Michigan: Admitted heroin junkies Jennifer Koos and her boyfriend Martell Dyke starved their dogs to death, say police

MICHIGAN -- A man and woman are facing felony charges after surrendering two severely starved and malnourished dogs to the Humane Society of Genesee County.

A third dog living in the home died of starvation and was partially eaten by the other two dogs, according to Genesee County Sheriff Robert Pickell.

This six-month-old dog, still just a puppy, was still
alive when these photos were taken

He was so far gone, though, he had to be euthanized
after his organs shut down. There was no saving him.
In his short six months on this earth, he knew nothing
but pain and suffering thanks to Jennifer and Martell.

The Genesee County Sheriff's Office opened an animal cruelty investigation after the dogs, which had bones clearly visible under their skin, were dropped off.

Pickell said police discovered the dogs were living in the basement of a residence filled with urine, feces and trash.

  

 

This two-year-old Pit Bull mix was the lone survivor

Jennifer Koos, 36, a woman living in the home, told police she has been struggling with a heroin addiction and admitted that the dogs would sometimes go weeks between feedings, Pickell said.

"When you see their bodies, just the rib cage is and the rest of their bodies it's obvious it's a horrible horrible situation," Pickell said.

  

 

 

 

The three dogs were locked down in this basement. When

one dog finally died of starvation, the other dogs at it to survive

Her live-in boyfriend, Martell Dyke, 27, told police he "threw pizza into the basement" for the dogs "once in a while".

Koos told police she was aware that the third dog had died and the other two dogs were beginning to eat it. She CLAIMED her drug addiction kept her from "dealing with" the situation.

"They left the dog in the basement, so the other two dogs could feed off the dog. The only thing we have left is the carcass," Sheriff Pickell said.

Based on reports from sheriff deputies, the Genesee County Prosecutor's Office charged both Koos and Dyke with one count each of felony animal killing or torturing.

They were in court for arraignment on Wednesday, where both pleaded not guilty. If convicted, both face up to four years in prison.

Don't get too excited. I guarantee they'll be given probation. Maybe a couple days in the county jail; they're certainly not going to be sentenced to prison.

"My hope is this case will be a warning to others, that our county takes animal cruelty issues seriously, and will take action against those who abuse these pets," Pickell said in a Facebook post.

 

 

The lone surviving dog is still recovering

Coco is now coming back. She has gained a lot of weight in her two weeks here. She's playful, loving, and dreaming of her future furever home.

"She still has a few pounds to put on," Holmes says, "To get her to a healthy weight, because you can still feel the backbones, the hip bones. "

The process of bringing a dog back from this type of neglect is often complex, and can take weeks or even months, if there is organ damage.

Holmes says they have to learn how to eat all over again, "They get fed several times a day, small meals. Because if you put a big bowl of food in front of them, they'll just eat that whole bowl of food and not be able to keep it down. That's not good for them either."

Cases like this are, sadly, not unusual. But, there are things you can do, especially if you suspect a friend, relative, or neighbor's pet is suffering abuse and/or neglect. Report it right away.

"This does not have to happen to animals," Holmes says, "In this day in age, there are so many places you can reach out to."

A neighbor who didn't want to be identified said it was evident Koos wasn't fit to be a pet owner.

"She came up to me and she said to me one time. She said, 'You know how you just want -- when you get a pet, you just want them to run away?' And, she said these pets won't go anywhere," the neighbor said. "And I thought, well should you even have a pet if you can't take care of it?"

She could have opened the door to the basement and kicked them outside of her house - at least they would've had a chance. Instead, she and her boyfriend sat there shooting or snorting drugs... they didn't forget to eat though. They don't look emaciated, do they? They certainly fed themselves between hits of heroin.

The neighbor used to see the dogs when they ran into her yard a few times, but she says that was months ago.

"I didn't even know she still had them because you never see any sign of them coming outside, you know, to use the bathroom or I mean I just never saw them," the neighbor added.

