(September 2017) Alabama: Anthony Thornton, 32, arrested and accused of shooting and killing his neighbor's Weimaraner named Bella

ALABAMA -- A family pet was shot and killed outside its home a few miles south of Dadeville, and the owners want to know why.

Dewayne Johnson stared at the fresh grave his son dug on the family property for their beloved member of the family named Bella.

Bella was a 9-year-old Weimaraner.

Even more difficult for Johnson is having to explain what happened to Bella and why to his 4-year-old granddaughter.

"And she wants to know if her dog is going to Heaven, and why do people have to be so mean," Johnson said.

Tallapoosa County investigators say 32-year-old Anthony Lee Thornton (aka Tony Thornton) shot and killed Bella on Deerpath Drive early Thursday morning.

We're told Thornton lived in a small home off and on and allegedly shot Bella from his front yard as she was running alongside the family car.

The dog’s owner, Jennifer Johnson, says Bella was following her mother-in-law to their house to pick up Johnson’s twins, when she says Thornton shot Bella in the back from across the road.

"She wouldn't hurt a flea," Johnson said.

The family says they are confused and heartbroken.

The Tallapoosa County Sheriff’s Office charged him with aggravated cruelty to animals, reckless endangerment and firing across a public road.

Tallapoosa County Sheriff Jimmy Abbett declined to say whether Anthony Lee Thornton confessed to the crime. We do know, however, he posted his $35,000 bail Friday morning.

No one answered the door at the home on Deerpath Drive. Thornton reportedly told the court he intends to hire his own attorney. No word on who that might be.

Dewayne Johnson says his son had no choice but to put Bella down because she had no chance of surviving the initial gunshot wound.

If convicted on the charges, Anthony Lee Thornton could get a minimum of one year in prison on the animal cruelty charge and up to 12 months in jail on the remaining charges.

(WSFA - Sept 29, 2017)

Ohio: Things get weird regarding Pete Byers, the owner of the Weimaraner and Doberman shot and killed by Mike Chedester

OHIO -- When the story originally came out, that Michael Chedester had allegedly shot and killed Pete Byers' two dogs, everyone was outraged at the callous act.

However, questions concerning the GoFundMe page set up for Byers and also an alleged appearance on a courtroom TV show has people getting more irate. 

First, Minerva O'Gobhann who says she is Byers' sister, set up a GoFundMe page asking for donations. Donations for what? These dogs were shot and killed; there are no vet bills needing to be paid.

"Funds will be used for the following:

➤ Costs regarding the prosecution of Mr. Michael Chedester

What? There are government employees called prosecutors who do this. There is no attorney needing to be hired because the state of Ohio is footing the bill. 

➤ Adoption fees related to a new companion for Pete

As others have pointed out, in video interviews, it's clear that Byers currently owns multiple dogs. 

➤ Vet bills related to a new companion: spay/neuter, shots, checkups, etc.

➤ Basic supplies for the care of a puppy: toys, bedding, puppy chow, etc."

These last two things are just ridiculous. However, it's not a crime to shamelessly post a GoFundMe and beg for money. And if people want to give him money to buy dog toys, that's their choice. 

I remember a woman who'd been charged with child neglect after leaving her young children in a hot car while she supposedly went to a job interview. People donated more than $100,000. She was supposed to have put half of it away for her children's future college funds, but she spent ALL of it. She went shopping, partied, got her boyfriend a music studio for his rap career, etc. Some people were outraged; others said it was her money to do what she wanted and when you donate to something you shouldn't have any expections. 

I feel sorry for Mr. Byers, but he doesn't need this money. There are many more deserving GoFundMe accounts that have been set up for people who are really dealing with financial catastrophes, such as Mr. Willie Nelson, who was nearly killed by his pit bull or for Tina Pounds, who was mauled by a pit bull while protecting her grandson.or for Farley, the little Corgi attacked and mauled by another dog. 

 

AND IT GETS WEIRDER...

Several people are now also posting their outrage at Byer's tears over his dead dogs when it's alleged that he shot and killed five dogs last year. They say this is him in this screenshot from the TV show "Hot Bench", which is similar to "Judge Judy". Civil cases are heard in front of a judge and the two parties agree to appear and abide by the judge's decision.

Is it him? I don't know. Remember that old website called "guys who look like kenny rogers"? There were literally 100s of guys who looked just like Kenny Rogers. This guy's white, has a goatee/beard and ponytail. Who knows?

VIDEO CLIP FROM SHOW When Pit Bulls suffer bullet wounds, a neighbor confesses  that he shot a rifle at them but that it was the dog’s owner  who caused the injuries.

