Arizona: Two Huskies get loose, go on rampage in neighborhood attacking and killing every pet they can catch. Animal Control hands them back to their owner

ARIZONA -- Two Siberian Huskies who attacked three dogs and a cat Monday morning, killing three of them, were released to their owner overnight until town attorneys were sure they had standing to seize them.

Sahuarita Animal Control Officer Andrew Vargas seized the dogs around 2 p.m. Tuesday after he was given the OK, Sahuarita Police Lt. Sam Almodova said.

Sahuarita police received a call about 9:40 a.m. Monday about two Siberian Huskies running wild and jumping into backyards in the 14000 block of Camino El Foso in central Rancho Sahuarita, Almodova said.

“Once the officers and animal control officer got in the area, a resident flagged them down and said the dogs were in his backyard,” Almodova said. “The dogs were friendly toward our animal control officer and they were able to be captured.”

This means they're extremely animal aggressive with an inherent prey drive that cannot be 'fixed'. There are many dogs, including Pit Bulls, that don't necessarily select humans to attack but if they get in the way of them trying to kill another animal, that human will also be attacked. Their desire to attack and kill overrides anything any owner can do - except never let it around other animals. Most owners are too lazy to ensure the safety of others. 

A short time later, Almodova said police received another call indicating two poodles and a cat had been attacked and killed earlier. 

Officers determined the Huskies were responsible for jumping into other people's fenced yards, chasing, attacking and killing the animals.

Demetrius Kavathas, 30, was cited on two counts each of Prohibited Acts for the bites, vaccinations required, license required and dogs at large, police said.

The dogs were taken to the Humane Society of Southern Arizona on Monday then released to an owner before the end of the day, Almodova said.

When property is seized, the town wants to ensure they are on solid legal footing, so the decision was made to allow the Huskies’ owner to retrieve the dogs while attorneys reviewed the case, Almodova said.

“This was the first incident we’ve had in town (under new policies) and it’s taken a while to make sure no one’s rights were being violated and that we’ve done everything correctly,” Almodova said Tuesday afternoon.

Babies and Huskies do NOT mix

Sahuarita signed a three-year contract with the Humane Society of Southern Arizona last year to shelter animals, and hired Vargas as the town’s first animal control officer. It severed ties with Pima County last May, citing soaring costs.

A hearing to determine the dogs’ fate will be held before the town magistrate in coming days, Almodova said. The owner can pay a bond of $500 for each dog to retrieve them before that.

WHY AREN'T THEY BEING EUTHANIZED???

On Monday, Kavathas had to have the dogs vaccinated and licensed to keep them, the lieutenant said.

A woman who answered the door at the Kavathas home declined to speak with a reporter Tuesday morning.

Likely, the "woman who answered the door" is Adrianna Kavathas, wife and co-owner of the killer dogs.

Hearing screams

Nadia Pischanski was sound asleep when she was awakened by her mother’s screams on Monday.

She discovered two Siberian Huskies in her backyard on Camino El Foso. The dogs were on either side of her dog, Tigre, tugging on the Chow/Husky mix’s ears, she said.

Pischanski grabbed a broom and joined her mom in screaming at the dogs. The dogs would retreat for a few seconds only to return to harass Tigre, who is 14.

“We kept protecting our dog,” Pischanski said. “We’d take turns yelling at them. My mom protected him while I called 911.”

Eventually, the dogs wandered out of her view, she said. She soon overheard a neighbor speaking to police. After several minutes, she flagged down the officers as they were leaving to tell them her dog had been injured. Tigre had a puncture wound on his head.

On Tuesday morning, Pischanski said Tigre appeared exhausted from the ordeal.

“He can barely walk,” she said.

While speaking with the officers, Pischanski said she learned the Huskies are suspected of killing the poodles and a cat.

“When I went to bed (Monday night) I could hear horrible noises, but I thought my dog had killed a bird,” she said. “I didn’t go out because I didn’t want to see that.”

