March 2017 - North Carolina: Remington the Golden Retriever joins UNC's baseball team as team mascot / therapy dog

NORTH CAROLINA -- Carolina baseball has a new teammate this year, but this member has four legs, not two.

Remington, a 2-year-old Golden Retriever, is Carolina’s first athletics training room assistance dog.

Remington’s official title is psychiatric medical alert facility rehabilitation service dog. He works with Terri Jo Rucinski, coordinator of the physical therapy clinic and staff athletic trainer for the team, to help players who are recovering from injuries.

Rucinski has worked with the team for 12 years and says the atmosphere this year is different with Remington around. Student athletes who underwent surgeries in the fall turned the corner emotionally really quickly, Rucinski says.

“I’d like to think he had something to do with it,” she says.

For the team, Remington has been a source of comfort. For fans, he’s been a source of joy. Remington stands with the team and holds his hat or a glove during the National Anthem, carries water to umpires and offers up fist bumps and high fives to players.

“This is the first time I’ve ever had a dog or any sort of assistance dog helping out with any team I’ve been a part of,” says junior and outfielder Brian Miller. “It’s like a bond that I have with any of my teammates really."

Let’s hope every team follows UNC’s lead, because there really isn’t a better way to lift the morale and spirits of a team than a very good clubhouse dog.

(UNC Baseball - March 25, 2017)

Related:

• Home Run Remington Instagram page

Tennessee: Charges have been filed in the case of ex-Middle Tennessee State University football players Justin Akins and Shalom Alvarez after video of puppy beating goes viral

TENNESSEE -- Charges have been filed in the case of two ex-MTSU players investigated for animal cruelty, according to Rutherford County PAWS.

“Rutherford County PAWS was contacted by a concerned citizen regarding a Snapchat video they had seen of a puppy being hit," Rutherford County PAWS Director Michael Gregory said.

9-second video clip of the abuse

"Due to the difficult nature of the case, Murfreesboro Police Department was contacted and Det. Kristy Inglish took a huge role in investigating and working to piece together the incident.

"The Middle Tennessee Athletics Department, mainly head football coach Rick Stockstill, was very cooperative in our investigation as well.  This is just one more example of several local agencies working together to ensure that our citizens, including those with four legs, are protected.”

Both Justin Akins and Shalom Alvarez were dismissed from the MTSU football team Friday after a video was posted on Akins' Snapchat account in which Alvarez can be seen repeatedly striking a puppy, according to an MPD police report.

PAWS did not say who the charges were filed against, and MPD hadn't released the names as of who was arrested.

Akins played in all 13 games last season and recorded 27 tackles and led all linemen with four pass breakups.

He recorded 1.5 sacks over the past two seasons.

Alvarez joined the Blue Raiders in 2016 but did not play in any games.

(DNJ - April 17, 2017)

Earlier:

• Tennessee: College football players Shalom Alvarez and Justin Akins are suspended and investigated for animal cruelty after uploading Snapchat video showing one of them abusing puppy

Tennessee: College football players Shalom Alvarez and Justin Akins are suspended and investigated for animal cruelty after uploading Snapchat video showing one of them abusing puppy

TENNESSEE -- Two Middle Tennessee football players have been suspended over a Snapchat video one recorded of the other slapping a puppy.

Shalom Alvarez, 20, and Justin Akins, 22, are facing animal cruelty charges in light of the footage which Akins posted online recently.

It showed Alvarez, a linebacker, gripping the tiny puppy by the back of the neck and repeatedly striking the pup across its face as it screamed in terror.

Akins, a defensive lineman, filmed him and shared it with fans on Snapchat along with the caption: '[expletive] said you don't pay rent.'

The pair later told coaches they were trying to discipline the animal for urinating indoors.

The video is no longer available in full but an eagle eyed fan recorded it on their own phone to hand over to authorities. WSMV obtained a copy of the fan's recording.

Middle Tennessee Coach Rick Stockstill said that the players told him they were trying to "house train" the dog.

