INDIANA -- A Fort Wayne man accused of allowing his family’s basset hound to starve to death in February has been charged with animal cruelty.
Justin A. Bauer, 31, carried his dog, Miles, in a box to Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control on Feb. 14 and told employees that he had died overnight, according to a probable cause affidavit.
The dog was taken out of the box and examined by an animal care specialist who immediately noticed the dog had staples in his scrotal area where he had been neutered two years before, according to the affidavit.
The following day, an animal control officer went to Bauer’s home to speak with him about the dog’s death. Bauer said Miles was both an indoor and outdoor dog but spent most of his time in a recliner in the garage.
Bauer said he had noticed Miles had stopped eating a few days before and was planning to take the dog to a veterinarian, but he died before he could do so, court documents said.
The officer asked that Bauer and his wife be further interviewed at Animal Care & Control.
Bauer’s wife told the officer that Miles had been purchased about four years ago from a breeder in North Manchester and was neutered in July 2011. She said she did not recall the clinic telling her to bring the dog back two weeks later to have the staples removed, and thus, they had not been removed, court records said.
The woman said her husband and four children were responsible for feeding the dog. Justin Bauer said Miles had recently stopped eating but would not have gone without food for more than two or three days at a time, the affidavit said.
On March 11, a necropsy concluded that the dog had died of starvation and had been in a severe state of dehydration before his death.
The necropsy report said the dog’s small and large intestines were empty, his ribs and vertebrae were easily visible and there was generalized muscle loss in his head area, according to the affidavit.
A warrant was issued Tuesday for Justin Bauer’s arrest on a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty. His wife had not been charged as of Wednesday afternoon.
Attempts to contact Bauer were unsuccessful Wednesday.
With several organizations in the community dedicated to assisting pet owners who are struggling to afford their pets, it’s difficult to understand how animal neglect continues to be an issue, said Peggy Bender, community relations and education specialist at Fort Wayne Animal Care & Control.
If they are in need of assistance, pet owners can also contact Animal Care & Control, local veterinarians or other organizations – such as the Fort Wayne Pet Food Pantry – that assist with referrals to help find food for pets, Bender said.
(The Journal Gazette - May 16, 2013)
Sunday, May 19, 2013
Boy mauled by Staffordshire terrier released from hospital
UNITED KINGDOM -- A 12-year-old boy who needed surgery after he was mauled by a dog has been allowed home.
Terry Dunnigan was playing with the Staffordshire Bull Terrier in the back garden of his home in Mid Craigie, Dundee, when the animal, which was later destroyed, ripped into his leg.
The youngster was rushed to Ninewells Hospital and underwent reconstructive surgery on the wound described by his family as looking like a “shark bite”.
Recovering at home after a week on the children’s ward, the St Paul’s pupil said he was keen to get back to school.
Terry said: “It still feels really sore. I’m glad I am out of hospital now, though, because it was boring having to stay off school.
“I have just gone into second year and I missed that because I was off. But all my friends have been asking if I am OK.”
The youngster, who underwent a skin graft and has been sewn and stapled up, as well as having to learn to walk on crutches, said he was shocked when he saw his picture on the front page of the Tele following the attack. He said he didn’t realise how serious his injuries were at the time, adding: “It was a bit weird being in the Tele. I was on the front page and the first two pages inside. I’ve never been in the paper before.
“When the attack happened I thought it was just going to be a wee cut, but when my mum pulled my trousers off I saw it was a big chunk out my leg. I would still like to get a dog in the future.”
Mum Rose Peebles, 42, said she is relieved her son is now out of hospital, adding: “I think I have just come out of shock now he’s home.
“I’m feeling great now and Terry is doing OK. The doctor said his wound is looking good and he has just got the last of his stitches and staples out. He’s been getting a lot of attention — maybe too much! My house is packed with people coming to see him.”
Terry’s dad Jim wanted to thank everyone at Ninewells and also Dave, from H&J Pet Supplies, who has promised to help the family out with a new pet budgie for Terry.