Earlier:

• Ohio: Hunter Michael Chedester facing charges after two dogs found dead

Ohio: Hunter Michael Chedester facing charges after two dogs found dead

OHIO -- Pete Byers says he was preparing to take his dogs and his tools on a work trip to Pittsburgh when his two beloved companions, Bella and Emmy, disappeared.

"I turned around to lock that gate. I turned around my dogs were gone," Byers said. “And it’s the opening day of gun season so I’m like dying inside. I’m scared to death."

Byers says an hours-long search began. He enlisted the help of friends and neighbors and used four-wheelers, all the while calling for his pets.

Byers says hunters reported hearing shots and a dog yelp, but eventually a trail of tracks allegedly led to Michael Chedester's tree stand some 800 yards away.

“I asked him, did you kill my dogs man, I want to know so I can bury them. Meanwhile he keeps eyeing this new brush pile. That’s new and fresh," Byers said. “Then he kind of looks down his nose at me and says ‘yeah, I killed your dogs. You want me to buy you two new ones? I'll buy you two new dogs."

 

The owner of the dogs took a photo with Chedester for
proof that he was out there with him.

 

“I asked him where are they and he looks at me like I’m confused and he points right there to my brush pile. And there's Emmy's paw, sticking out from the logs,” Byers said.

Byers notified authorities and a Belmont County sheriff deputy was called to interview Byers and the suspect, Michael Chedester (aka Mike Chedester).

“All that was taken, put in a very thorough report and forwarded to the prosecuting attorney," said Sheriff Dave Lucas.

 

Prosecutor Dan Fry says two felony charges of prohibitions concerning companion animals will be filed against 59-year-old Chedester, of St. Clairsville.

PETE BYERS, THE OWNER OF THE DOGS:

I would like to thank Mike Chedester of St. Clairsville, for murdering the only things in this world which I had left to love. I have had really tough time with life since Kat left me this July. Those dogs he killed where my best friends,

my buddys , my foot warmers and my companions. I loved those dogs with all my heart. I don't know how you didn't hear me screaming for them from every hilltop in the valley, especially when you where 300 yards from one place I yelled. I think worst of all Mike, you kept their collars as a trophy. I know the temptation is very strong, but please stop DOXing him.

#JusticeforEmmyandBella should come through legal means, not illegal ones

FROM FACEBOOK:

Today is a sad day. Today my brother's dogs, Bella and Emmy, died. They got out and went running, and a man who was hunting deer that day saw them. He hadn't gotten any deer, and admitted he knew they were dogs... But as he told the Sheriff, he just "wanted to kill something". He then got out of his deer stand and removed their collars to keep for trophies. Trophies. His name is Michael A. Chedester and he works for AEP Ohio.

The offenses stem from the newly-imposed Goddard's Law, which only went into effect in Ohio on September 13 of this year. The law makes it a fifth degree felony to knowingly cause serious physical harm to a companion animal, such as pets or domestic creatures.

Meanwhile, the Byers family and friends are remembering five-year-old Emmy, a Weimaraner and six-year-old Bella, a Doberman.

“They were just really good friends, unconditional love all the time," Byers said.

Those two felony charges won't officially be filed until Wednesday morning. Chedester will then be summoned to court for a hearing.

If convicted, Chedester could be sentenced to the maximum of 12 months on each count or 24 months consecutively.

 

 

Petition: "Justice for Emmy and Bella -- Public Demands Maximum Sentence for Mike Chedester"

(WTOV - Nov 29, 2016)

Pennsylvania: Tanis Custody Battle for Dogs Back in Court

PENNSYLVANIA -- A man convicted of animal cruelty will not get all his dogs back after all.

John Tanis, 67, had 30 dogs taken from his property in 2014.  He went to court on Friday, to fight for his ownership.

 

Back in November 2012, Tanis had five emaciated Weimaraners removed from his home and he was charged with five counts of animal cruelty.

He said earlier this year he'd give up custody  for $100,000 dollars.

Today, the court ruled that the five malnourished dogs taken from Tanis will go up for adoption.

 

Tracey's Hope Animal Rescue officials say they held a silent vigil this morning, before his hearing.

There will be an another adoption hearing to determine what to do with the other 25 dogs taken from Tanis, that weren't part of the animal cruelty case.

Tanis dresses like this because he founded
the Saints of Beersheba International
Reformed Church in 2011.

