Washington: Stolen cat found with head crushed in Shoreline dumpster; search on for animal abuser

WASHINGTON -- Police are investigating after a cat named 'Quixote' was stolen from a cat rescue in Shoreline, Washington and then found dead in a nearby dumpster with his head crushed and "every bone in his body appears to be broken."

Around 12 p.m. Tuesday, a volunteer with the Whisker City Cat Rescue called police when she noticed an outside cat shelter had been broken into and the cat which had been housed inside was missing, according to KCPQ.

Shoreline Police responded and, on the floor, found a blood-stained, blue blanket and a yellow poncho with green writing on it. The blood stains on the blanket made them immediately think someone had hurt him. Or that it might be the killer's blood.

"My guess is (Quixote) put up a struggle," Whisker City founder April Brown wrote on Facebook.

Just before 5 p.m., the employee called police again and said she found the missing cat dead in the facility's dumpster. The cat’s head had been crushed and Brown wrote on Facebook that "every bone in his body appears to be broken."

King County Animal Control was advised and Shoreline police returned to the scene.

“We all feel a tremendous amount of guilt because we felt so safe here,” said Whiskey City Cat Rescue Executive Director April Brown.

The sanctuary Brown tried to create has been violated by someone bent on violence.

“You have to be pretty sick to violently beat a cat that can’t get away from you,” said Brown.

The 1-year-old cat named Quixote had been at the shelter temporarily, only a couple of months.

His owner showed up Wednesday morning, but he was too shaken to make a statement.

“That cat did not have a chance,” said Brown. “He couldn’t get away.”

According to Brown, someone had to break open a padlock to gain access to the cat in an enclosure that resembles a tiny house.

King County sheriff’s deputies also found a yellow poncho, which had a strange message written on it.

“Homeless need homes, but not in my neighborhood,” Brown said, describing the message. “And then it said Richmond Beach, and it was handwritten.”

Richmond Beach is about an 8-minute drive to Shoreline.

Note: Those familiar with the case and this rescue have wondered if the suspect selected Quixote because he was a Savannah mix. Although he wasn't a pure Savannah cat, he likely could have been sold for, as one person stated, up to $3,000. However, if this person thought they'd just grab a docile cat and run off with it... and Quixote put up a fight when this person tried to steal him, maybe Quixote clawed, bit and fought, angering the person so much that they beat Quixote to death, took him outside and threw his crushed body into the dumpster and fled.

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Police are also investigating another animal cruelty case nearby in Edmonds where a toy poodle had been stabbed to death inside of his own yard in late August.

 

 

“The way he went so violent, he had to be scared,” said that dog’s owner, Paul Hensel.

The two crime scenes are barely 2 miles apart -- but so far police say they share no connection.

“When we see something like this, we’re worried,” said Laura Henderson with Pasado’s Safe Haven Animal Rescue.

“If people in the community suspect animal cruelty is happening, they suspect that someone is harming an animal, they need to say something immediately because this kind of behavior escalates."

 

 

The volunteers at Whisker City wonder if they can do anything to regain their sense of security.

“You feel like -- do you want to buy a gun? What do you want to do?” said Brown. “How can we protect ourselves and these precious animals we’re responsible for?”

 

 

Brown said new security cameras were up and running at the shelter by Wednesday and volunteers are also trying to raise money for DNA tests to see if some of the suspect’s tissue might have been left behind as a clue.

Seattle Humane is offering up to $5,000 in rewards leading to the arrest and conviction of animal abuser. You're asked to contact the King County Sheriff's Office with information at 206-296-3311 and reference the Shoreline cat incident.

(Q13Fox - Sept 20, 2017)

Related:

• Washington: Edmonds family says their dog was mutilated, stabbed to death in their backyard
• Washington: Justice for Mickey: $7,500 reward offered for toy poodle’s killer

Washington: Justice for Mickey: $7,500 reward offered for toy poodle’s killer

WASHINGTON -- The owner of a toy poodle found stabbed to death and partially skinned in his own fenced in backyard on Friday, Aug. 25th feels time is running out to find the killer.

Paul Hensel has been out posting fliers along the Interurban Trail behind his home in the 23700 block of 74th Avenue offering a $7,500 reward for tips to identify the suspect who mutilated and killed Mickey.

Editor’s note: The reward has been raised since the original posting of this article from $4,000 to $7,500.

“The way he went, it was so violent and he had to have been scared,” said Hensel.

Hensel said he was sitting inside just 20 yards away with the door cracked open.

 

 

"We didn't hear anything. We think [the killer] was waiting in the yard," Hensel said of the attacker.

Mickey was a little 10-1/2-pound dog that loved everyone he met. Hensel says he liked to bark at imaginary animals.

"We've had neighbors come up in tears when they found out about it," said Hensel.

