Oregon: Joseph Sallman opens fire on his friend, injures him, shoots and kills his dog and a stray bullet kills a camel at an animal refuge

OREGON -- A man who fired dozens of rounds from a rifle and wounded a former friend he was feuding with also shot and killed a camel at a nearby animal rehabilitation center in southwestern Oregon, officials and witnesses said.

Joseph Carl Sallman of Grants Pass opened fire on July 1 near a group of cabins where he lived south of Cave Junction, Oregon State Police officials and witnesses said.

Across the Redwood Highway is the Tiger Preservation Center, where Camille the camel had lived for two years. One of the rounds struck the one-humped dromedary above the eye, said Robert Ringo, who runs the center.

Ringo said five or six bullets came close to him and other employees.

"We all heard bullets coming through the trees, and we heard one ricochet off of metal," he said. "We were trying to see where the shots were coming from."

He later found the camel lying wounded in the hay. Due to the holiday weekend, Ringo said he was unable to have a veterinarian look at Camille.

The camel died two days later.

Another bullet struck John LaRue, a resident of a trailer near the cabins who told the Daily Courier that he and Sallman were friends who'd had a falling out over two pistols LaRue had taken from him.

LaRue said Sallman starting shooting as LaRue drove past him in his truck.

LaRue said that he was sore, but recovering from his wound, and that his service dog had also died in the shooting.

Sallman, 30, was arrested on July 4 in Selma and charged with attempted murder, two counts of unlawful use of a firearm and one count of menacing.

He has not entered a plea, and is expected to appear in court on Wednesday.

Pete Smith, Sallman's court-appointed attorney, confirmed to The Associated Press that Sallman and LaRue knew each other.

"They had had a physical altercation in a dispute over the ownership of some firearms," Smith said.

(ABC News - July 10, 2017)

Israeli special forces soldier is jailed for killing a camel in a drive-by shooting as his friend filmed him

ISRAEL -- An Israeli special forces soldier has been jailed for killing a camel in a drive-by shooting as his friend filmed him.

The soldiers, from the feared Duvdevan Unit, were charged with animal cruelty and firearms offences after a video of the incident surfaced.

Filmed by one of the men, the clip shows the off-duty pair driving past a camel by a sand dune near the Dead Sea while one of them fires at the helpless animal.

According to the Times of Israel, the soldier who fired the shot was sentenced to four months while the comrade who filmed it was jailed for two months. Both have reportedly been demoted to the rank of private.

As the bullet hits the unsuspecting camel - which later died - hysterical laughter can be heard coming from the car.

At a preliminary hearing, the soldier who fired the fatal shot was asked about the laughter and admitted: 'We were in a kind of euphoria. It was exciting.'

The incident took place in November while the two men - now suspended from duty - were on leave before they began officer training in the commando unit.

An Israeli army spokesman said: 'This was a serious incident that does not meet the standards expected from IDF [Israel Defence Force] soldiers.'

Lawyers for the pair acknowledge the severity of the incident, but said they should be credited for confessing their actions.

The Duvdevan Unit, part of Israel's West Bank  is one of the most feared throughout the Middle East and often works as an undercover plain clothes squad fighting terrorism.

Etti Altman - chair of the Israeli animal rights group Let the Animals Live had called for lengthy jail sentences saying: 'Where did their compassion go, the mercy toward defenseless creatures?'

(Daily Mail - Jan 29, 2016)

Earlier:

• Israeli soldiers charged with animal cruelty after shooting camel for fun

Israeli soldiers charged with animal cruelty after shooting camel for fun

ISRAEL -- A horrifying video has captured the moment a suspected Israeli commando laughs as he takes aim and apparently shoots a camel in the neck.

The solider was out driving in the desert last week with a colleague when he launched the attack on the animal.

According to Israeli website Haaretz, the two soldiers are in the army Duvdevan undercover commando unit.

In the shocking footage, a commando sat in the passenger seat filming the driver as he held up his gun to the window.

As the vehicle passes the camel, he pulls the trigger, shooting the animal in the neck.

The pair then burst into laughter and continue to drive forwards,

Media reports claim the solider who shot the camel explained the laughter in the video by saying: "We were in a kind of euphoria. It was exciting."

He has now been charged with animal abuse as well as several counts of unauthorised use of weapons.

He was also caught on camera shooting at sand dunes and bottles in a private shooting range they had 'set up' themselves.

The soldier who filmed the incident with the camel is also being charged with animal abuse after the prosecution considered him a "full partner" in the shooting.

Both are also charged with obstructing justice.

A statement released by the army read: "This was a serious incident that does not meet the standards expected from IDF soldiers."

