Norman Wolfinger, State Attorney
State Attorney’s Office
Brevard Government Center Complex
2725 Judge Fran Jamieson Way
Building D
Viera, Florida 32940

Subject: Ralph Robert Lester, Jr shooting a friendly domestic cat in residential area.

Dear Mr. Wolfinger:

I am writing to request that you file charges against Mr. Ralph Robert “Bob” Lester, Jr. for felony animal cruelty and discharging a firearm numerous times in a residential area..

Mr Lester shot his gun five times at an object he could not clearly identify. Mr. Lester claims he thought his target was a wild pig. His target was, in fact, a friendly domestic cat.

The cat was shot by Mr. Lester per Mr. Lester's own admission. The wounded cat is a neighbor's pet named Harry. Harry suffered severe physical injuries. The owner of Harry is still under duress, especially since Mr. Lester has not been charged and, obviously, still poses a danger to the neighborhood.

I understand Mr. Lester has apologized. An apology does not change the fact that a crime was committed five times per Town of Melbourne Village Ordinance:
SECTION 12-21. WEAPONS AND FIREARMS, GENERALLY. It shall be unlawful to discharge in the Town of Melbourne Village firearms or weapons, which terms shall include but shall not be limited to pistols, rifles, shotguns, air rifles, dart guns, pellet guns, bows and arrows and other devices forcefully emitting projectiles with sufficient force to produce bodily harm. (Ord. No. 99, S 1, 10-24-78)

Mr. Lester was able to hit his target over and over again, four out of five times, so he certainly could see his target. Yet he was unable to correctly identify his target. SECTION 12-21 does not provide a defense against prosecution for not being able to identify the target.

Mr. Lester should be charged with felony animal cruelty as well as with discharging a gun in a residential area. If Mr. Lester has any extenuating circumstances to defend his actions, those should be heard and decided upon by a judge or jury. His actions warrant prosecution.

Please help keep the citizens of Brevard County safe from reckless shootings.

Thank you for taking this matter seriously and prosecuting it to the full extent permitted by law.