A 39-year-old woman has been charged over the incident and reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
(Evening Telegraph - May 18, 2013)
The youngster was rushed to Ninewells Hospital and underwent reconstructive surgery on the wound described by his family as looking like a “shark bite”.
Recovering at home after a week on the children’s ward, the St Paul’s pupil said he was keen to get back to school.
Terry said: “It still feels really sore. I’m glad I am out of hospital now, though, because it was boring having to stay off school.
“I have just gone into second year and I missed that because I was off. But all my friends have been asking if I am OK.”
The youngster, who underwent a skin graft and has been sewn and stapled up, as well as having to learn to walk on crutches, said he was shocked when he saw his picture on the front page of the Tele following the attack. He said he didn’t realise how serious his injuries were at the time, adding: “It was a bit weird being in the Tele. I was on the front page and the first two pages inside. I’ve never been in the paper before.
“When the attack happened I thought it was just going to be a wee cut, but when my mum pulled my trousers off I saw it was a big chunk out my leg. I would still like to get a dog in the future.”
Mum Rose Peebles, 42, said she is relieved her son is now out of hospital, adding: “I think I have just come out of shock now he’s home.
“I’m feeling great now and Terry is doing OK. The doctor said his wound is looking good and he has just got the last of his stitches and staples out. He’s been getting a lot of attention — maybe too much! My house is packed with people coming to see him.”
Terry’s dad Jim wanted to thank everyone at Ninewells and also Dave, from H&J Pet Supplies, who has promised to help the family out with a new pet budgie for Terry.
A 39-year-old woman has been charged over the incident and reported to the Procurator Fiscal.
(Evening Telegraph - May 18, 2013)
Dad of dog attack victim welcomes tougher laws
UNITED KINGDOM -- The dad of a girl who was attacked by an Alsatian has welcomed Government proposals to toughen up dangerous dog laws.
Existing legislation means the offence of having an out-of-control dog only applies in public places, not on private property.
Abbie Varrow needed 60 stitches to her face after she was attacked while playing on a neighbour’s trampoline in Ploughmans Lane, Great Notley, last April.
But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to prosecute the dog’s owner, stating there was insufficient evidence.
(Braintree and Witham Times - May 18, 2013)
Existing legislation means the offence of having an out-of-control dog only applies in public places, not on private property.
Abbie Varrow needed 60 stitches to her face after she was attacked while playing on a neighbour’s trampoline in Ploughmans Lane, Great Notley, last April.
But the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) decided not to prosecute the dog’s owner, stating there was insufficient evidence.
(Braintree and Witham Times - May 18, 2013)
Elderly man working in his garden attacked by neighbor's pit bulls
CANADA -- The RCMP say a 70-year-old man in Glovertown was attacked in his garden by two pit bulls on Saturday.
"A neighbour next door observed the attack," said RCMP Cpl. Larry Turner, "And he went out and confronted the dogs and scared them off by yelling at them."
Turner said the dogs escaped from a nearby fenced yard.
"Either a combination of the dogs — one or more — dug a hole underneath a fence," said Turner. "A very solid, wooden-type fence, very secure at the residence, but they dug underneath it."
The man received serious injuries to his arm and face. He was treated in hospital and later released.
The owners of the dogs were out of the country at the time of the incident, but the dogs were taken to a veterinarian and put down voluntarily by the owner's family later on Saturday.
Other residents of Glovertown said they had been complaining for months to the town and the RCMP about the dogs.
Glovertown's mayor, David Saunders, said the town has not had a dog catcher since last fall, but now the town will have another look at the issue.
Police are still investigating the incident.
(CBC.CA - May 13, 2013)
"A neighbour next door observed the attack," said RCMP Cpl. Larry Turner, "And he went out and confronted the dogs and scared them off by yelling at them."
 |
| Working in your own garden isn't safe any more |
Turner said the dogs escaped from a nearby fenced yard.
"Either a combination of the dogs — one or more — dug a hole underneath a fence," said Turner. "A very solid, wooden-type fence, very secure at the residence, but they dug underneath it."