(PA Homepage - Aug 5, 2016)

Earlier:

• Moosic man charged with animal abuses waives preliminary hearing
• Pennsylvania: John Tanis Sentenced For Animal Cruelty

City asks judge to enforce settlement with owner of dog killed by police

UTAH -- Salt Lake City has asked a federal judge to enforce a prior settlement agreement with the owner of a dog shot and killed by police — an agreement the owner later rejected.

Attorneys for the city filed a counterclaim in federal court this week against Sean Kendall, the owner of Geist, a 2-year-old Weimaraner, contending that he and his prior attorney had accepted a $10,000 settlement and he needs to honor that.

In June of 2014, Salt Lake police were looking for a missing 3-year-old boy. Officer Brett Olsen went into a fenced backyard at 2465 S. 1500 East while conducting a yard-to-yard search. There, he was confronted by Geist. The confrontation resulted in Olsen shooting and killing Geist.

The shooting sparked outrage from residents and animal advocates across the nation.

A civilian review board cleared Olsen of any wrongdoing. But Kendall filed a civil rights lawsuit, contending that Olsen and other officers were negligent in their search by failing to thoroughly check the 3-year-old boy's home, where he was later found asleep in the basement.

Kendall also equated raising Geist to being a parent. He said the dog had at least 10 more years of life left.

In July of 2014, Brett Boulton, the attorney representing Sean Kendall, reached a settlement with the city regarding his client's lawsuit, according to court documents. But a few days later, Kendall said he would not accept the agreement. He has since switched attorneys and is now represented by former Salt Lake City Mayor Rocky Anderson.

In October, Kendall filed a civil rights lawsuit in 3rd District Court seeking a jury trial to consider $1.5 million in special damages and $500,000 in punitive damages from Olsen and Salt Lake Police Lt. Brian Purvis.

Earlier this month, the case was transferred to federal court.

"Kendall has filed a complaint against Salt Lake City and its employees for claims relating to the shooting of his dog Geist and is seeking damages in excess of $1.5 million for the shooting of his dog, despite his agreement to resolve all claims relating to that event for $10,000. The city seeks enforcement of the settlement agreement," attorneys for the city wrote in their counterclaim filed in federal court on Tuesday.

The city admits that Olsen entered the yard and shot Geist but denies many of the other allegations made in Kendall's suit.

(Deseret News - Dec 17, 2015)

Dogs rescued from Crenshaw Co. after horrific abuse, neglect

ALABAMA -- Three dogs found injured and starving on the streets of Crenshaw County are now being cared for by a well-known animal rescue group in New York. Veterinarians in New York City believe one of the animals was sexually abused.

Animal Tails Rescue in Crenshaw County rushed three dogs, a Weimaraner and two pit bulls, to Rescue Dogs Rock, a New York City-based group that specializes in animal abuse, neglect and cruelty cases.

The dogs were located in different places throughout Crenshaw County in terrible condition and were transported to the northeast this past weekend for specialized care.

"We try to respond as quickly as we can to emergency cases as we get them in," said Sandra Kilpatrick, co-founder of Animal Tails Rescue. "They were definitely horrifying. They were from all different areas of the county. They had medical needs that were very severe."

Animal Tails Rescue worked with Rescue Dogs Rock NYC in the past in other situations involving severely neglected animals.

"I knew if they could possibly help us they would and thank goodness they did. We didn't have the funds to do what needed to be done to them and Rescue Dogs Rock did," Kilpatrick added.

One dog, a pit bull mix named Peaches, was raped, according to Rescue Dogs Rock NYC’s vets. Stacey Silverstein, one of the founders from Rescue Dogs Rock NYC, relayed the information over the phone Monday.

Authorities believe this dog was sexually abused

There are conflicting opinions on the dog's injuries, however. Kim Thiem with the Crenshaw County Animal Society said Peaches was treated by a local veterinarian who found no signs of tearing or sexual assault.

Rescue Dogs Rocks NYC posted pictures of Peaches and her injuries to their Facebook page, stating: "It's horrific to think of the pain this poor puppy was forced to endure... Peaches has suffered more than any living being should, yet, of course, remains sweet and gentle."

The group also received Amelia, a Weimaraner, with a large leg wound and other injuries and scars all over her body. Rescuers believe she could have been used as a bait dog in a dog fighting operation.

“Amelia's wound is no prettier up close & personal. It is just disgusting, open, infected & appallingly huge. We cannot imagine how this happened,” Rescue Dogs Rock posted on their Facebook page.

 

Glenda, a pit bull, was also transferred from Crenshaw County to New York with mastitis, a bacterial infection in the milk ducts of female dogs. Rescuers say she is in the worst shape, emaciated and suffering from ruptured mammary tumors.