Sheirff Pickell said four years isn't a tough enough penalty for this type of abuse. He's been lobbying in Lansing for stricter sentences when it comes to animal abuse.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP #1:

VIDEO NEWS CLIP #2:

(ABC12 - Dec 1, 2017)

Louisiana: Kody Yellott and Alaura Nixon arrested, charged with animal cruelty after puppies found dead, other dogs found living in feces, urine

LOUISIANA -- On July 10 at approximately 11:00 a.m. the Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to a call at a home at 2304 Kathy Drive in Sulphur in reference to animal cruelty.

 

 

 

 Upon arrival deputies spoke with the homeowner, who no longer lives at the home and who was also the complainant, who advised deputies when she arrived at the house she found two small puppies dead on a pile of dirty clothes located in the kitchen. 

She advised deputies she had put them in a bag and then called the Sheriff’s Office.

The home owner gave deputies permission to search the residence.

 Once inside deputies located the two residents, Kody Yellott, 26, and Alaura Nixon, 19, who were immediately detained due to deputies locating drug paraphernalia in close proximity to them.

Upon a search of the home, deputies located 8 dogs inside the residence. Deputies also located 6 small puppies in a corner of the living room that were laying in feces and urine. 

 

 

There was no food located in the home for the dogs and the floors of the residence were covered in urine and feces. 

Deputies observed the remains of two small puppies that were found by the homeowner to be partially eaten by the dogs found in the residence.

 

 

Apparently her dogs were churning out puppies regularly

Yellot was arrested and booked into the Calcasieu Correctional Center and charged with 14 counts of simple animal cruelty; 2 counts of aggravated animal cruelty; and possession of drug paraphernalia. Judge Robert Wyatt set his bond at $27,500.

Nixon was released, due to needing medical attention, with charges of 14 counts of simple animal cruelty; and 2 counts of aggravated animal cruelty.

 

 

A Calcasieu Parish Animal Services detective arrived and took all fourteen (14) dogs into custody, after the owner signed a voluntary surrender. They were transported to Calcasieu Parish Animal Services and checked by a licensed veterinarian and found to be underweight.

CPSO Deputy Tyler McKnight is the arresting officer on this case. CPSO Detective Jennie Duncan is the lead investigator on this case.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

In the video cilp, the neighbor says they've lived at this address "for a couple years", but in a GoFundMe posted in March, Alaura is begging for money saying they're "homeless and in need". Notice she fails to mention the other 13 dogs in her possession. Reminder to people to not believe everything they read and be very cautious about who you donate money to.

Homeless And In Need
Created March 20, 2017
by Alaura Nixon
  SULPHUR, LA
My name's Alaura. Me my dog Molly and my boyfriend Kody are in need of help. We are sleeping on a porch and have little to no room for even the smallest of things. Like a bed. Or a place to put our clothes. I am rasing money to get us a place and a brand new bed. And some food for my baby Molly. Please help us get our lives back on track. God bless you all.

Update
Kody has recently gotten his job back. But will but be receiving pay until the 17th of April. So any donations are greatly appreciated until then. Thanks.

 

(Calcasieu Parish Sheriff’s Office - July 11, 2017)

Oklahoma: Jessica McBride sentenced to 8 years probation for animal cruelty; her boyfriend James Looney gets 5 years probation

OKLAHOMA -- Back in February 2016, Jessica McBride and James Looney were arrested after police found four dogs crammed inside a small crate in their house.

“[The witness] said there was one dog, which was dead, lying in the crate," according to the report. "And, the other dogs were eating on it.”

  

Of course by the time authorities got around to getting over to the house, the little dog's partially-eaten body was gone and Jessica and James denied everything.

Jim Looney claimed that he was bringing home leftovers from his job at Taco Bueno to feed the dogs, but police say that was impossible due to the emaciated bodies of the animals.

 

 

  

 

Looney, apparently also had warrants for marijuana and possession so they added those charges in with his animal cruelty charges.

By the looks of them, I don't think pot was their only drug of choice.

 

Anyway, the Oklahoma Offender Inmate Search reveals that, although I couldn't find any news story about how the case was settled, it says the Jessica McBride received a sentence of 8 years probation.

By their listing, she's supposed to be on probation until 3/14/2025.

Don't get too excited. Yes, that's a good thing that she got such a long time on probation. However, it's listed that she was given Deferred Sentencing.

A deferred adjudication in Oklahoma (commonly referred to as a deferred sentence) occurs when a defendant enters a plea of guilty to the crime or crimes as charged but is not formally sentenced.

