Plano piano teacher recovering after dog attack

TEXAS -- For years, a quiet Plano home owned by classical pianist Margaret Brothers has been a venue for keyboard lessons. On Saturday night, the 70-year-old woman was severely injured after being attacked by one of her three American Bulldogs.

Roommate Sherry Foster, who moved into Brothers' home in the 2000 block of Cumberland Trail a month ago, said the Julliard-trained pianist had three American bulldogs which she kept inside her bedroom at times.

Foster said the dogs — each about 70 pounds — barked constantly, but on Saturday night, it was different.

"When I was calling her, I heard the dog bark," Foster recalled, noting that she thought it was odd that the door between her and the dogs was now open, when it's typically shut.

In a panic, Foster ran upstairs to call 911. "That bark was real clear, and I was hauling butt to the stairs," she said.

Foster said she did not recognize the severity of the situation until Brothers walked out of her bedroom.

"I just could not believe what I was seeing." Foster said. "It was bad ... I saw the blood on her head. I saw her wrapped, she was dripping everywhere."

A Plano police officer who arrived to help was also attacked by one of the dogs. Police said they had no choice but to shoot and kill it. The other two bulldogs were taken to animal control.

Diane Brothers Story said her mother has had the three bulldogs since 2009 when they were puppies, adding this is the first time anything like this has happened.

Story said the family supports the officer's decision to open fire on the dog.

Foster said she hopes other pet owners will take notice.

"When a dog crosses the line of being a pet, being able to socialize, and being pet, they're monsters," she said.  "I had no idea these dogs were this dangerous."

Animal control has placed the surviving dogs under quarantine. Story told News 8 she expects both to be returned to her mother, since they showed no aggressive behavior.

Margaret Brothers is recovering from surgery at Medical Center of Plano, and will likely need the aid of a plastic surgeon for her injuries, but she is expected to fully recover and should be able to play the piano again.

"She is the most amazing woman I have known my entire life, and she is doing extremely well," Story said.

(WFAA - July 15, 2012)

Pennsylvania man attacked by pit bull

PENNSYLVANIA -- According to Tidioute Borough Police, a 58-year-old man was taken to Warren General Hospital on Wednesday after he was attacked by a pit bull.

Police said the man had a puncture wound on his forearm. Police reported that, as they arrived, the pit bull attempted to attack police but was subdued.

The Tidioute Borough Police and the state dog warden are still investigating the incident.

(Post Journal - July 31, 2012)

Animal Cruelty Charges For Abandoning Pets

NEW YORK -- A Glens Falls woman has been charged with six misdemeanors in relation to allegedly abandoning two dogs and a cat.

Margaret L. Center, 48, now of Elm St., was arrested following an investigation by the SPCA of Upstate New York at Queensbury who said that Center left the animals behind at a Fourth St. home when she moved.

 

Center has been charged with failure to provide sustenance; overdriving, torturing and injuring animals and abandonment of animals.  She was also ticketed for having two unlicensed dogs.

She left the animals without food, police said, and deprived the cat of medical care.

She will appear at a later date in Glens Falls City Court. 

(CBS6 Albany - July 31, 2012)

Two plead not guilty to animal cruelty

WASHINGTON -- Two suspects arrested in connection with a Kittitas County Sheriff’s Office animal neglect investigation pleaded not guilty to animal cruelty charges during an arraignment Monday in Kittitas County District Court.

Jo Ann and Bernardo Garcia were arrested July 26 and charged with 56 counts of second-degree animal cruelty each.

The Sheriff’s Office has seized 60 animals living at the Burbank Creek Road property south of Ellensburg.

By Monday, both suspects had been released from the Kittitas County Jail, where they were being held on $3,000 bail.

Each animal cruelty charge carries a maximum penalty of 364 days in jail and up to $5,000 in fines.

Personnel from the sheriff’s office, the Ellensburg Police Department and the Ellensburg Animal Shelter took 49 seized animals from the Burbank Creek Road home to the Ellensburg Animal Shelter on July 24.

Those animals included three blue heeler puppies, two cats, 19 chihuahuas, 16 doves, five chickens, one Doberman, a lovebird, a parakeet and a beta fish. Two birds were found dead in an aviary at the home.

By Friday, the animal shelter was housing 60 animals from the property after setting live animal traps.

A status update posted on the animal shelter’s Facebook page Monday afternoon reported that the shelter has found homes for all but six of the dogs.

The shelter still has five chihuahuas and one adult heeler.

Animal shelter officials were not available for comment Monday, but as of July 27 the lovebird, the parakeet and the beta fish also had been adopted.

The large influx of animals from the seizure presented a challenge to the shelter at first. The facility is only set up to deal with cats and dogs, said Ellensburg Animal Shelter Manager Paula Hake. It has 16 dog kennels and 14 cat cages, and about nine dogs and 15 cats at the facility before last week’s seizures. While many dogs have been adopted, the shelter has many cats and kittens that need homes, according to the Facebook post.

Hake said animals trapped at the property last week were entering the shelter dehydrated and in a general state of ill health. The cats have been extremely thin, and cats and dogs found at the property tend to be full of parasites. Many of the animals needed dental work, and most of the dogs needed surgery for hernias.  

