Arizona: Elderly Tucson woman and her small dog mauled by pit bull; owner grabbed dog and fled

ARIZONA -- Eighty-two-year-old Rose Ellis and her little pooch Daizie are recovering and searching for answers after being attacked by a pit bull earlier this week on the east side.

Ellis was walking Daizie along Olympic Club Drive near Pebble Beach Avenue on Tuesday morning.

 

 

It turned deadly when a pit bull jumped over a brick wall and darted toward Rose and Daizie from behind.

“This dog comes and grabs her from behind us and shook her like a rag doll,” Rose said.

The pit bull proceeded to bite and knock over Rose but not without a fight.

“I got up and I was screaming and yelling and kept kicking some more and then a bunch of the neighbors come out and help me,” Rose said.

She couldn’t bear to lose another loved one.

 

 

"I lost my husband in December before Christmas and I didn't want to lose somebody else,” Rose said.

Rose’s son Steve is bewildered and frustrated by the whole ordeal, especially with the pit bull’s owner.

"PIT AND RUN" - OWNER FLED WITH PIT BULL

“She didn't [bother to check and] see how my mom was doing or just stick around to kind of give information she just basically left and disappeared with the dog,” Steve said.

The pit bull owner is nowhere to be found.

She happens to live in a camper trailer in the backyard of a man named David Snodgrass who allows her to live there as long as she pays utilities. This is the same backyard where the pit bull jumped over the brick wall.

"Animal control did show up. They gave me this notice to give to her. I can't give it to her because she's not here. I don't know where she is,” Snodgrass claims.

"Because we don't have the vaccination information for that dog, that puts my mom at risk because she's going to have to go through those rabies shots,” Steve said.

While Pima County animal control officers are investigating, Rose and Daizie are recovering.

"I don't want to go through that rabies treatment because at my age, that's not good,” Steve said.

To help Rose and Daizie:

GOFUNDME: Help for Rosie and Daizie
Created May 4, 2018
Steven Ellis
  Emergencies
  TUCSON, AZ

On the morning of May 1st my mom, Rosie, was walking her dog, Daizie, when both were attacked and mauled by a pit bull. The dog savagely attacked Daizie then turned on my mom when she tried to save her dog. My mom was knocked to the ground, bitten and scratched up before the pit bull turned and attacked Daizie again.

Neighbors and people nearby heard my mom screaming. People screened my mom and Daizie from the pit bull which continued to try to attack them.

The owner of the pit bull ran out, grabbed the pit bull and drove off. The owner of the pit bull did NOT stop to assist my mom in any way or even leave information regarding her pit bull's vaccinations and shots. The woman and her dog drove off and disappeared.

Tucson Police and Pima County Animal Control were immediately notified of the attack. Attempts to contact the pit bull owner have gone unanswered or ignored.

Daizie was rushed to the nearest Veterinarian ER where she was stabilized. I took my mom to the nearest ER where her bite and scratch wounds were treated. After having a CAT scan and x-rays, doctors found that my mom's tail bone was broken during the attack.

Since the pit bull and its owner fled the scene of the attack and have refused to contact us with information on the pit bull's vaccinations, my mom will have to undergo rabies shots since we cannot verify if the pit bull is up to date on its vaccinations.

The owner and her Pit Bull were living in this camper in 

David Snodgrass's backyard. He claims not to know

where she ran off to or where she's hiding her vicious dog

Mom is 82 years old and going through those shots will add additional suffering and trauma- not mentioning the potential side effects of the treatment which could be severe given her age and health.

My mom is on fixed income and cannot afford the increasing cost of treatment for herself and Daizie. We are asking for assistance in covering these expenses.

Update 1
This shows the amount of damage done to Daizie that needed emergency vet attention from the attack. Mom has bites and scratches on her arms and legs.

As of today, the owner still refuses to contact us with the vaccination information for the pit bull and ignoring repeated phone and text request to simply give us the name of her pit bull's vet.

Pima County Animal Care have been working with us to locate the owner and the dog. The owner is apparently sleeping in her car somewhere in town and avoiding to return to her camper.