'The players explained to me that the puppy urinated inside and they were simply spanking it as a form of discipline.

'They told me there was never any intent to harm the dog. This was an important teaching moment.

'I talked to them about other approaches that should have been considered in this situation.

'And I pointed out how disciplining a pet in such a manner could be misconstrued, especially with the impact of social media,' he said.

Hey, Rick Stockstill. Would you still be issuing such a moronic statement if the abused victim were a 2-year-old child screaming in pain and terror each and every time Alavarez hit him/her? 

You can hear the smacks on that puppy's tiny body by a full grown man who is much more muscular than most his age. 

Stop enabling and minimizing abuse, Rick Stockstill. Whether it's abuse of women, children or animals - IT'S NOT RIGHT!

NOW WE KNOW WHY AKINS THINKS IT'S FUNNY TO POST VIDEOS OF INNOCENT ANIMALS BEING ABUSED, HE'S A THUG

Rutherford County Animal Control investigators said when they were trying to track Akins down for an interview at the College Grove apartments, they found he was evicted last May and not allowed there or at Aspen Heights for a shooting incident involving police.

Channel 4 also found Akins was arrested in January for resisting arrest and possession of marijuana.

Murfreesboro Police are investigating the pair for animal cruelty. No charges have yet been brought.

It is not clear which of the pair the dog belonged to. - A different article said the puppy didn't belong to either of these cretins.

Neither has spoken publicly since the video emerged.

9-second video clip of the abuse

(Daily Mail - April 13, 2017)

West Virginia: Brothers Jacob Ryan and Dalton Ryan admitted to police that they took a dog out to the woods and hanged it to death. Then for fun, they bragged about their horrific crime on Snapchat

WEST VIRGINIA -- Two teenagers have been arrested after posting a picture of a hanging dog on Snapchat

▲ Jacob Ryan and Dalton Ryan are facing charges for hanging the dog

▲ The picture was posted to Jacob Ryan’s Snapchat with the caption “Hanging with my dawg”

▲ The teens are allegedly facing lenient punishment for the crime

Two teenagers in West Virginia have been arrested after they hanged (strangled to death) a dog and posted the picture to Snapchat.

The story is raising anger around the country as the two teenagers will be allegedly receiving just a slap on the wrist for the heinous crime.

Jacob and Dalton Ryan posted a picture to Jacob’s Snapchat of the dog hanging with a caption that read, “Hanging with my dawg.”

According to the information posted online, Jacob Ryan lives in Alum Creek, West Virginia and is enrolled at the Scott High School. If you scroll through his profile, you will notice he is a proud member of the high school’s football team, wearing number 62.

The killer’s friends rushed to show their appreciation, claiming his actions were very amusing and entertaining. However, things quickly turned sour as a wave of critics poured in, which eventually led to the photo being taken down shortly afterwards.

When questioned, the teens showed no remorse about what he had done and readily admitted what they'd done to the poor dog.

The two teenagers were arrested, but as a shock to everyone, the two may be facing lenient punishments.

According to Trooper Sergeant Fox, the teens claimed that “it was a stray dog who was sickly, and they say believed it was going to die.”

A source close to the incident claims that the dog allegedly belonged to the grandmother, who asked the boys to take the dog out to a field and shoot it due to illness.

Allegedly this is playing a part in the decision to give the teens a more lenient punishment.

TDH has not verified these claims at this time.

A Petition For Justice

There is now a petition demanding that Jacob, and Dalton receive a harsh punishment for their crime. The fact that the boys would post such a disturbing action on social media with a caption that is clearly mocking the situation goes to show how twisted this action truly was.

The petition is directed towards Lincoln County Prosecuting Attorney Jim Gabehart, and reads as follows:

"Dear Mr. Gabehart,
A couple of juveniles admitted to police that they hanged and killed a stray dog. Police say the juveniles thought that the dog was sickly and they believed it was going to die, but that should be no excuse for their gruesome crime.

Additionally, the two posted photos of the horrific scene on social media, as if they were proud of what they’d done.

