Dog seriously injured in pit bull attack in Bow

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Police in Bow said they are investigating an attack by two pit bulls that left another dog with serious injuries.

Fish and Game Deputy Dave Eskeland said he and his leashed dog, Lady, were walking on a popular trail in town when they were attacked by the other dogs.

"This was where the dog had her pinned down and was shaking her," Eskeland said.

Lady is recovering from multiple wounds that required more than 30 staples.

"All of a sudden, I was pulled over backwards," Eskeland said. "One jumped up, and afterward, I looked at the fleece vest I was wearing, and it was shredded."

The retired sergeant and now deputy with the Fish and Game Department said it was his closest call in more than 20 years of law enforcement.

"It came at my face and neck, and it was quartering in, and I sprayed it with pepper spray," he said.

Eskeland said he thought he was watching his dog die.

"I was punching as hard as I could," he said. "I'm a big guy, and I couldn't even get their attention."

The owner of the nearby home where the dogs live eventually arrived to help. Eskeland carried his dog home and then took her to the veterinarian.

He and his wife, Janis Eskeland, said they are animal lovers, and they have a message for other dog owners.

"We just couldn't live with ourselves if this happens to anyone else," Janis Eskeland said. "Our message is we want people to be responsible, because the dogs are not able to do that. It's up to the people."

Bow police said the owner of the dogs faces six local violations, two each for letting the dogs run loose, for attacking Dave Eskeland and for attacking Lady.

Officials said the owner must go before a judge to deal with the violations.

(WMUR - Oct 27, 2015)

Davidson police officer, woman injured in dog attack

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Davidson police officer was taken to the hospital Thursday after he tried to help a woman being attacked by a dog.

The officer, who has not been identified, suffered bite wounds to the hand and face. The woman was also injured, but it was unclear how severely.

Police tell WBTV two women were walking their dogs on Caldwell Lane when the animals began to fight. Police say one dog started attacking one of the women.



Sgt. Steve Ingram says one of his officers just happened to be driving by.

"The officer was just riding by when he saw this incident unfolding. So instinctively, he got out of the car to try and provide aid," Ingram said.

Ingram says at that point the dog turned on him and the officer was forced to shoot the the animal.

"He did everything to try not to shoot the animal,” Ingram said, “and he was left with no other choice at that point."

Both the officer and the woman are expected to be okay.

Jessie Brewer lives in the neighborhood. "We walk our dogs here every day,” Brewer said. “It's a friendly neighborhood. Dogs are friendly to each other, so it's kind of surprising to hear."

Kim Owens, co-owner of NoDa Bark and Board in Charlotte, said “it's crazy that the dog had to be shot. (But) It was probably an avoidable situation."

Owens says there are things to do if pet owners find themselves in similar situations, including grabbing the dog's haunches to pull them out of the incident. But if you have an aggressive dog, she says never give them the opportunity to fight.

"Take yourself away from that situation, especially if you may have a stroller and have kids with you,” Owens said. “Cross the street.”

(Charlotte Observer - ‎Oct 29, 2015)

Warrants issued for arrest of pit bull owners in Tacoma dog attack

WASHINGTON -- An arrest warrant has been issued for the two owners of pit bulls that mauled a woman outside a Tacoma smoke shop last summer.

Johnny and Devin Cannady had been charged with being an owner of an attacking dog, but failed to appear at their arraignment Thursday.

Prosecutors say their two pit bulls attacked Donna Breto as she was outside the North Point Smoke Shop on July 31.

"I started for the door and next thing I remember I was on the ground," Berto said of the attack. "I could feel him biting my head, biting my hand, biting my legs."



She was taken to the ground. The dogs bit others who tried to help, and the canines finally ran away after somebody fired gunshots, prosecutors said.



Her injuries required plastic surgery to repair significant wounds to her face, head, hands and legs, prosecutors said.

The owners of the dog disputed the claim and filed an appeal, saying police had identified the wrong dogs, but investigators said evidence, including video surveillance of the attack, convinced them they have the correct dogs.

The appeal was denied and the dogs were classified as Dangerous Dogs, and will be euthanized, according to court documents.

