United Kingdom: Shad’a McQueen stabbed her dog several times, slit its throat then left it to slowly die in agony. The judge gave her probation

UNITED KINGDOM -- A woman who slit her dog’s throat after going on a booze binge has been banned from owning an animal again.

Shad’a McQueen attacked her pet bull dog on October 29 last year after a night out drinking with an ex-girlfriend, Croydon Magistrates Court heard this week.

The 33-year-old armed herself with a knife and set upon her pet dog at her home in South Norwood in south London, stabbing it several times in the body. The court heard how she then used the same knife to slash the dog’s throat.

She then called the police and when officers arrived, the female dog was found to be ‘close to death’ and was taken to a vet and put down.

GIVEN PROBATION FOR HORRIFIC CRIME
McQueen pleaded guilty to stabbing her dog and causing the pet unnecessary suffering and was handed a four-month jail term, suspended for 18 months. She was also ordered to do 60 hours of unpaid work and was banned from owning animals for an indefinite period.

Judge Susan Holden told McQueen that ‘no animal’ should have to ‘go through what your dog was put through’. She added: ‘This is a deeply distressing case. ‘It’s clear that your dog must have suffered unnecessarily.’

Despite the courts stating that she was banned from owning animals for "an indefinite period", they immediately told her she could go visit her other dog. That would be the one she didn't stab repeatedly and then slit its throat, leaving it lying there in agony, slowly dying. 

When sentenced at Croydon Magistrates’ Court, the 33-year-old found out she may one day be able to own a dog again.

She walked free from court and was told she will be able to visit her other, shared pet dog - if accompanied - who she owns along with an ex-girlfriend.

This is how this ridiculous woman dresses for court.

(Metro UK - March 9, 2018)

Florida: Kya Benjamin, 21, charged with Aggravated Animal Cruelty after she abandoned her two dog inside her apartment for weeks

FLORIDA -- A 21-year-old Gainesville woman is accused of neglecting her two dogs to the point they will probably have to be euthanized.

Kya Benjamin was charged with two counts of aggravated animal cruelty after police say they found her two emaciated dogs living in trash and their own feces at her apartment at 110 NW 39th Avenue (Meadowcrest Apartments).

Police say the dogs, a male Bulldog named Hiro and a mixed-breed female named Famous, didn't have food and were left alone in the apartment for weeks at a time.

Investigators say both animals had injuries and were bleeding when they were rescued.

Animal Control told police that one of the dogs was in critical condition and the other was in serious condition and will likely need to be euthanized.

Code Enforcement was called in reference to the unlivable condition of the apartment, police said.

Benjamin admitted she had not checked on her dogs and knew they were both sick.

Benjamin told investigators she had been trying to sell the dogs on Craigslist.

ARREST INFORMATION:
Full name: Kya Moesha Benjamin
Gender: Female
Race: Black
Arrest Date: December 19, 2017
Arrest Time: 10:59 am
Case # 012017CF004590A
Arresting Agency: Gainesville Police Department
Location: Alachua County, Florida
Bond: $0
Charges:
#1 CONSERVATION-ANIMALS: CAUSE CRUEL DEATH PAIN AND SUFFERING - Statute 828.12.2 (FELONY, 3RD DEGREE)

#2 CONSERVATION-ANIMALS: CAUSE CRUEL DEATH PAIN AND SUFFERING - Statute 828.12.2 (FELONY, 3RD DEGREE)

(MYCBS4 - December 20, 2017)

California: Small goat mauled to death by Pit Bull and Bulldog (American Bulldog?)

CALIFORNIA -- Laura Vasquez added 2 new photos to Facebook November 24, 2017 at 3:46pm ·

If anyone can help with donations to save this little girl. Was attack by a pit bull and bull dog 😢 Vet is in route. The emergency fee is $150 does not include meds, and vet check. Also if you’re in the Apple valley area Dr Zimmerman will be in the area if you need your horses check out.

 

 

TIA UPDATE goat was surrendered to me #Goldenheartslivestockrescue paypal.me/goldenheartsreacue

*  *  *  *  *  *

Laura Vasquez added 3 new photos. November 24 at 4:27pm ·

UPDATE - the goat passed away this morning. I’m so upset and sad I couldn’t save her. Funny thing it was not my goat but surrender to me and still hurt when she passed.

Thank you to everyone who donated and for the prayers. She’s in peace now and time to help other animals. May she RIP 🐑💕FYI the goat was surrender to me (GoldenHeartslivestockrescue) prayers she makes it and prayers I can afford the bill :) paypal.me/goldenheartsreacue

  

 

 

Maryland: James Huckaby, 37, killed his dog after dragging it around a Walmart parking lot while it was dying from heat exhaustion

MARYLAND -- A Glen Burnie man was arrested Wednesday on charges of animal cruelty, and possession of heroin and paraphernalia.

