California: Police say Nathan Flores tortured, choked and tried to drown a puppy

CALIFORNIA -- City of Madera Police Department posted on Facebook March 21, 2018 ·

This evening officers arrested Nathan Flores for animal cruelty.

Flores found a dog in the Fresno River, abandoned. Flores was later seen by neighbors choking the little puppy and holding the puppy under running water from a faucet. The puppy was having trouble breathing as it was trying to cry. 

We were able to save the puppy and dry him from the cold water. 

Flores was transported and booked into MCDOC and the dog was placed in the animal shelter. If anyone would like to adopt this beautiful little puppy feel free to contact the animal shelter for information. The phone number to the animal shelter is 559-675-7891. SB3372

City of Madera Police Department shared a post. March 21 at 6:19pm ·

***UPDATE***

We have received numerous requests from people wishing to adopt the puppy that was terribly mistreated by Nathan Flores last night.

The owners of the puppy have come forward and reported the puppy was stolen from the porch of their residence.

Thank you to everyone for your well wishes and those of you that inquired about adopting the puppy. We hope the remainder of his puppy life is spent being pampered and spoiled! AK3902

Indiana: Appeals court upholds animal cruelty convictions against Charles Clark, who was caught on video torturing, stomping and beating his then-girlfriend's dog

INDIANA -- A southern Indiana woman set up a video camera in her house in an attempt to catch her boyfriend cheating on her with another woman.

Instead, she recorded him torturing her dog, Dudley, by putting the animal in a chokehold and repeatedly punching it in the rib cage.

In another video clip, the boyfriend, Charles P. Clark, of Aurora, was seen stomping on the dog as it sat on the couch.

Aurora Police Sgt. Shane Slack called the March 2017 incident “one of the worst cases I’ve seen in 13 years as far as animal abuse.”

On Wednesday, Clark had his Level 6 felony convictions on two counts of cruelty to an animal upheld by the Indiana Court of Appeals.

At a May 25, 2017, sentencing hearing, Clark, 43, admitted to the offenses but claimed he couldn’t remember them due to a blackout from medication he was taking for mental health problems. He also testified that he was unemployed and had four children from two previous marriages.

Clark had been sentenced by Dearborn Superior Court Judge Sally McLaughlin on each count to 910 days in jail with 365 days suspended to probation on each count. He effectively received a sentence of [just] 1-1/2 years’ imprisonment.

Clark appealed, saying his sentence was inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and his character.

In upholding the sentence, the appellate court found that Clark said he was seeking mental health treatment but had presented no evidence he was on medication at the time of the incident.

Attempts by CNHI to reach Clark’s defense attorney in Madison were unsuccessful.

Edited for length:  Court of Appeals of Indiana | Memorandum Decision 15A05-1706-CR-1432 | November 22, 2017. Click here to read in its entirety.

FACTS AND PROCEDURAL HISTORY
On March 20, 2017, Clark’s girlfriend reported to the Aurora Police Department, in Indiana, that Clark had been abusing their dog, a rescued boxer breed, named Dudley.

She presented Sergeant Shane Slack (Sergeant Slack) with videos that she had secretly recorded in an attempt to catch Clark cheating on her with another woman “because he had been acting different lately.”

The videos depicted Clark picking “the dog up and slam[ming] it [in]to the couch and then put[ting] it in a choke hold and begin[ing] to punch it repeatedly in the rib cage.”

The animal attempted to escape the punishment and was crying.

In another clip of the video, Clark is observed “stomping down on the dog as it was sitting on the floor below him on the couch.”

After reviewing the videos, Sergeant Slack declared this to be “one of the worst cases I’ve seen in thirteen years as far as animal abuse.”

Police officers arrested Clark at his home, where he admitted that he had abused the animal but [claimed] that “afterwards he feels bad about it.”

DISCUSSION AND DECISION
Clark severely beat, punched, and strangled a helpless dog without any
provocation. The animal was a family pet and the senseless violence occurred
on more than one occasion. While the visible injuries may have healed, Dudley continued to experience mental scars for a significant period of time after Clark relinquished the dog.

Dudley’s current owner, who adopted him approximately a week later, testified that Dudley, at first, was “very guarded” and “depressed.”  “It was like he was afraid to do anything except lay or sit. He was just scared.”

For a time, Dudley experienced “quite violent nightmares,” during which he cried out loud and shook all over.

Even though Clark admitted that he had abused Dudley after being confronted with the video recordings; nevertheless, during the sentencing hearing, Clark attempted to present himself as the victim by claiming that he had blacked out because of medication. However, besides his own self-serving statement, he presented no evidence that he was on any medication at the time of the offenses. While it is commendable that Clark has accepted his mental health problems and is seeking help, this acknowledgment is a bit late for Dudley.

CONCLUSION
Based on the foregoing, we hold that the trial court’s imposed sentence is not inappropriate in light of the nature of the offenses and Clark’s character.

Affirmed.

(Tribune Star - November 27, 2017)

(October 2017) New Hampshire: Dale Johnson, 22, pleads guilty to, one by one, strangling and killing his ex-girlfriend's two cats

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- A Keene man accused of killing two of his ex-girlfriend’s cats in two separate incidents pleaded guilty to two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty in the Cheshire County Superior Court Wednesday.

Dale Adam Johnson, 22, of Hurricane Road, Keene, was indicted on two felony counts of animal cruelty in March.