Update 2
Zack Briggs from KVOA Channel 4 News came out this morning to interview mom regarding the attack. The owner and the dog is still missing. You can watch the interview tonight during the 6pm news.

(KVOA - May 4, 2018)

New York: Police say Hank Smith strangled his ex-girlfriend's mother's Miniature Pinscher to death then threw his body into a dumpster

NEW YORK -- Police say Hank Smith, 26, faces three charges from his arrest on Wednesday: aggravated animal cruelty, possession of a weapon and possession of a stolen property.

Terri Brewer says she wants justice for her 12-year-old dog, Nick - who police say was strangled and dumped in the trash by Smith, who was arraigned in Clifton Park town court and remains in Saratoga County Jail on $20,000 bail.

"Hank threatened to kill my dog," Brewer told CBS6.

 

"He was my best friend, he was always there for me and my daughters and my grandson."

Court records show Smith admitted on Wednesday to killing the miniature pinscher dog by suffocation on October 14th, and throwing him away in a dumpster at the Fox Run apartments off Huntridge Road, where Terry lives and says Smith was staying.

"He was my daughter's ex-boyfriend, [but he was still] was staying with [me and] my daughter."

Brewer says Smith told her the dog passed away, and that he had buried it in the back yard. She grew suspicious and called police.

She says she just found out that Smith trashed Nick in the dumpster yesterday.

"I knew something wasn't right and my gut was telling me that Hank did it," she said.

 

 

According to police, Smith claimed the dog was elderly, and needed to be euthanized eventually. He also admitted to drinking alcohol at the time.

"It's tragic, but it's happening all too often," said Senator Jim Tedisco, who is an outspoken animal rights advocate and proponent of Buster's Law - which Smith was arrested under.

"It's a bridge crime" Tedisco said. "People who hurt animals in this way go on to hurt people, and that's why the FBI last year put it up on an A level as an indicator."

A quote from the court records says the "defendant did this act in a depraved and sadistic manner which led to its death."

"I hope he gets what he deserves," Brewer said.

Police say when they arrested Smith yesterday, they found him with a knife on him as well as those stolen prescription drugs, reported missing in September from a car down the road from the apartments.

Police are now saying they're very interested in Smith for other recent car larcenies in Clifton Park.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(CBS6Albany - Oct 26, 2017)

Texas: Neighbor's three Pit Bulls break into woman's fenced yard, attack and kill her dog

TEXAS -- “I’m screaming help me,” Sherry Cushman said, as she broke into tears while describing fighting off three dogs, including two Pit Bulls and a Pit Bull mix [so basically three Pit Bulls].

She said the three dogs had her tiny eight-pound dog in their jaws.

“Somebody!” Cushman screamed. “They are killing my dogs and no one is coming!”

Now the San Antonio woman is desperate for justice after she says her neighbors dogs killed her tiny pet.

After fighting off the dogs off with her bare hands, she now wants the city to fight to make sure these dogs never attack again.

“He shredding her and her neck is broken,” Cushman said. “I looked up and the pit bull was right here with Darsa in his mouth and her neck is already broken. The only thing that can move were her eyes. Her eyes were looking at me and I almost grabbed him.”

She claims the neighbor's dogs made their way through a hole in the fence that has since been repaired.  She says those dogs attacked two year-old Darsa, a black miniature pinscher chihuahua mix.

“I said get away from me or I’ll kill you and he ran,” Cushman said. “I’m screaming give me my Darsa, and there’s that dog licking the blood on his face and he has her.”

 

An SAPD report says near the hole in the fence officers found chicken wire and a large stone that the dogs had been able to move.

Eyewitness News knocked on the neighbor’s door with questions about the dogs that attacked.

There was no answer, but there was a violation notice from Animal Care Services. ACS said the investigation has just begun and owners of aggressive or dangerous dogs are held accountable.

