David Michael Matson beat puppy to death, admits to killing another 5 or 6

TENNESSEE -- An animal rescue group director who prefers to remain anonymous is spreading the word about a man accused of seeking out dogs and violently killing them.

David Michael Matson is due in court next month for aggravated animal cruelty, but some worry other animals are at risk.

David Michael Matson

"People are absolutely sickened and scared," said the anonymous director. "People like this are out there cruising for animals to pick up and kill. We are speaking for those who don't have voices of their own. We have to stand up for those animals."

Lebanon police said last November, Matson was spotted in the wooded area behind the Cumberland Street McDonalds covered in blood. After initially claiming he'd fallen on a rock, police said Matson admitted to picking up a puppy in Alexandria, beating it to death with a tire iron and then throwing the small animal against a tree.

"This one's very scary because he's right here in Middle Tennessee," said the director. "He's admitted to doing it."

Police add Matson claimed he was angry he was passed up for a promotion at the National Weather Service and admitted to killing another five or six dogs. The report quotes Matson as asking officers if they ever wanted to hurt animals or maybe children.

Police said while rambling, Matson also brought up the unsolved shooting death of Sara McPhearson at a Mt. Juliet U-Store-It from the day before and then changed the subject again. Mt. Juliet police said they do not believe Matson is connected to the murder.

We spoke with Matson at his home in Old Hickory, where he declined to appear on camera but did tell us he's on paid administrative leave at the National Weather Service until his case is resolved.

The National Weather Service said they're legally unable to comment on Matson's case.

Matson's case has been bound over to the grand jury. His arraignment is set for May 24.

(WSMV - April 30, 2013)

Woman Pleads Not Guilty In Animal Cruelty Case

KENTUCKY -- The woman accused of abandoning a puppy near the Kentucky River in Frankfort has pleaded not guilty in the case.

Stephanie Cooper, 43, was arrested in March and charged with cruelty to animals.

 

Investigators say Cooper was caught on surveillance cam dumping a five-week-old chihuahua puppy on the river bank just yards from the Frankfort Humane Society.

A vet said the dog would have have died if left there any longer.

Cooper will be back in court again June 4.

(Lex18 - May 1, 2013)

Harlem man charged with neglecting severely malnourished dog, Daisy the Shih Tzu

NEW YORK -- A Harlem man was arrested after his dog was found so neglected that its matted fur caused vets to amputate a paw, officials said Saturday.

Jose Andujar, 59, was booked on animal cruelty charges Friday, after ASPCA investigators found he was the owner of the 13-year-old Shih Tzu, Daisy, who was brought to a shelter as a stray this month, officials say.

The malnourished, 10-pound pooch was thin and dehydrated, and couldn’t walk on her right hind leg because of her knotted fur.

“The dog’s fur was so matted it acted as a tourniquet, cutting off circulation to the limb,” said Joseph Pentangelo, an ASPCA spokesman.

Andujar faces a year in jail if convicted.

(NY Daily News - April 27, 2013)

44 abandoned dogs stuffed into 3 crates

NEW YORK -- Authorities found dozens of dogs stuffed into crates in Wyoming County that had been abandoned and abused.

Now the Wyoming County Animal Shelter needs help caring for the 44 rescued animals as investigators look for the person or persons that left them behind.

 

The dogs were found at the end of someone's driveway on a remote road. Many of the Chihuahuas and Jack Russell Terriers are in poor health. All 44 of them had been crammed into three small crates, each crate meant to only hold one dog, and the animals were covered with filth and feces. One of the dogs was dead.

Dog groomer Amy Worthington. "When you go traveling on a plane, a dog would be using that. Not to be... I just get sick thinking about it."

Many of the dogs are now receiving what is most likely their first ever bath. They shake with fear, lying cuddled together in the corner in tiny dog piles.

Kara Cavaretta said, "You can tell they don't like human contact. They won't wag their tail or come up to the cage or anything."