The Garcias voluntarily relinquished their interest in the animals July 26, allowing them to be put up for adoption. In written statements filed with Kittitas County District Court, Jo Ann Garcia said the couple had done their best to care for the animals and hopes the animals find good homes.

(Daily Record - July 31, 2012)

Medway girls raise money for injured dog

MASSACHUSETTS -- When Lisa Pantaleo of Medway read about Brad Trenchard and his injured Boston terrier, Toby, she shared the story with her 10-year-old twin daughters, Tessa and Talia.

Toby, who veterinarians estimate is 5 years old, injured his front left leg while living in a puppy mill in Gainesville, Texas, before Trenchard, of Hopedale, adopted him in 2009.

Toby, who veterinarians estimate is 5 years old, injured
his front left leg while living in a puppy mill in Gainesville,
Texas, before Brad Trenchard of Hopedale adopted him in 2009.

A specialist at Tufts New England Veterinary Medical Center told Trenchard that Toby’s leg either needs to be amputated, which will cost about $4,000, or he needs a prosthetic elbow for at least $8,000 – neither of which Trenchard can afford on his own.

"(Tessa and Talia) had their girlfriends over, and I had just read the article, and I was like, ‘Hey, guys, look at this little dog,’ " Pantaleo said. "They were like, ‘We should try to help. Let's do a bake sale.’ "

Tessa, Talia and their friends Kelly Lanoue and Emma Doherty spent Friday evening baking Rice Krispie treats, brownies and cupcakes, and making posters for the bake sale at the Pantaleo’s home on Saturday – which was a big hit.

"It turned out that another neighbor was having a yard sale, so we had some traffic from that, and the girls talked two of the dads into matching what they made," Pantaleo said.

The girls haven’t gotten a final count on how much money they raised for Toby, but Pantaleo estimates it’s around $400.

"They are so excited. They started counting the money last night," said Pantaleo, who emailed Trenchard about the bake sale. "All of the girls have pets, so they’re big dog lovers and were just thinking about if it was their dog."



From left, Emma Doherty, Tessa Pantaleo, Talia Pantaleo
 and Kelly Lanoue at the bake sale they held Saturday
for Toby, the injured Boston terrier. The girls raised about $400.

Trenchard said he was shocked when he learned about the girls’ efforts for Toby.

"I’ve gotten such a good response, and I didn’t realize there are so many nice people in the world who still care enough to stop by and say hi to Toby and donate money for his leg," Trenchard said. "When I heard about the girls I was just speechless that they went above and beyond. I’m really touched by what they did."

Pantaleo and Trenchard are arranging a time for Tessa, Talia, Kelly and Emma to meet Toby and give the money they raised for his surgery.

"They were getting so excited and off the wall about meeting Toby the dog," Pantaleo said. "I thought it was a great that (Brad) had a positive reaction to a negative situation, and I think the girls got the do-good attitude from that, and they spread it to their friends. It’s the contagiousness of the willingness to help others."

(Milford Daily News - July 31, 2012)

Lewiston Pit bull owner loses appeal for dangerous dog

IDAHO -- The owner of a dog that was shot by Lewiston Police in the Orchards earlier this month lost his appeal of the city's decision deeming his dog dangerous.

Craig Pettit, 26, of Lewiston, along with more than 18 witnesses, gave their statements in front of an appeals board at the Lewiston Police Department. Pettit's mother, Kristie Heise said she was shocked when she found out, just hours later, that the appeal was denied.

"It kills me for people to think that he's a bad dog, and it kills me to think that people think my kid is just some thug that went out and got him some big, old, bad Pit Bull, when he rescued him from a party," said Heise.

Pettit's dog, Chance, was deemed a level one dangerous dog after he allegedly attacked Pettit's neighbor, Robert Clark, and then charged a police officer.

According to LPD the officer considered the dog aggressive and shot Chance just above his hind leg. Pettit must now comply with the city code and fulfill certain requirements in order to keep Chance.

This includes purchasing a dangerous dog license for $100, posting a dangerous dog notice on his property, providing a secure pen for the dog, getting a $50,000 bond surety against any injuries the dog might inflict and $50,000 in home owner's insurance.

(KLEW - July 31, 2012)

Earlier:

• Lewiston man speaks out after his dog was shot by police

DNA links dog to site of Henderson man's death

NORTH CAROLINA -- Tests have matched DNA found at the scene of a Henderson man's death over Memorial Day weekend with a nearby pit bull, but Person County authorities are waiting for more test results before filing any criminal charges.

Deputies found the body of Eugene Cameron, 65, under a carport at 1189 Semora Road, west of Roxboro, on May 26. Family members said he was checking on the house while his friend was out of town.

Witnesses said that Cameron was found naked, with his clothes balled up beside him, and bloody dog paw prints surrounded him. He had a severe injury to his right arm that authorities said could have caused him to bleed out.

The injury was consistent with a dog bite, and animal control officers seized an 8-year-old pit bull named DMX from Antonio Ford, who lives next to the house where Cameron was found dead.

