New York: Dogs removed, then returned to Lyons Kennel Owner Robert Juliano

NEW YORK -- Two weeks ago State Police and Wayne County 911 took some 200 compliant calls about a dozen dogs being left outside in sub zero temperatures.

Video was posted on Facebook too.

Authorities said later that week that the owner hadn’t broken any laws and that the animals hadn’t suffered either frost bite or malnourishment.

Sheriff Barry Virts Friday afternoon confirmed that the 12 dogs at the farm on Middle Sodus Road in Lyons had been removed from the property placed in the custody and care of the Wayne County Humane Society while the matter was investigated further. He says the Humane Society received numerous threats on social media and by telephone  Those threats are being investigated.

The Lyons Code Enforcement Officer issued a stop work order to prevent the dog’s owner, Robert Juliano from maintaining a Kennel for Commercial Purposes. All the animal have received vaccinations and are properly licensed.

(Finger Lakes Daily News - January 12, 2018)

Michigan: Police say Nathan Hulet beat, tortured his puppy, breaking its leg and ribs then drove it to a field and abandoned it to die

MICHIGAN -- The SPCA of Southwest Michigan said JoJo, who police say suffered multiple injuries at the hands of his owner, is making big strides in his recovery and the case against his owner is progressing, as well.

A puppy abused and left to die in a field has been treated and rehabilitated and now the owner of the puppy will soon be facing three counts of animal cruelty after he is accused of breaking its leg and ribs because it had had an accident and peed inside the house while he was out running errands.

Katie Timber with the SPCA of Southwest Michigan, says that two weeks ago a 9-month-old Hound mix puppy shook from pain and fear after his leg was so badly injured it had to be amputated.

Timber said, “When he came in he was whimpering, when you set him down he was clearly in pain so when we removed the leg they sutured him up but the sutures rejected it so we had to go back in and correct it again."

A broken leg, ribs and trauma are just a few of the shocking injuries Richland Police say JoJo the puppy sustained at the hands of his owner 19-year-old Nathaniel Hulet (aka Nathan Hulet, Nate Hulet).

Timber said, "when I picked him up he was unable to use the leg that we had to remove and we brought him right in to our vet team and they removed the leg and he has been rehabilitating ever since."

From the police report:

Officer Scott told me that he knows the dog owner Nathan Hulet as they have had incidents with him in the past and Scott suggested he come along with me as Hulet is known to have an aggressive behavior.

Mr. Hulet invited us into his home, where I saw a large hole/dent in the drywall in the kitchen area.

Officer Scott asked Mr. Hulet about this and we were told he got pissed and punched the wall, causing the damage. I asked him if it was caused by throwing the dog into it, and he told us it was not.

He told us he had let the dog out and closed the door on the dog's leg, accidentally breaking the leg. He then [stated] he had to go to work so he gave money to a friend [redacted] to take the dog to the vet to have it treated

Hulet [claimed he] did not know the last name of [redacted] or where he lived and did not know the phone number of [redacted], but said [redacted] took his money and must have dropped the dog off on Augusta Drive.

...he finally admitted to coming home from the bank and the dog had an accident in the home and he got pissed and picked the dog up over his head and slammed it down on the floor breaking its leg

He likely did more than just that.

He would not alter from the story of [redacted] taking the dog and abandoning it on Augusta Drive.

 

 

Timber said, “It's a really emotional issue, to take an animal that doesn't have a voice and throw it to the ground to the point where it snaps its leg, what a gruesome thing to do."

Neighbors in Richland claim they saw Hulet abandon and dump the wounded puppy in a field near M-89 where he was later found.

Timber said, “He had to have two surgeries, the leg actually opened up again, so he has been through a couple of corrective surgeries"

 

 

Timber says JoJo is now ready for adoption and hopes he will find a safe and loving forever home.

She said, "JoJo is very resilient, he is loving, he is playful, he is gentle."

Three animal cruelty charges are now authorized against Hulet.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WWMT - Dec 14, 2017)

Minnesota: Brandon Hesse Hamilton accused of body-slamming puppy over and over, breaking her leg

MINNESOTA -- A Detroit Lakes man accused of body slamming a 14-week-old puppy three or four times and breaking its leg is now charged with a felony rather than a gross misdemeanor.