Animal control officer Justa Goodell routinely needs to put animals down as part of her job. But it's a case like this that really stokes emotion.

"Their innocence. Their lack of being able to get out of their own urine. Their lack of being able to stand upright. Their lack of being able to say, 'I don't feel good. I need a doctor.' They're innocent animals. It's just not fair," she said.

But the community is coming together to make sure these dogs get a fair chance for a better life. Donations have poured in to help care for the dogs, including soft food, dog shampoo, bleach, and of course, money.

But the shelter is still in need. If you'd like to help, contact the shelter at 4380 Rt. 19 in Silver Springs by calling 585-786-8938.

(WIVB - April 30, 2013)

Child Recovering after Dog Attack

ALABAMA -- A 3-year-old is recovering after being attacked by a dog Monday night.

Deputies say the little girl suffered cuts to her face and puncture wounds to her arms. She was visiting her grandmother when the German Shephard mix attacked.

It's possible the dog may have to be euthanized to conduct testing including a rabies test.

"There's a possibility the court could have the dog put down; if there was an attached criminal charge, also the victim could seek some type of civil remedy. I don't know if any of those applicable in this case we'll just have to see," said Major Anthony Lowery with the Baldwin County Sheriff's Office.
A "beware of dog" sign could be seen in the yard where the attack took place.

Neighbors say the dog was at times aggressive. Investigators say the grandmother who was watching her grandchildren at the time of the attack trusted the dog.

"The kids were not unattended and the dog had no history of aggression; a 10-year-old Shephard mixed dog and unfortunately the child came in contact with the dog and it did bite the child.," said Lowery.

The girl is recovering from her wounds which appear not be life threatening.

"She did have a laceration to the face from the bite and some puncture wounds to the arms but she did have some significant trauma," said Lowery.

No criminal charges have been filed in the case.

(WPMI Local 15 News - April 30, 2013)

Boxer Jasper and owner left injured in dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog owner whose two pets savaged a Boxer dog left a distraught woman lying in a park with a dislocated knee after she was pulled over trying to save her pet.

Anita Wright, 35, a financial advisor who lives in Broadgate, Preston, was walking her 11-year-old pet Jasper through Euston Park in Broadgate, Preston, when she saw a man struggling to control his two Staffordshire bull terriers.

The dogs pulled him towards Jasper and sank their teeth into his chest and ear.

As the man fought to pull them off a gaping wound was ripped in Jasper’s chest and Anita was pulled over, dislocating her knee. The dogs then bit Jasper’s paw.

The man, who tried to blame Anita, asked if she was in pain and then left her injured.

Anita said: “It was awful. I was rolling from side to side on the ground in pain. I couldn’t get up and he knew it, but he just walked away and left me. I can’t believe someone would do that.

“If that had been a child or an older person, what would have happened? My injury could have been more serious for all I knew.”

A good Samaritan in the park came to her aid and revealed she too had suffered an incident with the same dogs.

When Jasper was taken to the vets, Anita was told it was too risky to operate on him due to his age.

She added: “A lot of people don’t understand that pets are like your babies.  Jasper was rescued as a puppy, his owners had stubbed cigarettes out on his ears. He has got to the age of 11 and this happens.

“I am very worried about him. His wounds are awful but the vet’s first reaction was that it is too risky to put him under anaesthetic.

“I feel very angry because that lad knew what his dogs were like - everyone knows their dogs.

“I am normally a very active person, I enjoy bodybuilding, but I cannot do anything for eight weeks due to my injury.

It came four days after we revealed how the owner of a Dalmatian that attacked a pensioner’s dog in Marsh Way, Penwortham, fled without an apology.

PC Carl Ingram said: “He has shown a total lack of compassion and we are keen to find out who he is.” Call 101.

(Lancashire Evening Post - April 29, 2013)

Dog attacks child for second time

WISCONSIN -- A two-year-old boy was seriously bitten in the face by an 11 year-old Chocolate Labrador, owned by the uncle of the victim. The April 28th attack took place during the afternoon hours in the Village of Franksville in Racine County.

