims? He felt comfortable enough to do this openly with witnesses present. Sounds like a psychopath comfortable enough to expose his pleasure of killing to the world.
Dewie Brewton’s actions explicitly violate Florida Statutes and elected officials are choosing not to press charges. Vote King and Hunt out since they won’t uphold the law. King, Hunt, and Brewton are unworthy. They all violate the law and are for torture and premeditated murder, and it’s in pictures, video, and print!
This is not the way to teach children. This was a pure act of abuse. This is disgusting for children to think it’s okay to abuse and better yet drown them. This is an outrage , and right now I am ashamed to be called an American. What has happen to this world? It is falling apart.. the state attorney general is a complete moron. Give him a stiff fine or something. Let him understand that you cannot get away with abuse of animals or anyone!!!!!
Those poor innocent animals died for no reason!!
Shame on you…….
Asshole. You’ll get yours.