The court agrees to "put off" sentencing to a later date provided the defendant agrees to certain terms and conditions required by the court.

The benefit to animal abusers of a deferred adjudication is that if a defendant successfully completes the period of probation the actual case will be dismissed.


This means at the end of the eight years, the courts will enter DISMISSED next to all of her animal cruelty charges, as though these little dogs didn't suffer, as if it had never happened that that little dog suffered and died and was eaten by the other dogs, as if the state didn't have a good case against her.

And she can, like many animal abusers who are given deferred sentencing, gloat and proclaim to everyone that their animal cruelty case was dismissed "because I didn't do anything wrong!"

Do they give deferred sentences to child abusers?

Offender: Jessica K. McBride
Alias: Jess McBride
Gender: Female
Race: White
Height: 5 ft 4 in
Weight: 121 lbs
Hair Color: Black
Eye Color: Brown
Birth Date: 11/14/1979
OK DOC#: 759170
Court: OKLAHOMA COUNTY COURT
Offense: CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Term: 8 Years / P&PDEF
Disposition date: 3/15/2017
Current status: Active

The GOOD news is that James Looney was not offered the same deal. He either plead guilty or no contest and was sentenced to five years probation with the sentence suspended. This means the animal cruelty conviction WILL be on his criminal record.

Offender: James B. Looney
Alias: Jim Looney, Jimmy Looney
Gender: Male
Race: White
Height: 6 ft 2 in
Weight: 279 lbs
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Birth Date: 8/2/1984
OK DOC#: 739152
Court: OKLAHOMA COUNTY COURT
Offense: CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Conviction date:
Term: 5 Years
Term code: P&PSUS
Sentence begins: 4/11/2016
Status: Active

Earlier:

• Oklahoma: Jessica McBride, 36 and James Looney, 31, arrested after horrific allegations of animal neglect

Arkansas: 31 dogs rescued, 9 found dead in Benton County hoarding case

ARKANSAS -- More than 30 dogs were rescued and nine partially eaten dogs were found in filthy living conditions in a home in Benton County in west central Missouri, the Humane Society of Missouri Animal Cruelty Task Force said.

On Thursday, 30 Shih Tzu/ Maltese-type mixes, ranging from 6 months old to 15 years old, and a Labrador Retriever mix were found after a concerned citizen called the Benton County Sheriff’s Office.

When the task force members arrived, they found the dogs living in a home with floors covered in feces and urine. The long-haired dogs have matted fur that has feces stuck to it, skin, ear and eye infections and internal and external parasites. Several dogs are extremely thin and several are missing eyes, the task force said.

Investigators also found nine recently deceased dogs that appeared to have been partially eaten by the other dogs, the task force said.

The dogs’ owner has agreed he isn’t able to care for the dogs and surrendered them to the humane society, according to the task force.

The dogs were taken to Humane Society of Missouri headquarters in St. Louis to be examined by humane society veterinarians, cared for by shelter staff, and made available for adoption when possible.

“Obviously, these poor dogs have been suffering for a long time,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri. “Our first priority is for their safety, health and well-being. Our expert staff will do everything we can to rehabilitate them and find them the loving homes they deserve.

"In addition, our ACT will continue to investigate and develop evidence in this case toward recommending prosecution to the fullest extent of the law to the Benton County Sheriff’s Department and prosecutor’s office.”

 

(BND - Jan 5, 2017)

New York: Police say starving dogs ate dead puppies, furniture. Owners James Hughes and Eleanor Hughes charges with cruelty

NEW YORK -- Longtime Wayne County District Attorney Rick Healy called it one of the worst cases of animal cruelty he’s ever seen — if not the worst.
 
For that reason, he is pushing for the maximum jail sentences possible for two Macedon residents arrested Sunday after nine starving dogs were found in their mobile home. Among the grisly discovery were two dead puppies being eaten by the surviving dogs.

“My position is they can either plead guilty or go to trial. I will be seeking lengthy jail sentences for both,” Healy said Wednesday. “This is really outrageous conduct.”

James Hughes and Eleanor Hughes, of Wayneport Road, were both charged by Macedon police with 11 counts of animal cruelty. They were arraigned in town court and remain in the county jail on $2,500 bail.