Passers-by called police when they saw a man "passed out or sleeping" in his pickup truck outside the Walmart at 407 George Clauss Blvd. in Severn, Anne Arundel County Police said. A distressed dog was in the back seat.

Police said they responded to find James Huckaby (aka James Rufus Huckaby Sr.), 37, dragging his bulldog by the leash across the parking lot.

Huckaby told police he fell asleep while waiting to pick his friend up from work, police said.

Upon searching his silver Nissan Titan officers found five clear capsules of suspected heroin, two cut straws with white-powder residue, which were believed to be used for snorting heroin, police said.

Police said they called Animal Control officers because they believed the bulldog, called Diesel, was suffering from dehydration and heat exhaustion. 

When Animal Control arrived they saw the dog collapse after stumbling in an attempt to stand, police said.

Animal Control transported Diesel to an emergency veterinary clinic where, police said, the veterinarian recommended the dog be euthanized because of the "rapid deterioration of the dog's health and the poor prognosis."

Huckaby was released Thursday after a bail review.

ADDITIONAL CHARGES FILED

Visitors and volunteers at the Anne Arundel County Animal Control Facility in Millersville said Friday that they saw a man arrive in a silver Nissan Titan truck and overheard him talking on his cellphone "saying several times that he was going to kill police officers for shooting his dog," police said.

The visitors and volunteers ran inside the building, locked the doors and called police.

Huckaby fled before officers arrived, police said.

Police officers were able to identify him and located him at his residence in Glen Burnie. He was arrested him without incident on charges of threats of violence, disturbing the peace and disorderly conduct, police said.

Huckaby was still in custody pending a bail review Monday. Neither he nor a representative could be reached for comment before the hearing.

ARREST INFO:
Full name: James Rufus Huckaby
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthdate: 08/06/1979
Arrest age: 37
Agency: Anne Arundel County Police
Charges:
#1 Possession of heroin
#2 Possession of paraphernalia
#3 Animal cruelty
#4 Threats of violence
#5 Disorderly conduct
#6 Disturbing the peace

(Capital Gazette - July 17, 2017)

Virginia: Large bulldog runs out into street, attacks woman's car as she's driving

VIRGINIA -- Really enjoyed Driving Miss Daisy at the Riverside Theater today. It was very good. I enjoyed the 4 hours yakking in the car with good friend Bonnie too - she did the driving!

Of course the beginning of my trip was "different", pulling into her street in Lakewood Estates, my car was attacked by a nasty big bulldog. I didn't want to run him over, but he kept jumping at and attacking my car. I blew the horn for about 10 mins, and No One responded.

Finally, he started attacking the side of the car, instead of the front, and i pulled forward... got to my friend's house, and a neighbor came running out pulling the dog off the car, which he had chased down the road. She told me he doesn't like cars to blow horn. Well, I wouldn't have blown it, if he hadn't attacked me!

My front license plate and frame have been crumpled with a corner of both bitten off! I don't know if I have to get a new one or if this one will do?? Maybe my son can flatten it out some?! It was sure a strange beginning today!

Virginia Reckard Buckley: I am just glad you and your car are safe,that dog should not be allowed out on the street.

Jeanne Snively: Why was he running loose? His owners should fix your car and they should be reported. It's not only dangerous for you but the dog is going to get hurt too.

Liz McDavid: And some kid might get hurt! I want to report it.

Jeanne Snively: Do

United Kingdom: Maltese puppy snatched from owner's yard by two other dogs and mauled to death. Owner could hear the puppy screaming while being ripped to pieces.

UNITED KINGDOM -- A HORRIFIED couple have spoken of the moment two dogs dragged their “squealing” nine-month-old puppy into a compound and mauled him to death.

Murray’s owners have vowed to take civil action against the dogs’ owners and called for tougher punishments.

Jim and Linda Masterton said their “gorgeous” Maltese puppy – named after tennis player Andy Murray – was dragged from their garden through a hedge by Akita and bulldog type pets on Monday morning.

Linda said her granddaughters, aged six and three, had been playing on the patch of lawn Murray was dragged from the day before.

She said: “It is terrifying to think if they had come through yesterday.

“All I heard was the dog squealing and being dragged through the hedge.

“Murray was gorgeous. He can never be replaced. He had a lovely life. He was our little dog and it was only nine-months-old today.”

Husband Jim added: “I am not prepared to put up with this. I have complained to Community Pride about the dogs in the past because I think they make too much noise.

“They are in a caged compound.”

The couple from north east Lincolnshire said their neighbours are reinforcing fences in case the dogs escape their compound again.

The couple claimed the dogs came through a hole in the rear fence and dragged the tiny puppy into their compound.

A neighbour added: “It is dreadful. I don’t want these dogs coming through here.

“I am nervous of dogs at the best of times. I would be fearful if my relative’s spaniel came to visit.”

Following the alleged attack neighbours went and showed the owner of the dogs Murray’s body.