(Sahuarita Sun - March 6, 2018)

California: Dachshund mix mauled to death by Pit Bull mix and Mastiff at Vinewood Dog Park

CALIFORNIA -- When Lodi’s Rebecca Knowles decided to take her two dogs Luna and Honey to Vinewood Dog Park for some fun in the sun Tuesday morning, she never imagined that Honey, a dachshund mix, would not be coming home with her.

While at the park, her dog was viciously attacked and mauled to death by two other larger dogs (described as a Pit Bull mix and a Mastiff).

Knowles is devastated by the loss of Honey and still coming to terms with what happened that day. The dog was like a member of the family.

“She wasn’t just my dog. She was our family dog,” Knowles said.

She had Honey for about six years and had purchased her for her eldest son who was 2 years old at the time. Now 8, Knowles said her son took the news better than expected, although she didn’t reveal the details of Honey’s death.

“He cried a little. He asked me what happened but I don’t think that’s something that you tell an 8 year old,” Knowles said. “I know it’s hard for him because he would sleep with her at night, but he’s doing a lot better than what I expected him to do.”

Knowles’ two other children are younger and don’t really understand what’s going on. Knowles said Honey helped her get through some very difficult times in her life, including a stint when she was homeless.

“She was always right there. Every day when I’d get off work, I was staying at a hotel, I would come home and go to my little room and she would just be right there waiting for me,” she said.

Knowles has considered getting another dog to cope with the loss but feels that Honey is just simply irreplaceable.

On Tuesday, Knowles, along with her sister and mother, were in the process of leaving the park when Honey was approached by a pit bull mix and black bull mastiff, Knowles said.

The two dogs immediately began mauling Honey, Knowles said, dragging her into the grass.

“I wanted to get her out of the dog’s mouth so bad, but I couldn’t. Nobody would help me. I was blacking out. It was just a blur,” Knowles recalled tearfully. 

“I just remember the dog grabbing my dog’s neck, and I just thought to myself, ‘I just hope she knows that I tried my best.’”

According to Knowles, the woman tending to the dogs that mauled Honey never stepped in to help and never called their names or even tried to grab their leashes.

“She just stood there and watched. The dogs she was pet-sitting just ripped my dog’s neck open,” Knowles said.

Knowles, along with her sister and her mother, desperately tried to pull dogs off of Honey while screaming for help. Knowles’ mother even sustained bites on her hands trying to pry Honey from the dogs.

“Her fingers were just cut up everywhere,” Knowles said. “I shoved my hand in the dogs’ mouth, and my sister was trying to punch them and kick them. In my head I’m like ‘I don’t want to go to jail if I hurt these dogs but they’re killing my dog. What do I do, how far can I take it?’”

According to Lodi Animal Service Officer Jordan Kranich, he was called to the park between 11:30 and 11:40 a.m. on Tuesday morning, and by the time he arrived the dogs were already separated. The attacking dogs had been placed in the dog sitter’s vehicle.

After receiving witness statements, Kranich took pictures of Honey and the two other dogs for evidence, before placing both of the dogs on quarantine and informing the dog owner of the incident.

Honey’s body is currently at the animal shelter awaiting cremation, Kranich said.

“I’m going to get an urn,” Knowles said. “Her birthday is April 11 which is on a Wednesday. I want to keep her ashes. I want to have her with me.”

The dogs that attacked Honey will remain in quarantine for 10 days. After that, If they show no signs of rabies they will be released at the owner’s expense. The owner will have to pay $100 per dog. If the owner does not pick up the dogs within five days of their release, they will be humanely euthanized.

The owner was also cited for not having a current license for rabies on her dogs. The dogs received a strike against them for being aggressive and if another incident happens within a year the dogs could be deemed dangerous, asked to leave the City of Lodi or humanely euthanized.

Kranich said the dog sitter will likely be liable for the attack but the dog owner may be held liable as well.

According to Kranich, the owner of the dogs informed him that she used an online company to get a dog sitter. She alleged that the person watching her dogs told her that the dogs would be staying at a ranch. She did not give the sitter permission to take the dogs to the dog park.

