Australia: Michelle Simpson, 50, charged after her two pit bulls mauled 9-year-old girl

AUSTRALIA -- A 50-year-old woman has been charged over an attack on a nine-year-old girl by two dogs in Bassendean in Perth last month.

 

 

Midland Detectives allege the woman from Eden Hill was the owner of two Staffordshire pit bull terriers that injured the girl as she was playing at Success Hill Reserve park about 4.45pm on September 9.

The girl suffered serious injuries to her head, face, legs and buttocks and required surgery.

Her 16-year-old brother managed to pulled the dogs away and the girl required extensive surgery.

The two dogs when they were younger

The parents of the little girl told Nine News that the owner of the dogs – Michelle Giblet – told their daughter to stop screaming and stay still during the attack.

They said she did nothing to help during the horrifying ordeal.

The girl’s father told Nine News shortly after the attack that he would push for law changes which would see owners of dogs who attack penalized for assault.

Both dogs were put down.

Michelle Louise Simpson (aka Michelle Giblet) has been charged with unlawful wounding and is due to appear in the Midland Magistrates Court next month.

Note: Nine News identified the pit bull owner as Michelle Giblet, which is the name I used in the September 2016 post. However, now they're identifying her as Michelle Simpson. 

(ABC Online - Oct 31, 2016)

Earlier:

• Australia: Owners of pit bull mixes which have attacked two girls, tried to keep them hidden from police

Florida: Red tide-affected turtle rescued by Lee County deputy

FLORIDA -- Sometimes an apprehension for a Lee County deputy is more than cuffing a miscreant.

In the case of Lee County Sheriff's Office Deputy Ryan Justham, the apprehension was the capture of a sea turtle off Upper Captiva Island on Saturday.

It was later determined that the animal was suffering the effects of exposure to red tide.

According to a public information officer for the LCSO, the deputies were called when the turtle was spotted off shore near Barnacle Phil's Restaurant on Point House Trail.

A restaurant worker said that the animal could be seen floundering in the water just off the restaurant and it was obvious that it was distressed, so they called around and were put in touch with the sheriff's office.

Marine Unit deputies Justham and Chris Lusk responded, corralled the turtle and transported it back to Captiva Island.

"When I arrived at Barnacle Phil’s the turtle was on the beach and not very active, so I was able to pick it up and carry it to the boat," Justham said.

The deputy added that there were no obvious signs of injury to the animal, however it was only moving it's head and the actions appeared to be extremely labored.

The turtle was turned over to the Clinic for the Rehabilitation of Wildlife animal rescue center for treatment.

On Sunday,  Kenny Howell, spokesman for CROW, said that the adult green sea turtle weighed 52 pounds and arrived at the organization's rehabilitation center depressed, pale and was having difficulty breathing.

The turtle had a single small fibropapilloma, a common disease that causes tumors to cover a turtle's body and impedes vision, mouth and movement, Howell said.

According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission, for an unknown reason the frequency of fibropapilloma is much higher in green turtles than in other species.

"It is believed that the sea turtle has Brevitoxicosis," Howell said via an email. The affliction is related to red tide.

"Overall, the turtle is in great body condition and being provided supportive care (food, water) and being monitored closely," he added.

The prognosis for the animal is positive and it is expected to be released in the near future.

Justham said the rescue was not his first.

"As a member of the Lee County Sheriff’s Office Marine Unit I’ve rescued multiple animals, to include multiple manatees, pelicans, anhingas (diving ducks) and a raccoon from a channel marker.," he said. "Also, a large cow stranded on an island in the Caloosahatchee."

(News Press - Oct 31, 2016)

Wisconsin: Calvin Skenandore, 42, charged with animal cruelty

Full Name: Calvin Skenandore
Race: White
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 06/15/1974
Arrest Age: 42
Arrest Date: 10/30/2016
Arrest Location: Milwaukee County, Wisconsin
Charges
#1 BATTERY
STATUTE: 940.19(1) (MISDEMEANOR)

#2 Charges Pending
NOTES: N/A

#3 INTENTIONALLY MISTREAT ANIMALS
STATUTE: 951.02 (MISDEMEANOR)

#4 DISORDERLY CONDUCT
STATUTE: 947.01(1) (MISDEMEANOR)

#5 Charges Pending

Washington: Not-guilty pleas entered by Deanna Wilson on child rape, animal cruelty charges

WASHINGTON -- A 41-year-old Port Angeles woman has pleaded not guilty to child rape and animal cruelty charges.