Caledonia police say this is probably one of the worst dog bites they've ever seen. [The reporter in the video clip says she saw the photos and they're too graphic to air - but that one photo shows that one of the bites 'actually exposed the baby's skull']

Police say the mother said the child came running into the house screaming and she thought his face was falling off. He had bites to the cheek, head and ear.

The two year old sustained serious injuries to his face and was transported to Children's Hospital. The dog is under quarantine at the Wisconsin Humane Society.

Police say the same dog bit the child on the shoulder in July of 2012.

(WDJT - Apr 30, 2013)

Haleiwa woman admits to slitting own dog's throat and killing it

HAWAII -- A Haleiwa woman accused of killing her dog admitted to Honolulu Police that she slashed the dog’s throat.

Andrea Fiegle told police she was angry at the dog for not listening. When KHON2 talked to her, she didn’t deny killing the dog, but she was apologetic.

Fiegle appeared in Honolulu District Court with bandages on her face. So KHON2 caught up with her outside the courthouse to find out if the dog attacked her.

Manolo Morales: “What got you so angry at your dog? Did the dog attack your face, too?”

She wouldn’t answer and said she’s not allowed to talk about the case.

Manolo Morales: “What do you want to say to people about the fact that you killed your dog?”

Andrea Fiegle: “I’m very sorry for that.”

Court records show that on Sunday night, in her home in Haleiwa, Fiegle called police and told them that the dog sniffed her daughter and would not listen when she told the dog to stop. She said she couldn’t control the dog, so she lost her temper and cut the dog’s throat.

When police asked her if the dog was dangerous and if it charged or bit anyone, Fiegle said no.

The 36 year old is charged with Animal Cruelty in the first degree, which is a felony.

The Hawaiian Humane Society says it’s rare to see this type of case in the islands.

“You’re talking about an intentional act with a specific animal. I would say that this is probably one of the worst cases we’ve seen in many years,” Hawaiian Humane Society Community Relations Director Jacque LeBlanc said.

Dog training experts are appalled by the incident and say when pet owners get frustrated, they should follow the same rule as parents who get angry at their children.

“Take a deep breath, seriously take a step away. Put the dog outside, put yourself inside or vice-versa,” animal behaviorist Wendy Mah said.

First-degree Animal Cruelty is a Class C felony.

Fiegle faces up to five years in prison and a $10,000 fine.

(KHON - April 30, 2013)

Earlier:

• Hawaiian Humane Society calls case 'one of the worst we've seen

Edmond Police Dog Dies in Police Car

OKLAHOMA -- [Well, we made it almost 5 months into 2013 before a police officer "forgot" his K-9 in a vehicle to cook to death. Too bad this will be remembered as the first of the year and unfortunately not the last.]

The Edmond Police Department announced one of its own died inside a police K-9 vehicle.

Jennifer Monroe with Edmond Police announced Tuesday "Justice", one of the city's K-9 dogs, was found lethargic in the back of an Edmond Police SUV on Monday afternoon. He was rushed to the vet where he later died.

The vehicle was running with the air conditioning left on while Justice was in the vehicle.

Monroe said it appears "Justice" overheated and the city is inspecting the vehicle's air conditioning unit to determine what caused his death.

"Justice" came to the Edmond Police Department in 2010 from the Animal Welfare Center. He was primarily used within the Edmond Public Schools to detect illegal narcotics.

You +1'd this publicly. Undo

(KOKH FOX25 - April 30, 2013)

Dogs That Slaughtered Donkeys Put Up For Adoption

GEORGIA -- A Jones County woman says a pack of dogs attacked six of her animals: domesticated donkeys.

Six of them died in one night.

 

 "The horror, the trauma, the disbelief, the death, You would have thought we were describing a situation like what this country has been going through lately," says Betty Coulter, who lives in Gray.

