ATLANTA — Animal advocates are calling on the governor to form an animal cruelty task force. Protesters rallied at the state Capitol on Sunday.

They say too many animals are dying from abuse and violent offenders keep getting released from jail.

“I want animals to matter. I want people to understand we’re not just crazy dog advocates, animal advocates, that we’re actually fighting for our communities for safer places for everybody to live,” protester Grace Hamlin said.

The rally comes after police arrested Mekhi Jackson Saturday in a disturbing animal cruelty case.

Police say video from a DeKalb County apartment complex off Flat Shoals Road shows Jackson punching his dog and throwing against a wall.

The dog died from its injuries.

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