Brandon Scott Hesse Hamilton, 32, of Detroit Lakes has been charged in Becker County District Court with felony cruelty to an animal.

The charge was upgraded after the Becker County Attorney's Office reviewed the final veterinary and police reports, according to the Becker County Court Administration Office.

According to court records, shortly before noon on Thursday, a Detroit Lakes police officer was called to Hesse Hamilton's house on Gary Avenue to check on the status of a dog that he had allegedly badly beaten.

The officer was met by Hesse Hamilton's sister, who was holding a black and white Bluetick Coonhound puppy named Millie. She told the officer she was afraid that Millie's leg was broken.

That morning Hesse Hamilton and several other people were at the residence playing video games. Millie got up and defecated on the floor. The sister said she heard Hesse Hamilton swear and watched him walk over and pick up Millie.

He allegedly raised her over his head and slammed her down into the feces on the floor. 

She heard the dog yelp in pain, but Hesse Hamilton allegedly continued to pick up the dog and slam her to the floor several more times.

He reportedly rubbed the dog into the feces every time he slammed her down.

After the beating, Millie was unable to get up. Hesse Hamilton grabbed the dog, dragged her outside and tied her up. T

he sister continued to hear the dog yelp in pain and went outside to try to comfort Millie by wrapping her in a blanket. Hesse Hamilton came outside, took the blanket away, put his hand on Millie's head and shoved it into the ground, saying "don't s..t on my floor."

The sister told him to leave the dog alone, and stayed with Millie, but couldn't get her to move. She took Millie inside and gave her a bath, and the puppy yelped in pain the whole time she was being bathed.

Hesse Hamilton left the home and was not there when the police officer arrived.

The officer interviewed others who were at the home, and they gave similar accounts of what happened.

The officer took the dog to the Marshmallow Foundation, which serves as the Detroit Lakes animal shelter. It was confirmed that Millie had a broken leg and needed surgery.

 

 

Hesse Hamilton's wife, Ashley, who owns the dog, said she had no money to pay for the surgery, and surrendered ownership of Millie, who was taken to the University of Minnesota for complex surgery.

The officer went back to the residence. Hesse Hamilton was there and denied hurting the dog. He was arrested and taken to jail.

On Friday, he appeared in court before District Judge Michelle Lawson, who set cash bail at $300 or bond at $3,000, with standard conditions of release, or bond at $6,000 without conditions.

Hesse Hamilton's application for a public defender was denied because of an incomplete application. Court records said there was no indication of his wife's income and the amount of worker's compensation being received.

Dr. James K. McCormack of the Detroit Lakes Animal Hospital said he examined Millie.

"We triaged and identified the lameness to right rear leg," he said. "We sedated and took X-rays and gave treatment options, and luckily for Millie she was able to go down to the University (of Minnesota) where they could plate and wire and pin these pieces back together."

He said the surgery went well, but Millie isn't out of the woods yet.

"There is a lot of muscle trauma," he said, "so time is really going to be the tell here. If we can heal this up and keep the muscles from scarring up into all this trauma site, we should have a fairly good leg coming back to stand on, but if the muscles get scarred up into the fracture site as things heal, we can get a lot of tie-down or loss of motion."

Millie is now recovering in a foster home, according to a post on the Marshmallow Foundation's Facebook page, "but she has a long road ahead of her. Unlike most 4-month-old puppies, she is unable to go outside and run and play ... During the surgery, she had a bone plate and 9 metal screws placed within her leg. Her activity is severely restricted for 4-6 weeks in order to give her leg a chance to heal. So playing and running will have to be placed on hold for now, but at least she is safe and being spoiled every single day!"

The Marshmallow Foundation has set up an online donation site at YouCaring to help offset Millie's medical costs.

Millie-Abuse Victim and now a Survivor!
For: The Marshmallow Foundation
Detroit Lakes, MN
Organizer: Samantha
Millie-Abuse Victim and now a Survivor! (The Marshmallow Foundation)
$5,115 of $5,000 goal raised by 118 donors

On 8/24/17 our staff received news that a puppy with a broken leg would be surrendered to the care of the shelter immediately following a veterinary exam to determine the extent of her injuries likely suffered at the hands of her owner.  Her name is Millie and she is 14 weeks old. She needs your help and your donations so that she can hopefully make a full recovery! We are hoping to have her scheduled for the next step in her care either tonight or tomorrow!