Deanna Marie Wilson entered her plea during an arraignment in Clallam County Superior Court on Friday.

She is charged with third-degree child rape, four counts of first-degree animal cruelty, possession of and dealing in depictions of minors engaged in sexually explicit conduct and furnishing liquor to minors.

Port Angeles police said Wilson raped a 15-year-old boy after providing alcohol to a group of minors Oct. 6 and had sexual contact with a small poodle dog May 4 and Oct. 1.

Police said Wilson took photographs of the alleged crimes with her cellphone.

Clallam County Superior Court Judge Brian Coughenour scheduled a one-week trial for Dec. 12. A status hearing is set for Nov. 18.

Wilson is being held in the Clallam County jail on $100,000 bail.

Should she post bail, Wilson would be required to have no contact with minors or animals and wear a Secure Continuous Remote Alcohol Monitor unit.

Coughenour signed post-arraignment sexual assault protection orders preventing Wilson from having contact with the alleged victim or the other children who were at her residence when the alleged rape occurred.

Wilson is being represented by Port Angeles attorney John Black.

(Peninsula Daily news - Oct 30, 2016)

Earlier:

• Washington: Deanna Wilson, 41, was charged for allegedly raping a 15-year-old boy, having sexual contact with a dog and for taking pictures of the incidents

Florida: Police find 7 dead dogs, 9 more alive in Dolores Saverese’s home. They say she has a history of animal abuse going back to 2008.

FLORIDA -- Nine Cocker Spaniels made it out of Dolores Saverese’s Boca Raton home alive when city police searched the house in late August.

Seven didn’t.

Officials found bodies of a German Shepherd and a Labrador retriever puppy wrapped in plastic, surrounded by filth. In a bedroom, there was dog skin, a spine and what appeared to be a skull.

The 56-year-old woman told police the animals had been lying there dead for years.

 

Saverese was arrested early Saturday on 18 animal cruelty and confinement charges, jail records show. She was released from the Palm Beach County Jail that night on a $24,000 bond, according to court records.

Police were tipped off by a caller Aug. 22, who reported “deplorable” conditions and possible animal abuse.

Three days later police obtained a search warrant and trekked through the home where trash was piled 3 feet high and rodents scurried across the windows.

Officers described Saverese as a hoarder with an obsession for owning animals.

A month after the search, Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control officials were back for two new dogs she’d gotten after the search, Sgt. Dave Walesky of Animal Care and Control said.

NINE YEARS OF SUFFERING

City police frequented her home on West Camino Real, east of Interstate 95, in the last eight years, records show. They made seven visits before the dogs were finally taken from her.

In 2008, it was to remove 23 dogs who had no water or food. She spent a year on probation after being convicted of animal cruelty in that case, court records show.

Other times it was for animal ordinance violations, such as failing to comply with the county’s sterilization and vaccination ordinances, according to court records.

But it wasn’t until police received a warrant in late August that they did a thorough search of the three-bedroom, one-story home with a smell so pungent officers had to use protective breathing equipment to wade through it.

Feces, urine, dust and dog hair covered the home, according to a city police report. The nine Cocker Spaniels that survived had fleas and matted fur. Some had heart problems, broken teeth and ear infections, a veterinarian from the county’s Animal Care and Control reported.

An elderly man also lived in the home, Walesky said. It’s unclear whether he will face charges, as well.

Saverese bought the dogs from a breeder in Missouri, according to the police report. Just days after the spaniels were taken from her home, Saverese called the breeder multiple times, asking about buying new puppies, the breeder told police. By Sept. 30 she had obtained two new dogs, Walesky said.

A judge ordered Saverese have no contact with animals. She is scheduled to appear in court again Nov. 8, court records show.