The March 27 indictments allege Johnson “did purposely torture an animal by strangling to death,” the two cats named Honey and Bo.

During the plea and sentencing hearing Wednesday afternoon, Judge David Ruoff asked Johnson if he was pleading guilty to “the strangling to death of Honey” and “the strangling to death of Bo,” to which Johnson said yes to both.

Photo: Meghan Pierce, Union Leader

EXCUSES, EXCUSES...
Public defender Benjamin Schiffelbein CLAIMED the incidents were essentially caused by mental health and substance abuse issues, which Johnson has been addressing.

“I don’t think you can separate this from a relationship, but it’s not the typical domestic violence,” Schiffelbein said. “He is here to take responsibility.”

Johnson spoke to Ruoff saying he wants to take responsibility for his actions and asked to say sorry to his ex-girlfriend, Shannon Fitzpatrick, 22, who was in the courtroom.

The Keene woman declined to make a statement to the court, but was asked by Ruoff if she wanted a no contact order as part of the sentencing, which she declined.

“Even through this isn’t a domestic violence case per say, there is a strong correlation between the two,” Ruoff said. “It’s a huge red flag when there is this kind of conduct against an animal.”

 

 

Johnson was sentenced to 365 days to the Cheshire County House of Corrections, with 180 days suspended on good behavior, and two years’ probation upon release. He was also ordered to have several evaluations done, some of which could be done while he is in the jail, Ruoff said.

So basically he gets 3 months in county jail (not prison) for each cat he grabbed and slowly strangled to death while they fought for their life. That's the value of your beloved cat that is tortured to death - 3 months.

Johnson was out on electronic monitoring and $2,000 cash or surety bail with the conditions that he was to have no unsupervised contact with animals and that he be drug tested at the Cheshire County House of Correction two times a week.

After pleading guilty Wednesday, Johnson said goodbye to his parents and was taken into custody to serve his sentence.

Keene police had responded to a disturbance on Jan. 5 involving a dispute between Johnson and his ex-girlfriend.

The day after the incident the woman noticed that her cat Honey was missing.

“When she confronted Dale about the missing cat, Dale stated he strangled her and dumped her off at the Humane Society,” according to court documents.

At the same time he confessed to her that he had killed her other cat, Bo, which had been missing for two months. 

After the woman’s father reported this, police began collected Facebook messages between the ex-couple and interviewed Johnson.

In one, Johnson wrote, “I choked her,” referring to what happened to Honey, according to the affidavit.

Johnson initially denied killing the cats, but eventually confessed to killing them, police said.

 

 

(The Union Leader-Oct 26, 2017)

Earlier:

• New Hampshire: Dale Johnson is accused of taking his ex-girlfriend's cats and, one by one, strangling them to death

Georgia: James Hill Jr. tells police his Pit Bull puppy committed suicide. Less than 3 months ago, he tried to run from police who caught him with drugs and a digital scale

GEORGIA -- Athens-Clarke police were dispatched to a home on Westchester Drive Tuesday afternoon after an employee with the city’s animal control unit found a dead puppy that was apparently strangled on a tether.

Police said two pit bull mix puppies had been tethered outside an apartment in an unsupervised way and one was dead from apparently trying to free itself from being entangled in the wire.

The dog owner, James Labron Hill Jr., claimed he only had the dogs a few days, but denied tying them in the yard. Hill insisted the dog hung itself, according to the report.

OK moron. Who tied them up then? 

The animal control officer told police that he had warned Hill previously about tethering the dogs outside and unsupervised.

Hill, 26, was charged with cruelty to animals.

He needs to be charged with a Felony.

ARREST INFO:
Name: James Labron Hill Jr.
Address: 305 WESTCHESTER DR ATHENS GA 30606
Sex: Male
Race: Black
Height: 5'10"
Weight: 180 lbs
Year of Birth: 1990
Arrest Age: 26
Arrest Date: 8/1/2017
Arrest Time: 5:19:38 PM
Agency: ACCPD
Bond: $1,300
Bond Remarks: $1000 G.S BND*8/2 NO BOND @ ARREST
Charge:
Animal Cruelty - Misdemeanor

HILL WAS JUST ARRESTED A COUPLE MONTHS AGO...

Athens traffic stop leads to drug, other charges
Posted May 17, 2017 06:07 pm

James Labron Hill Jr., 26, of West Broad Street was arrested last Friday night after he was stopped for not having a license tag properly displayed on his car and subsequently found to have more than an ounce of marijuana, Athens-Clarke County police said.

Hill was pulled over about 10 p.m. near Cleveland and Augusta avenues because an officer could not see a tag displayed on the rear of the car, police said. As he approached the vehicle, the officer saw a temporary tag in the back window. When the officer asked to see Hill’s driver’s license, the motorist admitted he had some marijuana in the car.

DRUG DEALER WHO COULDN'T OUTRUN COPS

While patting Hill down for weapons and other contraband, police said they noticed the gold pull strings of a Crown Royal whiskey bag sticking out of Hill’s pocket, at which time he tried to run, according to police. Officers quickly caught Hill, and when searching the whiskey bag, found an ounce of pot and a digital scale, police said.

Hill was charged with possession with intent to distribute marijuana, obstruction of a law enforcement officer and improper display of a vehicle tag.

Most recently, he had a court date on June 21st where his defense attorney filed a Motion to Reduce Bond.