A California lab that is conducting specialized tests in the case determined that DNA from DMX was found in the blood at the scene, Person County Sheriff Dewey Jones said Tuesday. He said the lab is now checking to see if the dog's DNA is on Cameron's ripped clothing.

Ford could be charged with involuntary manslaughter if authorities determine that DMX is to blame for Cameron's death, Jones said. The charge might be upgraded to second-degree murder if investigators can establish that the dog was known to be violent, the sheriff said.

Ford maintains that DMX was caged up the night Cameron was killed and that he believes a person or a wild animal is responsible for the attack.

Residents have said that the dog sometimes roams the neighborhood and tries to attack their dogs.

(WRAL - July 31, 2012)

Earlier:

• Mysterious death prompts Person authorities to seize dog
• Dog owner could be charged in Henderson man's death

Pinellas Park man, Clifford Paul Hyatt, arrested for arson and animal cruelty after burning cats to death

FLORIDA -- A Pinellas Park man was accused of arson for the July 21 apartment fire that engulfed a four-unit, two-story apartment building at 7380 63rd St. and killed two cats.

Clifford Paul Hyatt, 39, lived in apartment B in the building.

Fire investigators found irregular burn patterns that suggested the use of an accelerant on the floor of a room where he lived, said fire spokesman Lt. Gary Berkheimer. Hyatt’s apartment took the brunt of the fire damage.

 

“The other apartments just sustained heat and smoke damage,” Berkheimer said.

Firefighters responded shortly after 11:30 p.m. Twenty-five firefighters from 12 units fought to keep the flames from spreading that night.

Pinellas Park police arrested Hyatt on July 22 for first-degree arson. They believed he started the fire inside his unit, police spokesman Sgt. Brian Unmisig said.

Two neighbors walking home from the grocery store first saw the fire and called 911. They broke a window to wake one resident who was sleeping in his apartment, Unmisig said. They also kicked in the door of another apartment to alert a second resident.

There were three cats living in apartment D. While one escaped, two were killed in the fire, Unmisig said. Police charged Hyatt with two felony counts of cruelty to animals for their deaths.

None of the residents were injured in the fire. Hyatt was on scene during the fire, Berkheimer said. Police have not released a motive for the alleged arson.

The investigation is ongoing. Samples of the possible accelerant were sent to the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office to be tested, Berkheimer said.

Berkheimer said that while arson is not the typical reason behind a fire, the Pinellas Park Fire Department already has investigated two other arson cases this year. A fire that started in the carport of the home at 7441 35th St. N. on May 23 was classified as arson. The department also investigated the fire in which the body of Gary Yarnell was found on May 28. Police now believe the fire was set to cover his murder.

(TBN Weekly - July 31, 2012)

UPDATE TO CASE:

Name: Clifford Paul Hyatt
Alias: Cliff Hyatt, Clifford Hyatt Jr.
White male
DOB: 6-15-1960

Bailbondcity.com records say that Hyatt committed the following offenses on July 21, 2012:

ARSON WILLFUL DAMA.DWELLING - sentenced to 20 years
1ST DG MUR/PREMED. OR ATT.(ATTEMPTED) - sentenced to 20 years
1ST DG MUR/PREMED. OR ATT.(ATTEMPTED) - sentenced to 20 years
TORTURES ANIMAL W/INTENT INFLI - sentenced to 5 years
TORTURES ANIMAL W/INTENT INFLI - sentenced to 5 years

He was sentenced on July 12, 2013. Records show that he is currently incarcerated at Dade Correctional Institution and he will remain there until November 17, 2031.

It appears that the DA's office must have combined all the sentences and have him serve them concurrently (at the same time) rather than consecutively (one after the other). If they had sentenced him consecutively, he'd have been in prison for 70 years.

Dog attack victim says she won't return home

SOUTH CAROLINA -- Danielle Green says it's not only the debilitating wounds to her arm that are causing her agonizing pain, but her memory that has become scarred from a recent dog attack.

"I'm full of fear for my life to even go home right now," Green said.

The 38-year-old woman was released from Roper St. Francis hospital on Monday afternoon, after a several night stay where she was treated for her injuries.

The attack occurred early Friday morning on Traywick Avenue when she was on her way home from her friend's house, Jimmy Dean, who lived on that street.

She said she had just past the home where the pit-bull belonged, and from the opposite side of the street, the dog came darting at her from the woods.

"He knocked me to the ground and grabbed my arm and started ripping it," she said.

Green says she screamed for help and that's when Dean came to her aide.

"All I could think of to do was start hitting the dog in the back of the head and try to pull him off but he stayed latched on," he said.

Green said she felt she was losing consciousness while she tried to put up a fight against the dog named Woody who was attempting to drag her. She ultimately suffered 37 lacerations to her arm and deep claw marks to her chest.

"He was able to twist my body around on my stomach and he started pulling me to his yard like dragging me," she said. "I felt death. I mean I had a funny taste in my mouth the nausea in my stomach. I felt like I was dying."