If authorities allow these juveniles to get away with a gruesome act of animal cruelty, there’s a high possibility that these people will continue to kill innocent creatures.

That is why we’re calling on you to ensure that the suspects are harshly punished so that no more innocent animals are killed."

(The Daily Haze - March 31, 2017)

Missouri: College football player Breck Ruddick, who beat sweet dog, breaking his jaw and knocking out his teeth, has been cut from the team

MISSOURI -- Missouri State’s football program has cut ties with quarterback Breck Ruddick, the sophomore accused of beating a dog last fall.

Bears coach Dave Steckel made the announcement on Wednesday night at the team’s signing day party at Springfield Brewing Company.

Ruddick started the first two games for the Bears last season — both victories — before allegations surfaced on social media that he beat a 42-pound Australian shepherd (aka Aussie) he was watching for a friend.

The dog, Luca, was treated for a broken jaw and several cracked teeth, requiring surgery to repair the damage.

Steckel immediately suspended Ruddick for conduct detrimental to the team, and after a university investigation, Ruddick was allowed to return to the team, but could not travel with the team or play in games until the 2017 season.

 

The decision to allow him back was made with the stipulation that Ruddick abide by a “contract” before he would be allowed to return to full status with the team.

“We’ve released Breck Ruddick,” Steckel said Wednesday. “He broke his contract, so he’s gone.”

A university spokesman confirmed Ruddick is no longer a student at Missouri State.

Steckel said in September that the contract would include everything from academics to social environment to the football program.

The coach did not elaborate on what violations Ruddick committed to be dismissed.

Ruddick’s lawyer, Adam Woody, said the dog bit his client, drawing blood and forcing Ruddick to punch the dog in the mouth until it released his hand.

Mmm, yeah, no. Like nearly all dogs, they bite and release. Aussies do not "lock on" to people like some breeds.

Ruddick was charged in Springfield municipal court with two violations — cruelty to animals and dog at large — and pleaded guilty to the dog at large charge, with the animal cruelty charge deferred as part of a plea agreement.

Ruddick, a native of Marion, Arkansas, was required to complete 150 hours of community service, pay a fine of at least $500 and court costs and was placed on supervised probation and attend an anger management program. If he completes those tasks, the animal cruelty charge will be dropped.

ORIGINAL STORY:

Shelby Filbeck added 3 new photos.
September 23, 2016 ·
This is not my dog, but this story deserves to be heard. Earlier this week one of my close friends left her adorable sweet loving dog with Breck Ruddick. This was someone she trusted, this was a guy who has watched her dog before and who she has spent a good amount of time with as friends. She never thought leaving her 42 pound Australian Shepherd with Breck, a 200+ pound MSU football player, would lead to this. Never once did she, nor anyone else for that matter, believe that Breck could get so upset with this sweet dog that he would hit him in the jaw, not just once but three times.

After "loosing his cool" and hitting poor Luca he led him outside and let him run off, all alone and bleeding profusely. (More likely he took the dog outside and chased him off)

Breck told Katie that "Luca had ran off" leaving out the part about him beating the crap out of Luca. She spent the whole night looking for her dog. The next day a girl saw Katie's post on Facebook and explained that she had found Luca in a parking lot covered in blood. The girl was nice enough to take him home and attempted to clean him up. When he was returned to Katie, the next day, he was STILL bleeding. He was then rushed over to the vet where they found that his jaw had been broken and he would need surgery.

The next day Luca went in for surgery where it was found that his jaw bones were shattered (not just broken), he had to have 6 teeth pulled, which will be permanently gone forever and they had to keep him at the vets for two days instead of one.

He can no longer eat solid food and will have to be on an oatmeal based diet. That's when the vet explained to Katie that Luca had to have been hit more than once, with literally all of Breck's force or with some other object, because the trauma was so extensive it could not have been from one single punch.

This story makes me sick to my stomach, I love my own dog more than anything in the world and I can't even imagine what Katie is going through. No animal deserves to be treated this way, and no human should be capable of hurting a defenseless animal to this extent. Breck was careless and insensitive. He needs help and his actions need to be accounted for. The pictures below show how much pain Luca has went through and how his life will be forever altered by one heartless person. Please pray for this sweet dog and his owner.