Edmonds Police initially increased patrols in the area but believe Mickey's killing is an isolated incident. Still, they are warning people to keep a close eye on their pets and asking for leads on any suspicious people on the Interurban Trail.

"If anybody knows someone who may have a tendency to hurt animals or so forth, that's something we would like to know about. That's something that would be helpful information and point us in the right direction," said Sgt. Shane Hawley.

So, how could somebody be so cruel?

Pasado's Safe Haven is funding a third of the reward because they know this behavior will escalate and get worse.

“As this behavior escalates, people who have crossed this moral line of being able to harm another living being, in our experience - in hundreds of these cases - it always gets worse. 

"As they progress up from one crime to the next, they are always looking for something more gruesome, more hurtful and to cause more suffering," said Executive Director Laura Henderson.

If you have any information that can help solve this case or identify a suspect, call 911 or Edmonds Police at (425) 771-0200.

You can also submit an anonymous tip at http://www.edmondswa.gov/police/anonymous-tip.html or call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

 

 

THE REWARD IS NOW $7,500

(Q13FOX - August 29, 2017)

Earlier:

• Washington: Edmonds family says their dog was mutilated, stabbed to death in their backyard

Washington: Edmonds family says their dog was mutilated, stabbed to death in their backyard

WASHINGTON -- An Edmonds family says their 10-pound toy poodle mix was found stabbed to death and partially skinned in their backyard.

"He was killed. He was scared and he was mutilated,” said owner Paul Hensel told Q13 News.

Hensel let his dog, Mickey, out in the fenced-in backyard Friday at about 10 p.m. in the 23700 block of 74th Ave.

“At first I couldn’t find him and I was afraid he found a way out of the yard so I got a flashlight and I found his body here in the yard,” said Hensel.

A huge part of Mickey’s skin and fur had been removed.

 

 

“Looked like a puncture wound with a knife removal of the skin so we rushed down the animal surgical hospital and had the vets there confirm it was not an animal. He was killed,” said Hensel.

No one heard the dog yelp or scream.

 

 

“I just don’t understand it. It almost looks like a trophy they took and trophies are meant to be shown to people so maybe they will see this and call Edmonds Police,” said Hensel.

The family lives along the Interurban Trail.

“The police think it’s someone who travels this trail frequently,” said Hensel.

“We will have extra patrols this in the area and officers will be paying closer attention to the trail and possibly talking to people who use it regularly,” said Edmonds Sgt. Shane Hawley.

If you have any information on who killed Mickey or have seen anyone suspicious in the area, please call 911 or 1 or submit an anonymous tip to the police website at www.edmondswa.gov/police/anonymous-tip.html.

(Q13Fox - August 27, 2017)

Virginia: Brandon Gillie wanted for torturing, mutilating, killing puppies

VIRGINIA -- It was last spring when Petersburg Police were called to Trailer 32 at the Shady Grove mobile home park on North Steadman Road.

They found a gruesome scene where three puppies had been mutilated, tortured and killed.

  

 

They are now reaching out to the public in an attempt to put the man they say is responsible, Brandon Gillie, 26, behind bars.

"[Gillie and his girlfriend] had just gotten the puppies a few weeks prior," said Detective Thomas Ewers with the Petersburg Police Department.

“He forced them to swallow several items, including firecrackers and poison,” Detective Ewers said.

But the torture didn’t stop there, police say. While the puppies were still alive, Gillie dismembered and mutilated the dogs. It all happened in the back yard of a now abandoned trailer.

“He cut their bodies open, and when he cut their bodies open, he also tried to glue it back together,” Ewers said. “He put glue over the dogs’ faces, including their muzzle, I guess in an attempt keep the dogs from being loud or trying to suffocate them.”

"It was a process, we're not talking about a couple minutes of torturing, we're talking about hours and hours of him methodically torturing and killing these animals," said Ewers.

Brandon's girlfriend discovered what he had done and called the police to report it. However, she is no longer cooperating with authorities, police said, and Gillie remains on the run.

“This is probably the worse case I’ve seen or heard of since I’ve been a detective,” Detective Ewers said.

Gillie’s next door neighbor recalls hearing Gillie sitting outside talking during the night in question, but she had no idea what he was actually doing.

NECROPSY RESULTS

Court documents obtained by CBS 6 show the dogs had an adhesive material on their muzzles and bodies.

Lab results revealed the dog's stomachs contained both over the counter and prescription medications, as well as insecticide.

Conover said that what happened to the puppies was done over a period of time.

"They were tortured, there was evidence of burning," she added.

The necropsy also revealed that two of the puppies had full firecrackers in their stomach.

HELP FIND BRANDON GILLIE

Police say they need the public’s help catching Gillie before he has the chance to do something like this again.