“That park is play at your own risk, and it is an off-leash park,” Kranich said. “You kind of take the risk if you’re going down there and allowing your dogs to run free that there may be a possibility they can get into a fight.”

Kranich said such incidents are rare and that it’s the first time he’s witnessed an attack that led to a death at the park.

Knowles said she has not been in contact with the owner of the dogs because she was advised that is was best not to contact her.

“There’s just so many things that are wrong with the picture, and I’m definitely looking to get justice,” Knowles said.

In the aftermath of the incident, Parks and Recreation Director Jeff Hoods said he plans to seek direction from the Parks and Recreation Commission about the possibility of establishing designated areas for small and larger dogs.

He said he recommends people not bring their dogs to the dog park if they are not friendly.

(Lodi News - March 9, 2018)

Florida: Woman pushing to change laws after owner of dogs which attacked and mauled her Yorkiepoo to death is fined just $27.50 - and allowed to keep his killer dogs

FLORIDA -- Seminole County officials seek to strengthen penalties against people whose aggressive pets attack other animals.

A Casselberry woman, whose dog was killed last year by unleashed dogs, said she welcomes the proposed changes to the current penalty, which is less than $30.

Donna Syracuse said she still thinks of the Sunday evening in November, when two large dogs charged at her 7-pound Yorkipoo, Reese.

"The pain of it -- it's just like a hole in my heart," she said. "The one just came at Reese and grabbed her and shook her and just kept shaking her. At one point, I went to grab Reese and she bit me."

The injured dog died on the way to an animal clinic.

"I still cry when I look at her pictures. She was my constant companion," Syracuse said. "She was full of love and full of life."

Syracuse said the punishment for the dogs' owner was also devastating.

"It was almost embarrassing," she said. "I mean, for a first offense, it was $27.50."

She and her wife joined their neighbors in launching an online petition, which caused Casselberry officials to meet with representatives from Seminole County Animal Services.

A plan for an ordinance proposal was created three months later. Seminole County officials received approval for a draft last week.

The county said that although it's still sorting out the specifics, it's committed to stiffening fines and penalties for irresponsible owners of aggressive pets who attack other pets.

Officials continue to study enforcement tactics in other counties to customize a plan for Seminole County.

"If her death was going to do anything, at least it would have some meaning -- that it would be able to hopefully prevent others from having to go through the pain that we had to go through and still go through," Syracuse said.

The city of Casselberry plans to hold a meeting Wednesday to discuss the proposal.

The county said it hopes to have the proposal ready by the end of March.

(WFTV - March 6, 2018)

Earlier:

• Florida: After their small dog is mauled to death, family starts petition to make city do something about vicious dogs

Canada: Family says American Bulldogs that mauled little boy had previously mauled their dog to death - and that nothing was done it

CANADA -- A Wallaceburg family is feeling a number of different feelings after hearing that a little boy in their neighbourhood was attacked by two American Bulldogs, because they say the two dogs have attacked before.

AMERICAN BULLDOGS HAD KILLED BEFORE
Nick and Lisa Persyn say their dog Jordan, a Jack Russell / Labrador Retriever was also attacked by the same two American Bulldogs in October of last year, and later died from his injuries three weeks later. 

They say they want changes in the way dog attacks are reported and addressed so that incidents don't happen over and over again.

The condition of a three-year-old Wallaceburg boy Tucker Marcolin, who was attacked by two dogs on Monday, is improving as he remains in a Michigan hospital.

Marcolin, 3, was attacked by a dog while sledding at Wallaceburg's Jaycee Park down the street from his house with his babysitter and six-year-old brother.

Police said two dogs escaped from their home and attacked the three-year-old child around 5 p.m.

PRIOR ATTACK RESULTING IN DEATH
The incident with the Persyns happened at Jaycee Park as well. They took their dog and their two-year-old daughter to the park on Oct. 20.