According to Major Jim Brady with Charleston County Sheriff's Office, this is an ongoing investigation. He said the dog was to have broke his chain in the woods.

He said the dog was quarantined to the owner's home for ten days during this time.

Green, who won't return home with her father on an adjacent street, says the dog should have been apprehended. She fears going back not only for her safety but the children of the neighborhood.

Dean agrees.

"I think the only thing that stopped it was me pulling the dog back and if she was alone I think she wouldn't have made it," he said.

Green's father, Danny Emery, remains devastated about his daughter's attack.

"She was in real bad shape and I was scared," he said. "I just wanted to get that dog myself for what he did to her."

Green does not have insurance and recently started a job at a local marina. Now she said she will be out of work for a period of time while she rehabilitates the movement in her arm and hand.

(WCIV - July 30, 2012)

Related:

• Judge will decide fate of dog that attacked woman

Animal cruelty charges after pit bull found tied to bumper

FLORIDA -- Liz Roehrich could barely believe what she was looking at: a starving, emaciated, flea-infested pit bull tied up to a rust-bucket car in the back yard. Deprived of its strength, the weakened dog named Buddy cowered as investigators took pictures.

How long had he been there?

Maybe two months, said Roehrich, an animal cruelty investigator with the Boynton Beach Police Department. The time frame wasn't clear because as Roehrich said, she couldn't get a straight answer from the two people accused in the case.

"No strength, it was anemic, it was scared," Roehrich said of Buddy. "When I took it out and put it on a leash and fed it, of course it was my best friend for that moment."
It's a moment that wouldn't last.

Sadly, even though it was rescued, Buddy couldn't learn to trust humans and had to be put down about two weeks after his rescue. He tried to bite a vet and displayed aggression, which is not uncommon for neglected dogs, Roehrich said.

Hattie M. Isaiah, 51, of Flamingo Drive in Boynton Beach and Andrew Jones, 28, of Abraham Avenue in West Palm Beach are charged with one count each of cruelty to animals and unlawful abandonment or confinement of an animal.

The pair have been ordered to appear in court Thursday.

Police discovered the one-year-old dog on Feb. 12 in the back yard of Isaiah's Flamingo Drive home after a concerned citizen called police, Roehrich said.

Roehrich said they found Buddy tied up by a cable to the bumper of an abandoned car. His rib, hip and spine bones were visible and he had a large scar down the length of his back. Sitting in a patch of dirt with no grass and no shelter, he scratched incessantly at himself.

Near the dog, police found a metal kitchen pot with "green, algae-laden water" and an empty bowl, according to a probable cause affidavit written by Roehrich.

As well, his gums were white, indicating anemia, police said. He also had hairless patches.

"It's very apparent that the dog was not receiving nourishment on a daily basis at all," Roehrich said.

As for the home owner, Roehrich said Isaiah "blurted out inconceivable statements" to avoid responsibility for the dog when police found the animal. At one point she said that unknown people walk through her yard and that somebody had probably just tied him up and left him there.

Isaiah then said her son might know where the dog came from. When Andrew Jones arrived, he said his "homeboy" left the dog at the house because he couldn't take care of it anymore. He said that the dog's owner was someone named Christopher Hall, who died in a car accident on Christmas Day. By that explanation, the dog had been at the house for at least two months.

Hall, 25, of Boynton Beach, was killed Dec. 25, 2011 in a crash on North Seacrest Boulevard. A 2-year-old boy who was in the car was uninjured.

Police took the dog to Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control for treatment. When it was given dry dog biscuits, it "ate in a frantic manner," according to the affidavit.

Although it weighed 30 pounds, the dog grew to a healthier weight of 43.6 pounds after veterinarians gave him vitamins, food and deworming treatment. Normal adult pit bulls can weigh up to 60 pounds.

Despite the turnaround in his physical health, the dog became aggressive, Roehrich said.

Asked why charges are being laid now when the dog was rescued in February, Roehrich said it's not uncommon for a delay to occur between the initial investigation and the laying of charges from misdemeanor offenses because of backlogs in both her office — she's the only animal cruelty investigator with the BBPD — and in the state attorney's office.

(Sun Sentinel - July 30, 2012)

California: Loose Pit Bull mix and Shepherd mix enter enclosure, chased, mauled and killed pet emu named Eleanor Rigby

CALIFORNIA -- On Tuesday morning, at the end of Sierra Cielo Lane, two loose dogs attacked and killed a pet emu inside its enclosure on the Hornsby Ranch.

"Eleanor Rigby" was killed by a pit bull mix (white with brown spots) and a brown Shepherd mix.

These same dogs have been seen running loose frequently in the last few weeks. 

Animal control has been notified, but only one of the dogs has been secured.

Double-check your livestock, including large animals. Once dogs begin to kill for sport, they will continue to do so.

(Deerhorn Valley - July 31, 2012)

Clarkston dog owner may face charges

WASHINGTON -- The owner of a pit bull in Clarkston may face two infractions and a misdemeanor and be required to maintain safeguards under a "biting dog" procedure, according to the county prosecutor.