A Humberside Police spokeswoman said: “Police have been made aware of an incident of two dogs attacking another in the Meadowbank area of Great Coates in Grimsby.

“The incident, which was reported to have resulted in the death of one dog, was called in to police just after 10am.

“Appropriate advice was offered to the caller and the matter is now being assessed by the force’s dog officer.”

Leading canine expert Debbie Connolly said the Dangerous Dogs Act does not cover dog-on-dog attacks.

She said:  “Police generally don’t act on such cases because it is a civil matter.

“A dog warden can take action and issue a community protection order which could mean a dog is neutered or order for fences to be properly built.

“People get frustrated because the Act does not include dog-on-dog cover. But there is the clause about reasonable apprehension of a bite to a person.

“If there is an attack on your dog and you are stood next to the dogs and trying to separate them, there is a reasonable apprehension you could be bitten.”

For this reason Debbie advised always reporting such incidents to dog wardens and said compensation can be gained through civil action.

Police have advised the public to report dog bites and dangerous dogs by calling 101 or 999 in an emergency.

The owner of the dogs has been approached for comment.

(The Sun - ‎Sept 13, 2016‎)

Connecticut: Summer Parkman, 32, abandoned dog to die locked inside crate say police

CONNECTICUT -- A city woman has been charged with animal cruelty after her dog was found left alone for an extended period of time in its crate full of feces and with no water, police said.

Summer Parkman, 32, turned herself in this week after Animal Control officer Michael Franzetti seized the abandoned dog in January from her Taff Avenue apartment, police said.

According to Parkman’s arrest affidavit, the tan female bulldog mix named Baby was found covered in feces with some dry food in its crate and no water.

Franzetti posted a notice on the apartment door saying he seized the dog and talked to a downstairs neighbor who said she hadn’t seen Parkman for three weeks, according to the affidavit. The dog was taken to to Rippowam Animal Hospital for treatment.

Franzetti called Parkman, 32, who said she was in Philadelphia and agreed to be interviewed four days later, but never showed up, according to the affidavit.

Parkman, a single mother who is a bartender at a New York club, complained a few weeks later when she was reached that her landlord should not have entered her apartment without her permission, the affidavit said.

“How about you guys at the Stamford Police Department do something about that?” she remarked about her landlord. “You asked for the dog to be signed over, so fine keep the dog but I am seeking council for breaking and entering of my home that my landlord did,” Parkman said, according to the arrest affidavit.

She's more concerned about her landlord going into the apartment than the dog slowly dying locked inside a crate. Nice. 

Parkman said Friday she hired a dog watcher in January but the person didn’t do their job when she was away, the affidavit said.

Parkman was released after signing a promise to appear at court.

(Norwalk Advocate - ‎Jul 29, 2016)

injustice in Ohio: Marion man, Eric Jones, convicted of animal neglect - gets just THREE DAYS in county jail

OHIO -- A Marion man will serve three days in jail after pleading no contest to animal neglect, and a central Ohio animal rights advocate who came to Marion to call for justice said she believed the sentence was too lenient.

Julie McDonough, an organizer with Ohio Voters for Companion Animals, held a one-woman protest Thursday outside the Marion Municipal Court before the final hearing was scheduled to begin.

"I am glad ... that there is some justice, it's just not usually enough in Ohio, in my opinion," McDonough said. Her group is calling for the state legislature to change animal cruelty from a misdemeanor to a felony for first-time offenders.

The first-degree misdemeanor charge was filed Feb. 12 against Eric D. Jones, and Marion County Sheriff's Office Lt. Christy Utley said it came because Jones did not provide medical care after the dog was injured.

Jones was sentenced to 180 days in jail, 177 of which were suspended (meaning he will only sit in a COUNTY jail cell for 3 days -- not even a prison jail cell), a $450 fine that had $300 suspended and payment of court costs. He also is not allowed to own, harbor or provide care for any new companion animal for the next five years as part of his probation requirements, and declined to comment on the case.

If probation sanctions are violated, the suspended portions of the sentence and fine could be reinstated. Marion Law Director Mark Russell said the sentence was appropriate based on the evidence found through investigation by the city police, the sheriff's office and an investigator working for his office.

Russell said this specific case involved animal neglect, which is included under the Ohio Revised Code's general category of prohibitions regarding companion animals.

In January, the dog, originally named Red, was found wandering near Elgin High School with injuries that Marion County Dog Warden Darrin Tolle described as "scars and wounds ... on his face, head and front legs."

The woman who found Red and another woman who took him in initially began calling the dog Clyde, and that was the name McDonough used.

McDonough said Clyde had since been taken in by the Knox County Underdog Society, and many people had offered to take him in permanently. In his report, Tolle said the dog did not recognize the name Clyde at the time but would respond when called Red.