(Springfield News Leader - Feb 1, 2017)

Earlier:

• Missouri State Quarterback Breck Ruddick Allegedly Broke A Dog’s Jaw

Michigan: Unnamed high school student who, along with Tanner Coolsaet and Michael Roth, tortured and killed a defenseless guinea pig, pleads guilty

MICHIGAN -- The last of three young defendants charged in the death of a guinea pig in Grosse Ile admitted his role Tuesday.

The 17-year-old admitted to taking part during an incident last year involving members of the Grosse Ile High School lacrosse team. The admission was made during a hearing in Wayne County Juvenile Court.

The teen, who was 16 at the time, told Juvenile Referee Viola King he killed the animal, but under questioning from his attorney, David Steingold, he said he did it because he “saw the animal in pain.”

“My client is the person who ended the suffering,” Steingold told King. “My client was not the one who started (the suffering).”

WHY DIDN'T HE TELL SOMEONE OF THE PLAN TO BUY THE POOR ANIMAL AND DO THIS TO IT? WHY DIDN'T HE PICK UP THE GUINEA PIG AND RUN AWAY WITH IT? BUT OH HE'S THE HERO ACCORDING TO HIS PAID ATTORNEY.

As part of his plea, the charge of animal cruelty was dropped, but the charge of killing and torturing an animal will remain. The teen could have been jailed under a juvenile program until 19 if he had been found guilty of both the killing/torturing and cruelty charges.

The teen will have to do well in school, display no behavioral problems at home and perform community work at church and at the Grosse Ile animal shelter. Like his co-defendants, the teen must not have any unsupervised contact with animals not his own.

King set an April 24 court date for the teen, who is not being named because his case was handled in Juvenile Court, to update progress and possibly make a decision on whether the case will be permanently dismissed. The teen and his parents did not comment.

Last week, two other Grosse Ile teens received probation for THE TORTURE KILLING of the defenseless guinea pig.

Tanner Coolsaet, 18, received two years’ probation and his co-defendant Michael Roth, 17, received three years as part of a youth offenders program sentencing by Wayne County Circuit Judge David Groner.

The teens each were charged with two counts of killing/torturing an animal and conspiracy to kill/torture an animal, both felonies, for killing a guinea pig to bring them luck before a lacrosse match. The teens faced a maximum of four years in prison and a $5,000 fine for each count.

Groner noted the teens had no criminal records and were good students, but said he delayed the sentencing to make sure there were no “deep-seated issues” that needed to be addressed with the young defendants.

Both teens apologized and pledged to donate $1,000 each to the Michigan Humane Society.

During a preliminary examination in 33rd District Court in August, witnesses told a judge that Coolsaet and Roth said they wanted to kill the animal for luck in their next lacrosse game.

The defendants’ teammates testified Coolsaet, Roth and another player had arranged for a group of boys to meet at Grosse Ile High School around 11:30 a.m. April 30 to head over to a nearby beach.

The witnesses said a group wanted the animal to decide its own fate. The teens grouped into “live” and “kill” sides and placed the animal on a table where it crawled to the “kill” side of the table.

Roth allegedly hit the guinea pig with a small baseball bat and another teen stabbed the animal with a knife. Some of the teens, according to a witness, dipped their fingers in the animal’s blood and smeared it over their faces. Another one dipped his tongue in the dead animal’s blood.

(Detroit News - Jan 17, 2017)

Earlier:

• Michigan: High school lacrosse teammates Tanner Coolsaet, 18, and Michael Roth, 17, tortured a defenselss guinea pig to death
• Michigan: High school lacrosse teammates Tanner Coolsaet, 18, and Michael Roth, 17, to face trial in torture killing of guinea pig

Georgia: Cheerleading coach Stephanie Britt indicted on cruelty to animals charge

GEORGIA -- The viral video of the Cheer Savannah owner kicking her dog during a practice over the summer may have played a big part in a grand jury recently deciding to indict the woman.