Trash completely filling her car

(Palm Beach Post - Oct 31, 2016)

New Jersey: City of Bloomfield demands neighboring city of Clifton return vicious pit bull, which mauled child, so they can "send him to a sanctuary"

NEW JERSEY --  According to Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia, an 11-year-old boy has been seriously injured by a dog adopted from the "no kill" Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

“All I know is he got 81 stitches,” Venezia said earlier this week.

In an email, Bloomfield Police Department Director Sam DeMaio confirmed that the dog was a pit bull named Derrick that had been approved for adoption through the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

According to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter, the dog had been at the shelter "375 days". Since they're guessing the dog is only now between 1-2 years old, it was essentially a puppy or juvenile dog when it arrived. How do they explain the dog mauling a child? They blame the adopters, saying that they didn't give the dog time to "decompress" after being adopted(!)

Blaming the family which adopted the dog
"Derrick was exposed to new people- more than once - and injured a child. He was returned to the shelter after the incident, however without clear details of what took place. This is a tragic event for all involved, but could've easily been avoided. Unfortunately, this occurred in a township that doesn't support a no-kill philosophy. Derrick is now awaiting his fate - without any familiar face or interaction while quarantined at Clifton Animal Control." -- The Bloomfield Animal Shelter-SOBAS Facebook post

The dog was adopted during the week of Oct. 10. The biting incident attack occurred in Clifton and the dog is currently being housed at the animal control shelter in that city. A magistrate was to decide if the dog is vicious and should be destroyed.

Less than a week after being adopted, dog attacked child
Venezia said he believed the dog was adopted by a couple, that the parents and brother of one of the couple were visiting, and the brother was bitten attacked on Oct. 16.

“The goal right now is to make sure the boy is alright and to help the family,” Venezia said.

ATTORNEY MAKES IT CLEAR THAT BLOOMFIELD TOWNSHIP WON'T ALLOW THE VICIOUS DOG TO BE PUT DOWN WITHOUT A LONG, DRAWN-OUT LEGAL BATTLE WITH THE CITY OF CLIFTON 

The Bloomfield Animal Advisory Board, he said, was hoping to find a sanctuary for the dog. The mayor also said that Bloomfield Township Attorney Michael Parlavecchio had written a letter to the Clifton Board of Health.

In the Oct. 24 letter to John Biegel III, the health officer, Parlavecchio sent a letter informing Clifton that he was speaking on "behalf of the Township of Bloomfield" and that they wanted the dog, not to be euthanized, but to be handed back over to the Bloomfield Animal Shelter.

“As you know, this dog originated in our shelter which is a no-kill shelter,” he said. “The township understands and accepts that it will be explicitly prohibited from again putting this dog out for adoption.”

“They gave us assurance the letter would be given to the judge,” Venezia said.

According to DeMaio, the court hearing was to take place Wednesday, Oct. 26.

“We may send one of our attorneys,” Venezia said. “As of right now, it’s unclear.”

The Bloomfield Animal Advisory Board was scheduled to meet on Tuesday, Oct. 25.

Meet the Froot Loops of Bloomfield

Meanwhile, the Froot Loops profusely thank "Mayor Mike" for siccing Bloomfield's attorney onto the city of Clifton, but also whine about how the dog doesn't know anyone in Clifton...

Karen Banda: This is ridiculous. That dog belongs in Bloomfield, period. He should NEVER have been turned over to Clifton. The person who made that decision is clueless. Sorry, but I have to tell it like it is. But I do thank you and appreciate the effort [Mayor] Mike. If anyone has an ounce of a soul Derrick will be spared. He'd better be.

Oscar Efrain Marin: I don't know the details but I thank you Mayor Mike. Your support is very much appreciated.

Alexandria Jaggerella Milano: Karen Banda I agree. The contract clearly stated that he (Derrick the dog) was to be returned to Bloomfield Animal Shelter. And the family did do that ! The person that gave the dog to Clifton after the family brought him back to Bloomfield should be fired. That was pure negligence that could cause a lot of problems. That poor child does not want to be labeled as the reason a dog was killed!

Also...I personally know people that want to adopt Derrick. But I see now from this letter that he is promised to go to a sanctuary. A good thing but not as good as my friends who would give him a loving home. My prayers are still with the child recovering quickly and Derrick not being killed. And what about the other dog of Bloomfield's that Clifton has? Unbelievable.