Silverstein says Rescue Dogs Rock NYC takes “the worst of the worst cases” of animal brutality from across the country and she called the most recent cases from Crenshaw County “severe.”
She stressed that the dogs are receiving all necessary medical treatment and will be brought to full health. Her group will work to find each of them forever homes.

“They fell into the right hands. They’re going to be well taken care of,” she said.

The care and rehabilitation for Peaches, Glenda and Amelia will cost thousands of dollars and anyone interested in donating can do so by clicking here.

"These are three of the worst cases that any of us have ever seen," said Jessica Evans with Animal Tails Rescue. "It's just heartbreaking and it's why we do what we do because they don't have a voice and without us, they're going to end up dead on the street and go through suffering that is not fair."

Since April, Animal Tails Rescue has transported more than 100 dogs out of Crenshaw County that have been abused, abandoned, starved, etc. Members of the group say what Peaches, Amelia and Glenda are enduring sheds light on the ongoing problems in the area with neglect and mistreatment of animals.

Crenshaw County does not have a shelter. Volunteers have been helping foster animals but the situation has reached a critical point.

"We have a stray issue in this county and because there are so many strays, many of them are being thrown off on the side of the road to fend for themselves and they can't. They wind up starving. They wind up killing animals for food. They wind up being feral and wild and it's hard for those animals," Kilpatrick said.

On Monday night, the organization received promising news in their fight to establish a privately-run animal refuge in the county. An anonymous donor's bid to purchase a county-owned building was accepted by the commission and the facility will be used for Animal Tails Rescue's operations once it is up and running.

"We're hoping that with the ongoing support of the community and other areas of the state, that we can finally have a place for these animals in Crenshaw County to go when they need help," Kilpatrick added.

The group plans to report the cases involving Peaches, Amelia and Glenda to authorities but their primary focus was saving the dogs’ lives and getting them off the streets and seeing they received immediate medical attention.

Anyone with information is asked to call the Crenshaw County Sheriff’s Office.

To donate to Animal Tails Rescue and their ongoing efforts, click here.

(Fox Carolina - Sept 29, 2015)

Oklahoma: Kevin Lantz moved out and abandoned his six pets inside a home full of feces, trash and no air conditioning, say police

OKLAHOMA -- A man is out on bond after police say he left five dogs and a cat locked inside a home with no food, water, or air conditioning.

All the animals are said to be neglected, but fortunately for the animals, they appear to have no immediate medical problems.

"While there, I could see a gray Weimaraner dog roaming the residence. A cat was locked in a SE bedroom.  There was a lot of feces and miscellaneous junk scattered throughout the main living area," Animal Control Officer Peggy Larson said in an incident report. 

Sergeant Lanier found a window unlocked and opened it. Larson took custody of the cat and the dog, who was reported as skinny, dehydrated and covered in ticks. 

Two more dogs were recovered inside the residence. The first was a black and white Chihuahua, who was reported as extremely thin and covered in ticks. The second was was a small brown dog, also very thin.

Pictures show what an animal control officer found earlier this week.

 

“Once inside, they found two dogs locked in the bathroom, two dogs locked in the garage, one dog roaming free and one cat,” Scott said.

A police report says there was feces, trash, and junk in every room of the house.

“There were water containers and food containers, but no actual water or food for the animals,” Scott said.

  

    

  

  

  

One officer said some rooms had up to 4 inches of trash and feces piled up.

“If you don’t know what to do with the animal, call some rescues and shelter, find something proper to do with them,” Scott says.

A neighbor said a man, Kevin Lantz, had been feeding the dogs, but he had not seen Lantz in several weeks. The neighbor said he believed Lantz worked at Taco Mayo. 

When Sergeant Lanier made contact with Lantz by phone, Lantz said he used to live at the residence but had moved to an apartment where he was unable to take his dogs. 

Lantz said the utilities had been shut off about six months ago. Lantz said he had been throwing food on the floor and water inside pots for the dogs. He admitted to locking dogs in the bathroom and in the garage. 


According to the incident report, he also stated, "I know the dogs should've been taken out, but I was caught up with work." 

The animals are now at the Tuttle Animal Shelter, but appear to be free of medical problems.

“They’re helpless, they’re locked in a house, they can’t get out, they can’t turn on a faucet, they can’t order a pizza… like an infant, they can’t provide for themselves,” Scott says.

 

 

 

Now they’re left to wait, hoping to find their forever home.

Lantz is out on bond tonight. He’s charged with animal cruelty.

(KFOR - June 9, 2015)