“It could lead to other crimes that could be worse. It could be to other animals, it could be to a person – you just never know, and it’s very concerning,” Ewers said.

Gillie has a large network of family and friends spread out around Chesterfield and Henrico.

"He still could be in the Tri-Cities area, most likely he's up in the Hanover and Ashland area," said Ewers.

Police are hoping someone has information that will help get Brandon Gillie off the streets.

"To get him help and make sure that he is okay and nothing like this happens to any animal or person."

Places Gillie has lived:
Prince George, Virginia
Petersburg, Virginia
Henrico, Virginia
Chester, Virginia
Hopewell, Virginia

Says he works at powerplants "all over the state"

If you know where Brandon Gillie is, call Petersburg Police at 804-732-4222 or Crime Solvers at 804-861-1212.

  

 

  

PREVIOUS ARREST INFO:

Name: Brandon Michael Gillie
Detention Date: April 19th, 2013
Location:
Hanover County, VA
Gender: Male
Age: 23
Height: 5' 10"
Weight: 150 Lbs
Race: White
Charges:
#1 136787 WPN5212M1 FIREARM VIOLATION AFTER INVOLUNTARY COMMITMENT
#2 136788 WPN5281F5 FALSE STATEMENT ON FIREARM CONSENT FORM

Full Name: Brandon Michael Gillie
Arrest date: October 14th, 2013
Location: Henrico County, VA
Arrest Age: 23
Charges: 2111 - Dui-Motor Vehicle-Wt Accident
18.2-266 - Dwi: 1St Offense

Full Name: Brandon Michael Gillie
Date of Birth: 08/xx/xxxx
Race: White
Address:
City: Petersburg
State: VA
Zip Code: 23803
Charging County: Prince George County, Virginia
Case Number: GT16003212-00
Statute: 46.2-817B
Charge Date: 06/01/2016
Charge: Elude/Disregard Police Felony

(WNCN - Jan 27, 2017)

Trinidad and Tobago: Animals are being maimed and killed by firecrackers being shoved into their mouths

TRINIDAD AND TOBAGO -- An  animal welfare activist shared horrific photos of a cat which was tortured by an unknown person, who forced a firecracker to explode in the animal’s mouth.

The animal was so injured that it had to be put down.

Rona Jo shared the gruesome photos on social media on November 8 to show the horrific act – as yet, no one has been held for the crime.

“PEOPLE BEWARE. I THOUGHT THIS DID NOT HAPPEN HERE. THESE PICTURES ARE NOT FOR THE FAINTHEARTED BUT IT NEEDS TO BE POSTED.”

“On arriving home at 9:30 pm tonight, I was greeted with a box in front my gate. My first thought someone had dropped kittens. No it was an adult cat which I thought then had gotten bounced.”

“It was the same color as two of my cats, so I guess whoever put it there thought it belonged to me.”

“I got the vet who came in a few minutes to assess.

Verdict: Apparently he was an owned friendly, trusting cat in good health.”

 

 

“BUT SOME LOWLIFE BASTARD, DEVIL PUT A FIRECRACKER IN ITS MOUTH. It was totally burnt and one of the eyes popped out.... The pain and trauma that the cat was in was heartbreaking. I can't sleep right now. RIP boy.”

Citizens shared disgust and horror at the despicable act. They are again calling for a crackdown on illegal fireworks:

“Monsters! How can someone even put a thought in their mind to do such a thing! Poor baby.”

“Humans, I don't know if they understand, that kind of evil you do, you pay for that immediately, right here on this earthly plain before you leave.”

“What kinda sadistic fool did this to a poor animal... Disgusting....”

“Monsters and demons walk among us, and despite protests against fireworks authorities are doing NOTHING, and therefore they encouraging this sh*t”

“Jesus!!!!!!! I am calling on you now more than ever,I think the human race is at our lowest ever.”

“Omg! What will these ppl tell god boi! I'm soo hurt right now words can't explain, so let's get serious an fight for the right if animals ppl an to get this blasted fireworks banned we can only do it together.”

Another woman reported that a similar act had been done to a dog in her neighborhood as well.

Rona said this is just one of many acts of terrible cruelty against animals which must be stopped.

”It’s heartbreaking that I had to deal with it, but I'm glad that the poor cat was was brought in front my gate, not left wherever it was to suffer for the whole night in pain and traumatized.”

“It’s horrible enough that the animals suffer so much because of these senseless loud noises, but to do this to the animals is the lowest of low. Only the devil himself would do such a thing.”

Section 16 of the Summary Offences Act states:
 Any person who unlawfully and maliciously kills, maims, or wounds any dog, bird, beast or other animal, not being cattle but being either the subject of larceny at Common Law or ordinarily kept in a state of confinement or for any domestic purpose, is liable on first conviction to a fine of one thousand dollars over and above the amount of the injury done or to imprisonment for three months and on any subsequent conviction to imprisonment for six months.