Coulter raised those donkeys for the past 10 years.

But when a pack of dogs invaded her land on April 25th, they slaughtered six of them, almost half her herd.

"With the donkeys, I thought they would be strong enough to protect because they have a powerful kick to them," she says.

Some of the loose dogs belonged to her neighbor, Lloyd Strickland.

"I was in the hospital at the time and wasn't here to watch my dogs and they got out," he says.

Two days spent in the hospital was long enough for his dogs to wreak havoc.

"I never thought these dogs would've teamed up like they did and did what they did," he says.

Coulter and Strickland agreed that he should surrender the dogs to the Jones County Animal Control.

"We love animals, and I'm sorry what happened to the donkeys from the bottom of my heart and I love my dogs, too, but I had to resolve the problem somehow," says Strickland.

These dogs are up for adoption at the Animal Control - three Rottweilers and one mixed breed - all described as sweet and shy.

"They are temperament tested, how they react to the staff, to other dogs," says animal control director Jennifer Giddens.

Animal Control says they'll make full disclosure of the dog's pasts to anyone who wants to adopt them. For some, it's a history that can't be erased.

Coulter says she started carrying a gun after what happened.

 

"I had to, you know, for reasons you wouldn't imagine. That you're out working in your yard and you just have to have that gun," she says.

Both Coulter and Strickland are finding ways to move forward after losing members of their families.

Animal Control says some people are already interested in adopting the dogs.

(13WMAZ - April 30, 2013)

Animal Control officials said they've responded to problems with the dogs involved in this incident a few times in the past year and a half. Now, the owner is at a Lee County mental health facility, and his other two dogs are at the shelter.

FLORIDA -- Animal Control officials said they've responded to problems with the dogs involved in this incident a few times in the past year and a half. Now, the owner is at a Lee County mental health facility, and his other two dogs are at the shelter.

One of the dogs is named "Rough," and the other is "Bell." The two dogs are now without an owner after Animal Control took them out of their Bell Street home, but officials say they may be better off.

Monday night, Fort Myers Police responded to Warren Patterson II's home to investigate a possible burglary and sex offense. Police say he wouldn't come out of the house, and when officers opened the door, three large dogs lunged at them. One officer, who felt his life was in danger, fired shots at the pit bull-rotweiler mix and killed him.

Neighbor Frank Washington said he's not surprised the aggressive dog made a move.

"No, I wasn't because anytime he let them out, they jump on somebody," said Washington.

Animal Control officers say they've responded to issues with Patterson's dogs three times in the past year and a half. Washington said he's seen the deceased dog, named "Danger," attack before.

"When he let the dogs out, and the kids walk down the street, the dog would jump on the kids," said Washington.

Patterson alledgely told officers he trained his dogs to attack.

As for "Rough" and "Bell," they'll stay at Domestic Animal Services for at least five days. Then, officials will see if they can adopt them out to loving homes.

Patterson was taken into custody and then Baker-acted at Lee Mental Health Services. Officers found guns and several other weapons inside his home.

(winknews - April 30, 2013)

Arizona: Poodle mix gets lifesaving haircut

ARIZONA -- A Valley dog is getting a second chance after receiving what was likely a lifesaving haircut.

The male poodle mix was recently found in north Scottsdale. He was so matted and full of debris that he was hardly recognizable as a dog.

 

"His hair was so long, matted and full of burrs, thorns, dirt and debris that you couldn't see where his legs or ears or face were," said Betty Drake, one of the good Samaritans who rescued him. "The only clue was his nose, which you could see if you knew where to look."

Drake took him to an emergency vet, Arizona Animal Welfare League vet Dr. Claudia Channing. There, he was examined and shaved.

The dog, nicknamed Ralph, has an abrasion to one eye from debris and several puncture wounds around his head, neck and forelimbs, probably from a coyote attack.