The man received serious injuries to his arm and face. He was treated in hospital and later released.
The owners of the dogs were out of the country at the time of the incident, but the dogs were taken to a veterinarian and put down voluntarily by the owner's family later on Saturday.
Other residents of Glovertown said they had been complaining for months to the town and the RCMP about the dogs.
 |
| RCMP Cpl. Larry Turner says one or more of the dogs dug their way out of a fenced yard. (CBC) |
Glovertown's mayor, David Saunders, said the town has not had a dog catcher since last fall, but now the town will have another look at the issue.
Police are still investigating the incident.
(CBC.CA - May 13, 2013)
'It was like seeing lions attack a zebra': Farmer describes horrifying attack by American bulldogs on his bull
UNITED KINGDOM -- A stunned farmer says the moment he found two American bulldogs savaging his prize bull was like seeing “lions attacking a zebra”.
Foaming at the mouth, the bulldogs attacked the one tonne Limousin bull in his farm pen, climbing over its back and tearing at its ears and underbelly as they reduced the animal to a bloody mess on its knees.
The powerful dogs are now in secure kennels awaiting a district judge’s decision about whether they will live or die and their owner, Leanne Meredith, 33, wept when she was found guilty of two offences at a court case this week.
Speaking after the case, farmer Hefin Thomas, who owned the bull, Hercules, which was later put down, said: “These dogs got into the shed where the bull and they attacked him.
“The bull was on his knees. They chewed his ears.
“It was like the Hounds of the Baskervilles. The neighbours heard the sound of the dogs and banging and we went up and saw all this going on.”
One farm worker told the court at Holyhead he feared for his life when the dogs, named Murphy and Miley, attacked Hercules at Tynygongl farm, near Benllech, last July.
District Judge Andrew Shaw heard Hercules was covered in blood and one of his ears had been “shredded”.
The dogs had also been hurt, with one of them having a broken jaw.
After a two day trial, Meredith, who was living at a neighbouring holding at Tynygongl, was found guilty of allowing the dogs to worry livestock and a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act of allowing the dogs to enter a place where they were not permitted to be.
Judge Shaw rejected Meredith’s claims that the attack had taken place after the bull had strayed on to her property and the dogs were defending themselves and that prosecution witnesses were lying.
After a separate trial, Meredith, a single mother now living in Arterberry Road, Wimbledon, was found guilty of a further Dangerous Dogs Act charge relating to another dog and an incident on land adjoining a caravan site at Tynygongl in which nine sheep died.
Hefin, 59, said his bull was “in a terrible state”, adding: “We had to put him down.”
The pedigree animal, worth about £4,000, had survived on medication for several months after the attack.
“It was such a shame, you could put a baby on his back he was such a gentle bull,” he said.
“I’ve been with animals all my life and I have never seen anything like that.
“The vet had never seen anything like it. There was blood everywhere, it was a hell of a mess.
“They were on its back. You know when you see lions jumping on zebras? That is how it was.
“I really was upset. I had brought that bull up.”
The three-year-old bull was named Hercules by Hefin’s grandchildren.
He added: “I’m so glad there were no human beings there. If there had been it would have been even worse.”
Referring to the dogs, he said: “It was like a monster you see on TV, all mouth and teeth.
“Hercules had no ears left. His ears were chewed off.
“They were on his back. Everything was just covered in blood. It was cornered.”
District Judge Shaw adjourned sentence on all the cases until next month and ordered a report from the probation service.
Nia Lloyd, prosecuting, said there will be applications for destruction of the dogs, compensation, disqualification from keeping dogs, and court costs.
Kennel fees for Murphy and Miley have so far amounted to £11,318.
Paul Humpherson, defending, said Meredith had kept dogs without trouble all her life, mainly in London.
(Wales Online - May 18, 2013)
Foaming at the mouth, the bulldogs attacked the one tonne Limousin bull in his farm pen, climbing over its back and tearing at its ears and underbelly as they reduced the animal to a bloody mess on its knees.