 

 

In an email ACS said:

Animal Care Services is currently engaged in the Dangerous Dog Investigation process with the complainant, Ms. Cushman, whose pet Darsi, was apparently killed by her neighbor's dogs. While this investigation has just begun and it's outcome has not been determined, San Antonio's animal laws remain clear. It is illegal to allow your pet to roam off your property. This is a matter of public safety and protection for both people and their pets. Cases such as these are taken very seriously by Animal Care Services and owners of dogs legally found aggressive or dangerous will be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law.

According to the police report, officers told Cushman to keep her other small dog, Namaste, inside her house so this won't happen again.

Nice advice - you're a prisoner in your own home. Your home (and property) is supposed to be your castle, your safe haven. Guess not.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(KENS - September 18, 2017)

(June 2017) Wisconsin: Miniature Pinscher named Pyro attacked and killed in his own yard by two Pit Bulls; Pyro's owner tells us it "has nothing to do with the breed of dogs"

WISCONSIN -- A Milwaukee man says his pet was killed in a vicious attack and police are now looking for two suspects: pit bulls.

The family of the killed dog wants to find the dogs responsible, not just for closure -- but also to make sure this doesn't happen to anyone else.

Milwaukee police say just before 11:00 p.m. Thursday, June 22nd six-and-a-half-year-old "Pyro" was attacked on his own front yard near 107th and Fairmount.

"Two pit bulls came up the driveway and mauled him," said Jay Vreeland, dog killed in attack.

Pyro, a miniature pinscher mix, was yanked right out of his harness. Owner Jay Vreeland, says his dog was on his leash outside his bedroom window. The noise made him jump.

 

 

"I thought it was just a couple of kids fighting outside, a whole lot of grunting and growling," Vreeland said.

Vreeland says the pit bulls, one light brown and the other almost white with dark spots, bit into Pyro. Vreeland's 21-year-old son scared them off. Pyro limped under Vreeland's car for safety.

"When he crawled out, he was just a mess," said Vreeland.

His dog ended up being euthanized at the vet.

"For as much pain as he was in, we had to put him down right then," said Vreeland.

APOLOGIST

Vreeland says the incident has nothing to do with the breed of dogs who attacked his loving companion. He blames the pit bulls' owner for letting the dogs roam free through his neighborhood.

"At the most, you might have to lose your dogs too, and I'm sorry it has to be that way. You have no one to blame but yourself. You didn't restrain your dogs," said Vreeland.

Vreeland says he's never seen the pit bulls in the neighborhood before. Pyro was a rescue dog, who lived with Vreeland for about five years.

Mr. Vreeland, don't get another dog. You clearly don't understand dog behavior. These dogs have an inherent instinct to seek out, maul and kill other animals. This inherent prey drive sometimes extends itself to children as well as adults. Until you understand and accept this, any other animal you bring into your home is in danger of enduring a horrible, painful death - being torn apart by Pit Bulls - because you want to believe that they're no different than any other dog.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(fox6now.com - June 23, 2017)

Florida: Miniature pinscher named Captain America killed by neighbor's pit bull

FLORIDA -- A South Florida family is distraught after their dog was killed over the weekend by another dog.

"There wasn't a chance to do anything. He was on my dog," Barry Favre said.

Favre is still traumatized by the loss of his miniature pincher named Captain America. He adopted him two years ago from the Humane Society of Broward County.

The Captain, as he was called, was 5 years old.

Favre said he was walking Captain America not far from his house Saturday when the dog was attacked.

 

"We got about four houses down, and the pit bull was on him before we could do anything," Favre said. "I yelled and screamed. One of my neighbors called and helped get the dog off. It was too late."

 

Favre said the dog that attacked Captain America was a pit bull named Ossy.

The pit bull's owners surrendered the dog to Broward County Animal Care after they were cited. He will remain in quarantine until he has been fully evaluated.

"In this kind of situation, we would cite the owner of the dog that bit or killed the other animal, and then we investigate to determine if we have to declare the dog dangerous," Lisa Mendheim, of the Animal Care and Adoption Division of the Environmental Protection and Growth Management Department, said.

The $500 citation given to Ossy's owners is little consolation for Captain America's owner, who is still heartbroken.