There are still a lot of unknowns and we will do our best to keep everyone up-to-date on the case but here is what we have:

-Millie is a 14 week old Female mixed puppy (pics coming soon) who has a broken leg that either needs to be fixed or amputated.

-She was seen on 8/24/17 by a local veterinary clinic in Detroit Lakes and had an exam and X-rays performed as well as pain medication given to help while she awaits her next step in treatment.

-The local clinic cannot perform the surgery/fix the leg and they are working to refer her to either the University of Minnesota or another comparable facility that can help with her special case. Once this is determined we will update everyone.

-There is a pending investigation and a person has been arrested and is in custody.

**We increased the fundraiser to $5000 due to follow up visits to the veterinarian, radiographs, medications, etc.

UPDATED:  Millie is on her way to the U of M in the Twin Cities to have surgery on Friday, 8/25/17.

UPDATE 8/28/17: Millie is doing well in her foster home and continues to recover from surgery. She is one spunky girl who is so brave and continues to amaze us every day! Millie underwent major surgery on 8/25/17 at the University of Minnesota to repair a right femoral fracture (broken leg).  This injury occurred because one of her owners allegedly picked her up and slammed her into the floor 4 times for house soiling.  This incident was witnessed by another person and thankfully the police were notified and Millie was taken to a veterinarian immediately.  Her alleged abuser was arrested and is charged with a crime with a court date set in early September.

Please keep Millie in your thoughts and prayers and share her story! All of us at the shelter are humbled by the people that have generously donated their time and efforts as well as money to helping Millie. Every single penny adds up and we hope that you will keep spreading the word about donating to help with Millie's medical expenses!

PREVIOUS KNOWN COURT DOCKET:

ASHLY NICOLE RUDLANG VS BRANDON SCOTT HESSE-HAMILTON
State: MN
County: MORRISON
Court, Source or Jurisdiction: MORRISON COURT
Case Number: 49-FA-09-1695
Case Type: SUPPORT
Case Status: CLOSED
Date Filed: 08/13/2009 -
Plaintiff(s) Full Name → ASHLY NICOLE RUDLANG
Defendant(s) Full Name → BRANDON SCOTT HESSE-HAMILTON

MAY 29, 2013 ARREST INFO:

Name: Hesse-Hamilton, Brandon Scott
Gender: Male
Race: White
Date of Birth: 6/14/1985
MNI: 10473
Booking #: 22632
Intake Date: 5/29/2013
Level: FELONY
Status: COURT/PENDING
Statute: 152.023.1(1)
Description: Drugs - 3rd Degree - Sale - Narcotics

SEPTEMBER 12, 2013 INCARCERATION:

Name: BRANDON SCOTT HESSE HAMILTON

Alias: Brandon Hesse

DOB: 6/14/1985

OID Number: 241909

Current Status: Incarcerated

Location: Minnesota Correctional Facility - St Cloud

Admit Date: 9/12/2013

(Detroit Lakes Online - September 1, 2017)

Missouri: Nearly 40 dogs, puppies and cats rescued from unlicensed, "self-proclaimed animal rescue"; found locked in building with urine-soaked carpet, feces on walls

MISSOURI -- The nice way to describe the building from which 38 dogs and cats were rescued Thursday, the lead rescuer said, is "nasty."

"It was absolutely filthy," said Mike Perkins, director of the Humane Society of Missouri's Animal Cruelty Task Force. "I couldn't understand how anyone could live like that. ... Nasty is a nice way to put it."

"Thankfully they'll never have to live like that again."

  

   

 

A  concerned citizen called the Humane Society of Missouri’s Animal Cruelty Hotline alerting investigators to substandard conditions in the residence where most of the animals and two people were living.

Humane officials say animal cruelty investigators wore respirators inside the residence and, even with that protection, vacated several times during the rescue due to the strong smell of urine.

Carpeting in the rooms where the cats were living had completely deteriorated and was soaked in urine and feces, he said. The dogs were in a room with a concrete floor wet with urine. There was feces on the walls, and only dirt, no grass, outside the building. 