He was taken in by the Arizona Animal Welfare League and SPCA. The dog is about 2 years old and is not microchipped.

In celebration of Ralph's new lease on life, anyone who makes an appointment for microchipping a pet through AAWL & SPCA and mentions Ralph will get a special low price of $20.

Call 602-358-7267 for an appointment.

(CBS5 - April 30, 2013)

Alleged puppy 'killer' denies throwing pooch six floors to its death

NEW YORK -- A brutal coward threw his girlfriend's six-month-old dachshund's out of their sixth story window -- to its death -- after an argument in their West 129th Street apartment, officials said today.

"I don't care about the dog," Keith Rogers, a 27-year-old violent felon, told cops according to a criminal complaint charging him with aggravated cruelty to animals.

"It's $1,300. I'll buy a new one," he allegedly told cops. "I don't give a f--- about the dog."

Rogers was ordered held in lieu of $25,000 bail this afternoon after prosecutors detailed the case against him, which includes a witness's 911 call.

Witnesses also told cops they saw the little dog lying dead in a pool of blood between two parked cars immediately below the apartment window.

Rogers quickly came outside holding the girlfriend's other dog, a bulldog, and threw the dachshund's body across the street before picking it up again and tossing it in the trash, witnesses told cops.

The heavily tattooed Rogers is claiming through his court-appointed lawyer that the dachshund had run into traffic after both Rogers and the girlfriend left the apartment.

"She walked out of the house, and then he walked out of the house, and the dog followed and ran out into the street," said defense lawyer Evan Rock of the Legal Aid Society.

Rogers is due back in court May 3.

(New York Post - April 30, 2013)

'My nose and lip were hanging off': Teenager describes moment she was attacked by a dog that left her with horrific facial injuries

UNITED KINGDOM -- A teenager has described the terrifying moment her face was ripped apart by a dog, leaving her with permanent injuries.

Chloe Walker, 16, was visiting a friend's house in Shaw, Oldham, when she was attacked by the animal - a Japanese Akita crossed with a Rottweiler.

 

She said: 'When we got to the house I sat on one of the chairs in the living room but my friend and her grandma told me to move because that was the dog's chair.

'The dog started licking my face, and it made me feel uncomfortable so I tried to move away, but as I moved it attacked.

'The next thing I knew I was outside the house with blood gushing from my face. My nose and lip were hanging off and I could hardly see.'

Chloe was rushed to hospital and has undergone two operations and required more than 100 stitches to repair her injuries.

The dog attacked her so viciously her tear duct was torn out, her cheekbone was fractured, her nose ripped out of place and her lips torn to shreds.

Chloe added: 'My cheekbone will always be fractured - they can't fix that unless I have major surgery.

'Because my tear ducts were ripped out I have to have a glass tube inside my eye that filters my tears. The doctors had to sew my nose back on and sew my lips back together, and I've got a really deep scar on my face. It still hasn't healed, 18 months later.'

Chloe and her parents contacted the police, but were shocked to discover no action could be taken against the owners of the dog because the incident happened on private property.

It is understood the dog was put down following the attack in August 2011.

Chloe is now urging the Government to go ahead with plans for a change in the law.

Last month, 14-year-old Jade Lomas-Anderson was mauled to death by a pack of dogs at a house in Atherton, Greater Manchester.

Greater Manchester Police, who are investigating Jade's death, have said it is 'unlikely' anyone will be prosecuted over Jade's death.

They are unable to take action because the dogs involved were not banned breeds and under current laws dog owners cannot be prosecuted if attacks take place on private property.

But Jade's family have launched an e-petition calling for a change to the law and her death has prompted MPs to call for urgent reform of dog control laws.

In February, the government announced it would amend legislation so dog owners could be prosecuted if their animal attacks someone on private property.

Eighteen months after the attack, Chloe says she has been left so traumatised she is scared to go out in public and constantly feels like she's being judged.

She said: 'It's affected me in so many ways. I've become anxious around dogs, dog lovers and people I don't know.