Charges:

1. PLATE/CONCEAL/MISREP
2. WILLFUL OBSTRUCTION OF LAW ENFORCEMENT OFFICERS - MISDEMEANOR 
3. POSSESSION OF MARIJUANA W/INTENT TO SELL

(Online Athens - August 2, 2017)

North Carolina: Danny Knotts gets 75 days in the county jail for slowly strangling two kittens to death and dumping their bodies in a shallow grave

NORTH CAROLINA --  A New Hanover County man will spend time in jail after pleading guilty to animal cruelty charges on Wednesday in New Hanover Criminal Superior Court.

Daniel Eligha Knotts, 20, of New Hanover County, entered guilty pleas to two counts of animal cruelty, class H felonies.

On May 3, Knotts strangled two kittens that were only a few weeks old and when Officer Rose with the Wilmington Police Department responded to the scene after getting a 911 call, the kittens' tiny bodies were found by police in a shallow grave behind a residence at 2825 Graham Street.

Knotts admitted his guilt to his roommate and law enforcement.

On Wednesday, Knotts received two suspended sentences of 6-17 months with 60 months of supervised probation with the Division of Community Corrections, the maximum time allowed under state law.

He does not have to go to prison. Instead, he must serve 75 days in the county jail prior to being released on probation.

Knotts will also be required to complete mental health and substance abuse evaluations and treatment, comply with prescribed medication, and he is not allowed to possess or care for any animals during the course of his probation.

 

 

 

 

 

(WECT - July 28, 2017)

Earlier:

• North Carolina: Danny Knotts, 19, admitted to police that he strangled two kittens to death them dumped them in a shallow grave together behind his house

Australia: Police searching for person who went into family's yard, grabbed their elderly 17-year-old Westie and strangled him to death

AUSTRALIA -- A Brisbane family is devastated following what police are calling a "sickening attack" on a pet dog.

The 17-year-old West Highland Terrier, named Scruffy, was found dead with a towel from the family's clothesline tied around his neck at Northam Avenue, Bardon.

The towel was then tied to a plant.

Liam and Cath Proberts were in Sydney at a wedding when their son made the awful discovery on Friday.

A stringy old towel taken off the clothesline had been used to tie up the West Highland terrier, who had been in the family since the inner-west Brisbane couple's eldest daughter's sixth birthday.

"We were all, our initial reaction was just disbelief and then anger, really angry, like how the hell, it's unfathomable," Mr Proberts said.

"How could and who could do this?"

The pet appeared to have been killed near the clothesline before being taken from the side of the house into the backyard and "displayed" in full view of the main lounge room.

Police described the killing as a "sickening attack", saying there was blood found at the scene.

Detectives announced an animal cruelty investigation on Monday, calling for public assistance from anyone who may have seen what happened in the luxurious Bardon home's backyard between 10.30am and 3pm on Friday but no one was home.

An easement runs past the back of the home but Mrs Proberts said Scruffy had been quiet in his old age and would have been difficult to see from the tree-filled park.

The Proberts family was hoping some of that blood could have been the attacker, giving police a chance to match the DNA.

"I actually would really like to catch whoever did it," Mrs Proberts said.

Cath Proberts said, "We're living in a neighbourhood that someone's capable of not only attacking Scruff, but leaving him on display, so the intent was very malicious."

Mrs Proberts said Scruffy hadn't barked for the last year because he was so old.

"Our neighbours said they didn't even know we had a dog," she said.

The family can’t imagine who would do such a thing to their “defenceless” pet who could barely walk up the stairs.

It's believed Scruffy was attacked sometime between 10.30am and 3pm on Friday, police said in a statement on Sunday night.

Anyone with information is urged to contact Crime Stoppers 1800 333 000.

(AU News Yahoo - April 24, 2017)

Minnesota: Hugh Gaughan, 18, abuses his own cat, shoots arrows at brother, threatens him with shotgun and large sword, say police

MINNESOTA -- An 18-year-old Coon Rapids man is accused of assaulting and threatening his brother with various weapons - including a large sword and a shotgun - after abusing his cat Monday evening.

Hugh Gaughan faces two felony counts that include second-degree assault and threats of violence, as well as a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty in connection to the Feb. 27 incident.

According to the criminal complaint, Coon Rapids police responded at 10:11 p.m. to a residence on the 200 block of 94th Ave. NW after a caller reported that his younger brother was threatening him with a shotgun.

Upon arrival, officers learned the younger brother, identified as Gaughan, had just left the home a few minutes earlier. Officers then entered the home and observed large holes in the drywall and wood fragments on the floor. After clearing the house, the officers went to the victim’s bedroom. Officers say a large sword was buried two feet into the bedroom door and there were several holes and arrow fragments on the floor nearby.

The victim, who was in the bedroom, told police that his younger brother moved into the house a week earlier and brought a cat. Earlier in the evening, the victim learned the cat had defecated on his bed for the third time that week.

After confronting his brother about the cat, an argument ensued and Gaughan allegedly became very angry and very rough with the cat – choking it and throwing it down the stairs. 

The victim then yelled at Gaughan for abusing the cat and they then physically struggled and wrestled.

The complaint says the victim then walked away toward his bedroom and as he entered the doorway, he turned around and saw Gaughan pointing an arrow in his direction. The victim then slammed the door, but one arrow made it through before the door shut completely. Gaughan allegedly shot more arrows, with one penetrating the door completely.