(KOMO - Oct 31, 2015)

Earlier:

• 67-Year-Old Grandma Mauled by 2 Pit Bulls: 'I Could Feel Them Pulling Apart My Leg' 
• Pierce County pit bull owner, Devin Choi Cannady, charged after vicious mauling

Seizure hearing Nov. 18 in Somerset animal cruelty case (Anne Shumate)

VIRGINIA -- Anne Shumate Williams, a.k.a., Anne Goland, 57, remains in jail without bond following a brief court appearance Wednesday in general district court to face 24 charges of animal cruelty in the ongoing investigation centered at Peaceable Farm, her animal rescue nonprofit in Somerset.

  

Orange-based defense attorney Thomas Purcell declined comment on his client's behalf.

 Since Oct. 19, more than 100 animals in poor condition have been removed from the property, including 10 horses that were near death and legally seized. In court Wednesday, Judge Edward Carpenter moved a civil hearing on the seizure to Nov. 18, at which time a date will be set in the criminal matter.

 At the seizure hearing, prosecutors will put on evidence showing the horses had be removed or they were in imminent danger of losing their life, said Orange County Commonwealth's Attorney Diana Wheeler at a news conference Monday. Both she and Orange County Sheriff Mark Amos said that animals had to be near death before state statute would allow their legal seizure.

  Del. Ed Scott, R-Madison, declined Wednesday to comment on that state statute that many in the equestrian community feel needs to be changed.

  On Oct. 3, a concerned citizen contacted the Orange County Sheriff's Office about the poor physical condition of several horses seen from the road at Peaceable Farm, according to court documents.

 On Oct. 11, Williams purchased and picked up another horse, according to Wheeler.

 On Oct. 13, Cindy Smith with Central Virginia Horse Rescue sent pictures to the sheriff's office of emaciated horses living at Peaceable Farm.

 On Oct. 17 the local agency received more calls about the welfare of the horses as well as complaints about the lack of grass in the pasture and no hay in the fields, according to court documents.

  On Oct. 19, the sheriff's office executed its first search warrant at the property at 9306 Liberty Mills Road where they observed "an overwhelming amount" of dead and starving horses, dogs, cats and poultry in the two-story house, curtilage, barns and fields, according to the warrant, along with numerous records related to the "care of animals," expenses and bank statements.

Photos: Fredericksburg.com

 Officials noted "a unique smell" on the property "consistent with the decay of carcasses." Orange County Building Official G.W. Gray, based on the conditions, posted the house as uninhabitable.

 On Oct. 23, a second search warrant issued at the house resulted in the seizure of 10 dead cats and two dead dogs, according to court documents. Authorities were also authorized to search cell phones and communication devices and take feed and hay samples.

Photo: Hope Legacy Equine Rescue

On the same day, the sheriff's office got a search warrant for more than a dozen storage units in Charlottesville in use by Williams after the owner of the self-storage business advised authorities the units "had a unique smell emitting from them," according to court documents. The warrant authorized a search in the storage units for dead animals and documents related to Peaceable Farm; results of the search had not yet been submitted Wednesday.

(Daily Progress - Oct 28, 2015)

Union County woman, Penny Merritt, accused of animal cruelty headed to grand jury

TENNESSEE -- A Union County woman's animal cruelty case is headed to a grand jury, after a judge found enough evidence at a hearing Thursday.

Authorities seized 50 animals from Penny Merritt's Maynardville home earlier this month.

But Merritt insists she's not a hoarder.

"I just love animals. I love these animals, and I feel it's been unfair," she says.

Merritt say she's been rescuing animals since she was 18.

"I take care of my animals. I feed them. They're all healthy and fat," she says.

But prosecutors say she has a problem. They accuse her of hoarding animals. They found 38 dogs, 11 cats and a rabbit in her house. They took them to a shelter.

An investigator testified Thursday he found the animals "held in a cruel manner" at the home.

"I'm very upset. But I'm not gonna give up on my animals. I'm afraid that right now, for the last month they've been kept in crates. And they're not used to being kept in crates."

Meanwhile, the shelter's charging her $10 per animal, per day to care for them while the trial continues. It's $7,000 so far.

Merritt feels she's being treated unfairly.