Karen Banda: The worst part is Derrick was at the Bloomfield shelter for THREE days before being brought up to Clifton where he knows no one and isn't being walked. As for the other dog I'm not sure what's up with him. Another sad story. I can't take much more of this. Seriously. We're finally a NO KILL shelter then outsiders step in and muck things up. Our shelter manager is an extremely capable woman who knows her job. She should have been backed up by her superior but wasn't. I want to scream.

Alexandria Jaggerella Milano: Karen Banda, It's absolutely disgusting. Don't get me going. This is exactly why I am involved in Cause 4 Paws. A rescue run by lawyers as you know. They would never allow this!

Alexandria Jaggerella Milano: Still waiting for an answer from Clifton I presume. Unfrigginbelievable.

How the Bloomfield Animal Shelter convinced this family to take Derrick

Derrick's Info...
"I am already neutered, housetrained, up to date with shots, good with kids, good with dogs, and good with cats."

Derrick's Story...
"Derrick is a beautiful brindle boy of about two years old who loves people and enjoys going on long walks. Because he's still a puppy at heart, he will need someone with patience to train him and teach him good manners. He's neutered and up-to-date with his shots. Derrick has a lot of love to give and a whole lifetime ahead to share it - could it be with you?

"If you're interested in meeting Derrick, please call us at 973-748-0194 or come down to the shelter between noon and 5 p.m. any day (and until 7 p.m. on Wednesdays)."

Facts about Derrick
Breed: Pit Bull Terrier/Terrier (Unknown Type, Medium) Mix
Color: Brindle
Age: Young
Size: Med. 26-60 lbs (12-27 kg)
Sex: Male

"The Bloomfield Animal Shelter/John A Bukowski Shelter for Animals is now being managed by the Township of Bloomfield as a no-kill shelter."

Update to story: Clifton, New Jersey, proves they're spineless cowards by handing over vicious dog instead of doing the right thing and going through the process of legally ordering it to be euthanized.

According to "TAP into Bloomfield", Mayor Michael Venezia reports that Derrick the Dog has been returned to Bloomfield after being held in Clifton following a biting incident last week.

Venezia reports that Bloomfield animal advisory board and the associated 501c3 are actively seeking a sanctuary for Derrick.

What could Clifton New Jersey city leaders have done instead of simply handing this dog over to the nutbags in Bloomfield?

4:19-22. Finding to declare dog vicious; grounds

a. The municipal court shall declare the dog vicious if it finds by clear and convincing evidence that the dog:

(1) killed a person or caused serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b) to a person; or

(2) has engaged in dog fighting activities as described in R.S. 4:22-24 and R.S. 4:22-26.

b. A dog shall not be declared vicious for inflicting death or serious bodily injury as defined in N.J.S. 2C:11-1(b) upon a person if the dog was provoked. The municipality shall bear the burden of proof to demonstrate that the dog was not provoked.

c. If the municipal court declares a dog to be vicious, and no appeal is made of this ruling pursuant to section 9 of P.L.1989, c. 307 (C. 4:19-25), the dog shall be destroyed in a humane and expeditious manner, except that no dog may be destroyed during the pendency of an appeal.

(Essex News Daily - Oct 30, 2016)

Outrage in Oklahoma: Judge Alicia Littlefield orders animals returned to Chris White, 57, and Clare White, 55 while they face FELONY animal cruelty charges

OKLAHOMA -- A Delaware County judge has ruled that the state must return animals to a Jay couple charged with animal cruelty.

Chris White, 57, and Clare White, 55, are charged in Delaware County District Court with 10 counts of animal cruelty. They are free on $25,000 bail.

 

The couple and their adult son appeared in court Thursday for a motion hearing seeking the return of their animals. In July, sheriff’s deputies had removed 40 dogs and cats and about 300 chickens from their rural Jay residence.

After meeting for almost two hours in chambers with the couple’s attorney, Winston Connor II, and District Attorney Kenny Wright, Special Judge Alicia Littlefield returned to the courtroom and ruled the Sheriff’s Office must return as many of the animals as possible to the Whites.