According to the complaint, a period of silence followed and the victim then opened the bedroom door to find Gaughan pointing a long barreled over/under shotgun at him. 

After shutting the door again, a large sword suddenly penetrated the door. That’s when the victim called police and Gaughan left the house, according to the complaint.

Detectives obtained a search warrant and recovered a 12 gauge shotgun underneath Gaughan’s bed, as well as two bows and multiple arrows.

If convicted, Gaughan could face up to seven years in prison on the assault charge and up to five years on the threats of violence charge.

(KFGO - March 2, 2017)

Maine: Michael Herrmann, 47, charged with felony animal cruelty; allegedly admitted to police he strangled his neighbor's two cats to death and dumped their bodies in the woods

MAINE -- A Maine man is facing animal cruelty charges after he allegedly choked two cats to death last month.

Michael Herrmann, 47, of Greene, is charged with aggravated animal cruelty. He is free on $160 cash bail.

According to the Androscoggin County Sheriff's Department, the animal control officer in the area began investigating last month after learning that the two cats had been killed in an inhumane manner.

Their bodies were later dumped in the woods near Herrmann's home, on South Mountain Road.

Police say Herrmann had been watching them for a neighbor.

He allegedly told investigators he killed them because he didn’t have time to take them to the local humane society and figured "they would be euthanized anyway".

Herrmann complained that the cats were causing his daughter's allergies, so he used "martial arts skills" to subdue and strangle them near a snowmobile trail, according to the sheriff's department.

He allegedly told police his martial arts training taught him how to "choke things out."

A person at Herrmann's address refused to speak to necn Tuesday.

Herrmann has been ordered to have no contact with animals while out on bail.

(NECN - April 4, 2017)

New York: Jesse Young sentenced to a year in the county jail after pleading guilty to torturing two cats to death

NEW YORK -- In Jefferson County Court on Wednesday, Jesse Alexander Young, 33, was sentenced to one year in jail and banned from owning pets (for this one-year) after pleading guilty to animal cruelty counts.

On Jan. 31, Jesse Young pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated animal cruelty for killing two cats belonging to his girlfriend, Kylie Rivers.

Reports say he had twisted the neck of one and drowned another in the summer of 2016 before putting their remains in their freezer.

"After drowning the first cat, 33-year-old Jesse Young allegedly killed a second one less than two months later. Young is accused of striking the second cat so hard that the poor animal went into convulsions. He then grabbed the cat by the neck and twisted until it the cat’s neck snapped." - petition

Mr. Young was also ordered to pay $618 in restitution for the necropsy of the cats.

(Watertown Daily Times - March 26, 2017)

Earlier:

• New York: Jesse Young, 33, pleaded guilty to drowning one cat in the bathtub and twisting a 2nd cat's neck, breaking it. He stored both dead cats in the freezer.

Arizona: Brandon Grede charged with animal cruelty after trying to choke a police K9 dog

ARIZONA -- Mesa police say they found a homemade explosive device in the home of a man who held his girlfriend at knife-point.

Mesa police report that on Feb. 11 about 3:30 a.m., they were responded to a domestic violence call near Gilbert and Broadway roads.

The victim reported to police that her boyfriend, 35-year-old Brandon Paul Grede, held a box cutter to her throat after she demanded that he leave the home because she learned he had multiple outstanding warrants.

The victim told police that Grede threatened to cut her throat and said, "It would take more than four minutes for the police to arrive and he would have already killed her by that point." 

Police said the Grede was distracted for a moment and that allowed the victim to grab her young daughter and leave home.

The victim also allegedly told police of an improvised explosive device Grede had made. She described the device as two "camping propane tanks" taped together with a road flare.

A few hours later, police said they entered the home and took Grede into custody. While doing so, police said, Grede tried to choke a police dog. 

Police also located the homemade bomb.

Grede is being held without bond on an aggravated assault charge.

Arrest Information
Full Name: Brandon Paul Grede
Gender: Male
Birthdate: 10/2/1981
Arrest age: 35
Height: 5'11"
Weight: 175 lbs
Hair Color: BROWN
Eye Color: BLUE
Date: 02/12/2017
Agency: Maricopa County, Arizona
Charges
#1 AGG ASLT-DEADLY WPN/DANG INST
#2 AGG ASLT-DEADLY WPN/DANG INST
#3 DANGEROUS DRUG-POSS/USE
#4 DANGEROUS DRUG-POSS/USE
#5 MISCNDCT SIMUL EXPLOSIVE
#6 MISCNDCT SIMUL EXPLOSIVE
#7 ENDANGERMENT
#8 ENDANGERMENT
#9 ENDANGERMENT
#10 ENDANGERMENT
#11 UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT
#12 UNLAWFUL IMPRISONMENT
#13 ANIMAL-CRUEL NEGLECT/ABANDON
#14 ANIMAL-CRUEL NEGLECT/ABANDON
#15 DRUG PARAPHERNALIA-POSSESS/USE
#16 DRUG PARAPHERNALIA-POSSESS/USE
#17 KNOWINGLY DISPLAY FLS LIC PLT
#18 KNOWINGLY DISPLAY FLS LIC PLT
#19 DRIVE W/LIC SUSP/REVOKE/CANC
#20 DRIVE W/LIC SUSP/REVOKE/CANC
#21 VIOLATION OF PROMISE TO APPEAR
#22 VIOLATION OF PROMISE TO APPEAR

(ABC15 - Feb 17, 2017)

Australia: Police investigating after man strangles ibis bird to death

AUSTRALIA -- Police are appealing for witnesses to a "sickening" attack in the Brisbane CBD where an ibis was strangled to death and used to threaten passers-by on Saturday morning.