Several of the puppies had broken teeth, not something the society usually sees even among rescued animals, veterinarian Julie Brinker said. Others had infected wounds, she said. 

“There is no excuse for keeping defenseless animals in such horrid conditions,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “We are glad we can bring these puppies, dogs and cats to safety. Our expert veterinary and shelter staff will do everything we can to rehabilitate them and find them the loving homes they deserve.”

 

The animals’ owners agreed to surrender custody of the dogs and cats to the Humane Society of Missouri.

The Humane Society rescued 23 puppies, four adult dogs and 11 cats from an unlicensed, self-proclaimed animal rescue in Ripley County in southeast Missouri. 

The majority of the dogs are puppies – three litters: newborns, 8- and 9-weeks old — beagle and hound mixes. The adult dogs are medium to large mixed breeds.

The cats were living throughout the residence in rooms covered in feces and soaked with urine. 

Investigators suspect the animals have received little to no veterinary care.

 

The animals were brought Thursday to the society's headquarters in St. Louis, where they received treatment. They are expected to be up for adoption in a few weeks.

Each of the animals was given a hands-on veterinary exam, medical treatment and thorough grooming.

The Humane Society rescued the animals after it received two tips about the property to its hotline, Perkins said. He asks that anyone who sees an animal being abused or neglected call the Humane Society at 314-647-4400.

The Humane Society is requesting donations to help the animals recover. Cat and dog toys, long-cut shredded paper, newspapers, towels, blankets and sheets can be dropped off at the adoption center at 1201 Macklind Avenue in St. Louis. Monetary donations can be made at HSMO.org or by calling 314-951-1542.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(St Louis Dispatch - June 17, 2017)

Michigan: Man arrested after allegedly stabbing dog several times

MICHIGAN -- A 25-year-old man has been arrested after police say he stabbed a dog multiple times.

On Thursday, The Saginaw County Animal Care Center posted a photo of the male dog saying he had been seized from a home.

Later in the afternoon, they posted another picture of him following emergency surgery at a local animal hospital to repair a collapsed lung.

Details surrounding the animal’s attack and the extent of his injuries remain under investigation.

The Saginaw County Sheriff’s Office tells FOX 17 the suspect has been charged with felony animal cruelty and faces four years behind bars if convicted.

Saginaw County Animal Care Center posted on Facebook

Update: he is recovering nicely. The owner of the dog is not the person who did this. They love their dog very much and he will be going home.

Amazing job by the Saginaw County Sheriff and the judge who gave a $100,000 bond to the suspect. Sends a strong message that animal cruelty will not be tolerated in Saginaw County. Special thank you also goes out to Cole Veterinary Services.

(Fox17 - March 23, 2017)

North Carolina: Luke Fortenberry, 27, accused of starving his dogs to death

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Gaston man faces animal cruelty charges after police say he starved four dogs, killing two of them.

Gaston County Police received a tip from a concerned caller telling them to check the welfare of the animals in a home on the 100 block of Antelope Drive in Mount Holly.

Once there, they discovered two kennels holding a couple of hound dogs each.

Two dogs sat in one kennel, the lack of food and water causing them to be in a "severe" medical condition, according to Gaston County Police Capt. Steve Jentsch. 

The two in the other kennel had already died from the alleged malnourishment.

"Seeing animals in the condition these animals were found in, it's a difficult environment," Jentsch said. "We never want to see anything like this."

Police charged Luke Scott Fortenberry with four misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty on Thursday, more than a month after police heard about the animals' condition. Jentsch says it was difficult to locate the 27-year-old, who lives on the 600 block of Kilbart Court outside Bessemer City.

The animals were stored at the home of Johnnie Edward McNabb, and authorities have written a criminal summons for his involvement.

The two living dogs were given veterinary attention, then taken to the Gaston County animal shelter. They have since been claimed by rescue organizations, Jentsch said.

"I would encourage anybody who sees an animal they think is distressed to call us," Jentsch said.