James Hughes is a registered sex offender.

  

Police were called to the Pinewood Trailer Park for the report of a loose dog and ended up finding multiple dogs locked in a mobile home without food, water or ventilation. Due to the hot conditions that day, police said the temperature inside the trailer was more than 100 degrees.

Eleven dogs were inside when police arrived, although two of them were dead. Police said the surviving dogs were emaciated, covered in fleas and forced to live in their own feces and urine.

They were taken to nearby Lollypop Farm, where they continue to be cared for. Working with town police were animal cruelty investigators from the district attorney’s office.

Healy said the couple was living in the mobile home at the time, but not providing food and/or water to the dogs, which were living in extremely unsanitary conditions. He added that some of the dogs were eating furniture as well as the dead puppies.

Also arrested as part of the case was Zachary Anthony, 20, of Macedon. He was charged with obstructing governmental administration and obstructing an animal cruelty investigation.

It is alleged that while police were in their preliminary investigation at the trailer, James Hughes tried to get three of the dogs out of the trailer through a back window, and Anthony helped him and hid two of the animals in his camper in the trailer park. Another dog was hidden inside a plow truck on the property.

Anthony, who Healy called a neighbor/friend of the couple, was also arraigned in town court and remanded to jail on $2,500 bail.

Police said there were also signs that some of the dogs, described as Husky mixed breed, tried to chew their way through a door to get out of the trailer. Healy said by law, the maximum time James and Eleanor Hughes could spend in jail is two years.

“They are misdemeanor charges, although the results are horrendous ... including the cannibalism,” he said. “Although misdemeanors are punishable by up to one year in jail, because there are 11 counts for each the cap is two years in jail.”

(Finger Lake Times - Sept 10, 2015)

Pennsylvania: Michele Ryan and Tim Weltmer abandoned their 21 cats in a filthy apartment to die. Michele took a plea deal; Tim fought the charges and at trial was found guilty. He appealed his case, but the judges upheld the animal cruelty conviction and jail term

PENNSYLVANIA -- A prison term slapped on a Cumberland County man convicted of allowing nine cats to starve to death after abandoning them in his house was "fair and appropriate," the state Superior Court ruled Friday.

The court made that call in rejecting an appeal by Timothy Michael Weltmer, of Newville, whose neglected cats had to resort to cannibalism.

Weltmer, 47, received his 2- to 23-month prison sentence in January 2013, after a county jury and Judge Edward E. Guido convicted him of 25 counts of cruelty to animals.

Newville police said Cpl. James Swartz discovered nine dead cats in July 2011 in Weltmer's former house in the first block of West Street, while investigating a report about accumulating trash.

Swartz searched the house without a warrant after encountering an odor of decomposition that was so strong he thought a dead person might have been inside.

Swartz found seven dead cats partly cannibalized, along with 11 other emaciated and flea-ridden felines, court records show. Two of the 11 cats Swartz discovered alive died soon afterward. The temperature inside the home exceeded 100 degrees, the place was littered with feces and the animals had no food or water, police said.

Weltmer was accused of allowing the cats to suffer and die even though he and his fiancee had moved to another house only 150 yards down the street. His co-defendant, Michele Lynn Ryan, pleaded guilty in the case and received the same sentence.

In upholding Weltmer's convictions and jail term, the Superior Court rejected his argument that the evidence Swartz found should not have been used against him, because the officer didn't secure a search warrant before entering the house.

President Judge Emeritus Kate Ford Elliott wrote in the state court's opinion that there were "exigent circumstances" — an odor of decay that could have indicated someone was dead or in dire need of aid — which permitted Swartz to conduct a warrantless search.

"It was the uncertainty as to what would confront the corporal upon entry that created the justification and need to take immediate action," Ford Elliott concluded.

In upholding the prison sentence, which Weltmer argued was too harsh, Ford Elliott cited Guido's reasoning for imposing the penalty.

Weltmer "allowed nine cats to starve to death. The nine that survived did so only by feeding off the corpses of those who had died," Guido wrote in the passage quoted by Ford Elliott. "We were convinced that any lesser sentence would not have been appropriate."

You can read the court's decision in its entirety here.