"All that's gonna come out. The truth's gonna come out," she says. "I don't keep all the animals. That would be what's considered a hoarder. But I have found homes for many many dogs and cats in my life."

Even if Merritt is found not guilty, she'll still have to pay the shelter or risk losing her animals. Her attorney say it's not fair. A separate hearing has been called next week to discuss it.




It's typical that shelters charge "reasonable" care fees. Someone has to change the litter pans each day, someone has to provide food and water each day to 50+ animals, someone has to walk the dogs each day, someone has to provide veterinary care to those that need it, animals which require medication need to have it administered, someone has to pay the electric and water and heat bills.

(Local 8 Now - Oct 29, 2015)

German shepherd awaiting its fate after attacking 8-year-old boy

CALIFORNIA -- A San Joaquin man is apologizing for a German Shepherd attack that wounded an 8-year-old boy. He says his dogs got loose while he was out of town.

The boy is okay. He was rescued by a bus driver and a man in a red truck.

It is a dark day for a German Shepherd in San Joaquin. She's on death row -- alone in an unfamiliar place. "The dog knows, dogs have feelings too," said Chad McMullin, Fresno City manager, "you can't tell them why they're being held."

She's being held for a vicious attack on an 8-year-old boy. There won't be a jury or a trial. She's already been convicted and the owner has decided to give her up. "I just don't want to risk it, go through another situation," the owner said, "once the dog bites, it's gonna become more aggressive so I told them, don't wait for another chance."

The victim, Ricardo Carrillo, lives next door. His wounds are hidden beneath pajamas and he only had one word to say about his recovery, "good," Carrillo said. He was actually attacked by two dogs. They bit his leg, his arm and his head.
 

 

A deputy put one down in the street but it was Ruben Mendoza, a school bus driver, who saved Carrillo with a tire thumper. Mendoza said, "It could have been any of our kids, could have been one of mine. So first thing that comes to mind, do something."

The owner of the dogs says it's now his turn to do the right thing, "It's frustrating cause I put myself in their shoes, I have kids and I'm really sorry."

The German Shepherds final days will be spent in a kennel and the owner says the city will put her down. "It's two dogs. But a human life, you can't replace," he said.

A loss on both sides. One person has to give up a pet and the other has to live with the scars.

The city says the dogs were never cited in the past so the owner won't face any fines.

(ABC30.com - Oct 30, 2015)



Earlier:

• 8-year-old survives vicious German Shepherd attack

Montana: Thomas Jessberger pleads no-contest to 15 felonies in animal cruelty case

MONTANA -- A Townsend man who ran a sham animal rescue has pleaded no-contest to 15 felony charges of cruelty to animals.

In the plea, 16 animals once in Thomas Jessberger's care were listed by name. Jessberger pleaded no-contest to subjecting those animals, including a mare named Chili found dead at the Rocky Acres Horse and Sanctuary, to mistreatment and neglect.

As part of an agreement filed in Broadwater County District Court on Friday, prosecutors dropped 19 counts of animal cruelty and a charge of bail jumping.

Jessberger and Darlene Rindal, the former owners of Rocky Acres Horse Rescue, were each charged with one misdemeanor count and 34 felony counts of cruelty to animals in connection with an investigation by the Broadwater County Sheriff’s Office.

 

Broadwater County Attorney Cory Swanson said the case has cost the county more than $100,000 in the care of the animals. Restitution in the case will be discussed at sentencing.

Jessberger's plea agreement comes with a recommendation of 20 years to the Montana Department of Corrections with eight years suspended. A sentencing hearing has not been set.

Rindal is awaiting trial.

On March 11, 2014, 28 horses, five goats, one miniature mule and one donkey, nearly all of which showed signs of severe malnutrition, were seized from the property. At least two of the animals had to be euthanized.

A non-irrigated, 10-acre property and a single-wide trailer house, both owned by Rindal under the name Dalene Turner, were used to board horses and to take in horses “rescued” from various owners where the animals needed special care, Swanson wrote in charging documents.

 

Rindal and Jessberger used the animal rescue to raise money through websites, social media, public fundraising events and horse rides in exchange for donations, Swanson wrote. They also received free or discounted hay, veterinary services and other contributions.