Fortenberry was released from Gaston County Jail on Thursday, shortly after posting a $4,000 bond.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Luke Scott Fortenberry
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 6’00”
Weight: 160 lbs
Birthdate: 06/05/1989
Arrest Age:27
City: Lincolnton, North Carolina 28092
Date:03/23/2017
Time: 5:01 PM
Arrest Location: Gaston County, NC
Charges
#1 Animal Cruelty
BOND: $4000
#2 Animal Cruelty
#3 Animal Cruelty
#4 Animal Cruelty

(Gaston Gazette - March 24, 2017)

Virginia: Michael Whalen, 65, whose deceased dog found buried at the Oceanfront, has been charged with animal cruelty

VIRGINIA -- A dog owner has been charged after the animal was found partially buried at the Oceanfront.

The dog was found on February 10 near 85th Street.

A police investigation along with tips from Crime Solvers enabled authorities to find the owner of the dog.

Once information was gathered the owner was also identified as the suspect.

65-year-old Michael Eric Whalen was charged with one count of Animal Cruelty and one count of Dumping Trash.

 

 

(WTKR - March 17, 2017)

Earlier:

• Virginia: Virginia Beach Animal Control looking for info on dead dog found buried on the beach

Virginia: Virginia Beach Animal Control looking for info on dead dog found buried on the beach

VIRGINIA -- Virginia Beach Animal Control officials are looking for the owners of a dog found buried in a shallow grave on the North End of the Virginia Beach Oceanfront.

Tim Saunders reported finding the dog in the 8500 block of Ocean Front Avenue around noon on Friday, Feb. 10. Saunders says he was walking his own dog in the area when he noticed a paw under a pile of sand.

According to animal control, the dog is an older adult female hound mix with an injury to her head.

Investigators say they believe the head injury is related to the dog's death but they will not know for sure until the animal shelter veterinarian completes a necropsy, or dog autopsy.

In the meantime investigators are looking for the dog's owner.

Anyone who recognizes the dog or knows the dog's owner is asked to call the Virginia Beach Crime Line at 1-888-LOCK-U-UP.

 

(WTKR - Feb 14, 2017)

Virginia: "Bring on the abuse," says newspaper staff after people complained because they identified attacking dogs as pit bulls

VIRGINIA -- Every time there is a news report of a dog attack that identifies breed, owners of that breed immediately email, write and call the newspaper to complain.

We anticipate your complaints and will be happy to publish them.

This week we are publishing an article about a woman and her son who were attacked by two Pit Bulls. The woman is in critical condition. The reason the dogs were identified as Pit Bulls is because they are Pit Bulls.

Had she been attacked by a swarm of Chihuahuas that is what we would have reported but in this case Pit Bulls were the culprits.

We often run news articles with headlines that state something like “57-year-old Keysville woman charged with assault.” This is not because we are attempting to denigrate 57-year-olds, women or Keysville.  These are the facts.

It doesn’t matter that dozens of other 57-year-old Keysville women didn’t do anything. We are not writing about them.

I am personally a big fan of Labradors and Golden Retrievers. However, nothing I can do or say negates the fact that according to statistics Labs have killed three people in the past thirty years. Goldens are responsible for 11 attacks and three deaths.  These are facts. So far my Labs and Goldens are responsible for no human attacks but will attack a chicken in a heartbeat.  But we are not writing about my dogs.

Unless your Pit was one of the ones involved in the recent attack, our article wasn’t about YOUR dog.  The fact that your Pit is wonderful (and I know several wonderful Pits) doesn’t change anything.

Our article reported what happened.

(Southside Messenger - Feb 2, 2017)

ORIGINAL STORY

"Woman Hospitalized After Dog Attack"
VIRGINIA -- On Saturday afternoon between 4 and 5 o’clock Michelle Thomas and her seven-year-old son were picking up trash on Trottinridge Road for her son’s scouting project when they were attacked by two pit bull dogs.

Thomas told her son to run home when the dogs attacked her and he ran home for help.  She was med-flighted to Richmond where she is being treated for multiple injuries to her face, arms and legs.

According to a “Go Fund Me” page Michelle Thomas was already blind in one eye and had a recent hip replacement.  The page reports over 200 stiches to Thomas’ face as well as numerous bites and fractures.

Doug Blanton, Animal Control officer for Mecklenburg County, reports the dogs are in custody and that he and the Commonwealth’s Attorney are “going to decide which charges to bring forth for the dogs.”

