(April 2018) Pennsylvania: Owner complains after her Pit Bull is shot while attacking another dog; sets up GoFundMe to sue the victim

WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA -- Owners of the pit bull that was shot and killed after attacking another dog in Wilkes-Barre are grieving the loss of their pet.

The pit bull's owner says he tried to stop the attack and feels lucky that he wasn't shot.

"I had to bury him myself. I couldn't stop crying. I teared up."

Alejandro Loria still can't believe that he had to bury his pit bull named Batman in his backyard.

Sunday morning, Loria was taking Batman for a morning walk around his neighborhood in south Wilkes-Barre. Batman broke away from his leash and started attacking a couple's dog.

"I'm trying to pull my dog away from their dog and I hear the woman saying 'Shoot the dog!' I'm screaming 'No! No!' My girlfriend comes out the house because she hears me screaming. The guy shoots the gun. I'm maybe three feet away. I can't even hear what happens afterwards," Loria recalled.

Wilkes-Barre police report that a woman fired two shots, but Loria says it was her boyfriend who had the gun and shot Batman. Loria's girlfriend initially thought he got hit.

"I heard my boyfriend screaming, 'No, don't shoot, don't shoot!' and I heard a gunshot and I went outside. I thought they shot my boyfriend and I saw my dog and my dog was bleeding pretty bad," said Courtney Rivera.

BLAMING THE VICTIM

"They acted too quick. Right there, what I did as soon as I saw my dog's leash and collar broke, I ran after him and I got on top of him. I attacked my dog just so he could stop attacking their dog. He was just standing there in shock. He should've jumped on his dog as well," Loria added.

Batman was taken to a veterinarian but did not survive.

Loria says he will also have to pay a fine for letting Batman get loose.

Alejandro's girlfriend Courtney Rivera set up a GoFundMe saying:

my dog was shot and killed by a neighbor. And my boyfriend is the only one being charged please help us raise money to take the people to court for shooting my dog.

Courtney had a previous GoFundMe page listed, trying to raise money to "get my baby back". I'm assuming the state either took him or placed him with a relative until she got her s*** together... SMH

COMMENTS FROM THE NEWS ARTICLE:

  

 

(WNEP - April 24, 2018)

Earlier:

• Pennsylvania: Woman shoots pit bull to stop dog attack on her dog

(April 2018) Pennsylvania: Woman shoots pit bull to stop dog attack on her dog

WILKES-BARRE, PENNSYLVANIA -- A woman shot a pit bull that attacked her dog as they walked in South Wilkes-Barre on Sunday morning, according to police.

Officers responded to a report of gunshots in the area of Regent and Brook streets at about 8 a.m. Sunday, police said in a news release.

A woman told police that as she and her boyfriend walked their dog, it was attacked by a pit bull that broke free of its owner, Alejandro Loria.

After unsuccessful attempts to stop the attack, the woman fired two shots from her firearm, striking the pit bull, police said.

The woman legally possessed the firearm, according to police. The injured pit bull was taken for treatment, police said.

Alejandro Loria, 27, the owner of the pit bull, was cited by an animal enforcement officer, police said.

*   *   *   *   *   *

Meanwhile, here's the sob story article from WNEP:

Pit Bull Shot, Later Dies
A pet dog was shot and killed on a city street, and neighbors now question why it had to happen.

Neighbors in Wilkes-Barre are trying to wrap their heads around what happened early Sunday morning. A massive pit bull that was known in the neighborhood for giving sweet kisses was shot and later died.

Seriously, in the video, the newscaster says, "A massive pit bull that was known in the neighborhood for giving sweet kisses was shot and later died". What kind of ridiculous one-sided reporting is that? GIVING SWEET KISSES???! 

Morons.

That pit bull went by the name Batman, and he's now buried behind his owner's house a day after being shot for allegedly attacking a couple and their dog. The woman who shot Batman tells police she feared for her safety.

Blood stains remain at the intersection of Brook and Regent Streets in Wilkes-Barre. Nearby, a freshly dug grave sits in the backyard of an apartment building with a grave marker that reads: "Batman."

 

 

It should say, "Here lies a vicious dog that was shot

while trying to kill another dog and its owners"

Batman is the large, gray pit bull that police say was shot around 8 a.m. Sunday.