Section 79 (1) of the Act states:
“Any person who cruelly beats, ill-treats, starves, overdrives, overrides, overloads, abuses, tortures, or otherwise maltreats any animal is liable to a fine of four hundred dollars or to imprisonment for two months.”

 

AND ANOTHER...

Yvette Baboolal added 4 new photos.
November 8 at 11:59pm
Today a friend called me to check on a dog in chaguanas. This poor dog belonged to someone but she was betrayed, a firecracker was placed in her mouth, it was totally destroyed she has been like this since divali, she vould not eat or drink, she was smelling from a mile away so nobody helped, but thank you to my friend Renae John for calling me, dr. Lutchman for attending to her and M&L liquor for paying her bill. This young beautiful pup had to be euthanized. I guess i should say thank you to our beloved governments past and present, fire one fireworks for importing, the various distributors, the sellers and the buyers FOR ALL THE PAIN AND SUFFERING AND TORTURE INNOCENT ANIMALS, SENIOR CITIZENS, SICK PEOPLE AND BABIES HAVE TO GO THROUGH BECAUSE OF YOUR GREED.

(Loop - Nov 13, 2016)

Oklahoma: Dallas Hicks, 19, is accused of torturing, disemboweling and killing a six-week-old pit bull puppy - and taking a photo of its body

OKLAHOMA -- An Oklahoma City man is accused of a disturbing case of animal cruelty.

Oklahoma City police said they found a 6-week-old pit bull puppy that had been tortured and killed underneath his bed.

Dallas Hicks, 19, was booked into the Oklahoma County jail on Sunday.

 

His mother would not talk on camera, but she told News 9 he needs mental help.

It was just after 6:30 a.m. Sunday that Oklahoma City police arrived to a white house on East Park Place.

Inside they found Hicks, his mom and her boyfriend, and then they made the gruesome discovery.

When police went inside Hick’s room they found a serrated survival style knife with a 12 inch blade under the bed. They also found a dog food bag with the puppy’s tiny body wrapped in bloody plastic. The puppy had been disemboweled, according to police.

Then, on Hicks’ phone, police found pictures of the dead puppy in the bathtub.

 

 

“They just moved here,” said Ann Denson, who lives down the street.

Denson said the family moved in a couple of months ago and never caused her any concern, although their older dogs did.

She and others said they would often run loose in the neighborhood.

“I’m afraid to walk down the street now,” said Denson.

“They just run wild everywhere in the neighborhood,” said Among Thompson who also lives nearby and won’t walk by Hicks’ home because of it. “Chasing people and everything else so I have see that and I have run from them.”

But both Denson and Thompson are shocked to hear about the gruesome puppy death that occurred inside the home located so close to theirs.

“That’s kind of a scary feeling to know you have someone that lives that close to you that would do an animal live that,” said Denson.

“If he’s killing animals like that, there’s no telling what’s going on in that house,” said Thompson.

The police report states Hicks reportedly told his mother, “Mom, I messed up. I hurt the puppy,” and then said he didn’t mean to do it.

Hicks is being held on a $2,000 bond. He is yet to be formally arraigned or charged.

WHY WOULD DALLAS HICKS TAKE A PHOTO OF THE DEAD PUPPY?

Heather Sutfin's article is titled "Haunting Photographs Taken By Murderers":

It is not uncommon to hear of murderers collecting trophies from their victims.

Psychologists theorize that this phenomena is likely because killers like to prolong the thrill of their exploits.

By taking a small memento to remind them of the crime they are able to relive that fantasy again and again.

For murderers these souvenirs are indicative of a great accomplishment, much like many of us may collect newspaper clippings or small trinkets to remind us of our academic or athletic achievements.

Some killers may collect jewelry or personal items of their victims, but others like to truly capture the memory of the kill with photographs of their crimes.

John Douglas wrote an article called "Why Killers Take Trophies":

Killers like to take trophies and souvenirs from their victims. Keeping some memento — a lock of hair, jewelry, newspaper clips of the crime — helps prolong, even nourish, their fantasy of the crime. In my research, I’ve seen this happen again and again.

Between crimes — often while targeting future victims — they’ll pull out their trophies and just sit back in their La-Z Boy chairs and relive the crime over and over in their minds.

Though they may say they committed the crime, they never really accept responsibility. They’ll blame it on someone else, or their upbringing, or say they were abused as kids.

They’ll never say, “Gee, I’m so sorry for what I’ve done here.” The tears may well up in their eyes, but — and I’ve always said this — they’re crying for themselves. They could care less about the victim.

(News9 - Oct 24, 2016)