Detectives said a man captured and killed the bird about 5.30am on George Street before approaching members of the public as they walked past and threatening them with the dead bird.

Police attended and spoke to a man at the scene but are appealing for anyone who witnessed the incident or may have footage to contact them.

RSPCA Queensland spokesman Michael Beatty said after hearing the news "you just shake your head".

However, he said it may be difficult to bring animal cruelty charges against the man responsible.

"It will have to be taken into account whether the bird died immediately or suffered," he said.

Mr Beatty said if the animal died quickly then it would make pressing animal cruelty charges "more complicated".

However, if witnesses came forward with evidence the bird suffered, the likelihood of charges would increase.

District Duty Officer Senior Sergeant Neville Mills said police take matters of animal cruelty extremely seriously.

"Attacks of this nature will not be tolerated and those responsible will be dealt with to the full extent of the law," he said.

Mr Beatty said the year had not started well after more than 90 animals were seized from an alleged puppy farm west of Stanthorpe on Monday.

(Hawkesbury Gazette - Jan 21, 2017)

Indiana: James Wilson, 27, is accused of beating and strangling his dog and then pushing Good Samaritan who tried to stop him down a flight of stairs

INDIANA -- A northern Indiana man was arrested after police say he beat his dog with a steel-toed boot and then pushed a woman down stairs when she tried to stop him.

Officers were called to investigate the incident in 100 block of West 7th Street around 1:30 a.m. Thursday.

When police arrived, a woman told them the suspect, 27-year-old James Wilson II, had gotten mad at his dog when it wouldn’t listen to him.

Then, she said Wilson grabbed the dog’s collar and began choking it.

The woman said the dog bit Wilson in an attempt to get away, so he removed one of his steel-toed boots and began beating the animal in the head with it, according to court records.

Wilson admitted to police that he “lost it” and started beating the dog after it “snapped” at him.

The woman said Wilson later threatened to kill the dog when she tried to protect it. He then reportedly grabbed the woman and threw her down a set of stairs. 

There was also a 1-year-old child in the home at the time that woke several times during the incident, court records say.

When Wilson was taken into custody, officers realized he had sustained lacerations to his wrist from the dog bite, but he declined medical services. When he was being transported to jail, officers say Wilson said several times that he intended to kill the dog when he got out of jail.

James faces charges of possession of a look-a-like substance with a prior conviction, domestic battery in the presence of a minor, harboring a non-immunized dog that bit a person, and cruelty to an animal by beating.

(FOX59 - Feb 8, 2017)

New York: Jesse Young, 33, pleaded guilty to drowning one cat in the bathtub and twisting a 2nd cat's neck, breaking it. He stored both dead cats in the freezer.

NEW YORK --  Jesse A. Young, 33, of Watertown, pleaded guilty Tuesday in Jefferson County Court to two counts of aggravated animal cruelty against his girlfriend’s cats.

On July 8, Young drowned one cat belonging to Kylie M. Rivers in their bathtub before bagging the animal’s remains and putting it in their freezer.

On Aug. 20, Young killed another cat belonging to Ms. Rivers by twisting its neck until it broke.

Young also bagged the second cat’s remains before putting them in the freezer.

He is expected to be sentenced to serve one year in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building, with sentencing scheduled for March 22.

(Watertown Daily News - Feb 2, 2017)

California: Dog trainer, Bob Taylor, at Winchester facility charged with animal cruelty

CALIFORNIA -- The owner and head trainer at a Winchester dog training facility was charged Wednesday, Jan. 25, with six felony counts of animal cruelty.

Court records show that an arrest warrant was issued for Robert Edwin Taylor (Robert Taylor), 66, of the Dog Wish Foundation. According to a Riverside County Department of Animal Services news release, Taylor was using "abusive techniques" to train dogs.

The Dog Wish Foundation, according to its website, provides people with Alzheimer's, post-traumatic stress and other disorders, with trained service dogs. The website says Taylor has been training dogs for about 40 years and has won several awards.

Dog Wish Foundation employees reached out to Animal Services officers regarding Taylor's techniques, the news release said. The employees videotaped Taylor using leashes "in a matter that appeared to be choking the animals," the news release said, and submitted the footage to authorities Oct. 25.

The footage also showed Taylor kicking the dogs when they wouldn't obey his commands.

Animal Services investigator Sgt. Lesley Huennekens, in her report for the Riverside County District Attorney's Office, said one of the dogs was choked and kicked 17 times.

"The dogs would scream and thrash on the ground from pain and fear," Huennekens said in the report.

Two days after the footage was submitted, the officers served a search warrant a the facility. Officers didn't seize any animals, since they appeared to be in healthy condition and the property was reasonably maintained, the news release said. None of the dogs appeared to be injured.

"They came out here but didn't do anything," Taylor told City News Service. "This does come as a surprise to me. They never responded to anything that I communicated."

Taylor, whose conversation with CNS was cut short by his wife, said he was not aware that he'd been charged with five felony counts of animal cruelty until today's phone call.

