MASSACHUSETTS -- The Staffordshire Terrier that attacked 25-year-old Kaitlyn Grispi Aug. 4 — allegedly at the command of her husband Joshua — was returned to the family Friday after a 10-day quarantine at the Middleboro animal shelter.
Joshua Grispi, also 25 and currently sitting in Barnstable County Jail, must remain in lock-up for no less than 60 days after being released on bail subsequent to an initial arrest on Aug. 1 on domestic assault and battery charges and a second arrest in connection with the incident involving the dog, Buddy, which resulted in his bail being revoked. Mr. Grispi, a former Ultimate Fighting Championship mixed martial artist, reportedly choked the dog into submission after ordering it to attack his wife.
Animal Control Officer Jessica Gardner said the case was handled according to standard Massachusetts procedures. "If there's no signs of rabies after the 10 days, owners are free to bring their animals back home."
When asked of the potential for Buddy to now be a danger, Gardner said the responsibility lies with the owner.
"She's fully aware of her dog's behavior and she's responsible for it like any pet owner," she said. "She has my contact information and if she decided she needed some kind of help, she knows she can call us."
If she were to need or want help, Gardner said behavioral modification specialists can be called in and sometimes are in similar cases.
Gardner also noted that Buddy left Middleboro Animal Control Friday with a license and shots, neither of which were up to date upon his arrival.
According to Middleboro Police prosecutor Richard Harvey, Kaitlyn Grispi told police her husband ordered the dog to attack her, and this was not the first time. Upon investigation of Joshua's confiscated iPhone, police found texts only a week old at the time making threats referencing the dog by name.
—¦ I'm goin to let Buddy have at u and I'll walk out of the room," one text read in-part as transcribed in a police report. Another said, "U better not b bluffing about cops cuz I don't joke ur dead when I see u"¦ Literally. I dont care I'm going to beat u n throw u to buddy, Ur dead."
Though it is unknown exactly how many times the dog was used as a weapon against Kaitlyn Grispi, she told police she has been abused for approximately two years during her three-year marriage and was "afraid to come forward because she has been threatened he would kill her and her family" according to a police report. The report goes on to say that Joshua and Kaitlyn's two children were present during assaults.
The first incident resulted in four counts of improperly storing a firearm near a minor and three counts of improperly storing a rifle near a minor, on top of the domestic assault and battery charge.
The second incident resulted in another assault and battery charge, malicious damage to a motor vehicle, drug cultivation of class D substance (marijuana plants), possession of a class B substance (cocaine — 14.9 grams) with intent to distribute, cruelty to an animal, and two counts of violating an abuse prevention order.
Harvey, the court prosecutor, told The Gazette that the Department of Children and Families (DCF) has been notified of the situation, and also that there is a likelihood of more charges. He also noted that Mrs. Grispi reported to him that she knew nothing of the cocaine and marijuana found in the house as her husband did not allow her to go in the basement where the drugs and associated paraphernalia were found by police.
"She's a good kid," Harvey said of Kaitlyn. "I've talked to her at length. She told me it's hard because it's her husband. I told her I understand, but you've got to stand up for yourself. You have the right to live life in peace and harmony and not be a punching bag."
When asked to comment on more recent reports in the press that cite Mrs. Grispi as suggesting the situation has been "blown out of proportion" because of her husband's involvement with professional fighting, Harvey said "domestic abuse happens all the time, but let me ask you — have you ever heard of someone training a dog like he did and siccing it on his wife, and getting arrested twice for abusing her within a few days?"
Mrs. Grispi initially spoke to reporters and said she would consider allowing her husband to return home if he seeks help. She has since indicated she will no longer talk to the media.
(Middleboro Gazette - Aug 21, 2014)
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