A woman told police that while she and her boyfriend were walking their dog, Batman got away from one of its owners and started attacking. The victim, who legally owned her gun, fired two shots, hitting Batman once.

People say Batman was well known in the neighborhood.

"Very friendly dog, but it was a big dog, so people were afraid of it. I had seen it in this area a couple of times and it was friendly, but because of the size, people were afraid of it," Greg Winslow said.

Batman is now buried behind the apartment. His leashes are on top of the marker. Originally, animal enforcement responded to the incident and brought Batman to a local animal hospital.

"When we got there, they said the dog lost so much blood that it's best that we just put it down," Winslow said. "Stuff like this should never happen in this area. We have enough problems with people just dumping animals and not wanting to take care of them, let alone killing them."

Animal enforcement tells Newswatch 16 the owner of the dog faces a citation for the dog not being under control. Police say there was no violation of the law when the woman fired shots.

 

 

 

(Citizens Voice - April 23, 2018)

Washington: A’Kinyelle Thomas-Lewis, 21, and Forrest Smith, 22, shot their 5-month-old Labradoodle puppy named Aubrey in the stomach then abandoned her because they didn't want her any longer, say police

Note: They're saying on the Kitsap Humane Society's Facebook page that both of these men are in the United States Navy. 

PORT ORCHARD, WASHINGTON -- Two men were charged Tuesday with animal cruelty for shooting a high-maintenance puppy and leaving it in the bushes in a Port Orchard park.

The 5-month-old Labradoodle named Aubrey was found Monday near 1800 Sidney Avenue, which is part of Vanzee Memorial Park, after a neighbor heard the gunshot before 2 p.m. and then heard a dog whimpering and yelping.

Officers found the dog and a detective drove it to Kitsap Veterinary Hospital on Bethel Avenue, where it was stabilized and x-rayed. It was ultimately taken to the Kitsap Humane Society in Silverdale for emergency surgery.

A Facebook post Monday night from the Humane Society said the dog had been shot in the abdomen.

“We are optimistic about the dog's prognosis but would love if our followers could keep him in their thoughts tonight,” the post said.

Port Orchard Police Deputy Chief Dale Schuster said officers were lining up to adopt the puppy.

“It’s disturbing,” he said, adding that if the owner had taken the dog to the Humane Society it would have likely been re-adopted in short period of time.

As officers were canvassing the neighborhood, one found a folded-up traffic ticket for a 22-year-old man, Forrest Christian Smith, who lived nearby. His vehicle matched the description of a vehicle witnesses saw at the scene, according to court documents.

Officers went to the address and interviewed a roommate, who said Smith bought the dog about two months earlier and that since then the puppy had been “troublesome.”

Smith had not bothered to potty train (housebreak) Aubrey so she was having accidents inside the residence. Smith also wasn't bothering to take into consideration that she is a puppy and was allowing her to chew on furniture and other items.

Another roommate, A’Kinyelle Donald Thomas-Lewis, 21, said Smith was “unwilling to put up with the dog any longer” and admitted he and Smith had gone to the wooded area together and Smith shot the dog.

Officers noted Thomas-Lewis appeared confused by the investigation and behaved as though police were overreacting about the horrific animal cruelty, saying, “All this for a dog.”

Officers seized a 9 mm Glock handgun from the residence.

Smith was charged in Kitsap County Superior Court with first-degree animal cruelty; Thomas-Lewis was charged with accomplice to first-degree animal cruelty.

Kitsap Humane Society
April 30 at 10:38pm ·
Tonight our amazing veterinary team is staying late finishing up a long emergency surgery to save a dog that was shot this afternoon. The bullet had entered his abdomen and Animal Control Officers rushed him to KHS so he could get the lifesaving care he needed. This is what being on the front lines of animal welfare looks like- late nights, a dedication to lifesaving, and sometimes, a whole lot of blood. We are optimistic about the dog's prognosis but would love if our followers could keep him in their thoughts tonight.

(Kitsap Sun - May 1, 2018)

Wisconsin: Family starts fundraiser for their newly adopted dog that was being mauled by two Pit Bulls until her owner shot them

WISCONSIN -- We adopted our sweet Pepper a little over a month ago from the Humane Society.