 

Shameful: Alicia Littlefield 

Littlefield also ordered the couple to return to court Jan. 27 for a review hearing on the condition of the animals.

“Charges against the Whites are not being dismissed,” Wright said after the hearing.

There is no deadline to return the animals, Wright said, but it is supposed to happen “as soon as possible.”

“The court’s primary concern during the hearing centered on the couple giving up ownership interest in the animals,” Wright said.

Connor declined to comment other than to say, “While the hearing dealt with return of the animals, much of the issues surrounded constitutional law.”

He declined to elaborate, but after a September hearing seeking to return the animals, Connor said, “It is our contention the sheriff’s department completely messed up this case by violating my clients Fourth and Fifth Amendment rights as well as their due process rights.

“The sheriff’s department [allegedly] failed to get blood samples or allow an independent veterinarian to draw blood samples to determine the exact cause of the animals’ problems, but instead began getting rid of the evidence, including the animals.”

The animals have been in the care of volunteers from the Oklahoma Animal Alliance, the Miami Animal Alliance and the Peaceful Animal Adoption Shelter in Vinita.

Nine members of the Oklahoma Animal Alliance attended the hearing.
“Disturbing,” said Marilyn Monical, a member of the group attending the hearing.

After the hearing, most members of the group said they were “disappointed” in the decision to return the animals and lamented that there is “no justice.”

When the dogs were seized, they appeared to be malnourished and sickly, according to Sheriff Harlan Moore at the time of the July 14 arrest.

An on-site veterinary triage was set up to care for the animals, but four dogs had to be euthanized at the scene, he said.

(Tulsa World - Oct 29, 2016)

Earlier:

• Oklahoma: Chris White, 57, and Clare White, 55, arrested for animal cruelty; 5 children turned over to DHS

Ohio: Seven-year-old girl recovering from German Shepherd attack

OHIO -- A normal day at a football game turned into a scary one for a local family.

The parents of 7-year-old Carter Lawhorn, a student at Miami-Trace, said their daughter was attacked by a German Shepherd this weekend and had to be rushed to a Columbus hospital.

  

 

Zach Lawhorn, Carter's father who lives in Chillicothe, said the incident happened around 2 p.m. Sunday at Carter's 9-year-old brother's football game. From their familiar spot in the home-side bleachers, Lawhorn allowed Carter to go play with her friends, as she usually does during the games.

"It wasn't two minutes later and I heard people screaming and yelling," Lawhorn said. "I just had a feeling something happened to Carter."

Zach Lawhorn said his seven-year-old daughter Carter is lucky to be alive after being attacked by a German shepherd Sunday.

He said it started when his daughter saw the dog with its owner at her brother's football game at Miami Trace High School in Washington Court House.

German Shepherds are beautiful dogs and children are naturally attracted to animals.

One of Carter's friends politely asked the owner if she could pet the dog and the owner said yes. Carter then went to pet the dog as well. Moments later, loved ones say the dog had the girl pinned to the ground as it attacked her (and the owner could not control the dog).

Tabetha Hatfield, Carter's mother, had just walked into the gate when she heard the screams.

"I walked in about five feet and heard this scream from a little girl and had a sick feeling," Hatfield said, but the worst feeling was yet to come.

Carter's face was covered in blood, and pictures of her at the hospital posted on social media showed cuts near her eye, nose and mouth. Lawhorn had bloodstains on his shirt from carrying his daughter away.

They said the girl suffered massive facial injuries, including a broken nose, along with cuts and bruises.

Driving behind the ambulance was "pretty nerve-wracking," Lawhorn said. "At that point, we didn't really know how bad it was."

In the midst of the trip to the hospital, Carter was most concerned about her friend, who her parents said was standing near her when the dog attacked.

Carter said she was glad it happened to her, rather than her friend, Lawhorn said.

Carter was taken to Fayette County Memorial Hospital, then on to Children's Hospital in Columbus where Hatfield and Lawhorn heard from several doctors. Most were "uncomfortable" performing the surgery on Carter, due to the injury being so close to her eye, and a specialist was called in, according to her parents. For Hatfield, that was the worst feeling.

"It was very traumatizing," Hatfield said.