While at the park, two dogs, who they say were unattended, charged at Jordan.

“They got Jordan on one side of the neck and the other dog came around the other side of me and got him on the other side of his neck,” said Lisa Persyn. She tried to kick the dogs off of her dog, but they wouldn't stop them.

JORDAN WAS MAULED TO DEATH BY THE AMERICAN BULLDOGS

“They just had this growl and this determination that this is what they were going to do and they were going to tear him apart,” Lisa Persyn said.

Nick Persyn, a mountain of a man at almost six-foot-eight, covered up his dog to prevent it from being attacked.

“The dogs were jumping on me and over me and trying to get in wherever they can to bite him,” Nick Persyn said.

The Persyns said the attack went on for almost 15 minutes.

“They were just relentless. It was the most vicious thing,” Persyn said.

JORDAN SUFFERED THREE WEEKS BEFORE FINALLY DYING
They say up to the incident their dog was doing well for an older dog, but that  Jordan wasn't same after the attack. He had been hurt pretty badly and wasn't eating after the incident. He kept on getting sick. Jordan developed bleeding stomach ulcers and died three weeks after the attack.

The incident haunts the Persyns.

The Persyns said they wanted something done about the dogs. They warned neighbours and contacted Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR). Lisa Persyn credited PAWR for following up on the incident, and said they were working on the file, but said more should've been done.

“Those dogs should've been euthanized,” Lisa Persyn said. “These dogs were out for blood, this was different, this wasn't just a little nip.... If he (Nick) wasn't there (Jordan) would've been done right there.”

The incident also left the Persyns with a $1,000 veterinary bill.

After hearing about the incident with Tucker Marcolin on Monday, they said their hearts broke after hearing from neighbours that the dogs attacked again, this time a little boy.

The Persyns said there was feelings of guilt that they didn't get the job done in pushing for action against the dogs. They said they felt flustered.

“Something needs to be done or changed, so that an attack at that level things have to happen more than a slap on the wrist,” Lisa Persyn said.

Three year-old Tucker Marcolin

They said the dogs have terrorized the neighbourhood in the past, the Persyns said, prior to the two attacks.

The Courier Press attempted to get a comment via social media from the woman who neighbours say owns the dogs, but she hasn't yet responded.

During Monday's incident a man and woman visiting family on Larkwood Street immediately ran to the park to help the young boy and babysitter, police said.

Tucker's six-year-old brother ran to safety and the injured boy was carried from the scene to a home as 911 was called, police said. The babysitter, who sustained non-life threatening injuries, was treated and released from hospital.

The injured boy was taken to the Sydenham Campus of the Chatham-Kent Health Alliance and was later transferred to a Michigan hospital for further medical treatment.

The dogs were identified and seized by Pet and Animal Wildlife Rescue and are currently in quarantine.

The community has rallied around the boy, as a GoFundMe set up on Tuesday, has raised over $18,000 in just under 24 hours. The goal for the campaign was $2,500 and that figure was surpassed in the first hour of the campaign.

In an update on the page, it said Tucker has had a few surgeries, and things are looking up.

“Tucker "The Tank" is a strong little boy who will get through this, he is currently in Detroit and will be there for over a week while he is monitored 24/7 healing,” they wrote in an update.

In an update on the GoFundMe page, it said it's expected that Tucker will make a full recovery. The GoFundMe page said Tucker had lots of stitches on his face and leg.

The money raised is aimed at helping the family with travel costs and the lost time from work for the parents.

Police continue to seek information from the public as the investigation into the incident continues.

Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Const. Ed Vannoord at edmondv@chatham-kent.ca or at 519-436-6600 ext. 8668. Anonymous calls can also be made to Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

(Chatham Daily News CA - February 8, 2018)

Kentucky: Pit Bull and Boxer mix attack man walking his puppy

KENTUCKY -- John Dallas‎ posted on Facebook to Hillview Neighborhood Watch and Happenings, January 30 at 8:34pm ·

I was walking down Hillview blvd today with my puppy and was attacked by a pit bull and a boxer, they grabbed my puppy by the neck and begin to violently shake her by her throat.