Dani Rose, a representative of the Knox County group, said the dog has been adopted out and has a "new name and a new life" as Clyde. Rose said the family that adopted Clyde did not want to be identified but lives outside Marion County.

During the investigation, Tolle was informed of suspicions by others that the dog, then identified as Red, had been dropped off by someone before it was found but Jones denied any involvement and told Tolle that Red either escaped or was stolen.

Tolle also noted in his report that he found "no evidence of organized dog fighting" in the case and that he believed Red's defensive wounds came from a fight with either a dog or wild animal. Russell also said investigations by his agency, the police and the sheriff's office found no evidence of dog fighting in the case.

Jones told Tolle that Red and another male dog, Brutus, fought each other after a female dog, Daisy, was in heat. Daisy had no signs of fighting or injury, according to Tolle's report, but Brutus had "three or four" additional wounds consistent with teeth marks.

Jones also pleaded no contest to three counts of failure to register an animal in regard to Red, Brutus and Daisy and received an additional $50 fine for each count.

As part of the case's resolution, Jones will give Daisy to the Marion Area Humane Society but can continue to keep Brutus, who he has had for seven years, according to Russell. His probation prevents him from keeping a new animal for the next five years.

(Marion Star - June 16, 2016)

Earlier:

• Ohio: This newspaper wouldn't reveal who was charged with animal cruelty, but another news outlet did: Eric Jones

Florida: Man fatally mauled by pack of dogs outside southwest Miami-Dade home

FLORIDA -- Miami-Dade police homicide detectives and Miami-Dade Animal Control officers are investigating the death of a Homestead man who was fatally mauled by dogs.

Manuel Mejia was a live-in caretaker at the dragon fruit farm near Southwest 228th Avenue and and 309th Street. The owner of the farm keeps about a dozen Belgian Malinois - bulldog mixed-breed dogs on the property.

 

On the evening of April 23, Mejia's girlfriend Pamela Babineau called 911 screaming for help, unable to intervene in the dog attack.

First responders report finding Mejia covered in dog bites and bleeding profusely. A piece of skin was missing from his left tricep area.

Mejia was airlifted to the trauma center at Kendall Regional Medical Center. He died of his injuries four hours later.

Babineau told police three dogs instigated the attack and up to seven others joined in.

Animal control officers cited owner Reynaldo Torres for unregistered and unlicensed dogs and ordered him to keep the dogs contained during the course of the investigation.

(Local 10 - May 12, 2016)

Police say they won't charge woman who chased dog into bathroom and stabbed it after it bit her child

Police Chief Timothy Altomare: It is the job of the police department to do the investigation. It is the District Attorney's Office to determine charges. 

If she had stabbed the dog WHILE IT WAS BITING HER CHILD or trying to bite her, I can defend her. However, they had put the dog into the bathroom where it was now contained and no longer an imminent threat. She then stabbed the dog because she was angry. I have a problem with that. I don't have a problem with the dog being euthanized; that's what needed to be done. But let's not make excuses for what Michelle did.

MARYLAND -- A Severna Park mother stabbed an adopted boxer-bulldog with a steak knife after it attacked her five-year-old son Dec. 9, police wrote in a report released today.

Michelle, who declined to give her last name because of online criticism after the incident, said she grabbed the knife while the dog was biting her son's face and as her husband tried to save him.

The parents punched and kicked the dog to free the boy, she said, and her husband was able to get the dog in the bathroom, where she stabbed the animal twice.

She told the Capital she felt the dog was still a threat at that point.

Police noted in their report that Michelle was "extremely emotional and inconsolable." The police report states officers will not press charges for "what they had done to the dog."

The dog sustained a dislocated hip and other injuries, police wrote in the report. Animal Control took custody of the animal that day and euthanized it.

Police Chief Timothy Altomare said in a statement that he did not think it was appropriate to charge the mother with a crime.

"One of the most basic drives in nature is the mother's need to protect and defend her child," he said. "After seeing the severity of their child's injuries, I felt the provocation presented to the mother mitigated any criminality in her reaction. Being a father, and grandfather, I could not imagine having to hold a child in my arms suffering from the injuries that I saw."

Police Chief Timothy Altomare makes excuses

Altomare disputed notions that there was "an extended time period" between the dog bite and the stabbing.

"In reality, the sequence of events happened very quickly and the mother was extremely distraught," he said. " I am not justifying the act but I feel that her focus needs to be on being by her son's side during his long road to recovery, not dealing with the repercussions of an action taken under extreme duress."

Michelle and her husband received online criticism after the incident for allegedly not watching their son and new pet closely enough, she said. The police report states that the parents were in the same room with the child and dog when the attack occurred less than 10 feet away from them.

(Capitol Gazette - Dec 23, 2015)

Earlier:

• Animal Control dog adoptions on hold after boxer-bulldog mix attacks boy in Severna Park

Animal Control dog adoptions on hold after boxer-bulldog mix attacks boy in Severna Park

MARYLAND -- Adoptions of dogs at county Animal Control are on hold after police said a 5-year-old boy was transported to an area hospital with serious injuries from a dog that attacked him Wednesday night.