Blanton also confirmed that in September two women were hospitalized following a pit bull attack in a Bracey convenience store parking lot.  That dog was on a leash being held by a thirteen-year-old who was traveling to North Carolina with his mother.  The teen’s mother was talking with another customer in the parking lot who was attacked when she turned to leave. She was knocked down and bitten on the arm. As the dog owner attempted to open the dog’s mouth she also received multiple bites to her hands and lost part of one finger.

On November 7 two pit bulls killed Bigfoot, a pet hound belonging to Lucy White of Wright Lane near Keysville.  A neighbor who witnessed the attack said the two dogs were attacking Bigfoot about 15 feet from her steps. She said she went outside and shouted. 

“The male turned toward me and started coming at me.  I went back inside and called for help.  While this was happening Bigfoot ran off and was followed by the pits. It’s just not right. I live in fear of letting my kids outside, of going to my vehicle or letting my dogs out. No one should live in fear on their own property.”

Animal Control was called but could not locate the dogs. Bigfoot was found fatally injured down the road. He was taken to the vet who had to put him down.  Not only did they lose a family pet they incurred a $309.63 vet bill.

(Southside Messenger - Feb 2, 2017)

Georgia: Trial continues Tuesday for Burke County man Stephen Crooms charged with animal cruelty

GEORGIA -- The bench trial began Monday for a Burke County man who faces multiple charges of animal cruelty for allegedly failing to feed and water his hunting dogs.

Stephen “Matt” Crooms (Matt Crooms, Stephen Crooms) has pleaded not guilty in Burke County Superior Court. He waived his right to jury trial and opted for a bench trial in front of Judge J. David Roper. He faces six counts of aggravated cruelty to animals, which are felony crimes, and one count of misdemeanor cruelty to animals.

Crooms first came to the attention of law enforcement on Dec. 17, 2014, when Taylor Sturkie came across the mummified remains of five dogs in a barn across the highway from Crooms’ home on Highway 56.

Sturkie, who owns several hunting dogs, testified Monday that four of the dogs were in separate horse stalls inside the barn. Each had been shut inside the stalls. One dog’s body was found in a hole Sturkie said looked as if the dog had dug in an attempt to escape. He didn’t see any bowls for food and water or any evidence there had been food or water provided, Sturkie testified.

He also noticed there wasn’t much feces in the stalls, indicating the dogs hadn’t had much to eat.

The four dogs inside the barn each had a collar with Crooms’ name and phone number, Sturkie testified. A fifth dog found on the outside of the barn did not have a collar.

Burke County Sheriff Investigator Gene Boseman testified he was called to the scene on Dec. 17, 2014. No one answered the door at Crooms’ home that day nor the next two times he tried to contact him. The number on the dog collars was no longer in service.

On Jan. 8, 2015, Boseman was called out again to the Crooms’ property. This time he found four live dogs and a dead one inside a 10 by 10 pen behind Crooms’ home, Boseman testified. There was no food or shelter in the pen and only about a pint of water.

“You could count the ribs in their sides,” Boseman said. He divided up the rest of leftover lunch from Popeyes for the dogs, who he had to keep from fighting each other for the tidbits.

Boseman noted that the dead dog had a bite on his chest as if one of the other dogs attempted to eat it, Boseman testified.

He finally reached Crooms after going to where his mother worked. She called her son on her cell. Crooms didn’t mention anyone who was supposed to feed the dogs while he was out of state on a duck hunting trip, Boseman testified.

On cross-examination, Boseman said he didn’t remove the dead dogs or take the live ones from Crooms’ home. Boseman conceded that in January it was near the end of the deer hunting season and the dogs could have become lean from running after deer.

Testimony continues Tuesday .

(Augusta chronicle - Nov 7, 2016)

Earlier:

• STARVED: Six dead dogs lead to arrest of Stephen Matthew Crooms
• Community speaks out after charges upgraded in animal cruelty case
• Man, Stephen Crooms, facing animal cruelty charges in Burke Co., now facing charges in another county
• Georgia: Burke County Animal Cruelty Suspect, Stephen Crooms, Now Facing Fraud Charges In Columbia County