The powerful dogs are now in secure kennels awaiting a district judge’s decision about whether they will live or die and their owner, Leanne Meredith, 33, wept when she was found guilty of two offences at a court case this week.
 |
| Leanne Meredith, owner of killer dogs |
Speaking after the case, farmer Hefin Thomas, who owned the bull, Hercules, which was later put down, said: “These dogs got into the shed where the bull and they attacked him.
“The bull was on his knees. They chewed his ears.
“It was like the Hounds of the Baskervilles. The neighbours heard the sound of the dogs and banging and we went up and saw all this going on.”
One farm worker told the court at Holyhead he feared for his life when the dogs, named Murphy and Miley, attacked Hercules at Tynygongl farm, near Benllech, last July.
District Judge Andrew Shaw heard Hercules was covered in blood and one of his ears had been “shredded”.
The dogs had also been hurt, with one of them having a broken jaw.
After a two day trial, Meredith, who was living at a neighbouring holding at Tynygongl, was found guilty of allowing the dogs to worry livestock and a charge under the Dangerous Dogs Act of allowing the dogs to enter a place where they were not permitted to be.
Judge Shaw rejected Meredith’s claims that the attack had taken place after the bull had strayed on to her property and the dogs were defending themselves and that prosecution witnesses were lying.
After a separate trial, Meredith, a single mother now living in Arterberry Road, Wimbledon, was found guilty of a further Dangerous Dogs Act charge relating to another dog and an incident on land adjoining a caravan site at Tynygongl in which nine sheep died.
Hefin, 59, said his bull was “in a terrible state”, adding: “We had to put him down.”
The pedigree animal, worth about £4,000, had survived on medication for several months after the attack.
“It was such a shame, you could put a baby on his back he was such a gentle bull,” he said.
“I’ve been with animals all my life and I have never seen anything like that.
“The vet had never seen anything like it. There was blood everywhere, it was a hell of a mess.
“They were on its back. You know when you see lions jumping on zebras? That is how it was.
“I really was upset. I had brought that bull up.”
The three-year-old bull was named Hercules by Hefin’s grandchildren.
He added: “I’m so glad there were no human beings there. If there had been it would have been even worse.”
Referring to the dogs, he said: “It was like a monster you see on TV, all mouth and teeth.
“Hercules had no ears left. His ears were chewed off.
 |
| Hercules: "He was such a gentle bull" |
“They were on his back. Everything was just covered in blood. It was cornered.”
District Judge Shaw adjourned sentence on all the cases until next month and ordered a report from the probation service.
Nia Lloyd, prosecuting, said there will be applications for destruction of the dogs, compensation, disqualification from keeping dogs, and court costs.
Kennel fees for Murphy and Miley have so far amounted to £11,318.
Paul Humpherson, defending, said Meredith had kept dogs without trouble all her life, mainly in London.
(Wales Online - May 18, 2013)
Department of Agriculture dispels rumors of torture, starvation
MISSOURI -- Phineas, the yellow lab that has now captured the attention of animal lovers across the country, is in good condition and has not been starved, tortured, or neglected, according to a report from the Department of Agriculture. The department licenses shelter and boarding facilities.
Phineas was ordered to be destroyed after a June 22, 2012, incident when he bit a seven-year-old girl. Salem mayor Gary Brown determined that the dog would be destroyed, and that opinion was upheld in court but currently in an appeal process.
Denna Tune, animal health officer with the department, based her findings on a site visit Monday. She went on to say that it was not a requirement that the dog be held in a state-licensed facility, but it was a good idea.
“He’s in good shape, he seems like a sweet dog,” said Tune.
Tune did note the dog had been licking his paws and had some old abrasions, but that was common for dogs kept chained or kenneled, she said. She said in cases of abuse or neglect, the state bases their investigation on four things: does the dog have access to food, does the dog have access to water, does the dog have access to shelter, and does the dog have access to veterinarian care.
In the case of Phineas, Tune said that all the requirements were met at the undisclosed location he was moved to Thursday evening from the Dent County Fire Protection District building.