The boy sustained injuries to his face and upper body after a boxer-bulldog mix adopted from the county agency attacked him in Severna Park, county police said. The injuries were not life-threatening.

Police Chief Timothy Altomare suspended adoptions of dogs from Animal Control as of Friday, pending a review of the process and best practices in other jurisdictions.

"Maybe there's something else out there that we can find that can prevent another family (from this)," he said. "I looked at the pictures of this little boy and it ripped my heart out of my chest and I can't even let a half percent chance that this can happen again without a full systemic check."

Adoptions from Animal Control of animals other than dogs -- such as cats and small pets like guinea pigs -- will continue, police spokesman Lt. Ryan Frashure said Saturday.

Altomare said he doesn't have a timeline for when the adoptions will resume, but if county facilities reach capacity, he will be assessing the euthanization of animals. He said he will ask other counties if they have space and consider other alternatives before having to make that decision.

He was unable to provide the capacity of county Animal Control Friday night.

"My goal is to try to get through this without having to euthanize one dog," he said. "I'll probably have some tough decisions. I'm hoping our vetting process doesn't last months."

He said he will try to use a sliding scale based on the dog's size and potential for serious injuries, to make decisions.

"At the end of the day my true north is going to be I'm going to have to protect people," he said.

It appears preliminary that all safety procedures were followed with regard to the boxer/bulldog mix, he said.

"I don't think anybody dropped the ball on this."

Frashure and Altomare expressed sympathy for the family.

"I can't imagine the anguish this family is going through, during the holiday season," Altomare said. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to them. And we will do everything within our power to prevent a reoccurrence of this tragic incident."

Officers responded to the 500 block of Baltimore Annapolis Boulevard around 8 p.m. Wednesday and found the dog was adopted from the Animal Control facility earlier in the day, officials said.

Family members told police the boy was playing with the animal when they heard the dog make a noise, police said. The family members entered the room and saw the dog biting the child's face and head, according to officials.

Animal Control took custody of the animal and euthanized it that night.

Frashure said in his 15 years with the department this is the only time he can recall a newly adopted dog biting someone.

(Capital Gazette - Dec 11, 2015)

Man's throat ripped open during deliberate dog attack in Mandurah

AUSTRALIA -- A MANDURAH resident said Creery Street and surrounding roads were “put into lock down by police” for three hours last Thursday night after a man had his throat ripped open.

They said they are afraid to talk to police as they have been approached by friends of the person holding the dog and told they should not talk contact police.

The resident said the dog in question was “crimson” with blood following the attack.

Police are remaining tight lipped about the attack, but they want to speak to a man who was walking a dog at the time.

The incident happened on Creery Street in Dudley Park at 11.45pm on Thursday, November 5.

Mandurah detectives said a witness reported seeing a man being bitten by a white bulldog on the street.

There was man nearby who appeared to be in control of the dog.

When challenged by the witness the man with the dog left the area.

The dog bite victim was taken to Peel Health Campus where he was treated for several injuries.

Detectives said the injured person had wounds consistent with a dog attack and other wounds caused by something else.

They did not say if the injuries to his throat were caused by the dog or by a weapon.

Detectives said that any person with information about the incident, or who may be able to identify the man with the dog is urged to contact police on 1800 333 000. Callers can remain anonymous.

(Community Newspaper Group - Nov 10, 2015)

Founder of Minneapolis animal rescue, Amanda Louis Pryznki, charged with torturing dogs

MINNESOTA -- A Minneapolis woman claims she was trying to help dogs in need, but it turns out she was doing more harm than good. She’s now charged with mistreating and torturing animals. 

Flora, a 4-year-old white bulldog, is living proof of what can happen to an animal left in the wrong care.

“Flora came into the kill shelter that we work with and she offered to take them into her rescue,” Teri Thiele, Paws on Wheels, said.  “We had confidence she was doing everything right.

 

The photos of Flora before and after she was placed in Amanda Louis Pryznki’s care are shocking, and it spanned only two months.

“It was very drastic, you could see her ribs and her spine,” Thiele said.

Thiele trusted Pryznski to care for Flora. Pryznski is the founder of Panda’s Pets -- a rescue in question now that she faces several animal abuse charges, namely because of how Flora was found.

“She just wasn’t even being fed because even to this day she wants to eat her own feces and the only thing I can assume was that was all she had access to to eat,” Thiele said.

But Flora was just one of the dogs seized from Pryznski’s home.

“When I got her she had worms, she had a washcloth sized piece of sheet in her,” Thiele said.

According to the criminal complaint, a Great Dane, an English setter and Catahoula mix were also seized. All are now in Paws on Wheel’s care.