The dog, Kilo, was shot by a Clarkston police officer last week and is currently recovering from the wounds. The dog allegedly charged at a detective, growling and baring its teeth, prior to the shooting.

After reviewing the reports, Prosecutor Ben Nichols determined there was no clear violation of state law, but several city of Clarkston ordinances may have been, he said in a letter to the city attorney.

A running-at- large law and a requirement for dogs to be leashed appear to have been violated, Nichols said. In addition, the owner could be cited for keeping a dog that "bites or attempts to bite, charges, snaps or growls at any person." The misdemeanor offense is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a fine of up to $1,000.

The city should initiate the "biting dog" procedures described in the code, Nichols advised. If the dog is found to be a biting dog under this procedure, the owner will be required to maintain significant safeguards to prevent recurrence and compensate future victims.

This afternoon city attorney Todd Richardson said he plans to ask Nichols to move forward with the recommended charges.

(The Lewiston Tribune - July 30, 2012)

Pit bull shot by Jersey City police was "just being playful", relative of dog owner says

NEW JERSEY -- Jersey City police shot and killed a pit bull this afternoon after the dog attacked a woman and her child, an official said.

But a relative of the dog's owner insisted this evening the dog was just being playful.

The victim speaks to police after being bitten by the
dog that owners say "was just being playful"

Officers were called to Wegman Parkway near Van Cleef Street around 1:35 p.m. on a disturbance complaint involving three pit bulls, Police Lt. Edgar Martinez said.

As police were arriving, three unleashed pit bulls charged at the woman and her young child and one of the dogs bit the woman on her arm, Martinez said.

A police officer fired multiple shots at the dog that bit the woman and the animal collapsed in the driveway of an apartment building, Martinez said.

Jersey City Animal Control and Emergency Services Unit officers responded to the scene and secured the other two dogs, which were unharmed, reports said.

The woman was treated at the Jersey City Medical Center for the bite to her arm and the child was also taken for observation after being traumatized by the incident, Martinez said.

The police officer was also treated for post-traumatic stress after the shooting, Martinez said.

Martha Rush, whose nephew owns the dogs, told The Jersey Journal that she was moving the dogs from the backyard of her home to the garage in the front when the dogs got loose.

Martha Rush says she told the bite victim that the
dogs "ain't going to bite you"

Rush said the dogs meant no harm to the woman who police say got bit, but the woman panicked and screamed and that further excited the dogs.

"They were playing but she had no idea they were playing," Rush said. "I kept telling her, they ain't going to bite you."

Rush said a police officer arrived, fired a couple of warning shots in the air and then fired at the male dog, Simba, several times. Neighbors said around five or six shots were fired.

Rush said she did not see the dog bite the woman.

Rush and another relative brought the two other female dogs, Nicky and Free, into the house, they said.

"The dogs were no problem at all, they were only barking," said Fakher Fahmy, owner of a neighboring property. "I feel sorry for the dogs."

Fakher Fahmy says the dogs were only
 barking, clearly ignorant of the fact that
the dog bit the woman.

Family members said they are distraught about Simba's death.

"That was our family dog," said Ty'Jahnal Rush, 12, a cousin of the owner. "He was a good dog to us ever since we got him. He played with us. He never bit us."

(nj.com - July 29, 2012)

Woman admits dragging mini donkey behind tractor

OHIO -- The Humane Society of Sandusky County seized more than a dozen farm animals from a township property Friday after the owner admitted to dragging a miniature donkey along the ground behind a tractor.

Humane Society of Sandusky County Officer Kelly Askins said she was called out to the property at 4360 Napoleon Road on Thursday night after receiving a report of an injured donkey.

Property owner Jenny Secrist (aka Virginia Secrist) admitted to dragging the donkey behind a tractor down a gravel road, Askins said. The humane officer estimated the donkey, which suffered severe cuts and abrasions on one side, was dragged for nearly a mile.

"She just dragged him the rest of the way," Askins said. "She stood right there and told me what she did to it. It's just old-school mentality."

Askins said this and previous actions by the owner of 14 animals led the agency to seize them all from the Napoleon Road property yesterday. She said some of the other goats, horses and other animals on the property also were suffering from neglect.

"It's just a general all-over neglect," Askins said.

Joanne McDowell, board president of the Humane Society of Sandusky County, said the mistreatment of the donkey led to the decision to seize all the woman's livestock.

"This donkey was pretty cruelly treated last night and she fears for the other animals," McDowell said.

"It seems like there is kind of an ongoing problem. Rather than see this happen again, she went and got the search warrant."

Marc Wayland-Smith, another animal cruelty investigator for the humane society, said the kind of animal neglect at Secrist's property is all to common.

"In this particular case, I think the lady is just overwhelmed," Wayland-Smith said.

Secrist has, in the past, operated a business providing horse-drawn sleigh and carriage rides at the annual Christmas event at the Hayes Presidential Center and at other community events.

Sandusky County Common Pleas Court Judge John Dewey signed Askins' search warrant affidavit Friday, giving the officer permission to seize all the animals from Jenny Secrist's property.

The humane officer said Secrist could face criminal charges of animal cruelty and neglect, though none have yet been filed.