 

"What will you miss most about him?" Local 10 News reporter Neki Mohan asked Favre.

"The way he burps," Favre said. "Never had a dog that burped, and he would walk up to me and burp. It was the sweetest thing in the world."

Favre hopes Captain's short life will be a reminder to everyone else to be a responsible pet owner.

"I just want people to take care of their animals (and) have a little bit more responsibility," Favre said. "To have a dog loose like that (with) no collar. (It's) got to stop. I don't want it to happen to anyone else. I don't want anyone to go through this feeling."

(Local10 - April 18, 2017)

New Mexico: Woman's Miniature Pinscher attacked and killed by pit bulls... but is insistent that this pit bull was "trained" to be this way

NEW MEXICO -- Criselda Duran posted on Facebook February 23, 2017

This is my snoop dog plz help me find I hurt my leg and I can't go look for if you. All see him call 5753639578 I don't have slit of I will give what I have

Criselda Duran posted on March 8 ·

Heart broken!!!!! we found our Snoop dog sad to say. He passed away I never though I could love a pet like. Snoop loving play. Loved to go to dallor store for his slim Jim he was attacked by a pit bull God. Knows I would have killed that bitch RIP my buddy

 

Criselda Duran posted on March 8

Li just laid my dog to sleep he was a very special animal smart funny y concerned kinda dog and this f ING pit bull kills him don't get me wrong pit bulls are good dogs it the way you raise them that counts I never thought a little soul Like my snoop will hurt so much I don't blame this dog that. Took this. Life I blame the owners how can you have a bog at has been raised to kill other dog I can't wrap that around my brain that get a job a stop this dogs that are training to fight don't have a choice fight or be kill you dog fighter makesick I love pit bulls they are most best friend you can have raised right living caring

California: Miniature Pinscher being walked by his owner is attacked by homeless guy's pit bull

CALIFORNIA -- Jessie Matawhat posted on Facebook on February 25, 2017

My good friend Clarence, a friend of many of ours, was walking his best little buddy Coach recently when Coach was attacked by a stray pit bull. Coach's leg and abdomen and organs were severely injured, requiring several surgeries and an extended hospital stay. 

This dog's a fighter though, and what would have killed another, Coach is soldiering through. This little guy's spirit is what's so special about him. When Clarence’s father was ailing and living with him, and then passed, it was Coach who got Clarence out of bed in the morning. It was Coach that pulled him through that darkness. His owner has that fighter’s spirit too.

If you know Clarence, there’s a good chance that you’ve argued with him. He's also probably bought you more than one drink, or helped you with your rent, or a plane ticket home to see a sick family member. Life is ups and downs and he’s been there for so many of us when we’ve been down and he’s been up. Please consider doing that for him now. Doesn’t have to be a lot, every little bit helps.

I think the above paragraph is one of the best descriptions of a friend that I've seen in a long time. 

Raleigh Renton shared Doggie Walkin' & Kitten Sittin''s photo.
February 25 at 6:41pm ·
🚨 🚨 Our friend, Clarence was walking his dog Coach 2/14 in Hollywood when they were attacked by a homeless persons dog. Coach was severely hurt, especially his back leg. Coach has endured several major surgeries to save his life and his leg. The bills are stacking and he could really use your help. Please visit Coach's gofundme & donate: https://www.gofundme.com/help-save-coach

Anything helps, I really appreciate your getting involved.

GoFundMe link: Help save Coach
Created February 23, 2017 by Ixchele Alegria  
OAKLAND, CA
Please give anything you can to help save our beloved Coach. Our sweet mini-pin was visciously attached by a stray pit bull while out on his daily walk with Clarence. He has already pulled through one long surgery that saved his legs. He will need more surgery and physical therapy to learn how to walk again. Anything you can donate to help is greatly appreciated.

Update:
Coach doesn't like to take his meds and is fighting this process, his hind legs stiffen overnight ~ he just wants to run and play like he did before and his little body is so fragile and probably very sore ... "one day at a time Coach !" ... we're all sending you a whole lot of love ~