'Even walking in public with no makeup on is a demanding task, I can't bring myself to do it.

'I dread sleeping at night in fear of having nightmares.

'I find it difficult to have relationships because I think the constant reminders and moods I go in over the intrusive thoughts will destroy them.

'My old friend and her family have blamed me and said it's my own fault because I was told it was the dog's chair, but it was a sofa, I didn't see anything wrong in sitting down.

'The family have not shown any remorse - I still see them near my home and they act like nothing has happened.

'That's why the Government needs to carry on trying to change the law on this.

'I fully support it, and knowing other people think they should be prosecuted has given me the confidence to speak out.

'It'[s happening too often now, and the attack on me and other attacks on young girls in the news show it can happen to people of any age.

'I will fight until the day I die for justice for people in the same boat as me.'

(Daily Mail - April 30, 2013)

Hawaiian Humane Society calls case 'one of the worst we've seen'

HAWAII -- The Hawaiian Humane Society notified police about a 36-year-old Haleiwa woman accused of using a dangerous instrument to discipline her pet.

Police say the dog died.

The suspect then reported the incident to police after realizing the severity of the situation.

Andrea Fiegle was arrested on Sunday at a home on Paalaa Road at around 6 p.m. for cruelty to animals in the first degree.

The Hawaiian Humane Society says when they arrived, her dog Star was already dead.  Humane Society officials say Fiegle attacked Star with a common kitchen item, but she told police she didn't realize the injuries were so severe.

"We're sorry this dog suffered such mortal injuries that there was nothing else we could do for him," said Jacque LeBlanc of the Hawaiian Humane Society.

Neighbors were shocked by the news.  They say they didn't hear a commotion or anything out of the ordinary Sunday evening.  They say Fiegle seemed pleasant and friendly and seemed to care for her dog.

(KITV - April 29, 2013)

Deputies: Man beat boss’ dog to death in Sarasota

FLORIDA -- Sarasota County deputies have arrested a man they say beat his boss’ dog to death and buried it in an adjacent business.

Deputies responded Sunday morning to John’s Automotive on Snug Harbor Place in Sarasota after the owner called to report his 4-year-old Mastiff, named Ashton, was missing.

According to deputies, the owner later viewed surveillance video that showed a man beating his dog to death.

When deputies returned, the owner identified the suspect in the video as employee Kevin Koscielniak, 52, no permanent address.

The owner told deputes Koscielniak was asked to leave Saturday after causing a disturbance.

Deputies say an investigation determined Koscielniak climbed over a barbed-wire fence, killed the dog with a tire iron, wrapped the dog in a blanket, cut the fence to Casey’s Auto (an adjacent business), dragged the dog onto that property and buried it there.

Koscielniak was located by the Manatee County Sheriff’s Office and arrested, deputies say. He is being held on $46,000 bond.

(TBO.com - April 29, 2013)

SPCA Saves 48 Animals From Horrific Hoarder Living in Three Feet of Garbage

CALIFORNIA -- Staff at the SPCA in Monterey County spent their Saturday night/Sunday morning rescuing a crowd of puppies, dogs, and cats from a home that was declared unsuitable even for humans.

Ilagene "Jeanie" Quaglia

Beth Brookhouser, spokeswoman with the SPCA, said the cops called in the animal rescue team at about 1 a.m. after discovering the homeowner (Ilagene "Jeanie" Quaglia) had been living with 17 cats, 24 dogs, and seven puppies inside a urine-soaked home. The city has since declared the living quarters uninhabitable.

No word on what happened to the homeowner, but SPCA officers worked until 9 a.m. Sunday rescuing the dogs and cats and bringing them to the shelter where they've been getting medical examinations, vaccinations, flea treatments, food, water, and the basic love and care every animal needs.