The owner was not home this afternoon as humane society staff and volunteers arrived and posted a copy of the search warrant on her door.

The staff and volunteers then began an inventory of the animals and started loading each into the trailers of about five other property owners who have volunteered to foster the animals temporarily.

"Sandusky County large animal people, I just can't say enough good about them," Askins said.

Seized from the property Friday were six miniature donkeys, four goats, three horses and one sheep.

Askins said she has been on Secrist's property investigating animal neglect in the past. She said she bought a malnourished horse from the woman a few weeks ago in an attempt to properly care for the animal.

"We have had an ongoing investigation over last month," Askins said. "She was trying to cooperate."

The incident with the donkey Thursday, she said, left her no other option than to pursue criminal charges.

"I have to go after her for that," Askins said.

A Sandusky County Sheriff deputy responded to the home at 9:17 p.m. Thursday after Askins reported Secrist was threatening her while she attempted to investigate the matter.

The donkey had an appointment with a veterinarian later in the day Friday.

"I don't know if he'll ever have the use of that eye again," Askins said. "It's pretty severe. But I don't think it will kill him."

(TheNews-Messenger - July 28, 2012)

Neighbor shoots, kills pit bull attacking his dog

MONTANA -- A Butte resident shot and killed a neighbor’s dog Thursday after it went into his yard and attacked his dog.

Police responded to the 3300 block of Mantle Street about 4:45 p.m. on a report of someone firing a gun. Police discovered that a man shot a dog with a pistol because it was attacking his dog.

Witnesses told police a pit bull left its yard, went into the neighbor’s yard and attacked the neighbor’s dog, according to the report. The owners of the dogs tried to separate them, but the pit bull wouldn’t release the other dog.

The man whose dog was being attacked went into his home, got a .38 Special and shot the pit bull. The dog died at the scene.

The police report didn’t indicate what type of dog was attacked or its condition.

Sheriff John Walsh said the man likely will not be charged, because he was defending his dog on his property.

The man who owned the pit bull corroborated the story and didn’t demand further action, according to the report.

[The pit bull owner 'didn't demand further action'?! How about saying that authorities were going to be charging the pit bull owner for having an aggressive dog running loose?!]

(Billings Gazette - July 27, 2012)

Dog who attacked boy, 9, to be euthanized; fate of two others pending

MASSACHUSETTS - One of three dogs implicated in the June attack on a 9-year-old boy who had part of his scalp ripped off is scheduled to be euthanized next week.

The fate of the two other American Staffordshire terriers remains up in the air following a hearing on Friday in Central Berkshire District Court that ended with an agreement by the city to look at new information gathered by the pets' owners.

Lori Rohde, 42, of Pittsfield, tearfully told the court on Friday that she and her boyfriend, Adam Pollack, have agreed to have 3-year-old Diablo put down Tuesday.

"It's the responsible thing to do," she said in court.

According to police, the couple's three dogs attacked Perrin Petell on June 11 as he and his mother, Jessyca, entered a common hallway of a multi-family home at Ed ward and Malcolm avenues. Perrin was dragged down the front stairs and into the yard by the dogs, said police.

Rohde said she and Pollack were about to take the dogs for a walk when the door burst open and startled the dogs. They were leashed, but the males broke away.

Perrin suffered 35 tooth punctures and lost part of his scalp. He was treated at Berkshire Med ical Center and released.

"What happened that night will affect all of us for the rest of our lives," Rohde said Friday, calling the attack "unfortunate."

While police say all three of the couple's dogs were part of the attack, Rohde said that Diablo was responsible for the attack, while the other two -- 4-year-old Cleopatra and 8-month-old Zeus -- were not involved.

Cleopatra, she said, was still in the hall when the attack occurred and while Zeus was in the yard during the attack, it was Diablo who bit the boy.

Cleopatra has since given birth to a litter of puppies.

The dogs were current on their rabies shots and have never bitten anyone before, according to their owners.

Pittsfield Police Chief Michael J. Wynn declared the three dogs "vicious" on June 13 and ordered that all three be "restrained, removed or disposed of as necessary."

The dogs are currently being held at the Eleanor Sonsini Animal Shelter in Pittsfield.

On Friday, a hearing, brought forward by Rohde and Pollack, was held before Judge Rita S. Koenigs to determine whether the police chief's order against the other two dogs had been made "without proper cause" or "in bad faith."

This came after a clerk magistrate's hearing late last month in which the chief's order was upheld.

During Friday's hearing, Rohde presented to the court a dog behavior evaluation given to Cleopatra while at the shelter.

"Cleo passed with flying colors," she said.

According to Rohde, she has donated close to 250 hours of her time at the animal shelter since the incident.

Rohde also had letters from a dog behaviorist as well as from the shelter's head concerning the other two dogs.

Koenigs asked if the chief would consider looking at the new information gathered by Rohde, especially in the light of the agreement to euthanize Diablo. Wynn agreed.

After the city reviews the new information, the hearing will reconvene, the date of which had not been scheduled as of Friday.