My husband, Mike, was taking Pepper out for her evening walk on Saturday, March 3rd, when just a few steps from being in our yard, the neighbor's pit bulls viciously attacked Pepper.

Mike tried to fight the pit bulls off of Pepper, as they both latched on and wouldn't let go.  He fought and screamed for help for almost 5 minutes, but no one came.

As a last resort, my husband left Pepper to run get his gun.  The pit bulls still wouldn't let go. Mike fired 3 shots. The first pit bull released her once it was shot. The other (larger) pit bull wouldn't release her until Mike had fired 2 shots into his chest.  They were relentless!

Pepper had to have emergency surgery for the crushing injuries.  10 lacerations that had 2 to 12 stitches each (estimated about 75 stitches).  She has 2 drains, one internal, and one external.  She's in a lot of pain and on a regimen of pain medication and tranquilizers, plus a few others.

In the past few days, she's lost some stitches and we've found that she has an infection, even though she's on antibiotics.  Her extermal pump isn't functioning because of the popped stitches.  She has to see a specialist and have surgery again to remove the dying skin around the stitches.

 

 

We aren't able to afford to pay for another surgery, but we don't want to lose our sweet little puppy.  We didn't rescue her so she could die a violent death.

The news covered the story (see linked story), and we are asking for everyone for help with this. Despite all of the pain she was in, Pepper still wags her tail when we pet her. She loves us and we love her.

Update 1
The skin has died around the original stitches. She’s in surgery now to get restitched and have the drains put back in. In these crushing injuries, it’s a hard thing to deal with.

Update 2
Pepper is doing a lot better after her 2nd surgery. We are at the vet getting her bandages changed. Her stitches are holding now, great sign. She has extra fluid building up near the current drains, but the vet says it’s not cause for concern.

We come back on Monday to have the current drains removed. If needed, they will put another in then to help with the fluid building up.

Even just looking at Pepper, you can tell she’s better. She still has to remain calm and sedated, but she’s strong and she’s pulling through.

 

Thank you to everyone for the support, kind words, and prayers. It’s a very stressful situation for everyone in our family, but knowing we have support of family and friends, friends of friends, or strangers makes this a lot easier.

Update 3
We went to the vet tonight. Pepper had her bandages changed and the drains removed. She has some fluid building up in her neck still, but the stitches are still holding and she’s mending.

She may have to have one more surgery to relieve some of the fluid. We go back every other day to get her bandages changed and the vet is monitoring the fluid. If she continues to mend, she should get the staples and stitches removed next week Thursday.

Overall though, she’s doing so much better. I cannot begin to express the gratitude we have for everyone that has donated, sent cards, prayers, or just kind words through social media. We are so very grateful for all of the love during this tough situation.

Update 4
Good news! The fluid is going down. If Pepper continues like she is, she won’t need a 3rd surgery, and she will get her stitches out next Thursday. We don’t have to go back for a bandage change until Saturday now. So things are looking up.

She’s been trying to alligator roll to scratch her stitches, so that means she’s healing!! The doctor was happy with how everything looks.

I can’t thank everyone enough for all of the love and support!! When I started this go fund me campaign, I honestly thought we’d raise maybe $50 after a few weeks. But we were close to our goal within a few days!! We have been truly blessed in the midst of this unfortunate event. The donations were a huge stress relief for us, and we were able to focus on helping Pepper recover quickly.

Update 5
Pepper got her stitches out today! She’s still tender, and we have to wait another week to give her a bath (trust me, she needs it). But she’s healing well. She doesn’t have to wear bandages anymore, but we still need to keep her back covered with a T-shirt.

She doesn’t have to be sedated anymore, obviously no rough housing though. Her hair is growing back, and I don’t think you will be able to tell she went through all of this once it’s all back in. She has some fluid still around her neck, but the doctor said it should start to reabsorb into her body soon.

I want to thank everyone again for all of the love. We can’t begin to express just how much we appreciate everyone.