I was able to get her out of the pit bulls mouth in time before any serious damage could be done to the puppy. In the process of getting her to safety in my arms my hand was bit by the pit bull.

I’m not angry and me and puppy are both okay but if these were your dogs please get them under control and try to make sure this doesn’t happen again. I’m not sure that if this was a child that was attacked they would be alive

Julie Schneider - Were these the dogs?

John Dallas - I saw this picture earlier and I believe they may have been, though they did have collars on.

John Dallas - It all happened so fast and I was slightly shocked that I didn’t get the best picture in my mind, but I believe it could have potentially been these pups

Julie Schneider - I hope their owners get them quick so no one else gets attacked... I wish Bullitt County had an animal control... I was in a similar situation last year but stuck in between the county lines...two police departments and animal control all playing "hot potato"

John Dallas - Julie Schneider, Eh, it’s okay, I’m not mad about it at all. I understand these things happen with animals. I’ve been on both sides. I had boxers at one point that actually took another dogs life when they got out one time but were not aggressive towards humans and they were taken from me because of it. So I understand accidents happen, it can happen to anyone.

Kaelin Daugherty - Julie Schneider, bullitt county does have an animal control . Angie Webb-Greenup is director and you can call her at 543-8686. Or after hours you can call non emergency or in your case emergency and they will send someone to your location to try and contain dogs.

Connecticut: Jessica DePaolis had 19 dogs in her home; she's been arrested after an English Bulldog went on the attack

CONNECTICUT -- Police and firefighters had to pull off a dramatic rescue of two children and their aunt in October after their English Bulldog began attacking them, an arrest warrant said.

Now the owner of the bulldog, who had 20 dogs in her Fairview Street home, is facing charges including animal cruelty, risk of injury and reckless endangerment, as well as charges related to a Monday incident.

Police officers were called to 62 Fairview St., the home of Jessica DePaolis, on Oct. 23 after receiving a 911 call reporting that an English bulldog was attacking people and other dogs.

Officers found four people injured, including DePaolis’ 7- and 13-year-old children, her aunt and a neighbor who was trying to help.

The children and the aunt were hiding from the bulldog, which had just killed a Chihuahua, in a first-floor bedroom.

A fire department ladder had to be used to get the three out of the house.

DePaolis’s 7-year-old son’s injuries were so severe that he needed surgery, police said.

The Chihuahua killed by the bulldog had recently given birth to three puppies which were two weeks old, an arrest warrant said.

Officers found 20 dogs, including the male bulldog, which had gone on a rampage after DePaolis left for her job in New York that morning.

A judge agreed in November to give custody of the remaining 19 dogs to the city.

While responding to a domestic violence incident Monday, police served DePaolis with an arrest warrant charging her with 19 counts of animal cruelty, reckless endangerment and risk of injury to a child in connection with the October incident.

In connection with Monday’s incident, details of which are not being released, she has been charged with third-degree assault, disorderly conduct and risk of injury to a child, Lt. Jeanette Portalatin said.

This building has two addresses: 62 Fairview and 

64 Fairview. She had 20 dogs stuffed into this duplex.

DePaolis was released on $35,000 bond after her arraignment in New Britain Superior Court Tuesday.

In October, the dogs were living in what were described as squalid conditions, with feces and urine on the floor and in their cages. All had fleas, and some had other medical issues. At least one dog was emaciated, police said.

She had previously been cited for illegal breeding in March, police said.

DePaolis had nine Chihuahua puppies of varying ages, five adult bulldogs and six adult Chihuahuas living in the house.

The puppies that had lost their mother were given immediately to Monkey Pack Rescue, where they had to be bottle-fed every few hours, said Police Sgt. Paula Keller, who heads the city’s Animal Control Division.