“His accommodations at the firehouse would have been fine, too,” she said.
Tune’s visit was the result of numerous complaints of alleged animal abuse to the Department of Agriculture, according to city administrator Clayton Lucas.
Before moving to his new location, Phineas was kept in the walk-out basement garage bay of the fire station. Tune examined the area the dog was kept in during his stay there, also.
A reporter from The Salem News was allowed to see and photograph Phineas Saturday and again Monday, at the new location. His new location is in an open kennel that is approximately five feet by ten feet, and four feet tall with a roof over it. Phineas has a dog house for shelter with a soft bed inside. The Salem News was also allowed to see and photograph where he was kept at the firehouse.
At the firehouse, the dog was kept in a kennel approximately five feet by 10 feet. To one side of the kennel there was a drain in the floor, and Phineas’ bed was raised off of the concrete by a wooden platform.
Fire Chief Brad Nash says he was solely in charge of Phineas’ care while at the firehouse.
“The dog was very well taken care of,” he said. “I am a dog lover, I made sure of it. I walked him three times a day, fed him twice, made sure he had water. I came into town on weekends to take care of him.”
That was not the case, according to Dent County Volunteer Firefighter Austin Denton.
“I know Brad (Nash) would not mistreat a dog on purpose,” Denton told The Salem News Monday. “I never saw the dog tortured or beaten. He wasn’t getting regular food or water. He acted like he wasn’t getting attention.”
Denton said that he would clean Phineas’ cage, and feed and water the dog. A lieutenant witnessed the care and told Denton he had to turn in his pager and would not be responding to any more calls until he spoke with the fire chief, according to Denton. That meeting is set for Wednesday, according to Denton.
Nash stated that as a volunteer, Denton is reimbursed anywhere from $5 to $7.50 per call. Denton said that his reimbursements from the fire department are not his main source of income, he works in repossession.
“But the extra money is nice around Christmas,” said Denton.
Nash stated that there were previous personnel issues with Denton, but that he was not asked to leave the ranks of the volunteer firefighters. Denton has not been to the fire station since going public with his allegations, according to Nash.
Phineas was moved shortly after Denton came forward. At that same time Jackie Overby, of Salem, a self-described friend of Nash, asked if the barking heard at the fire station was, in fact Phineas. According to Lucas, Nash lied and said it was not Phineas, but the fire station’s own dog, Hank.
“It wasn’t the best thing, but we were still trying to find some place to move the dog,” Lucas said.
“People have to understand, it isn’t just those who want to free Phineas that we are worried about. We get calls from people saying ‘just take the dog out and shoot it.’ I don’t want any harm to come to him.”
Thursday night Phineas was moved to his new, undisclosed location. Phineas was transported directly from the fire station to his new location, according to Lucas, and did not spend any time at any locations not examined by Tune during her inspection Monday. Lucas, who has been charged with Phineas’ care and protection, says that his location has not been released to any city officials.
Phineas will remain in his undisclosed location now that it has been deemed fit by the Department of Agriculture.
According to Lucas an emergency closed session meeting of the board of aldermen was called for Thursday. He would not disclose the agenda, but said it would be over any pending litigation.
St. Louis attorney Joe Simon, attorney for the dog’s owners, Patrick and Amber Sanders, has entered a new cause in the court system, citing Gary Brown, et al, as the respondent, according to court documents. Summonses were served Monday. A hearing date has not been set.
(Salem News Online - May 14, 2013)
Phineas was ordered to be destroyed after a June 22, 2012, incident when he bit a seven-year-old girl. Salem mayor Gary Brown determined that the dog would be destroyed, and that opinion was upheld in court but currently in an appeal process.
Denna Tune, animal health officer with the department, based her findings on a site visit Monday. She went on to say that it was not a requirement that the dog be held in a state-licensed facility, but it was a good idea.
“He’s in good shape, he seems like a sweet dog,” said Tune.
