On Friday, Alex Wullaert is once again scheduled to appear before a judget in New Haven Superior Court on charges that starved, abused, and then killed his dog Desmond. It will be Wullaert's 14th time on the docket since Desmond's body, stuffed in a bag and thrown in the water near Lake Drive in Madison, was found a year ago Monday, on March 11, 2012 by Madison Police Officer Kimberly Lauria. And every one of those 14 times that he has been scheduled to appear in New Haven Superior Court, people representing the group Justice For Desmond have shown up to make sure that justice is done. They wait on the steps of the court house before the hearing, they sometimes sit behind Wullaert in the courthouse, and then sometimes follow him outside to his car when the hearing is done.

"We want jail time. And a felony on his record. And that he not be allowed to own animals ever," said Micah Rapini, one of the leaders of the group. She said there is a stipulation that he not own animals while the court proceedings are doing on, but that the group wants that extended, forever. "We'd like that to be permanent." The Facebook page says "Assistant State's Attorney Joseph Lamotta offered Alex a 5 year sentence, suspended after 2. Alex's lawyer rejected the offer, and Alex plead not guilty. We return to court Friday March 8th, 2013 at 12:00. New Haven Superior Court 121 Elm Street. New Haven, CT 06510. Justice for Desmond will be there at 12:00. ♥"

More than 5,903 likes on the Facebook page The Facebook group Justice For Desmond now has more than 5,903 likes and in the past year, Rapini said, the organization has grown into something more than an online way to connect with an important cause.

"I've met some amazing people," Rapini said. "I think all of the regular supporters have made new and forever friends."

A quick glance at the posts in the Facebook group supports that notion. Not only does the group communicate about when to gather before Wullaert's hearings, they also post information about other animals needing help, about success stories of dogs who have been rescued, and even posts offering to other members of the group following major weather events.

"Does anyone need anything?" Following the historic Blizzard of 2013, for example, this post appeared: "How did everyone do in the storm!? Does anyone need anything? Let me know if there's anything I can do to help!"