Jessberger was convicted in a separate case of felony theft and received a suspended sentence. He then fled probation and was later picked up in Florida. Jessberger received a five-year sentence to the Montana Department of Corrections in that case after his suspended sentence was revoked, Swanson said.

(Independent Record - Oct 27, 2015)

Earlier:

• Rocky Acres animal cruelty case moves forward 
•  Alleged Montana Horse Abuser, Thomas Jessberger, Caught in Florida

Sad ending for German Shepherd as its owner, Refugio Alvarez, punished for animal cruelty

CALIFORNIA -- The Fresno County man who sparked outrage on social media when he left his nearly dead dog in his truck this summer admitted to his crime Friday.

McQueen's plight caught the attention of hundreds when he was found nearly lifeless in his owner's pickup truck outside a Petsmart store. A long-term tick infestation left the 3-year-old emaciated and with severe anemia.

Refugio Alvarez now admits he let it drag out too long, but his attorney says Alvarez was trying to take it to a vet just before people spotted the forlorn dog.

"Because of road construction, he wasn't able to get into that location, so what he decided to do was travel to a (Petsmart) where the other individual civilians took pictures of the dog in the back of his vehicle," said defense attorney Eddie Ruiz.

The day after the pictures went viral on social media, Action News was there when a sheriff's deputy arrested Alvarez for animal cruelty. Alvarez said he took the dog to the vet that same day, but only after the online outrage, and admitted to postponing care.

"In fact, when he was arrested he informed the deputy sheriff that he did not take the dog to the vet because he didn't want to incur the cost," said prosecutor Lynette Gonzales.

Refugio Alvarez

Once animal control officers took custody of McQueen, they discovered just how ill he was.

"Turns out the dog was so anemic it couldn't stand for a prolonged period of time and had he not been treated, according to the veterinarian, he would've died within a day or two," Gonzales said.

Animal control nursed him back to health, getting rid of the ticks and building up his weight. But when he recovered, they realized he was too vicious to adopt out.

McQueen was euthanized earlier this month.

His owner admitted to misdemeanor animal cruelty Friday. He won't go back to jail, but he will serve two years of probation and he's not allowed to own animals for five years.



Animal Rescue of Fresno told Action News there is a happy ending here. They say social media and concerned witnesses made a positive impact. They also called it a teaching moment, emphasizing the importance of animal owners learning the proper care, feeding and treatment required for a healthy, happy life.

(ABC30.com - Oct 30, 2015)

Animal cruelty suspect, Lee Allen Miller, 52, arrested again

TEXAS -- An Iowa Park man whose Greyhound dogs were seized last week was arrested again Monday on four charges of cruelty to animals, Wichita County Jail records show.

Lee Allen Miller, 52, initially was jailed on theft charges , accused of stealing his own dogs from a temporary shelter in Iowa Park where they were being held. He bonded out of jail on the theft charges, but now the man — who allegedly held at least 34 dogs in dirty, cramped conditions — is behind bars on animal cruelty charges.

Miller was arrested the second time after he attended a civil court hearing in Iowa Park Monday morning to determine whether he would be able to take his dogs back. Justice of the Peace Marc Newman issued an order that the dogs would stay at the animal reclaim center there.

At the hearing, Miller and an animal control official gave testimony, Newman said.

The order on custody of the dogs could be reversed if a county judge approves an appeal. Miller has 10 calendar days to file an appeal but will have to post a $2,950 "appeal bond" before doing so, the justice of the peace said.

Last week, Wichita County Sheriff David Duke said several witnesses saw Miller's vehicle parked around some large brush burn piles behind Midway ISD property in Clay County where Miller is employed.

Duke said an employee heard dogs whimpering and found the animals taken from the shelter. The employee took video of the dogs in cages — the sheriff's office was working last week to obtain the video.

Before the seizure, the dogs were being kept in metal buildings that had no ventilation or lights, officials said. They reportedly were housed in pet carriers — some of which contained several dogs — and were covered in feces and urine.

One official said feces were "literally pouring out of the cages."

A bond amount had not been set Monday afternoon regarding the animal cruelty charges against Miller.

(Times Record News - Oct 27, 2015)

Horse rescued from horrible conditions dies en route to vet hospital

ILLINOIS -- A horse that was among several animals seized from a Huntley property died on the way to a veterinary hospital, a McHenry County official said.