The other six puppies and two of the adult Chihuahuas were also placed with the rescue organization, which is working on getting them vaccinated and spayed or neutered before they are placed in good homes. The bulldogs were also slated for adoption, Keller said in November.

She's been churning out puppies for years.

(NBC Connecticut -January 24, 2018)

Earlier:

• Connecticut: City given custody of dogs seized from breeder Jessica DePaolis

Washington: Woman attacked by Pit Bull wants to believe the dog was somehow "traumatized" or "outright trained to be aggressive"

WASHINGTON -- Kristi Hein posted on the Facebook group page Paying Till It Hurts January 12, 2018 at 2:14am

Yesterday I was attacked by a dog. I'm OK -- I was just damn lucky that it sank its teeth into my loose sweatpants and tore a fist-size hole, its teeth only barely scraping my leg (no punctures; drawing just a little blood).

A woman had the dog on a leash -- big dog, looked rather scary -- I was walking by, 10 feet away, and trying to expand the distance, when without warning he began barking furiously and lunged, dragging her after him, to bite my leg. She was yelling "Bad" and No!" and swatting his nose and dragged him away. If she had lost hold of the leash, I would have been maimed or dead. (This realization is as frightening as the attack, which was over fast.)

This dog meant business. It meant me grievous harm. Why? Completely unprovoked. Staffordshire pit bull terrier (the cop who returned from speaking with the owner told me). Anyway, the cop who responded to my 911 call took photos and said I should get a medical checkup just for the record.

So here's the PTIH part! My PCP wasn't available, so I went to the walk-in clinic. The PA cleaned the scrape, put on antibiotic ointment, and asked if I wanted a bandage (a large band-aid); I said "Sure." Only later did I think, hmm, I wonder what that bandage will cost? $8? $15? $25? And the entire appt.? (My tetanus shot was up to date, so didn't need that.) Well, it will be the Medicare allowed amount, and I will send the bill to the woman (who lives four houses from us). (It turns out it's her son's dog, it has attacked other animals before, and they will likely euthanize it. Sad.)

Australia: Puffin the six-month-old Shar-Pei barely survives attack by Mastiff

AUSTRALIA -- This my Puffin. He is 6 months old. He was attacked by a Mastiff that was at least double his size and weight. If you can, please share his #gofundme account. He needs a lot of treatment.

Puffin has quite extensive injuries to his face, head, ear, chest and leg.
He was found barely breathing and in severe shock.

It is likely that he will need multiple surgeries and medications to get him through.

He is my companion in life and all I have. It breaks my heart to see him so utterly broken. If you can please put my Puffin back together again so he can continue to be my best friend.

UPDATES:

#1
I have bought Puffin home to closely monitor him. He has multiple surgeries ahead. He will most likely lose an ear and muscle from his neck. The vets were unable to close up his exposed neck for the time being. He has a great risk of presenting with a collapsed lung due to air getting in. He has got 10 drains in to drain blood and fluid so they can reassess and attempt to repair more. His arteries, blood vessels and Trachea are all exposed and there is a risk that there is damage to his trachea causing breathing troubles. We are not clear of danger yet and he is on a lot of pain relief and antibiotics.

Thank you to everyone who has donated and those who continue to send love prayers and support to us.

#2
Puffin made it through the night. Big blessing.
He has cried most of the morning hours so I sat with him and told him about how much love everyone is sending him. More surgery today unfortunately but it has to be done. We are such a long way away at the moment. Thank you to everyone for all the support.

Puffin when he was a little puppy

#3
Today has been a good day and a bad day. It’s a good day because the vet is pleased with how his injuries look. Today is also a bad day because Puffin will not eat at all and will only have little bits of chilled water from a syringe about every half an hour. It’s not enough to keep him well. He has been given two injections of long acting antibiotics and some more pain relief.

He’s fighting hard and everything is looking good. I pray that we keep heading in the right direction and down go backwards which is still a very real risk. His muscles are starting to break down what has died so hopefully we can start getting it all stitched back together soon.

