BEAUMONT — 35-year-old Jacque Thomas only got probation and community service after she was convicted of animal cruelty.
In January 2016, one dog was found dead and another was found to be neglected in Thomas’ backyard.
Thomas initially told Beaumont Animal Care that the two dogs belonged to a “friend of a friend” but the dog’s tags had her address on them, according to an arrest affidavit.
The case sparked outrage for many animal lovers including one Beaumont city councilwoman.
"In my mind, who could let this poor animal in her care starve to death," Virginia Jordan said.
"It's a fact that she had options, but she chose the most heinous option you could possibly imagine," Jordan added.
Virginia Jordan opted to write a letter to Jefferson County Judge Clint Woods, County Court of Law #3 after the ruling.
In a letter she posted on Facebook, she expressed “my horror and extreme displeasure at your recent ruling.”
Jordan also referred to Thomas’ claims that she didn’t have time to take care of the dogs due to nursing school demands.
“The fact that this woman can stand by and watch a dog in her care starve to death speaks volumes as to her inability to administer to people in her care as a nurse professional. It’s completely ludicrous,” Jordan wrote.
"We all either have animals, we care for animals, we love people who do, if we don't, and this community was grossly misjudged on this particular issue," Jordan said to 12News.
It doesn't change that Thomas' guilty plea led to 100 hours of community service and two years of probation.
Thomas could've received up to a year in jail or a $4,000 fine.
All that Jordan is asking for is to punish animal abusers and all criminals to the full extent of the law.
"We want the judges to know that a ruling like the one that just occurred is not satisfactory," Jordan said.