The horse along with a goat and four juvenile pigs were impounded and immediately removed from the Diekman Road property after an officer with McHenry County Animal Control and Adoption assisted by the McHenry County Sheriff’s Office and two representatives of the Hooved Animal Humane Society went to investigate a citizen complaint reporting animal cruelty, according to a news release.

County officials said the animals were in poor condition and required emergency care by a licensed veterinarian, the release said. The horse, who died in route to the University of Wisconsin Veterinary Hospital, will be necropsied.

Animal owners are required by law to provide sufficient food and water, adequate shelter, veterinary care needed to prevent suffering and humane care and treatment.

The animals not in immediate danger will remain on the property and will be monitored by McHenry County Animal Control officers, investigators said.

The McHenry County Department of Health spokeswoman did not return a call requesting information about whether the animals' owner would be charged and how many animals were remaining on the property.

Complaints of animal cruelty can be submitted to Animal Control at 815-459-6222.

(NW Herald - Oct. 30, 2015)

Court upholds Roger Pitcher's 12-year sentence for animal cruelty

COLORADO -- For the second time in two years, the Colorado Court of Appeals rejected attempts by a Grand Junction man to have his 12-year sentence for animal cruelty reduced.

In the appeal, Roger Pitcher, 49, tried to argue that his attorney failed to adequately defend him during trial.

Pitcher was convicted in 2010 for kicking a neighbor’s dog in the 1800 block of Bunting Avenue, an incident observed by several witnesses.

When asked to stop by the dog’s owner, he “grabbed the dog by its tether and slammed it into the ground twice from above his head,” according to the ruling, which added that Pitcher later made threatening statements and pointed a gun at the dog’s owner. 

He was found guilty of felony menacing, cruelty to animals, driving with a restrained license and four habitual criminal counts. Pitcher was on parole at the time of the incident.

In 2013, Pitcher lost an appeal challenging his conviction and sentence, trying to argue that the court erred when it allowed the jury to see the dog, a 5-pound, 6-inch-high Chihuahua named Shila.

A three-judge panel of the court ruled Thursday that Pitcher failed to show how his attorney provided ineffective assistance.

“Defendant contends that the court erred in summarily denying his motion for post conviction relief on claims that his trial counsel was ineffective for failing to, (1) adequately highlight to the jury inconsistencies in the victim’s testimony, (2) elicit testimony from a witness regarding alleged threats made by police to influence the witness’ testimony, and (3) adequately prepare for a witness that was not disclosed before trial,” Judge Daniel Dailey wrote in the opinion, which was joined by Judges Laurie Booras and Anthony Navarro. “We are not persuaded.”

Pitcher currently is serving his sentence at Crowley County Correctional Facility. His next parole hearing is scheduled for October 2016. He has a mandatory release date of October 2020, according to the Colorado Department of Corrections.

(Daily Sentinel - Oct 30, 2015)

Victoria Ciminelli, 21, and Patric Poirrier, 40, sentenced for attempted animal cruelty

MICHIGAN -- An Oceola Township couple has received  probation on charges of attempted animal cruelty.

They were sentenced Thursday in Livingston County Circuit Court.

Victoria Lynn Ciminelli, 21, and her boyfriend, Patric Phillip Poirrier, 40, were originally charged with felony animal cruelty of four to 10 animals, but each pleaded guilty to a reduced charge of attempted animal cruelty, a one-year misdemeanor.

Authorities alleged Ciminelli and Poirrier housed eight cats in unsanitary conditions and failed to provide proper medical attention when the cats became ill. The cats suffered from worms and at least one had a liver condition, authorities said.

Under the terms of the plea deal, Ciminelli and Poirrier received a two-year nonreporting probation term that will include conditions ordering them to not possess or own animals and to submit to random inspections by police or animal control officers to ensure they are compliant with probation requirements.

Under the the plea deal, Ciminelli and Poirrier cannot seek early release from probation..