(Mirror UK - Dec 16, 2015)

Farm animals in demand for Christmas nativity scenes

PENNSYLVANIA -- Some farmers have extra reason to rejoice at Christmas: Tis the season for renting out animals for live Nativity scenes and other holiday events.

Growing up in rural Burlington, Wisc., one of Larry Squire’s favorite Christmas traditions was helping to set up a Nativity scene in his uncle’s barn.

“We borrowed the animals from all over the neighborhood,” he recalled.

So several years ago, Squire brought the tradition to Cargill United Methodist Church in his current hometown of Janesville, Wisc., renting animals from petting zoos and small farms. The church rents two pens’ worth of animals to stand next to a makeshift stable alongside volunteers dressed as Mary, Joseph, angels and the three wise men.

“It’s a beautiful thing. There’s a calm and peacefulness that comes from having the animals there,” Squire said.

Farm animals, reindeer and camels are in high demand between Thanksgiving and Christmas, said Megan Powell, event coordinator at Honey Hill Farm, a mobile petting zoo with locations in Berry, Kentucky, and Utica, Ohio.

“We will do 25 to 30 events in one weekend,” Powell said. “It’s not uncommon for us to sell out.”

Renting animals for Christmas programs helps pay for their food and upkeep, she said, and has been a huge growth area for the business.

“Churches love it,” Powell said. “We didn’t create the demand. We just became overwhelmed by it.”

Jodi Collen, an event planner at Augsburg College in Minneapolis and president of the International Special Events Society, explains it this way: “As event professionals, it doesn’t take you long to say, ‘I’m organizing a Nativity and I can get a donkey – why wouldn’t I get a donkey?”’

Honey Hill works with dozens of churches, schools and businesses to provide sheep, donkeys and goats for live Nativity scenes, said Powell, whose mother started the business about 15 years ago with a pony that she rented for birthday parties. “It really took off and she started adding animals.”

Rentals start at $325 an hour for a group of animals, depending on which ones are requested and for how long. In most cases, Powell said, visitors are allowed to touch and pet the animals.

“We do have a camel,” she said. “But we only have one – so he goes really fast.”

Few petting zoos and traditional farms raise camels, and they are harder to incorporate into programs and exhibits, said Bob Hudelson of Lost River Game Farm in Orleans, Indiana. He raises foxes, skunks and other exotic animals.

“There are a lot of camels out there – just not a lot of tame camels,” he said.

Many churches want them, however: “The three kings definitely had camels on their journey to see Christ,” Hudelson said. “With the camel, you get more of a feel of the story.”

Customers also want reindeer, said Powell, who does not raise them but has thought about it.

“The demand for reindeer is really high,” she said.

From his farm in Knoxville, Tenn., Kyle Wilson rents reindeer to malls, Christmas tree farms, zoos, hospitals and other businesses throughout the South. His prices start at $1,500 for a pair of reindeer for four hours.

“I currently have 21 reindeer but that’s not enough,” he said. “I started 15 years ago and each year I have had a record year.”

Families love to see Santa arrive with reindeer, said Amy Boyles, marketing manager of Kingsport Town Center in Kingsport, Tenn.

“It’s an added thing for our community and kids,” she said. “How many people get to see a reindeer? It gives them a bit of a wow factor.”

She booked “Dasher” and “Dancer” to appear with Santa during the mall’s Black Friday sale.

(Observer Reporter - Dec 12, 2015)

Amelia man guilty of animal cruelty won't give up quest to get back camel

VIRGINIA -- An Amelia man who was convicted by a judge of animal cruelty against his pet camel said he is “not giving up” in his quest to get Jacob back and will appeal the decision

Jacob was confiscated by Chesterfield County Animal Control from a property owned by Stanley Holmes in Chesterfield County on Bundle Road after police said the camel was underweight.

 

“They had about 20 people here that day, police officers, animal control officers, they had all these people milling around all day long because they didn’t know what they were doing,” Holmes said.

Holmes argues that he did nothing wrong and Jacob was fine.

“He was a little underweight because of the parasites, but not dangerously underweight,” Holmes said.

Yet, a spokesperson for animal control said Jacob’s health has greatly improved since leaving Holmes’ care and he is now doing well.

Holmes disagrees, “I think they just wanted the sensationalism of having a camel in the lockup.”

Holmes plan to appeal the judge’s decision means Jacob will remain with animal control as the court process plays itself out.

“I’m not giving up, if I’ve gotta spend every dime I get, I’m going to take this thing all the way up,” Holmes said.

Holmes said if his appeal does not work he will have to pay the court roughly $2,000 in restitution.

(wtvr.com - ‎Jul 11, 2015‎)

Earlier:

• Camel seized from Chesterfield property, owner arrested

Camel seized from Chesterfield property, owner arrested

VIRGINIA -- Animal Services made an unusual seizure at a Chesterfield property, and a couple is now facing animal cruelty charges.