Despite the facility being up to code and the dogs being healthy, the video footage prompted Huennekens to continue the investigation and push for charges to be filed.

NOT FIRST TIME CHARGED WITH ANIMAL CRUELTY
This is not the first time Taylor has been accused of mistreating dogs. In 1989, he pleaded no contest to running a "guard dog" training facility without a license in exchange for the animal cruelty charge against him to be dropped.

"There are proper ways to train dogs," Huennekens said. "We do not believe (Taylor's) methods would be viewed by any reasonable trainer as suitable."

When Taylor is arraigned, the Department of Animal Services will ask the judge to mandate that Taylor does not interact with any dogs until the case is adjudicated, the news release said.

PREVIOUS COMPLAINTS ABOUT BOB TAYLOR

BEWARE OF THIS MAN. HE IS A LIAR AND A CHEAT...We purchased two service dogs from Bob Taylor, not only were they not service dogs but he abused my son's dog. The Male dog is still scared to death of people. The female has shoulder and hip problems so bad that the vet told us she will not live another 2 years. He promised all these things and required payment up front. We paid him 15,000.00 and believed him when he told us all the crap he feeds to everyone. We should have done our research and checked with the attorney generals office. He is not certified to train service dogs. We now have two German shepherds and neither one of them can do service. It is sad that he still can smooth talk his way into lives of families that struggle everyday and now I see he is going after senior citizens. BEWARE OF THIS MAN AND HIS PROMISES. He told one mother when he was with them in their home that he has been sued some many times it does not bother him anymore.

I too was scammed by this jerk. I trusted him with my family's beloved puppy who after an initial visit told me he could train the dog to be good with my children. Weeks later and alot of money later when we brought our dog home, it was not the same dog we left in his care. I honestly believe they abused our dog, as he was skidish and a day later bit my child in front of me for reaching her hand to pet him on the head. My child is lucky to have vision and no major injuries. But the emotional trauma our family went through when we had to give our dog to live on in tree yard and never see him again. I still miss him. The money was another issue, and I blame the judge who obviously was either crooked our uncaring as to not rule in our favor.

Never ever trust this man with an animal and if best train along side your dog at all times.

I got another dog and someone came out and showed me how to train our dog with great success. I am now confident with what I have learned. It is unfortunate I had to learn a lesson the hard way.

We had a dog who i loved and cared about and we sent him to dumb ### bob for training he came back super skittish. I was ten years old when he came back and he wouldnt allow me to touch him. Before we sent him to his stupid training camp i was sick. I had a really bad flu and my little dog sat on my lap all night long. It was like he was protecting me! From that point on i was attached to him and loved him with all my heart. So after dumbass bobs dumbass training camp my poor little puppy, who was abused by this dumbass, bit my baby sister on the eye. It was bloody and bruised. We had no choice but to put him down. Now my mom complained on a different site and bob called her a liar! BOB IF YOU READ THIS I AM TRULY PISSED OFF!!!

Bob Taylor is a complete con artist. We had a horrible experience with this man ultimately ending up in him stealing $2k from us which we gave as a down payment on a seizure dog and him claiming bankruptcy to get out of paying us over $40k a judge awarded us when my 5 year old daughter was bit on his property by one of his dogs. Steer clear of this man and never take anything he says as an honest description of whatever he is trying to sell you on himself. He is truly a horrible man. It makes me sick to see how many people he has scammed out of thousands of dollars.

Bob Taylor is a fraud. He has no legitimate and verifiable credentials. He told us, after watching a video of me working with our severely disabled son, that everything I was doing was wrong. I was initially crushed, but soon realized that his man was giving a completely uninformed opinion. He plays with the minds of clients. Just read one of his so called "books" where he describes how he pushed a woman with a mental illness into full recovery! He harassed me on the phone several times, being very rude. He then would call back and tell my husband that he was purposefully upsetting me. To what end, I am not sure. He was very apologetic following the 2 incidents where he was purposefully upsetting me. He is a major con artist and preys on the most vulnerable people.

(The Press-Enterprise - Jan 27, 2017)

Earlier:

• California: Guard dog Trainer Bob Taylor has animal cruelty charge dropped in exchange for plea deal

Oklahoma: Two-and-a-half years ago, Sammie Bruhwiler tortured and killed her Shih Tzu. Today, she was sentenced to 5 years probation.

OKLAHOMA -- June 19, 2014 is a night many neighbors of Sammie Bruhwiler wish they could forget.

Back on that warm summer night, around 1130pm, police responded to a residence after neighbors said there was a woman screaming hysterically from inside a home. They were concerned that a man had broken in and was harming the young woman inside.

When police arrived, 22-year-old Sammie Bruhwiler emerged from her house, seemingly drunk, screaming at the top of her lungs, and carrying her bloody, dog which was hanging lifeless in her arms.

According to the police, Bruhwiler told the officer that her dog had "pus and fleas." She said her mother had told her she needed to either shave or cut the dog’s fur. She didn't elaborate as to what she had done to the little dog, but its fur was matted with its own blood.

 

Officers say they found blood trails throughout the home.  They also found two knives, a pocket knife and a silver blade, covered in blood.

On top of being stabbed and cut, police say that Bruhwiler had either suffocated or strangled the little Shih Tzu mix to death.