(Livingston Daily - Oct 30, 2015)

Earlier:

• Victoria Ciminelli, 21, and Patric Poirrier, 40, admit to animal cruelty

Accused animal abuser, Dayle Kountz, asks judge to dismiss animal cruelty case

MONTANA -- A Bozeman arena owner has asked a judge to dismiss the animal cruelty charges against him, citing numerous reasons including lack of probable cause and unconstitutional statutes.

Defense attorneys for Dayle Kountz, owner of Kountz Arena on Stucky Road, filed numerous motions in Gallatin County District Court this week seeking to dismiss the case accusing Kountz of abusing his stallion Young Doc Bar and a calf.

Defense attorney Al Avignone called the prosecution’s case problematic. Law enforcement had closed the case against Kountz, but prosecutors proceeded to charge Kountz two months later, Avignone said.

Dayle Kountz

And, Avignone argued, the prosecution is based on incomplete and inaccurate information and a “defamatory social media campaign that displays great ignorance and mischaracterizations of the true circumstances surrounding (Young Doc Bar) and the calf.”

“The last thing Dayle Kountz would do is to mistreat, neglect or ‘torture’ (Young Doc Bar) or the calf,” Avignone wrote in his motion.

Kountz is facing felony counts of aggravated animal cruelty and cruelty to animals, a second offense.

He is also charged with an alternative felony to the aggravated animal cruelty charge, but he can only be convicted of two total counts.

A five-day trial is scheduled for April.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office filed the charges against Kountz in May. He pleaded not guilty in June.

Prosecutors allege that Kountz tortured Young Doc Bar by withholding veterinary care following a serious laceration to the horse’s leg, which resulted in the horse slowly losing his hoof and a portion of his lower leg. The horse also suffered from bed sores and weight loss and was unable to stand for periods of time, prosecutors say.

Prosecutors also accuse Kountz of failing to provide care to his seriously ill calf.

The Gallatin County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to the Kountz Arena on March 28 to investigate animal cruelty allegations.

A veterinarian who examined Young Doc Bar and the calf recommended that they be euthanized. A deputy later instructed Kountz to put down the animals, which he did, court documents say.

A number of witnesses who were at the Kountz Arena for a horse show came forward and provided photographs and information to the sheriff’s office for further investigation.

According to Kountz’s motions, he had owned Young Doc Bar, or Tommy as Kountz called him, for 20 years.

“Tommy was like family to the Kountz family,” Avignone wrote.

The horse was injured in December when he accidentally got his leg caught in a corral panel. Kountz immediately sought medical advice, the motion said, and followed treatment recommended by a vet.

Kountz and his family then treated the horse themselves with antibiotics, pain medication, wound dressing, soaking and wrapping the injured leg.

The horse “was continuing to enjoy his life and provide companionship albeit with an injured leg,” Avignone wrote.

“Tommy was a special horse — tough and smart and very much still interested in continuing to live,” Avignone wrote. “Mr. Kountz knew Tommy very well and if Tommy was in pain or had given up on wanting to live, Mr. Kountz would have put him down.”

 

Kountz went on to say that he had spent a lot of money keeping the horse alive and wanted to get some semen out of him. 

The calf “appeared to be a little poor looking,” the motion said, so Kountz put it in the barn for extra care and monitoring. Kountz had to go out of town, but when he left the morning of March 28, the calf was sitting upright and alive, the defense said.

And both the horse and the calf had clean stalls and food and water, the motion said.

Avignone argued that the charges should be dismissed for numerous reasons.

The state violated Kountz’s right to due process by ordering that he euthanize the two animals.

“Mr. Kountz had no choice and complied with the deputy’s directive,” Avignone wrote.

But because of that, Kountz was not able to consult with an independent veterinarian and have the animals examined and tested to offer up evidence that might counter prosecutor’s claims.

“The animals are now gone because of the state. The state’s conduct requires dismissal,” Avignone wrote.

Avignone also argues that the state does not have probable cause to charge Kountz, that state law doesn’t define “torture,” and that Kountz’s previous misdemeanor charge is 15 years old and not “constitutionally firm,” all meaning the charges should be dropped.

The Gallatin County Attorney’s Office has not responded to the defense’s motions.