Tune did note the dog had been licking his paws and had some old abrasions, but that was common for dogs kept chained or kenneled, she said. She said in cases of abuse or neglect, the state bases their investigation on four things: does the dog have access to food, does the dog have access to water, does the dog have access to shelter, and does the dog have access to veterinarian care.
In the case of Phineas, Tune said that all the requirements were met at the undisclosed location he was moved to Thursday evening from the Dent County Fire Protection District building.
“His accommodations at the firehouse would have been fine, too,” she said.
Tune’s visit was the result of numerous complaints of alleged animal abuse to the Department of Agriculture, according to city administrator Clayton Lucas.
Before moving to his new location, Phineas was kept in the walk-out basement garage bay of the fire station. Tune examined the area the dog was kept in during his stay there, also.
A reporter from The Salem News was allowed to see and photograph Phineas Saturday and again Monday, at the new location. His new location is in an open kennel that is approximately five feet by ten feet, and four feet tall with a roof over it. Phineas has a dog house for shelter with a soft bed inside. The Salem News was also allowed to see and photograph where he was kept at the firehouse.
At the firehouse, the dog was kept in a kennel approximately five feet by 10 feet. To one side of the kennel there was a drain in the floor, and Phineas’ bed was raised off of the concrete by a wooden platform.
Fire Chief Brad Nash says he was solely in charge of Phineas’ care while at the firehouse.
“The dog was very well taken care of,” he said. “I am a dog lover, I made sure of it. I walked him three times a day, fed him twice, made sure he had water. I came into town on weekends to take care of him.”
That was not the case, according to Dent County Volunteer Firefighter Austin Denton.
“I know Brad (Nash) would not mistreat a dog on purpose,” Denton told The Salem News Monday. “I never saw the dog tortured or beaten. He wasn’t getting regular food or water. He acted like he wasn’t getting attention.”
Denton said that he would clean Phineas’ cage, and feed and water the dog. A lieutenant witnessed the care and told Denton he had to turn in his pager and would not be responding to any more calls until he spoke with the fire chief, according to Denton. That meeting is set for Wednesday, according to Denton.
Nash stated that as a volunteer, Denton is reimbursed anywhere from $5 to $7.50 per call. Denton said that his reimbursements from the fire department are not his main source of income, he works in repossession.
“But the extra money is nice around Christmas,” said Denton.
Nash stated that there were previous personnel issues with Denton, but that he was not asked to leave the ranks of the volunteer firefighters. Denton has not been to the fire station since going public with his allegations, according to Nash.
Phineas was moved shortly after Denton came forward. At that same time Jackie Overby, of Salem, a self-described friend of Nash, asked if the barking heard at the fire station was, in fact Phineas. According to Lucas, Nash lied and said it was not Phineas, but the fire station’s own dog, Hank.
“It wasn’t the best thing, but we were still trying to find some place to move the dog,” Lucas said.
“People have to understand, it isn’t just those who want to free Phineas that we are worried about. We get calls from people saying ‘just take the dog out and shoot it.’ I don’t want any harm to come to him.”
Thursday night Phineas was moved to his new, undisclosed location. Phineas was transported directly from the fire station to his new location, according to Lucas, and did not spend any time at any locations not examined by Tune during her inspection Monday. Lucas, who has been charged with Phineas’ care and protection, says that his location has not been released to any city officials.
Phineas will remain in his undisclosed location now that it has been deemed fit by the Department of Agriculture.
According to Lucas an emergency closed session meeting of the board of aldermen was called for Thursday. He would not disclose the agenda, but said it would be over any pending litigation.
St. Louis attorney Joe Simon, attorney for the dog’s owners, Patrick and Amber Sanders, has entered a new cause in the court system, citing Gary Brown, et al, as the respondent, according to court documents. Summonses were served Monday. A hearing date has not been set.
(Salem News Online - May 14, 2013)
Earlier:
Dog attack on child requires 40 stitches to her face
CANADA -- A two-year-old Siberian Husky caused quite a stir in the Town of Harbour Grace last week after biting four-year-old Rosemary Newman May 4 on Brazil's Lane, leaving her with lacerations on her face only a week before her fifth birthday.