“I would hate for this one incident to reflect poorly on all rescues,” Tania Richter, Fur Ever Home Rescue founder, said.

Flora’s story serves as an important reminder: if you suspect or spots signs of animal cruelty, report it. Signs include filthy living conditions, if the home and yard look unkempt or if there are a lot of feces in the yard.

“You really need to make sure you’re supporting a rescue you believe in and has the same values you do,” Richter said.

Pryznski is expected to appear in court next month -- if found guilty, she could face 90 days behind bars and a $1,000 fine.

(MyFoxTwinCities - July 22, 2015)

Mexborough man feared for life during savage dog attack

UNITED KINGDOM -- A man has told how he was left clinging to life after a savage dog attack in the middle of the street.

Melvin Meanley passed out after the ferocious encounter in which a dog pounced and left him with two broken ribs, a broken right arm and multiple cuts and bruises.

The 59-year-old spent several days recovering in hospital and his arm injury was so bad he had to have a skin graft operation to repair the damage this week.

He told how he feared he could have bled to death and owes his life to a retired nurse who witnessed the attack and rushed over to bandage his wounds before paramedics arrived.

Following the attack, near his home in Cedar Avenue, Mexborough, Mr Meanley is now urging dog walkers to make sure their pets are on a lead and muzzled. The car park attendant said: “It was terrifying. I blacked out shortly afterwards, I think because of loss of blood and shock.

“I feared I might die. I cannot thank those that helped me enough. I might have been dead had it not been for them.”

The incident happened on Saturday, January 31, at about 2pm when he was out walking his Yorkshire Terrier dog Wilshire.

He said a woman was walking towards him with what he described as a Bulldog - Boxer - Pit Bull mixed breed dog which was not on a lead and came running towards him.

In a panic Mr Meanley threw his beloved dog over a garden wall - fearing it would be mauled - and instead bore the full brunt of the attack.

He said after a few minutes the dog released its grip on his arm and ran off with the owner following it. While he was laying in a pool of blood and drifting in and out of consciousness, a former nurse who lived nearby, ran out of her home and used a towel as a sling to bandage up his wounds.

An ambulance arrived shortly afterwards and he spent four nights in Rotherham District General Hospital recovering after having numerous stitches and a pot on his broken arm. He went back on Monday to have skin graft operation to replace skin lost on his arm.

Mr Meanley, who suffers from angina following two heart attacks several years ago, said: “I feel lucky to be alive but I don’t want this to happen to anyone else. People with dogs should always keep them on the lead and in a muzzle.”

His wife, Patricia, 48, added: “They said at the hospital it looks like the dog tried to have him for breakfast, lunch, dinner and desert. His injuries looked horrendous but I’m just glad he’s on the mend now.”

The couple reported the incident to police. The South Yorkshire Times asked the South Yorkshire force about the incident but nobody got back to us in time for our deadline. Contact police with information on the non-emergency 101 number

(Doncaster Today - Feb 13, 2015)

Detroit man charged after dog attacks officer

MICHIGAN -- A Detroit man has been charged with four felony counts after he allegedly had his dog attack a police officer.

Carrel Campbell, 36, has been charged with one count each of dangerous animal causing serious injury, felonious assault, resisting and obstructing causing injury and resisting and obstructing.

According to authorities, the incident occurred at 4:40 p.m. Sunday when police were investigating Campbell at home in the 12600 block of Meyers.

Campbell allegedly left the house with a 100-pound bulldog and attempted to flee after he unleashed the animal upon a male police officer.

The dog bit the officer causing an injury. Campbell was arrested by the police later that day.
The dog was euthanized on Tuesday.

He is expected to be arraigned in 36th District Court at 2:30 p.m. Wednesday.

(The Detroit News - ‎Dec 17, 2014‎)

Animals rescued from deplorable conditions at Pottsville home

PENNSYLVANIA -- Pottsville police and code enforcement along with Hillside SPCA rescued 23 animals Tuesday from a condemned home in the city.

Police said they searched the home at 531A N. Centre St., executing a search warrant since it was reported that someone was living there, despite being posted Nov. 18 that it was dangerous and unsafe.

 

After contacting the tenant, Lesley Lynn Schenck, 35, police determined that multiple animals were also living in the home, although there was no heat and deplorable conditions. They contacted Hillside SPCA to come get the animals.

Janine Choplick, humane officer with Hillside SPCA, said they rescued 13 dogs, eight cats and two chinchillas.

There was also one dead chinchilla in the home.

She said that all are good-natured, except for two who were scared, and they were not starved.

All of the dogs were smaller breeds, including bulldogs, dachshunds, corgis, Boston terriers and mixes of the breeds.

"The house was deplorable, uninhabitable really," Choplick said.

Choplick said Hillside is now working to document each animal to see what their medical needs might be and get them all to the vet.

According to Choplick, some of them are missing fur, one had a bad eye and one had "something going on with the butt."