(The Bozeman Daily Chronicle - Oct 31, 2015)

Earlier:

• Animal abuse case at Kountz Arena sent to County Attorney

• After finding a horse and calf suffering, lazy deputy gives 'warning' to abuser - and leaves them to continue to suffer

California: 8-year-old survives vicious German Shepherd attack

CALIFORNIA -- An 8-year-old boy who survived a vicious dog attack says he owes his life to a heroic bus driver.

 

  

Ricardo Carrillo made it home from the hospital in tears but still tough. He's recovering from the fight of his life, "I got scared and I literally thought I was gonna die."

He was attacked by two German Shepherds - the neighbor's dogs, he says, while he was walking to his friend's house in San Joaquin.

 "I sacrificed myself for my friend," Carrillo said.

 

 

His friend ran away and left Ricardo all alone. The dogs bit his leg, his hand and his head, "I feel they could have killed me and nobody had to help me," Carrillo added.

It was the end of a school day. A bus full of kids had just pulled up and Ricardo says the driver jumped out with a baseball bat, "when the bus driver came, he told them to get out of here and a guy in a red truck also helped."

Deputies showed up moments later. The dogs ran home, they were contained in the yard but it wasn't enough to hold both of them back.

Jake Jensen with the Fresno County Sheriff's Office said, "one of the dogs got out of the yard, came towards the deputy and got aggressive and he fired two shots, killing the dog."

The other dog was picked up by animal control and Ricardo was rushed to the hospital.

 

 

His sister, Ana Maldonado said, "it broke my heart, he looked at me with his big brown eyes, they were watering...it hurt."

Ricardo is still in pain but says his family is making it all go away, "they want me to feel good, strong and invincible and I love them."

Animal control will decide the fate of the dog that is still alive and the owners could face a fine.

(ABC30.com - Oct 29, 2015)

Elderly woman and her miniature poodle viciously attacked

WISCONSIN -- Sharon Witt did not expect an afternoon dog walk to end in the emergency room.

The 71-year-old Kenosha resident was walking Buddy, a 6-month-old miniature poodle, around Southport Park Oct. 13 when large dogs ran out of the sand dunes and attacked her.

“All of a sudden, three dogs ran out of the woods,” she said. “Two of them were black and one of them was white with brown spots. It ran and picked up Buddy in his mouth.”

Witt saved Buddy by prying the white dog’s mouth apart with her hands. Unfortunately, when it dropped Buddy, it immediately began biting Witt. It may have been a pit bull.

“It happened really, really fast,” Witt said. “There wasn’t a lot of time to think, but I didn’t want my dog killed.”

A nearby man heard Witt’s screams and scared the dogs away. He then walked her to a park bench and another man called 911.

Witt was taken by ambulance to Kenosha Medical Center for treatment. Buddy was unharmed.

“I could barely walk,” Witt said. “My right arm is broken, I have lacerations and bite marks and puncture wounds all over my arms. ... I was really in pain, too.”

Witt’s right cheek was “ripped open,” and she may need to undergo reconstructive surgery. She remains on pain killers and antibiotics, in case one of the dogs was carrying a disease.

Witt hopes her story will inspire more people to leash their dogs during walks and inspect their yards to ensure their animals cannot escape.

“I could have been killed,” Witt said. “There is a leash ordinance in Kenosha, but it’s not enforced.”

Kenosha Police are investigating the incident; the dogs’ owners remain unknown.

(Kenosha News - Oct 20, 2015)

Canada: Vicious Pit Bull attack leaves north-end apartment dwellers on edge

CANADA -- Residents of an apartment building in the city's north end are on edge after one of its tenants was attacked by a pit bull outside the building last week.

The incident on Oct. 14 in the Ahuntsic-Cartierville district was caught on the building's security camera.

In it, Nancy Martel is seen holding the front door open for a woman with a pit bull, who suddenly lunges at her and bites her.

The dog owner is seen trying to kick at the dog and pull it back.

The attack continued for about 20 seconds before she was able to break free.

video

The 29-year-old Martel suffered bite wounds to her fingers, the inside of her thighs and above her knee. She spent three days in hospital getting stitched up, and is now housebound for the next four to six weeks.

She told the Journal de Montreal that she just landed a job in her field of study after three years studying museology. She worries the attack might cost her that job.

She also continues to live in fear of coming across the animal again.

(CJAD - Oct 23, 2015)