The dog in question belongs to Wayne Pelley, who told The Compass via email his dog, Rane, just had a litter of pups less than two weeks ago.
Pelley said Rane has been at his parent's home on the lane for around seven months and is always chained in the same place when she is outside. He also noted the neighbourhood children know and play with her.
According to the Newman family, their daughter required some 40 stitches after the incident, which they say was unprovoked.
"His dog came out and jumped on (Rosemary) and dragged her on the ground," explained father, Wayne Newman.
Rosemary's mother, whom her daughter is named, said two of her daughters, 12-year-old Stephanie and Rosemary, were walking home from Powell's Supermarket on Harvey Street when the event took place.
Young Rosemary was taken to Carbonear Hospital and immediately transported to the Janeway Children's Hospital via ambulance.
No charges have been laid in the incident.
"The RCMP said there won't be charges laid, but there will," Newman stated, referring to an alleged assault on his wife by Pelley that he claims happened as the young girl was getting in the ambulance.
"He gave me a crack upside the face, so naturally I shoved him back," Rosemary's mother said. "I'm still waiting to hear from the RCMP to see if I can press charges, which I plan on doing."
Pelley agrees there was an altercation but denied laying a hand on Rosemary's mother.
In fact, he suggested the opposite - she assaulted him.
"She pushed me to the ground. Then three others were going to attack me and my mother," he claimed. "She even uttered threats towards us, so that's what set me off."
Police investigated
The Trinity Conception RCMP was called, and a police report was completed on the incident.
"There was a dog chained on in a yard and a young girl tugged on the dog's chain," Const. Steve Squires told The Compass. "The dog just had a new litter of pups and I guess it aggravated her, and then she bit the young girl."
Squires said the injuries noted in the report were minor and non-life-threatening, but the girl was brought to Carbonear Hospital to get checked out. The number of stitches was not included in the report.
So far, said Squires, charges have not been laid because the police have to take into account the totality of the situation.
"The dog was tethered as required, and the young girl was approaching a strange dog," he explained.
No stranger
Pelley said Rane is a pure bred Siberian husky, and does not contain any Pit bull, like Rosemary's father had publicly stated last week. He also said the family knows the dog, and has visited her on more than one occasion.
"Wayne has stopped with the little girl so she could pat her, and has expressed how kind and beautiful my dog is," he said.
Pelley believes the situation was unfortunate, but the police statement is accurate.
"I have an eye witness who was with Rane and her puppies when someone started pulling her chain trying to get her to come out (of the yard)," he continued. "Unfortunately it was this little girl."
If the situation had been different, and it was a random bite, Pelley said he would have had the dog put down.
"That is not what happened, and Rane is not going anywhere," he stated.
Family not satisfied
The Newman family did not agree with the police report or Pelley's version of the events. They claim a statement was never taken from any of them on the incident and may have to take things further.
"(The police) never even bothered to come here and take a statement," the father said. "If worse comes to worse, I'll have to go to the court house, take the little girl in front of the judge and get a court order to put the dog down."
Newman said he believes the dog was on a 25-foot chain tied onto the steps of the home, and she was too close to the road.
"It shouldn't be allowed to come up along side of the pavement," he stated, adding his concern right now is his daughter, and he'll deal with the dog issue when she is better.
Pelley argued young Rosemary had to come at least 10 feet onto the property in order to reach the chain in the first place.
He has sympathy for the child, and believes it could have been avoided.
"I have to say my heart goes out to the little girl," he said. "Rane just went out in an instinctive manner to protect her puppies."
It is unknown if Rosemary will have permanent scars, but she will return to the Janeway in July for a follow-up appointment with a plastic surgeon.
According to her mother, Rosemary feels the constant attention is affecting her.
"There are so many faces around, and she is seeing people she normally wouldn't see, all having a look (at her)," she said. "She's very uncomfortable."
The father aid she is still in a lot of pain, and it will take a long time for her to recover.
