Carrick Man, Douglas Boden, Arrested For Animal Abuse & Child Endangerment

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Carrick man is facing a long list of charges, including animal cruelty and child endangerment.

Police say they have received numerous complaints about possible dog abuse at a home on Kirk Avenue in Carrick. The reports began back in June and police were in touch with one of the members of the Carrick-Overbrook Block Watch.

In June, police went to the home for reports of a dog constantly crying and barking at night when people were trying to sleep. They saw a leash and empty dog bowls in the back yard, but no dog.
They knocked on the door and no one responded.

They were called back to the house in July for the same issue.

On Tuesday, officers returned to 118 Kirk Avenue to follow up the complaints about possible animal abuse. The dog was not outside, so officers knocked on the door.

A young boy came to the window crying loudly and screaming “Help Me,” “Help,” and “Mommy.”

Officers say the dog came to the window too and was jumping on the small boy. Officers continued to knock on the door and eventually, Douglas Boden answered. He swore at the officers, told them to leave and slammed the door.

Officers then had to force their way into the house. They told Boden to get on the ground, and he refused. After they yelled at him to get down again, he finally knelt down on the floor and was taken into custody.

Officers say the young boy was naked and there were no diapers in the entire house. The boy had a bruise on his nose and medics were called to check him out. The bruising was older, so he didn’t have to go to the hospital.

Police took the boy to the Zone 3 station, and his mother, who Boden said was grocery shopping, was arranging to pick him up. Workers from Allegheny County’s Children Youth and Family services took protective custody of the child and are determining if the child can be released to his mother.

The dog, which appeared to be abused, was taken to the Animal Rescue League.

Inside Boden’s home, police found an orange pipe with possible marijuana inside. They also found several bags of heroin stamped, “Welcome Bagdad 2.” In addition, officers found several live bullets on top of the television.

Boden has been charged with cruelty to animals, child endangerment and drug possession.

(KDKA - August 26, 2015)