  

GOFUNDME: Save Pepper's Life
Created March 8, 2018
Shonda Denise Webb Fay
  Medical
  MILWAUKEE, WI

Earlier:

• Wisconsin: Man shoots and kills two Pit Bulls that were mauling his dog

Wisconsin: Man shoots and kills two Pit Bulls that were mauling his dog

WISCONSIN -- A West Allis man over the weekend shot and killed two other dogs who had his one-year-old pup in their deadly grip.

"I had to shoot the other dogs, unfortunately, to get them to stop the attack," Mike Fay told WISN 12 NEWS on Monday in describing the Saturday afternoon attack near South 59th and West Burnham streets.

Fay said he knew the dogs lived near him but said he never had any problems with them.

On Saturday, however, the larger animals that police described as pit bulls were running loose and set their sights on Pepper.

Fay, a concealed carry permit holder, said he tried to break up the attack, but ran back to his house to get his gun.

"It was a last resort, not something I'd typically just jump out and do," he said. "I wish things had happened differently. ... I was afraid that they were going to kill my dog eventually."

It was in this alley that the two Pit Bulls attacked

Responding officers later gave Fay a ride to a nearby veterinary hospital, where Pepper was already being examined and stitched up in nearly a dozen places.

She was back home Monday, resting on medication with her head in a cone to prevent her from giving attention to her wounds.

PIT BULL OWNER DOESN'T WANT YOU TO KNOW HIS IDENTITY

Fay's neighbor, who asked to not be publicly identified, said "it was a very unfortunate incident" and that he had no hard feelings against Fay.

Fay said the two men have spoken and said there doesn't seem to be "bad blood" between them.

"He's been very helpful," Fay said. "Everything's working out."

Really? He's not going to be criminally charged at all... so he's free to go buy two more Pit bulls this afternoon. Greaaaaaaaat.

  

(WISN - March 5, 2018)

Nevada: Police K9 Nicky shot and killed while apprehending suspect

NEVADA -- Police Support USA @BackTheCops posted on Twitter February 21, 2018

We regret to inform you that K9 Nicky from the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department was shot and killed while attempting to subdue a suspect.

RIP to all Law enforcement personnel who have made the ultimate sacrifice, both Human and K-9.

Alabama: Two-year-old girl attacked by family's Rhodesian Ridgeback / German Shepherd mix; grandfather also attacked when he intervened

ALABAMA -- Two people injured in a dog attack Wednesday afternoon have been released from hospitals after treatment.

A Labrador / Bulldog mix Rhodesian Ridgeback / German Shepherd was identified as the dog that attacked Kairi Sky Burleson in her yard, and then attacked her grandfather, Michael Perry Burleson on the left arm near the elbow, damaging an artery, said Cullman Police Chief Kenny Culpepper.

The two-year-old was taken to Cullman Regional by a family member for treatment, while the grandfather was flown to North Huntsville Hospital. Both were released after treatment, Culpepper said.

Cullman Fire and Rescue and Cullman Emergency Medical Services personnel were the first to arrive at the scene and began treatment of the victims.

FAMILY SHOT AND KILLED DOG BEFORE POLICE ARRIVED
A Cullman police officer arrived and reported the dog, which was estimated at 2 years old and weighing 100 pounds, was shot and killed before responders arrived.

The body of the dog, which was a family pet, was sent to a veterinarian to be tested for rabies, Culpepper said.

Mikayla says the dog was a Rhodesian Ridgeback and German Shepherd mix and that their veterinarian thinks the dog may have been poisoned "because he's never heard of a dog that lets a baby" play with it like this little girl did and then turn on her. 

The dog may not have been poisoned but may have had some medical ailment (cancer eating away at its stomach, etc) that meant it was in pain. If it were my dog, I'd get a necropsy in order to eliminate all possibilities as this was a dog that was raised around the child, around family members, etc. - it wasn't just chained to a tree and ignored. 

Now certainly one could argue, "Well you never say any of this when it's Pit Bull that attack family members!" - and they would be right. Because Pit Bulls have shown time and time again that they're unstable, unpredictable and have a trigger that sends them from being calm to trying to kill. A 'nice' Pit bull that goes its whole life without attacking and killing something is an exception to the rule. This dog attack was an anomaly so a necropsy should be conducted.

(Cullman Times Online - Jan 25, 2018)