(Berkshire Eagle - July 27, 2012)

Earlier:

• 'Violent' pit bull attack leaves boy, 9, scarred

"My best friend just shot a pit bull"

It broke through his fence from a neighbors yard and immediately jumped on his dog and started biting it. He tried to break them up and got bit so he grabbed his gun and shot that fucker in the head.

I'm still getting more details he is at the hospital checking to see if he needs injections or stitches.

Glock 17 was his dog killing weapon.

Here is his hand, apparently you can't stitch a dog bite to ensure you don't seal in an infection, learn something new everyday.

...police were on the scene so there is definitely a report out there. I feel the same way, my bud was minding his own business in his backyard when wild dogs broke through his fence and attacked him and his dog. That was someones fault and that someone needs to pay.
Forgot to say I got a few more details of the story. It turns out 3 dogs broke through the fence and all 3 attacked my friends 1 dog. When he tried to separate them the pit bull bit his leg but he had jeans on and then his hand. His girlfriend saw blood and him grabbing a gun and the neighbor yelling so she called the cops. He shot the pit bull and kicked the other two dogs in the head over and over until they ran back to their yard.

I asked him why he didn't shoot all three he said his adrenaline was pumping and the kicking was working so he didn't think about it. He said next time he is shooting first though.

His girlfriend is a nurse and in the presence of police officers she asked if the pit was immunized and the owner avoided the question... so probably not.........

The neighbor is a **** head, my friend constantly has to mow his lawn and cut his trees or it doesn't get done. He is the type of person that has a pitbull as a status symbol if you know what I mean.

IMO I think my bud should sue the **** out of him, this wasn't some tiny accident the guy had a violent dog and didn't take any measures to make sure he wasn't getting out. It was directly his fault. Now my bud an his dog are injured due to this lazy ****head being a lazy ****head.

I have a violent dog who can jump our 6 foot block wall in one area so I made sure to fence off that area because I didn't want her getting out and biting someone. Anyone with the smallest amount of compassion or foresight would do the same.

(AR15 - July 28, 2012)

Deputy put on leave after 2 police dogs die in hot SUV

TEXAS --- A Bexar County Sheriff's deputy was placed on administrative leave this week after the two police dogs he cared for were left inside a sweltering county vehicle overnight, killing them, authorities said.

Sheriff's Deputy Steve Benoy, who has been with the office for 23 years, is on a 10-day leave while the department investigates the deaths of the two Belgian Malinois. Although authorities said they believe the dogs suffered from apparent heat exhaustion, Animal Care Services is conducting a necropsy.

This photo, from 2007, shows Depuy
Benoy with a K9 Blitz

According to Deputy Chief Ronald “Dale” Bennett, Benoy drove the dogs to his Adkins home, 23 miles east of San Antonio, after he got off work around 2 p.m. Tuesday, just like he did every day.

“He had a routine,” Bennett said.

But Benoy then left town for the night. When he returned home Wednesday, the dogs weren't where he usually keeps them when at home, Bennett said.

Instead, Benoy found the dogs where he had left them: in a county-owned Chevrolet Tahoe fitted with dog kennels. Animal Care Services was called to retrieve the bodies.

Officials did not immediately release the names and ages of the dogs, but Bennett said one was a narcotics dog and the other was assigned to patrol.

“It's just a very tragic accident,” Bennett said, adding that Benoy “is completely devastated.”

[How do you 'forget two large dogs in the back of your vehicle? You supposedly have a 'routine' that you do EVERY SINGLE DAY and you FORGET?! I hope they immediately drug tested this guy. There is something seriously wrong w/his judgment and substance abuse is a possible culprit.]

Benoy, who Bennett said has been a K-9 handler for 13 years and spent 10 years before that on patrol, declined to comment Thursday on the deaths.

The sheriff's office is conducting dual investigations, one to rule out animal cruelty and the other for administrative purposes. Bennett said a decision on any further action against Benoy won't be made until the investigation is complete.

“After the 10 days, it depends on what the investigation reveals,” Bennett said, adding that Benoy is “one of my most dedicated guys.”

According to state law, a person could face a charge of animal cruelty if the offense is committed “intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly.” The charge is a Class A misdemeanor.

Two years ago, a Bexar County K-9 named Duke died of medical complications after he was left in a patrol car for 15 minutes with the air-conditioning running. Duke hadn't been acting normal earlier in the day, officials said at the time, and his handler was making arrangements to take him to the veterinarian. No charges were brought in that case.

Handlers take their animals home overnight, Bennett said, and the county pays for their kennels. Benoy has other dogs of his own and also raises horses, he said. The county's policy regarding care requirements for police dogs was not immediately available Thursday.

Sharon Gregory, the executive secretary of the Veterinary Medical Association of Bexar County who also manages a vet clinic, said handlers work with their police dogs during the day and go home together at night.

“I know they become extremely attached,” she said. “Not only were they companions, but it's also a tremendous financial loss.”

Buying a police canine costs about $2,000, she said, estimating that training, supplies and upkeep can cost close to $40,000.

Although it wasn't clear Thursday exactly what time Benoy discovered the bodies of the dogs, the high temperature both Tuesday and Wednesday was 96, according to the National Weather Service.