[Seriously? Try to sound like a professional. Please.]

Police also said that some had lesions, open wounds and ear mites.

"They're going to end up tearing the whole house down," Choplick said. "It was that bad. Every room, except one closet, was filled with feces and trash. Every single room on every floor. It's not the worst we've seen, but it's bad. They (Schenck and the animals) couldn't have been there much longer."

Police told Schenck to vacate the property and is facing charges that will include animal cruelty and trespassing.

The investigation is continuing, pending medical evaluations of the animals.

(Republican Herald - Nov 27, 2013)

Killer dog to be destroyed despite owner's pleas

UNITED KINGDOM -- A French Mastiff, part of a pack which mauled a pensioner to death last year will be destroyed, a judge has ruled.

Gloria Knowles, 71, was savagely killed in her daughter's back garden in Rutland Drive, Morden, on October 30th 2012.

Three of the dogs involved in the frenzied attack - another French mastiff, a female American bulldog and a male Alapaha blue blood bulldog - all owned by the grandmother's daughter Beverly Mason, have previously been destroyed at the behest of the police.

On Wednesday Ms Mason's ex husband Dylan Mason, who found Ms Knowles brutally mauled, was banned from keeping dogs for five years at Wimbledon Magistrates Court.

He also learned his dog Ranger will be put down after being kept in police custody since the attack.

District Judge Sheila Bayne told Mr Mason: "You are a man who has a history of violence. When you arrived at the address and saw what had happened to Gloria Knowles you tried to strangle one of the dogs.

Gloria Knowles

"I'm not satisfied you can keep Ranger under control. You showed a lack of insight when you kept a female on heat with two unneutered males in the first place."

Ranger was accused by police investigators of inflicting one of 11 bite marks found on Mrs Knowles.

Speaking last month, Mr Mason said of Ranger: "He’s one of those dogs that would just lollop about.

"He was slobbery and he would come up and lick you and was a very placid kind of dog."

He added: "Whatever part he played it was probably totally minimal, if any. He’s not a danger to the public and he never has been and I don’t believe he ever will be. I just think he was in the wrong place at the wrong time."

At the hearing, lawyer Tina Hay, working on Mr Mason's behalf, had attempted to persuade the judge Ranger was a "placid" animal who would "flight rather than fight" and suggested Mr Mason was willing to give up ownership if the dog could be kept at a dogs home.

Judge Bayne was unconvinced and ordered unemployed Mr Mason to pay £500 in costs and ordered Ranger's destruction.

(Sutton Guardian - Nov 16, 2013)

Earlier:

• Great-gran dies after being mauled by daughter's five dogs
• Ex-husband whose bull mastiff mauled his mother-in-law to death launches court battle to SAVE his pet from lethal injection

Queensbury man charged with cruelty after starving his dogs

NEW YORK -- A Saunders Road man was charged with animal cruelty Thursday after Queensbury's animal control officer seized four malnourished dogs that were in need of medical care from him, officials said.

Brandon Nelson, 21, turned over the dogs after Animal Control Officer Jim Fitzgerald after Fitzgerald received a call about their conditions. Two pit bulls, a bulldog and terrier/hound mix were turned over to Fitzgerald.

Nelson was charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty for failing to provide food and medical care to the dogs, which were very underweight and in need of treatment for worms, Fitzgerald said. He said he was financially unable to buy their food and voluntarily surrendered them, Fitzgerald said.

The dogs, one of which is pregnant, are expected to survive and are being treated at Glens Falls Animal Hospital before they are turned over to the Friends of Phoebe shelter in Queensbury to be nursed back to health.

Fitzgerald said dog owners in Queensbury who need food for their animals can contact his office for emergency help, and many local animal shelters will also provide emergency assistance to pet owners who need food, he said.

"People need to call for help before we get a call from someone else," he said.

Warren County sheriff's Patrol Officer Scott Rawson made the arrest.

(Glens Falls Post-Star - Sept 28, 2013)

Ex-husband whose Mastiff mauled his mother-in-law to death launches court battle to SAVE his pet from lethal injection

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog owner whose Mastiff was one of five dogs to maul his former mother-in-law to death has launched a bid to save his pet from being destroyed.

Dylan Mason, 44, is going to court to try to save his dog Ranger from the lethal injection - one of a group which savaged Gloria Knowles, 71, in October.

The five animals pounced on the grandmother after she went into the garden to take down washing for her daughter, Beverley Mason.

The widow was badly injured when the dogs – two 'giant' Bordeaux French mastiffs, two American bulldogs and a small mongrel – suddenly turned on her.

She was found dead at the scene in Morden, South London, and is believed to have bled to death as a result of her injuries.

Three of the animals - belonging to Mrs Knowles's daughter Beverley - have been since been put to sleep.  A French mastiff called Yogi and bulldogs Missy and Lemmie were humanely destroyed by lethal injections.