At the time, Bruhwiler’s friends wouldn’t go on camera but insisted to reporters that she loved animals so much. They even say Bruhwiler volunteered at the shelters.

On her Couchsurfing ad, Bruhwiler described herself as:

"Compassionate, outgoing, all kinds of silly, always laughing, flower child, wild one, adventurous, dreamer, sensitive, very giving, dignified and strong, enthusiastic spirit, and full of love."

Sammie Rebecca Bruhwiler

“I can’t believe that. She seemed like a nice little girl, had her life together,” said neighbor Willis Moses. “And she loved that little dog, seemed like it to me.”

Neighbor Willis Moses was shocked, saying he'd seen
Bruhwiler out walking with the little Shih Tzu

For this horrific torture death of this little dog, Sammie Bruhwiler was sentenced to five years probation for animal cruelty.

I can't even imagine how that little dog suffered. Police said they found blood "throughout the home". He may have run from room to room trying to get away from her, from the person who was supposed to love him.

I'm posting this because today Sammie Bruhwiler begins her probation.

Hopefully, whatever mental and/or substance abuse issues she has/had will be addressed and that she will accept what she's done and take responsibility for killing the little dog she was supposed to protect and love. Mental health issues and/or substance abuse problems are the only things I can think of that would cause someone, described by friends and neighbors as being an animal lover, to chase, stab, torture and strangle their own dog to death.

Offender: Sammie Rebecca Bruhwiler
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Weight: 99 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Blue
Birth Date: 5/16/1992
Listed elsewhere as 8/16/1992
OK DOC#: 755180
CRF#: 2014-45
Status: ACTIVE
Location: OKLAHOMA COUNTY COURT
Offense: CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Date committed: 06/19/2014
Term Code: P&PSUS (Probation and/or Parole for a Suspended Sentence)
Suspended Sentence: With a suspended you are being sentenced to time in jail or prison, but the court is suspending that time and not making you actually serve it, as long as you follow the rules and conditions of your probation.
Sentence: 5 Years
Probation begins: 1/18/2017

Photo taken January 18, 2017

Earlier:

• Oklahoma: Police found Sammie Bruhwiler drunk and covered in blood after killing her Shih Tzu

Indiana: "There were three grown men beating, choking, doing anything we could to get this dog off of my little Zita. Nothing would free it's grip"

INDIANA -- My sister and I have had a terrible last few months. This week was especially horrible. This page will explain everything. Please share.

GoFundMe link: My little Zita's vet bills
Created December 26, 2016 by Matt Cadle  
MERRILLVILLE, IN

It's not easy for me to write about this nor is it easy for me to ask for any kind of charity, but sometimes, I guess, it's what you just have to do.

About five days ago a huge stray pit bull was wandering around my home. I was outside near my truck and my sister opened the door to tell me something. Right at that same moment I noticed that the stray dog had wounds on it. I yelled for my sister to close the door. It was too late. The dog had already seen my Zita inside the home.

It literally shoved the door open ran inside my home and immediately attacked my Zita. It locked onto the back of her neck. There was nothing my dog could do. I began to beat the dog with anything that I could get my hands on. Three of my neighbors heard my sister's screams and they ran over to help.

There were three grown men beating, choking, doing anything we could to get this dog off of my little Zita. Nothing would free it's grip. After all, Zita is only 40 pounds and this pit bull was at least 80 to 90 pounds.

Finally, somehow, the dog finally lost it's grip. Zita ended up having a severe puncture wound to the back of her neck.

The police were called. They arrived along with an animal control officer. They took the dog to the local Humane Society. The Animal Control Officer pointed out cut marks on the dog that were caused by a knife. Obviously this dog was abused & trained to attack and kill other dogs. I do not blame the dog.  I blame the sick disgusting person who 'raised' it.

Not having any money to my name, I didn't bring her to the vet until today (Christmas Day). I also truly believed that she would be fine. I really did.

Zita didn't look well this morning. There was a ton of pus all over the wound. I applied online for an emergency pet credit card, but I was denied. My sister applied and was given $700 credit. I took Zita into the animal emergency vacility. She had to have emergency surgery performed. She had developed an extrememly bad infection all the way around the inside of her neck area. The vet had to insert 5 drainage plugs which need to be flushed for the next 3-5 days.

The bill for the surgery, medication and other services came close to the $700 that my sister was approved for. But I still need to take Zita to the vet at least 3 to 5 more times and I have no idea how much it's going to be or how I'm going to pay for it.

Those of you who know me, may know that I suffer from severe clinical depression and very bad anxiety disorder. I have fought depression my entire life. The past 10 or more years my conditions have worsened much more. It may not be an excuse to some, but it's the reason I haven't been able to make any type of living. Every day is a battle just to stay alive.

The two reasons I am still on this earth is because of my sister Joanne and my dog Zita. They are the only two reasons I live for. My sister Joanne, whom is disabled (which is a whole other story), lives with me. She gets a very small SSI check which has been our only income for the past several years.

My sister and I never had the chance to have children (me by choice, my sister because she physically couldn't). So Zita is literally like my daughter and Joanne's niece. we both love her more than anything in the world.

When Zita was attacked, it was one of the most traumatic experiences that my sister and I have ever experienced. I really thought my little girl was going to die. I cannot even describe it in words. It was absolutely horrible. My sister and I are still both in tears ever since it happened. It's something that we, unfortunately, will never forget.