Chesterfield Police say they received a report on Sunday about dead pigs and a neglected camel in the 11700 block of Bundle Road. Animal Services Officers went out to investigate, and took pictures of the camel, which they sent to the State Veterinarian's Office.

  

After determining the animal needed veterinary care, the decision was made to seize the camel.

When Animal Services returned for the camel on Tuesday, the animal's owner, 57-year-old Stanley Holmes Jr., arrived on scene. After speaking with police and Animal Services officers, he left. The police units left soon after, while Animal Services officers waited for a horse trailer to arrive to take the camel away.

While waiting, Holmes returned, and he and others allegedly loaded the camel onto their own trailer.

Animal Services called police for assistance, and officers arrived as Holmes was leaving the scene with the camel. Police followed Holmes and were able to stop him near Seven Springs Marina.

 

Police say Holmes was arrested and charged with obstruction of justice. The Animal Services trailer was brought out and the camel taken into custody.

Investigators got a search warrant for the property, as well as warrants for misdemeanor animal cruelty for both Holmes and his estranged wife, 56-year-old Angela M. Holmes, 56.

The camel remains in the custody of Animal Services as the criminal investigation continues. Police say additional charges are possible.

(WWBT - May 14, 2015)

Rampaging camel kills two at animal sanctuary: Tragedy as female farm owner, 73, and man, 53, are trampled to death in Texas

TEXAS -- A female farm owner and a man have been trampled to death by a camel on a farm in Texas after it became aggressive and charged at them, authorities have revealed.

Peggye McNair, 73 and Mark Mere, 53, were killed at Camel Kisses Farm near Wichita Falls just after 2:30pm on Saturday.

 

Wichita County Sheriff David Duke said the male camel was in rut - ready for breeding - when it suddenly got angry and started running at the pair.

Mrs McNair, the farm's owner, and Mere tried to close the gate of the animal's pen as it tried to escape.

However it was too fast and the pair were trampled. A game warden then killed the camel with the permission of McNair's family.  

A statement from the Sheriff's Office seen by the Times Record News said both people had suffered trauma and were dead when deputies arrived.

It read: 'A large aggressive camel was in the area as well and it took deputies several minutes to move it to another location. It appears that both victims were trampled by the camel.'

The bodies have been sent to Tarrant County for autopsy.

McNair is former vice president of American National Bank and has raised camels for nearly 20 years.

She followed her late husband into the business.

She operated Camel Kisses Ranch and would often open it for children to come see the humped animals.

  

 Mrs McNair was former vice president of American National Bank
and had raised camels for nearly 20 years.

In a 2009 interview with the Times Record News, Mrs McNair said that she took precautions with animals and almost entirely avoided males in a rut.

She added that camels are like dogs, if they are raised with cruelty they will be dangerous.

Mrs McNair cited a story of two women who were killed by a camel they raised as a pet when it placed its feet in front of them - a mating ritual.

(Daily Mail - Jan 12, 2015)

Man killed by camel at Mexico wildlife sanctuary

MEXICO -- An American man has been killed by a camel that escaped its pen and sat on him at a wildlife sanctuary he owned in the Mexico beach resort of Tulum.

 Richard Mileski, 60, originally from Chicago, was reportedly attacked by the animal, which kicked and bit him, before sitting on him.

 Mr Mileski was found dead early on Monday.

 Speaking to the NY Daily News, Antonio Gomez, a Tulum emergency services spokesman, said: "When we arrived, the people who were there said (the camel) got out of its stable and attacked him.
 "It dragged him, climbed on top of him, was kicking him, biting him and sat on top of him."

 Ranch employee Manuel Jesús Medina Aldana heard Mileski's cries for help, and after trying unsuccessfully to remove the animal, he used a rope to attach it to a truck and pull it off.

 Mileski was still alive when he was carried to his home but died shortly after, reports the Mexico Daily News.

 According to the NY Post, the dromedary, which is a type of camel predominantly from the Middle East and North Africa, was taken away by Mexico's federal agency of environmental protection, Profepa.

 The attack took place at the Tulum Monkey Sanctuary, a three-acre reserve owned by Mr Mileski that rehabilitates monkeys rescued from the illegal pet trade or threatened by loss of habitat.

 The sanctuary sits on land that is part of a 61-acre ranch not far from Tulum's hotel area, and opened in late 2012.

 It's also home to other animals, including camels, and white-tailed deer, descendants of those Mileski rescued from an abusive rancher some years ago.

 Mileski had been rescuing animals for over 15 years.

According to the Mexico Daily News, it is believed the camel might have been suffering with severe stress as it had been moved to the sanctuary from a circus in Merida.