Stephanie Britt is facing a misdemeanor charge of cruelty to animals, which carries a punishment of up to one year in jail and a $5,000 fine.

 

According to the court document, Britt was indicted for causing physical pain to an animal, dachshund canine named Charlie, by an unjustifiable act.

But realistically, how far do punishments go in animal abuse cases?

The director of the Coastal Pet Rescue, which serves Chatham, Effingham and Bryan counties says she's actually testified in about 20 animal abuse cases over the years. In all but one of those court cases, Lisa Scarbrough says the accused walked away with little more than a slap on the wrist.

Scarbrough says along with the act caught on cellphone video, the behavior modeled in front of the children in the gym that day is disappointing to her. She says while she doesn't have any expectations for Britt's case as it moves through the justice system, she is encouraged by the amount of social media attention.

 

 

"I think if nothing else, the best thing to come out of this is that we're finally seeing people having discussions about the treatment of animals in our community. Because I've been watching it for a lot of years, where people sat silently by.

"And for whatever reason, this catalyst just came out and it got people talking, on both sides of the issues, whether you are for or against, at least it's being acknowledged that this is a problem. And we do need to address it,” Scarbrough said.

I did check in with Cheer Savannah on Wednesday night, which was hosting its usual evening activities. Britt wasn't in.

Video from Liveleak:



"Here is Stephanie Britt, owner of "Cheer Savannah" in Savannah, GA, kicking her Dachshund in front of her cheer-leading students In the gym of a private school in Savannah, GA. Stephanie made a bizarre apology, where she said that it's not a big deal, because they regularly "punt" the dog while at home. She and her sympathizers reported every video on Facebook and YouTube to get them removed."

Note: If you can't see the video, here is the direct link.

(Tucson News Now - Jan 4, 2017)

Earlier:

• Georgia: Cheerleading coach Stephanie Britt videotaped kicking her little Dachshund; complains she's being cyber shamed

Georgia: Cheerleading coach Stephanie Britt videotaped kicking her little Dachshund; complains she's being cyber shamed

GEORGIA -- A video clip circulating online shows Cheer Savannah owner Stephanie Britt kick her dachshund out of the way during a practice event in August.

What spawned from possible resentment over youth sports snowballed into allegations of animal cruelty and fueled an international cyber shaming campaign.

  

 

 

The Chatham County District Attorney’s office has responded to a barrage of calls from outraged animal activists by launching an investigation into what happened to Britt’s dog, Charlie.

“We’re not just reviewing the video, we’re interviewing witnesses as well,” said DA’s office spokeswoman Kristin Fulford. “But the district attorney won’t make a decision on how she will proceed based on social media pressure. She makes her decisions based on evidence.”

Misdemeanor animal cruelty under Georgia law involves the death or unjustifiable physical pain and suffering of an animal.

Felony aggravated cruelty is considered a malicious act that causes an animal’s death or disfigurement.

Charlie, who [reportedly had] a complete veterinary examination, appears to be [OK].

Video from Liveleak:


"Here is Stephanie Britt, owner of "Cheer Savannah" in Savannah, GA, kicking her Dachshund in front of her cheer-leading students In the gym of a private school in Savannah, GA. Stephanie made a bizarre apology, where she said that it's not a big deal, because they regularly "punt" the dog while at home. She and her sympathizers reported every video on Facebook and YouTube to get them removed."

Note: If you can't see the video, here is the direct link.

(Savannah Now - Dec 10, 2016)

University of South Carolina-Lancaster baseball players Grant Bodison, 19, and Joshua Kiser, 19, tortured a cat to death. Dean Walt Collins says they've been "disciplined" but refuses to say what was done

SOUTH CAROLINA --Two Lancaster teens are accused of shooting and killing a cat, police say.

Lancaster police say USC-Lancaster college students Grant Payton Bodison, 19, from Simpsonville (SC) and Joshua Allen Kiser, 19, from Aiken (SC), took turns torturing and shooting a cat during a cookout at a home on John Everall Road on Sept. 10.