#4
What a day!
I am so pleased to find that Puffin has perked up today. He has started to drink from his bowl and is looking so much better for it. We are still on a long medication regime of pain killers and anti inflammatories. The vet checked in with us today and they are pleased with his progress as it means he is becoming stronger and that means that we can start looking at the next stage of his treatment. He is now up and moving a little bit, though he will only come out for a few minutes before going back to sleep. Small steps lead to greater things. The hope is that he is resilient enough that we can reinforce positive interactions with other animals over time. There is no rush on that and only time will tell. Much love to everyone and thank you for all you have done for us

GoFundMe: Help put Puffin Back Together Again
Created January 10, 2018
Alesana Riley
  Animals
  Ipswich, QLD (Australia)

 

(December 2017) Connecticut: Owner of aggressive American Bulldog ordered to wear muzzle when in public claims it's too stressful for his autistic son

CONNECTICUT -- Tensions are running high after a resident on Friday took to Facebook to question the muzzling of a dog that its owner CLAIMS "comforts his autistic son".

Steven Frischling’s post on the Niantic Beach Bums page details a May incident in which an American Bulldog named Sally got loose from 5 Wildwood Drive, where Frischling’s ex-girlfriend Susannah Seefeldt lives. The post has garnered more than 200 comments.

The post fails to describe an earlier April event in which Sally allegedly left a dog walker and another dog with moderate to serious injuries.

Because the May incident was the second time Sally had been cited as a nuisance dog, the animal control officer issued a muzzle order for Sally. The officer additionally charged Frischling’s ex-partner, Susannah Seefeldt, with misdemeanor owning a nuisance dog.

Frischling, the subject of an ongoing civil suit regarding the April case, is calling on the town to overturn its order to muzzle Sally. He said the dog used to comfort his son on walks along the beach or even from the house to the bus. Now his son has horrific fits at the sight of Sally in a muzzle.

“I’m not asking for anything hard here,” Frischling said Wednesday. “Just basic common sense.”

Police Chief Mike Finkelstein, who was not the chief when either incident occurred, said the town is working with the State’s Attorney’s Office and the court on the case.

While the court nolled, or opted not to prosecute, Seefeldt’s charge, the judge also warned removal of the muzzle could lead to arrest.

The key, Finkelstein said, is to determine whether the judge issued a new order or simply reminded the defendants of the animal control officer’s order. Town officials would be reticent to overstep a judge’s order, he explained.

The town has asked for a transcript of the appearance.

April 6, 2017

According to a police document, a UPS driver on April 6 reported one dog had attacked a woman and another dog near 26 Old Black Point Road. On arrival, police said they spoke with three witnesses, two of whom said they fought off a black-and-white pit bull and watched it run to 5 Wildwood Drive.

Police said the black-and-white dog had dragged the woman, injuring her shoulder and leaving cuts on her elbow and hand. The aggressor also tore a large chunk of skin from the neck area of the victim dog, they said. Photos of the small dog show extensive amounts of blood.

Frischling said he was using the restroom that day when his son opened the door, allowing the dog to slip out. He was issued infractions for allowing a dog to roam and owning a nuisance dog. The dog additionally was quarantined for 14 days.

Frischling said Wednesday he believes Sally wasn’t involved in the attack — he took photos of her shortly after it occurred and saw no blood on her white face.

He also said he doesn’t know why he was issued the infractions when it’s his ex-wife’s dog.

Records list Sally as a black-and-white American Bulldog that was licensed to Frischling at the time of the incident. The breed is sometimes considered to be of the pit bull type, though that’s the subject of much debate [mostly from people who claim "there is no such thing as a pit bull!" All bully breeds are Pit Bulls and they all have been bred to have a propensity for sudden, unprovoked violence].

According to the town clerk’s office, Sally is no longer licensed; the dog was put in Seefeldt’s name in October, but the check bounced and another never was provided.

Civil suit

Two women in June launched a civil suit against Frischling in response to the April incident: Anne Rudge-Pinkham, the 91-year-old owner of the attacked dog, and Tammie Schenking, who was walking the dog that day.