I still cannot believe that I started a gofundme page. To tell you the honest truth, I feel like a complete loser asking people for money. I would never ask for money for any other circumstance. But I have to do what I have to do. I have no other options. I have to swallow my pride and save my baby.

My sister and I both would be extremely and eternally grateful for any donations that you could spare.

Update 1
I thought I would add a picture of Zita's post operation. There are a total of five drains.

She is doing better today. She has been eating, alert and wants to play a little. I just gave her her pain meds and now she's asleep next to me on my bed. I have to bring her to the vet tonight to have her drains 'flushed' for the first time. I feel so bad, because she is going to be so scared.

Update 2
Just a little update on Zita. She seems to be doing well. She ate her first bowl of food today. She's still alert and acting herself, but still tired at times.

I took her in for the second time to get her drains flushed. The doctor didn't like the way some of the discharge looked, so she took a sample and she's sending it to the lab to be tested. She wants to make sure that it's not another bacteria growing inside her. If it is, then we will have to switch the antibiotics that she's on.

I couldn't pay for the tests yet. Therefore they won't send the sample to the lab yet. I'm waiting for these funds to be deposited into my bank account. Hopefully the money will be in my account by tomorrow.

I'm back to being a nervous wreck again. The vet tech told me that this is not uncommon for a dog bite. I think (hope) they are just making sure that it's not something worse. Hopefully Zita's wounds won't get worse and she can stay on the same medication.

Thank you to all who have donated. I have no idea what I would do without your support.

Much love <3
~Matt

Update 3
Just a pic to go with my last update. The bottom drain is draining the most (gravity). Hopefully the tests that they took will come back ok and Zita will be able to stay on her same antibiotics.

I don't want much out of life. I just want my dog to be ok.

Update 4
I just got back from taking Zita to get her drains flushed. The doctor told me that everything starting to look a little better. It's not as swollen and it's not draining as much. We have to wait for the culture to come back from the lab to make sure that Zita's on the perfect type of antibiotic.

The vet tech told me not to worry. That Zita will be ok. It's just going to take take. I needed to hear that more than anything. I haven't been able to eat or sleep. I couldn't even hold water down last night.

I want to thank everyone that has donated and helped us through this. I truly don't know what we would have done without all your donations, love and compassion. I hope that, in the future, I will have the means to pay all of you back in one way or another.

So much love <3,
~Matt

Update 5
I just got back from taking Zita to get her drains flushed again. Her regular doctor wasn't there, but the vet techs said that everything is looking good. We will head back to the vet tomorrow. Hopefully the culture will come back from the lab ok and Zita can continue on the same antibiotics and the doctor will remove the drains. *fingers crossed*

Zita actually gets excited to go for a ride and visit the clinic. I think I'm more nervous in there than she is! :)

I would like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated, sent kind notes and shared my campaign. Your compassion and kindness is appreciated more than you'll ever know. You all have been simply amazing!

Thank you! <3 Thank you! <3 Thank you! <3
~Matt

Update 6
Zita is doing very well. Hopefully tomorrow the lab results will be in, she will remain on her same antibiotics and she can get her drains removed.

I cannot thank all of you enough. You are all amazing people. Your generosity, love and compassion has warmed my heart. It's just so nice to know that there are people out there that truly care.

Much love to all of you, <3
~Matt

Update 7
Zita seems to be doing very well. I THINK her drains should be removed tonight when I bring her in. They aren't draining anymore which is, I'm pretty sure, a great sign.

The lab tests came back and Zita has to go on a different antibiotic. I'm a tad nervous, but I'm sure everything will be fine. As I stated above, she seems to be healing very well.

For those of you who want to donate directly to the vet....I am going to speak to the lady at the clinic who handles all the bills. I'll ask her if she can credit my 'care credit' card if someone wants call the vet and donate. I'm pretty sure that they can do that. I don't see why they wouldn't. I'll post another update tonight after I take my Zita in. :)

Once again, a HUGE thank you to everyone! And HUGE thank you to my "ragazza fantastica" Lisa Steczo. Lisa you have helped me so much! <3 YOU! <3 ALL of you!
~Matt

Update 8
Great news everyone! Zita had her drains removed tonight! The lab results showed that she had a different strain of bacteria growing in her, but the Doc put her on another antibiotic and said not to worry. On Sunday the 15th she will most likely get her stitches removed! I am so relieved! My little Zita is gonna be ok!

Thank you once again to everyone that donated and sent notes! Your love and compassion is overwhelming! I truly love all of you! You saved my daughter! :) <3

Lisa....<3 you!

Those that want to donate directly to the vet, please call them. Demitra, the gal that handles the bills, will take your payment and deduct the amount from my 'care credit' card.

I am trying to post a video from my phone, but it's too large to send to my email. I know nothing about smartphones. lol....so here's a pic of Zita in the waiting room. :)

Thank you ALL again!

Update 9
Zita's last day at the Emergency clinic! Stitches removed!

She was so hyper all day! I think she was feeding off of my emotions. I was in a good mood because my pipes thawed out on their own and no busted pipes!

When Zita and I first got to the vet, she was going nutty! Then she wore herself out and almost fell asleep in the chair (you can tell by the pictures that I posted how she gradually wore herself out. LOL....I LOVE my dog!

Thank you again everyone! ALL of you are incredible!

And a special thanks to my buddy Lisa!

Much love to everyone! <3
~Matt