(PennLive - September 12, 2014)

Earlier:

• Pennsylvania: Michele Ryan and Tim Weltmer facing animal cruelty charges after they abandoned their 21 cats to slowly die inside a filthy 100-degree apartment
• Pennsylvania:  Michele Ryan given 2 months in jail after being charged with 69 counts of animal cruelty for abandoning 21 cats to die. Her boyfriend Tim Weltmer facing trial. 
• Pennsylvania: Tim Weltmer found guilty of animal cruelty in cat abandonment case. His girlfriend already took a plea deal after they abandoned their 21 cats inside a filthy apartment to slowly die one by one
• Pennsylvania: Tim Weltmer sentenced to 23 months in prison after being found guilty, along with his girlfriend Michele Ryan of abandoning their 21 cats inside a filthy 100-degree apartment to slowly die

Ohio: Man in Alleged Animal Hoarding Case - Donald Myler, 39 - Turns Self in to Police

OHIO -- A man accused in an alleged animal hoarding case in Amsterdam, Ohio, turned himself into police on Tuesday.

40-year-old Donald Myler turned himself in to authorities and surrendered all of his dogs to the Humane Society.

He is being charged with 33 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of failure to register. Both of these charges face a penalty of 90 days in jail and a $750 dollar fine.

Last Friday, Amsterdam Police were on the of what they called deplorable conditions when they found 33 dogs in a home at 112 Euclid Avenue in Amsterdam, Ohio.

33 dogs were removed from the home; four others were dead, and a puppy was beheaded by the other animals who were starving to death. One dog was put down due to his condition.

Full name: Donald W. Myler
Sex: Male
Race: White
DOB: 09/04/1973

(Your Ohio Valley - May 11, 2013)

Earlier:

• Ohio: Donald Myler, 39, accused of hoarding and starving dogs

Ohio: Donald Myler, 39, accused of hoarding and starving dogs

OHIO -- Donald W. Myler, 39, of 112 Euclid St. was charged Tuesday with 33 counts of animal cruelty and 16 counts of no dog registration after Village Police found 34 dogs starving at his house Friday.

Myler was taken to the county jail and was being held there early today on a $6,620 bond.

Village Police Chief Todd Walker said he was called to the house Friday because of aggressive dogs attacking neighbors. The chief said a large dog tried to attack him outside the house while Walker was in his cruiser. Walker said he had to use his cruiser to push the dog back inside an open gate.

The county Humane Society and the county’s assistant dog warden were contacted.

“The condition of the dogs was very poor and they were very aggressive,” Walker said.

Walker said there were 17 dogs inside a fenced area. He said the odor of dog feces and urine was “overwhelming.” He said there was no signs of water or food for the dogs. Other dogs were seen inside the home, some locked in rooms, he said.

Walker said county Humane Officer Kasandra Howell put food through a window into a room.

“The dogs were visually starving and aggressively trying to consume the food. Most of the dogs were swallowing the food whole, trying to eat as much as possible,” Walker said.

The assistant dog warden captured most of the aggressive dogs. The dogs were then placed in the custody of the humane officer.

Walker said Myler failed to comply with a previous order of the police department concerning the dogs.

“The condition of the dogs was found to be severely deteriorated since last contact,” Walker said.

Inside the home, Walker said a dog was found lying in a pile of filth and blood. He said the dog had to be put down at the scene. A puppy was found beheaded and partially eaten in a bedroom, he said.

Several dogs had jumped the fence, and Walker was called back on Saturday about dogs returning.

A county health department representative also came to the home on Friday and ordered nobody was allowed to occupy the home due to its condition.

Howell said 30 dogs were taken to the county’s animal shelter. She said about one-half of the dogs were pretty thin and some dogs were being fed by neighbors.

“There was not one one drop of water or food in the house,” she said.

The humanef food, flea medication and other supplies.

The animal shelter already had 15 dogs there before the incident, she said.

“Every shelter worker and member of the humane society has been putting in overtime,” Howell said.

She said the dogs are not socialized with humans. She said that will have to take place before the dogs can be put up for adoption or transferred to a rescue organization. Howell said the dogs have to remain at the animal shelter until released by the county prosecutor’s office.

(Weirton Daily Times - May 8, 2013)