 

Do you see this? Josh Kiser is
MAJORING IN CRIMINAL JUSTICE!

Lancaster County deputies and animal control officers began investigating after receiving a tip through Crime Stoppers, according to Doug Barfield, a spokesman for the sheriff’s office.

According to the sheriff’s office incident report, the shootings happened between 4 and 6 p.m. Sept. 10 during a cookout at 1521 John Everall Road, a home shared by several members of the Lancers baseball team.

Police were told the cat had become a “nuisance” by rummaging through the garbage at the home.

So what? Keep a lid on your trash can. Call Animal control.

When the cat appeared during the cookout, Grant Bodison went and retrieved a BB gun owned by one of the home’s residents and shot twice at the cat, with at least one shot striking the cat in the forehead, the incident report said.

The report said students told investigators that after the cat was struck it began to “seize,” or “spaz,” rolling around on the ground in pain, after which Kiser took the BB gun and fired several more shots at it to “put it out of its misery.”

When that failed to kill the cat, the third student, who is also listed on the Lancers baseball roster as a player, jumped the porch railing and intervened.

“Some stated (he) attempted to strangle the cat at first, but the cat wouldn’t die, so he snapped its neck,” the incident report said.  

  

The cat's mutilated and broken body was then dumped in a shallow grave on the property [to hide evidence of the sadistic, depraved crime they'd just committed].

The cat’s body was recovered and brought to a vet, where it was x-rayed. Images showed two BBs in the cat’s body.

The University of South Carolina-Lancaster conducted a parallel investigation, as residents of the home were students at the university, police say.

 

They need to be expelled

DOES THE UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH CAROLINA-LANCASTER TAKE ANIMAL TORTURE AND CRUELTY SERIOUSLY?

USCL Dean Walt Collins confirmed in a brief statement that an incident did occur off campus and that, in addition to the law enforcement investigation, the university had looked into the matter on its own.

He said the students had been disciplined, but said federal student privacy laws prevented him from discussing any details of the incident or what measures had been taken.

“USC Lancaster expects all students to adhere to high standards in both academic and behavioral integrity,” Collins said.

Collins refused to discuss the students’ status with the baseball team. Both were listed on the team roster on the USCL website Sept. 15, the night The Lancaster News first inquired about the incident. The roster was no longer on the website Thursday.

Bodison was listed as No. 31, a freshman infielder and business major. Kiser was No. 26, a freshman pitcher and outfielder majoring in criminal justice.

IS THERE A VIDEO FLOATING AROUND OF THE TORTURE AND DEATH OF THIS CAT?

The report said the case came to light as a result of a CrimeStoppers tip to the Lancaster Police Department, which turned it over to the sheriff’s office.

The anonymous caller said they’d learned of the incident from a student who’d been upset by the incident.

In the message, the text of which was included in the incident report, the caller referred to the cat as a kitten and said it had been shot in the head 

“approximately 15 times.” 

The caller said a fourth player uploaded a video of the incident to Snapchat, in which several people could be heard laughing in the background and that he later showed it to members of the women’s soccer team.

The incident report said an animal control officer recovered the cat’s carcass, which had been buried in the woods near the house. He said an X-ray conducted as part of the investigation showed only two BBs in its body.

Barfield said investigators were unable to recover the video from the student’s phone.

“This was a senseless and unfortunate event,” said Sheriff Barry Faile. “I hope these young men learn something from the negative consequences that have and will result from this incident.”

Bodison and Kiser are charged Thursday morning with ill treatment of an animal.

Anyone with additional information is asked to call the Lancaster County Sheriff’s Office at 803-283-3388 or Crime Stoppers at 888-274-6372.

According to pet-abuse.com, animal abusers are five times more
likely to commit violent crimes than non-abusers and violent
childhood and adolescent offenders against animals are likely to
repeat the criminal behavior as they become adults. Studies have
shown that most serial killers tortured animals as children.

 

(WNCN - Sept 23, 2016)