 Sadly, the pets were suffering from a slew of health problems, including flea infestations, eye infections, painful dental infections, and skin infections. Many of the dogs are still covered in painful mats, urine stains, and fecal matter. Most of the rescued animals are emaciated and ready for a damn good meal -- or 10.

The good news is all of the cats and dogs survived and they are recovering from their health issues; they're eating like lions, enjoying fresh water, and reportedly making new friends.

All they're missing now is a safe and loving home. That's where you come in.

To put your name on a list of potential adopters or report animal cruelty, please contact The SPCA at (831)373-2631. All calls are confidential. To donate to the care and medical treatment of these dogs and cats and to help with the SPCA's rescue efforts, please call The SPCA or donate online at www.SPCAmc.org.

(SF Weekly Blog - April 30, 2013)

Minnesota: Roseville K-9 officer Major, who survived stabbing, meets peaceful end

MINNESOTA -- Roseville police officer John Jorgensen used to joke that his K-9 partner was indestructible.

As a 2-year-old, Major developed bloat, an often fatal condition that causes a dog’s stomach to fill with gas. He had pots broken over his head. Suspects punched and kicked him.

On one police call, Jorgensen said, Major nearly drowned chasing a man in to a lake.

RIP Major

On Nov. 12, 2010, he proved his grit again when a man involved in a Maplewood burglary repeatedly stabbed the dog with a butterfly knife.

The assault left Major paralyzed in his hind legs and forced his retirement from the police department, but it didn’t kill him.

Two and half years later and in deteriorating health, Major was euthanized at the University of Minnesota Veterinary Medical Center at 7 p.m. Tuesday, April 30. He was 11 years old.

Using a wheeled sling to preserve mobility, he lived out his retirement with Jorgensen and his family.

“He was a tough dog. … He caught a lot of bad guys and made a strong name for himself and I was lucky and honored to have him as a partner,” Jorgensen said. “I miss him terribly, but I think he is in a better spot. He is probably chasing down bad guys on four good legs now.”

In his final days, Major had started to develop pneumonia and was going on his third bladder infection in three months.

“I promised myself and I promised him that we would make that decision if his quality of life deteriorated to the point where he was too weak and he didn’t have the same happiness,” Jorgensen said of the choice to put Major down. “It was just time.”

 

 

 

The old partners spent Major’s last day driving around to spots they’d patrolled together during Major’s eight years with Roseville police. For his final meal, he was given cheeseburgers from McDonald’s and ice cream from Dairy Queen.

The man who assaulted Major, Roel Joseph Perez Jr., was sentenced in February 2011 to 120 days in jail, but ended up serving a year after he violated the terms of his probation, Jorgensen said.

The Roseville police officer pushed for harsher penalties for those convicted of assaulting police dogs after the attack on Major.

In 2011, Gov. Mark Dayton signed new legislation that makes any assault resulting in substantial bodily harm to a police K9 a felony.

Major, a Roseville Police canine, was the guest of honor
at a bill signing ceremony Tuesday, March 22, 2011 at
the state capitol. Governor Dayton signed House File
141/Senate File 121, which will raise penalties for
people who kill or injure police dogs.
(Pioneer Press: Chris Polydoroff)

Officer Jorgenson and Major were on hand as legislators 
signed a law increasing penalties for injuring K9s.

Major’s death is a blow to the entire Roseville Police Department, said Lt. Lorne Rosand.

“They were great crime fighters,” Rosand said of the work Jorgensen and Major did for the department. “They did a lot of wonderful things for our agency and for the citizens of Roseville.”

Jorgensen has been working with a new police K9, Otis, for the past year.

“I always say if Otis ends up being half the police dog Major was, he will be phenomenal,” Jorgensen said. “He was truly a handler’s dream.”

(Twin Cities Pioneer Press - April 30, 2013)

Earlier:

• Minnesota: Justice for Police Dogs - Find out how one officer fought the law after his canine partner was hurt on the job
• Minnesota: Officer keeps paralyzed K9 partner, graduates a second dog