The suit alleges Schenking sustained injuries to her neck, shoulders, ribs, left leg, right elbow and vocal cords, all of which required medical care. It further states Rudge-Pinkham’s dog had to undergo surgery because of its injuries.

The suit seeks $15,000 in damages.

Can you imagine this dog running towards you, barking, 

growling and trying to attack you and your pets?

Records show Frischling in September asked the court to dismiss the case because he doesn’t own Sally or live at 5 Wildwood Drive. The judge denied Frischling’s motion.

In November, the plaintiffs moved to have Seefeldt added as a defendant. The judge granted that motion.

The case is ongoing.

Click here to read the document filed regarding the lawsuit.

May 3, 2017

Police on May 3 returned to 5 Wildwood Drive, this time because Sally had pulled the spiral stake she was tethered to out of the ground.

Why is a known-to-be-aggressive large American Bulldog being 'staked' in the ground in the yard and left unatttended? The very fact that they thought this was a good idea -- right after the first attack -- tells you a lot about them.

According to a police report, Sally ran toward a woman walking her dog in front of the home, causing the woman to fall. Seefeldt, outside at the time, ran over and regained control of Sally.

According to the report, the woman initially said she didn’t believe her dog was hurt in the incident, but later reported having found a small laceration under its collar.

The police file shows Seefeldt in the past had spoken to the woman "about Sally and her issues with small dogs."

Frischling on Wednesday took issue with the photos police had on file for the incident, which were not taken by officers. There’s no timestamp, no frame of reference and, Frischling said, no way to know for sure the mark came from Sally.

Finkelstein said his department has since changed policies to ensure officers take quality photos at each incident.

All they had to do was document who claims to have taken the photo and when they received it. That person would be required to come to court to be sworn in as a witness to testify that they are the one who took the photo on X date. This person is opening themselves up to perjury charges if they are lying. Frischling is grasping at straws, thinking this is some conspiracy with doctored photos.

Frischling also said he’s wondering why his dog got a muzzle for its second nuisance incident when no bite occurred.

According to state statutes, a dog can be a nuisance “by reason of vicious disposition or excessive barking or other disturbance.” In other words, a biting incident isn’t a prerequisite.

The response

Hundreds of people reacted to Frischling’s Facebook post. Many called on the town to revoke the muzzle order so Frischling's child could find some peace. Some of those commenters didn’t appear to be aware of the April incident that preceded May’s.

Others questioned Frischling’s use of a community forum for a personal issue, especially when his civil suit is ongoing.

Frischling said he tried to seek mediation with the town through a third party, but was denied the option. The town attorney, without the paperwork at his disposal, declined to comment on the reason mediation was denied.

First Selectman Mark Nickerson also declined to comment on the case.

"We go through these processes to make sure we're doing everything we can to keep everybody safe," Finkelstein said.

Frischling stressed he has no ill will toward the town and doesn’t intend to sue it.

“I just want what’s best for my kid,” he said.

In this case, Steven Frischling has been ordered to keep his vicious American Bulldog muzzled whenever it's out in public. Steven Frischling claims his autistic son has tantrums, outbursts and pokes his own ears until they bleed --- simply at the sight of their dog wearing this muzzle.

People with autism do have challenges. However, change is a part of life. 

Steven Frischling's son will have to deal with change when they move homes, when one of his parents change jobs and time schedules, if his parents have a new baby, when they purchase a new car and swap out the old one, when he has to change schools, when they go to a new restaurant, when they go to a new city/state on vacation, when someone passes away. He'll certainly have to adjust to change when this American Bulldog eventually dies. 

So Steven Frischling's argument about this dog being muzzled is not winning me over. The dog is not required to have a muzzle on when its inside its own home with the family. 

The muzzle protects everyone else from Steven Frischling's dog, which has shown itself to be unpredictable, aggressive and willing to attack - not just other animals but human beings as well.

 

(The Day - December 28, 2017)