Now she insists her ex-husband and a third dog owner, who officers have identified only as Ms Azzoni, should follow suit and destroy their dogs.

She told the Mirror that she loved her dogs, but nothing was worth more than her mother's life. She said: 'I can’t believe he is arguing that the dog should be kept alive when it killed my mum. It’s just evil.'

She added that now they had tasted her mother's blood and now must be put down.

Mother-of-four Mrs Mason, 43, who has a son Kurtis, 12, with her former partner, told the paper: 'The court case is just dragging everything out when it is clear the dogs all touched my mum, there is evidence of that. My mum was everything. She was my rock. Losing her has been devastating for us all.'

The Met has said that the remaining two dogs are dangerous and must be killed.

A spokesman said: 'The hearing for the destruction of two dogs will be held at Wimbledon magistrates between 9 and 11 October.

'There is court hearing upcoming in October, and that is when the Met will give its evidence.'

At the trial Mr Mason and the owner of the other dog will argue that they dispute the evidence that their animals were involved in the attack.

Mrs Knowles lived next door to her daughter, with her granddaughter, who has a baby of her own. The family has run Harrington's pie and mash shop in nearby Tooting, for several generations.

Mrs Mason said she has owned dogs her entire life and had no idea why her dogs - which she insists were normally well behaved - would have turned on her mother.

She said the family had had them since they were puppies and they were well trained. She said they would often sit with them on the sofa. She said she has decided to keep her mother's dogs, Bo, Amber and Tia, for her, but that she finds it difficult to trust them

An inquest is expected to take place on September 25 in Westminster, Central London.

The dogs have been reportedly homes in Met-approved kennels since the incident - which has a cost £15 per dog per day.

(Daily Mail - Aug 9 2013)

Earlier:

• Great-gran dies after being mauled by daughter's five dogs

Reports routine, charges seldom in dog-bite cases in metro area

NORTH DAKOTA -- A woman has been charged criminally with having a dangerous dog at large after her bulldog got away from her disabled daughter and bit a young girl walking home from school here, according to the city’s police chief.

Sheila Marie Levesque, 39, of Sioux Falls, S.D., was charged Friday in Clay County District Court with one count of having a dangerous dog, one count of having a dog at large, and one count of great or substantial bodily harm caused by a dog, all misdemeanors.

The case is the only one of five dog-bite reports this year in Dilworth that has been charged out criminally, Ebert said.

That reflects a similar pattern in other cities throughout the Fargo-Moorhead area, where authorities routinely respond to reports of dog bites but rarely charge the owners.

“Most of them are pretty mundane – the neighbor kid gets bit because he walked into the neighbor’s yard, that sort of thing,” said Fargo police Lt. Joel Vettel. “Ninety percent are dogs known to the victim. They aren’t dogs running loose or wild.”

Vettel said Fargo police have responded to 21 dog-bite reports so far in 2013, with two cases referred to prosecutors for potential criminal charges. Five remain under investigation.

In 2012, Fargo police had 44 dog-bite cases, with four going forward for potential prosecution. There were 57 cases in 2011, with five resulting in criminal charges being recommended.

The West Fargo Police Department responded to seven animal-bite reports so far in 2013, with three cases forwarded for charges, Lt. Duane Sall said. In 2012, there were nine reports, with five of them being charged out. There were 16 reports of animal bites in 2011, with four cases being charged out criminally.

So far in 2013, Moorhead police have responded to seven calls for animal bites, with one citation for dog at large among those calls. In 2012, there were 27 calls with one citation, and in 2011, 31 calls with two citations.

In the past year, the Moorhead department has declared three dogs as dangerous, which usually has its roots in the report of a dog bite.

“Anytime we feel that a dog is dangerous we have the ability to take that dog temporarily,” said Vettel, citing a case of suspected rabies as an example.

If the dog is deemed by the police to be fierce, dangerous or vicious, according to Fargo city ordinance, the owner is notified in writing and required to either surrender the animal for placement or destruction.

The owner can appeal in municipal court, which can then order the dog confined or order the owner to surrender it for destruction.

In the Levesque case, the victim, a 10-year-old girl, was walking home from Dilworth-Glyndon-Felton school May 16 in the 100 block of Fourth Street Northeast when the dog got away from Levesque’s daughter and bit the child, said Dilworth Police Chief Josh Ebert.

The girl suffered a puncture wound, although Ebert could not recall whether the child received medical care for the bite.

The daughter, who Ebert said has physical disabilities that made her incapable of handling the dog, was not charged. Levesque was not present at the time of the attack.

Levesque is not set to make an initial appearance on her criminal charges until Aug. 8. Ebert said the dog has already been implanted with a microchip, as required for dangerous dogs by the state of Minnesota, and Levesque has taken it back to her home in Sioux Falls.

“I have zero tolerance for animals that are not being cared for properly,” Ebert said.

(InForum - July 10, 2013)