(AOL Travel UK - Oct 15, 2014)

Camel bites man at ostrich farm

WISCONSIN -- A New Jersey man visiting an ostrich farm on Washington Island last month was bitten by a camel, according to a Door County Sheriff’s Department report.

Ronald Corey, 68, Morristown, N.J., and his family were touring the Double K Ostrich Farm at 1928 W. Harbor Road on July 19 when the top of his left wrist was bitten by the farm’s 12-year-old male camel, Ollie.

Ostrich farm owner Kristi Oscor told the deputy she was aware Corey was bit but that he seemed apologetic when it happened. Oscor told the deputy she looked Corey’s wrist and it wasn’t bleeding.

She was going to get a Band-Aaid from the house, she said, but there were back-to-back tours coming through and the Corey family was so upset they rushed to the island clinic.

Corey received three stitches and the county sanitarian’s office referred the incident to the state Division of Health, which said the camel needed to be quarantined for 30 days.

Ollie was quarantined to his pen as of July 20. The camel can stay on display but can have no feeding by the general public. He is to be seen by a veterinarian three times and is not be sold or moved and will not be euthanized.

(Door County Advocate - August 3, 2012)

Tennessee boy recovering after camel attack

TENNESSEE -- A 13-year-old boy is at Le Bonheur tonight recovering from a camel attack on his grandfather's farm in Fayette County.

Trip Knight, III is expected to survive, but he may have permanent damage from the camel attack.

Some neighbors along the remote stretch of Monkhouse Road near Somerville were unaware camels were kept nearby, but they hate hearing one of them injured a 13-year-old boy.

"I hate anything about a kid getting hurt because I got kids and grand kids and wouldn't want them to get hurt," said neighbor Mike Watkins.

Fayette County Sheriff's Office investigators say Knight was injured last week while trying to put a harness on one of his grandfather's camels.

The animal attacked, knocked Trip to the ground and broke bones in his face and head.

"Any animals got their own mind and can do anything at any time," said Watkins.

Neighbors say the camels are kept more than a mile off the road where Trip's grandfather also raises horses.

Most people picture camels in the desert, but they are domesticated in the U.S. as well. A special license isn't required in Tennessee to own them.

One neighbor said she once met the camel in question and that it was aggressive.

Neighbors are praying for Trip Knight's recovery.

A family member said they appreciate the thoughts and prayers. Meanwhile, he is expected to undergo more surgery Tuesday.

(WCM-TV - March 19, 2012)

Washington: On probation for animal cruelty after nearly 80 dead animals found on her property in January, Carol McMullen, 70, re-arrested for violating her probation terms

WASHINGTON -- Reports of a camel on a property in eastern Spokane County led to the recent arrest of a mother and daughter duo already charged with animal cruelty.

The camel belonged to a neighbor, but animal control officers say Kelly J. Covey, 49, had two dogs in her camper - a violation of a court order.

The restriction has been in place since a Jan. 29 raid at the property, 6204 N. Idaho Road, that led to charges against Covey, her mother, Carol McMullen, 70, and Mullen's son, James W. McMullen.

In addition to the camel, SCRAPS investigators found cows and llamas at 6204 N. Idaho Road that also violated court orders.

Carol McMullen has previous convictions for animal cruelty; she was arrested again last week for violating her release conditions. Covey was booked into jail Friday.

The family faces several felony animal cruelty charges after 123 farm animals and pets were seized in January.

Officers found 78 dead animals on the property, located between State Line and Newman Lake.

(Spokesman - June 14, 2011)

Earlier:

• Spokane County family faces animal cruelty felonies

Australian woman killed by her pet camel

AUSTRALIA -- An Australian woman was killed by a pet camel given to her as a 60th birthday present after the animal apparently tried to have sex, police said Sunday.

The woman, whose name was not released, was killed Saturday at her family's sheep and cattle ranch near Mitchell, 350 miles west of the Queensland state capital Brisbane, state police Detective Senior Constable Craig Gregory said.

The 10-month-old male camel — weighing about 330 pounds — knocked the woman to the ground, lay on top of her, then exhibited what police suspect was mating behavior, Gregory said.

"I'd say it's probably been playing, or it may be even a sexual sort of thing," Gregory said, adding the camel almost suffocated the family's pet goat by straddling it on several occasions.

Camel expert Chris Hill said he had no doubt the camel's behavior was sexual.

Hill, who has offered camel rides to tourists for 20 years, said young camels are not aggressive, but can be dangerous if treated as pets without discipline.

The fate of the camel was not known.

The woman was given the camel in March as a birthday present from her husband and daughter. "She had a love of exotic pets," Gregory said.

(CBS News - August 19, 2007)