In just an hour, the temperature inside a vehicle on an 80-degree day can reach 123 degrees, according to the San Francisco State University's Department of Geosciences.

Veterinarian Donald Vestal said although dogs have a higher normal core temperature than humans — 101.5 is a normal temperature for a dog, he said — they have a harder time controlling their body temperature.

“Dogs are able to expel the heat from their bodies by panting,” Vestal said, “but they don't have many sweat glands; so they don't sweat efficiently. They have a much tougher time in hot situations.”

As a dog's body heats up, their ability to regulate their temperature weakens, he said. At 106 degrees, a dog's brain cells begin to fail, and cellular death soon follows.

Vestal said in San Antonio's hot, humid weather, heat exhaustion in pets is frequent. But of the 15 cases he sees in one year, Vestal said he typically saves 80 percent. The most effective way to cool down a dog suffering heat exhaustion is by an ice bath or cool water, he said.

Gregory said similar types of pet deaths aren't uncommon. Just last week, she said, she arrived at her clinic to a box of dead puppies outside the door.

“I'm sure they didn't mean to kill the puppies, but because they were left in a box with no water while we were closed, all six puppies died before we got there,” she said. “It's very serious in this kind of weather.”

(Mysanantonio.com - July 27, 2012)

Ohio: Deputies escape pit bull attack, make arrest

OHIO -- Clark County deputies arrested a 39-year-old man Friday night after nearly being attacked by a pit bull.

Deputies said they tried to serve an arrest warrant on Keith Mumma at 160 Neosha Ave. The warrant was issued from domestic violence and assault charges earlier in the day.

As they entered the yard, they said Mumma released a pit bull out of the back door.

They said the dog came at them, and they were barely able to get out of the yard.

Deputies said Mumma went back inside the house.

They contacted the Clark County Humane Society which was able to secure the dog.

Deputies said Mumma then came outside, and was arrested.

In addition to warrants for domestic violence and assault, Mumma now faces two charges of felonious assault on a police officer.

Mumma is scheduled to appear in Clark County Municipal Court Monday at 10:30 a.m.

(WHIO - July 28, 2012)

Pit bull attacks Amite mail carrier, bites and goes for her face

LOUISIANA -- The unprovoked, come-from-behind attack of a pit bull on an Amite mail carrier July 19 may be the latest support for a new vicious animal regulation proposed by council member Jonathan Foster.

The brown and white-spotted pit bull attacked her from behind, knocked her down, bit her on the buttocks and was going for her face. It emerged from under a mobile home without a bark. The mail carrier, an animal lover who herself once owned a pit bull, is hurt and enduring painful rabies shots.

She never approached the dog—or the owner’s home.

As for the pit bull that attacked her, it is being held by Tangipahoa Animal Control in Hammond.

The pit bull’s future is unclear. It could return home, maybe with a fine for its owner. Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards says the parish has no restrictions about this type of dog. He addressed the problem when a Hammond girl was attacked by a vicious pit bull earlier this spring.

The mail carrier who was attacked says that a vicious animal may not be taken away from its owner and/or euthanized unless it has four complaints filed about it. She knows there is at least one complaint—hers.

The proposed vicious dog law for the city of Amite is strict, requiring warning signs, adequate pens/fencing, liability insurance, fines and penalties and restrictions against using dogs for fighting.

“I am very concerned about the dog ordinance. I hope it gets passed,” she said July 25.

This is her story. She asked that her name not be printed for reasons relating to her job and privacy. The Amite Tangi Digest confirmed her circumstance.

Here is how the attack happened:

“I was across the street from the house. I delivered the mail there to the mailbox: 710 Church St. I was walking to deliver mail to another house.”

“I never saw the dog coming,” she says.

“The dog jumped, knocked me to the ground. He bit me on the buttocks. I was on my back. I pushed the dog back, put my hands up. He was going after my face,” she said. “I was rolling around on the ground.” A pit bull, brown with white spots. If the dog has a name, she doesn’t know it.

That is unusual because she knows most of the 650 residents and business people on her central Amite delivery route. She knows their children and many of their pets.

“Her growled once. He was biting me. It was unprovoked.”

“He never barked. He was silent. He came from under the house,” she said. A white mobile home.

“I didn’t go to the house or the yard,” she said. She had stepped out of her delivery vehicle, parked across the street at 709 Church St., and walked about 20 feet to the 710 mailbox, also at the street. “I went to the box on the road. I was not in his territory.”

“I had to get shots for tetanus, rabies. I am still on antibiotics for a week.” The bite in a photo looks to be about six inches long. She got no stitches. “Rabies shots are painful. The actual injury hurt worse.”
Will she support the proposed Amite vicious animal ordinance?

“Absolutely.”

“People should be responsible for their animals to make sure they are kept in a safe place,” she says.

“I walk quieter now. I am afraid to touch my own dogs. As far as my job, it makes it more difficult,” she says. “It’s slowing me down a bit, beside my injury. Any little noises, I get real jumpy.”

(Tangilena.com - July 28, 2012)