(The Compass - May 14, 2013)
The dog in question belongs to Wayne Pelley, who told The Compass via email his dog, Rane, just had a litter of pups less than two weeks ago.
Pelley said Rane has been at his parent's home on the lane for around seven months and is always chained in the same place when she is outside. He also noted the neighbourhood children know and play with her.
According to the Newman family, their daughter required some 40 stitches after the incident, which they say was unprovoked.
"His dog came out and jumped on (Rosemary) and dragged her on the ground," explained father, Wayne Newman.
Rosemary's mother, whom her daughter is named, said two of her daughters, 12-year-old Stephanie and Rosemary, were walking home from Powell's Supermarket on Harvey Street when the event took place.
Young Rosemary was taken to Carbonear Hospital and immediately transported to the Janeway Children's Hospital via ambulance.
No charges have been laid in the incident.
"The RCMP said there won't be charges laid, but there will," Newman stated, referring to an alleged assault on his wife by Pelley that he claims happened as the young girl was getting in the ambulance.
"He gave me a crack upside the face, so naturally I shoved him back," Rosemary's mother said. "I'm still waiting to hear from the RCMP to see if I can press charges, which I plan on doing."
Pelley agrees there was an altercation but denied laying a hand on Rosemary's mother.
In fact, he suggested the opposite - she assaulted him.
"She pushed me to the ground. Then three others were going to attack me and my mother," he claimed. "She even uttered threats towards us, so that's what set me off."
Police investigated
The Trinity Conception RCMP was called, and a police report was completed on the incident.
"There was a dog chained on in a yard and a young girl tugged on the dog's chain," Const. Steve Squires told The Compass. "The dog just had a new litter of pups and I guess it aggravated her, and then she bit the young girl."
Squires said the injuries noted in the report were minor and non-life-threatening, but the girl was brought to Carbonear Hospital to get checked out. The number of stitches was not included in the report.
So far, said Squires, charges have not been laid because the police have to take into account the totality of the situation.
"The dog was tethered as required, and the young girl was approaching a strange dog," he explained.
No stranger
Pelley said Rane is a pure bred Siberian husky, and does not contain any Pit bull, like Rosemary's father had publicly stated last week. He also said the family knows the dog, and has visited her on more than one occasion.
"Wayne has stopped with the little girl so she could pat her, and has expressed how kind and beautiful my dog is," he said.
Pelley believes the situation was unfortunate, but the police statement is accurate.
"I have an eye witness who was with Rane and her puppies when someone started pulling her chain trying to get her to come out (of the yard)," he continued. "Unfortunately it was this little girl."
If the situation had been different, and it was a random bite, Pelley said he would have had the dog put down.
"That is not what happened, and Rane is not going anywhere," he stated.
Family not satisfied
The Newman family did not agree with the police report or Pelley's version of the events. They claim a statement was never taken from any of them on the incident and may have to take things further.
"(The police) never even bothered to come here and take a statement," the father said. "If worse comes to worse, I'll have to go to the court house, take the little girl in front of the judge and get a court order to put the dog down."
Newman said he believes the dog was on a 25-foot chain tied onto the steps of the home, and she was too close to the road.
"It shouldn't be allowed to come up along side of the pavement," he stated, adding his concern right now is his daughter, and he'll deal with the dog issue when she is better.
Pelley argued young Rosemary had to come at least 10 feet onto the property in order to reach the chain in the first place.
He has sympathy for the child, and believes it could have been avoided.
"I have to say my heart goes out to the little girl," he said. "Rane just went out in an instinctive manner to protect her puppies."
It is unknown if Rosemary will have permanent scars, but she will return to the Janeway in July for a follow-up appointment with a plastic surgeon.
According to her mother, Rosemary feels the constant attention is affecting her.
"There are so many faces around, and she is seeing people she normally wouldn't see, all having a look (at her)," she said. "She's very uncomfortable."
The father aid she is still in a lot of pain, and it will take a long time for her to recover.
(The Compass - May 14, 2013)
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