After emergency surgery and stitches to close the wounds, Carter is recovering from the bite and a fractured nose.

Lawhorn said Carter got out of the hospital Monday night but won't be back in class for a few more days. She will have a follow-up appointment with her doctor next week and is doing "a lot better," Hatfield said.

But the outpouring of support from the community has astounded Lawhorn. Even students in her class sent letters home from school, Hatfield said.

"I didn't expect it at all, it's been pretty crazy. I didn't think it would be anything like this," Lawhorn said.

(Chillicothe Gazette - Oct 19, 2016)

Connecticut: Alex Bareska charged with owning a vicious dog after his pit bull attacked another dog at a hotel

CONNECTICUT -- A Bristol man has been issued an infraction after his dog allegedly attacked another dog at a local hotel.

Alexander Bareska, 60, was cited for one count of owning or possessing a vicious dog.

Police on Wednesday said the incident occurred on Oct. 15 at the Residence Inn, 778 West St., around 4:26 p.m.

A guest at the hotel, police said, opened the door to one of the rooms, allowing Bareska’s dog to escape the room and attack another dog that was being walked by its owner in the hotel’s hallway.

 

 

A nearby witness was able to separate the animals.

Police said the dog that suffered a bite sustained injuries to its face and ear. It was treated at an area animal hospital and released.

(Central CT Communications - Oct 26, 2016)

California: Police seeking owners who fled with their dogs after one attacked another dog at Topstone Park

CALIFORNIA -- Redding police are looking for information after a dog was bit by another dog this week at Topstone Park.

Police believe the dog was bit around 11 a.m. on Tuesday.

Four dogs, including a gray dog and black dog that looked like pit bulls, were being walked by a man and woman in their 30s, according to a press release from the police department.

Anyone who might know who these dog walkers are or who witnessed the incident is asked to call the Redding Police Department at 203-938-3400 and speak with an on-duty officer. Please do not ask to leave a message for the Animal Control Officer only.

There were no serious injuries to either the dog or human, according to the release.

(News Times - Oct 27, 2016)

California: Actor Mark Harmon's Pit Bull Attacked Crew Member on 'NCIS' Set

CALIFORNIA -- Actor Mark Harmon's three-year-old pit bull mix named Dave attacked a crew member on the set of the TV show NCIS.

The crew member needed 16 stitches as a result of the attack.

Reports say Harmon adopted the pit bull mix when it was a puppy and I'm sure he has never abused it or trained it to be vicious, so it'll be interesting to see how people defend the dog and blame the owner.

 

 

Iowa: Charlie Albright, 41, is accused of kidnapping girlfriend, ordering his dog to bite her

IOWA -- A North Iowa man has been arrested for allegedly kidnapping and injuring a woman.

41-year-old Charles Raymond Albright of Meservey is charged with 1st degree kidnapping and willful injury. He is currently being held without bail.

On October 7, the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office responded to a 911 call from a 36-year-old woman at the Dollar General Store in Sheffield. She accused Albright of holding her captive in Merservey for 12 to 14 hours, then transporting her to Sheffield.

The woman said Albright hit, punched and stomped her repeatedly, cut her with a knife, allowed his dog to repeatedly bite her and also used a Taser on her.

An officer who spoke with the alleged victim says she had severe swelling to her face and eyes and severe bruising on her arms, legs and neck. Court records say she also suffered Taser burns, broken bones in her face and sinuses and an eye injury that caused protracted vision loss.

 

 

Authorities could not locate Albright on October 7 but their investigation led to his arrest on October 18 in rural Rockwell. He had an initial appearance in Franklin County District Court on Thursday.

The Iowa Division of Criminal Investigation, Franklin, Cerro Gordo and Hancock County Sheriff’s offices, police departments in Sheffield, Mason City and Clear Lake, the Iowa State Patrol, the Iowa Division of Intelligence and Fusion Center, Franklin and Cerro Gordo County attorney’s offices and the Iowa Attorney General’s Office Area Prosecution Division all cooperated in this investigation.

 

If this is not the same Charles Albright, let me know. This
Charlie Albright lives in the same rural town in Iowa.

(KIMT - Oct 20, 2016)