Canada: After Kevin Newman's Pit Bull crushed a little Sheltie mix to death, he ran off with his dog - and is now blaming the Sheltie's owners for his death

CANADA -- A horrifying incident in Coal Harbour has left a Vancouver dog owner shattered.

Security camera footage from a balcony overlooking a stretch of the Seawall in Coal Harbour shows an unleashed Pit Bull locate its target, a Sheltie American Eskimo dog being walked on a leash. The Sheltie owners pause (first mistake) while the Pit Bull and the Sheltie sniff each other.

 

 

Suddenly the Pit Bull launches an attack on the Sheltie. Its owner, Farshid Tabari, swings his dog by its harness up into the air with the Pit Bull jumping up and grabbing the smaller dog. It yanks the poor dog right out of its harness and begins crushing it with several bites.

You see them finally separate the Pit Bull from the Sheltie and the owner casually walks off with his dog.

Update: He has been identified as KEVIN NEWMAN

“As soon as I put him down, he dropped down and did not move at all,” Farshid Tabari, the owner of the injured dog, said.

The injured dog was rushed to a vet but died from its injuries over the weekend.

The attack happened a week ago Sunday.

"PIT AN RUN"
Animal control officers are trying to locate the attacking dog and its owner, who left the scene.

The owner is believed to have been wearing a grey-and-white patterned jacket and had a neck tattoo behind his left ear.

Note: He has been identified online as KEVIN NEWMAN.

An online fundraiser to cover the cost of Tabari’s veterinary bills.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP #1:

This video irritates me. Yes, these people are victims but they don't have to have a victim mentality. YOU DO WHAT YOU NEED TO DO TO PROTECT YOURSELVES, YOUR FAMILY AND YOUR PETS. They have the mannerisms of victims. This damn dog comes by... why would you ever let your dog near it? 

You tell yourself you'd stab the pit bull with a pocketknife or that you'd put it into a chokehold and strangle it to death. But this little Sheltie is, as they say "dead man walking", AFTER THE FIRST BITE. It only took one bite for the Pit Bull to crush the internal organs of this Sheltie. Once the Pit Bull jumped into the air and grabbed the Sheltie, the fight was over before it had even begun. 

Despite what Pit Bull apologists claim, Pit Bulls have incredible bite strength. This Pit Bull leapt into the air and grabbed hold of the Sheltie. For a split second you can see the Sheltie in the air with the Pit Bull, also completely in the air, hanging onto the Sheltie. 

That was enough to mortally wound the little Sheltie named Max. When they land onto the ground, the Sheltie doesn't move and the Pit Bull releases it.

They're busy grabbing and leashing the Pit Bull while the Sheltie never moves. He's a dying lump on the ground. The owner picks up her Sheltie and cradles him in her arms. 

Then after their dog has been mortally wounded, they appear to attempt to talk with the Pit Bull owner who simply walks off with his dog. They put their dying Sheltie onto the ground and then stand there, looking confused.

I am NOT blaming the Sheltie's owners. They were naive - and Max paid the price for their naivety.

Follow your laws, but prepare yourself. Think like military and law enforcement -- have a winning mindset. You and your loved ones will make it home safely. Legally carry a taser, pocketknife, firearm. Plan for what you will do if something happens. DO NOT BE A VICTIM!

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

UPDATE:
Tabari told CTV News the owners of the other dog acted aggressively towards him before walking away.

"He didn't offer help or say, ‘How's your dog doing?’" Tabari said.

"CTV Vancouver reached out to the other person in the video, Kevin Newman, who says CLAIMS he hung around for 10 minutes after the attack, but the security video shows him and a woman leaving after just one minute.

“I would never wish any dog to be hurt,” Newman said over the phone. ”I'm a dog lover.”

“I tried to give my information. I told them to call the cops.”

Animal Control is now investigating the incident while the British Columbia SPCA says one way to prevent such attacks is to keep your pet on a leash.

BLAMING THE VICTIM
Newman, on the other hand, is at least partially blaming the leash for Max’s injuries.

“He had a little rope harness on the dog, that's probably what made the internal bleeding,” Newman said.

*  *  *  *  *  *  *

This was their GoFundMe page:

On January 21st, our poor little Max was attacked while walking on the Coal Harbour seawall with his mom and dad. Max was leashed, but the attacking Pitbull was not. Max was tossed through the air and pinned down before his owners could separate them.

Max was seen by a veterinarian immediately with bills exceeding $2000. Over the course of the next week, Max’s condition worsened and he was rushed back to the hospital with further bills reaching $5000.

On Saturday evening, after discovering internal bleeding, Max’s family had to make the difficult decision to euthanize him. We’re seeking funds to assist Max’s family pay for the cost associated with the veterinary care.

GoFundMe: Max's Vet Bills :(
Created January 29, 2018
RC
Rob Cimaglia
  Animals
  Vancouver, BC

(Global News CA - January 30, 2018)

Kentucky: While abusing a woman and her children, Damon Berry also killed a small kitten by smashing a TV set on top of it

KENTUCKY -- City police were called to investigate a domestic violence complaint Saturday afternoon at a Sugg Street residence.

At 506 Sugg Street in Madisonville, the known address of 43-year-old Damon Berry, a female told responding officers that Berry had held her and her two children against their will for approximately two hours that day, according to an arrest citation.

The victim also told officers that Berry had thrown a television set at her and choked her during a fight while she held her 3-month-old child.

"(The victim) advised (Berry) had a knife and advised if police responded, he would kill her and her family," the citation said. "(The victim) advised (Berry) destroyed several items within the home as well as killed a small kitten during this incident."

A small, lifeless cat was reportedly found smashed beneath a large television in the living room. The home was also found to be in disarray, with several items overturned or broken, according to the citation.

"(The victim) advised (Berry) poured rubbing alcohol all over the residence and began to attempt to spark a cigarette lighter in an attempt to set fire to it," the citation added. "(The victim) advised (Berry) finally advised her to take her kids and get out."

Berry was said to have fled the area armed with a knife. Officers reported seeing Berry several blocks away, and then he ran into the woods nearby.

City police called Hopkins County Sheriff’s Office deputies and K-9 to search for the suspect.

MPD reported Berry tried to run again, but was apprehended.

Police indicated they are looking into another incident believed to involve Berry, and more charges are pending against him.

Berry was listed as being held in Hopkins County Jail without bond.

Currently, Berry faces charges of fourth-degree assault/domestic violence, three counts of first-degree unlawful imprisonment, first-degree attempted arson, first-degree fleeing or evading police on foot, three counts of third-degree terroristic threatening and second-degree cruelty to animals.

(SurfKY - June 11, 2017)

Tennessee: Terrence Clark is arrested for killing his mother's beloved Shih Tzu by shoving it in a trash compactor and crushing him

TENNESSEE -- Metro Nashville Police officers arrested 27-year-old Terrence J. Clark for allegedly putting his mom's dog in an apartment complex trash compactor and purposely crushing him inside the machine.

Surveillance video shows Clark pull up in a car, remove the Shih Tzu from the back seat, push him into a plastic grocery bag, and then place him in the trash compactor.

The video then shows the suspect push the compactor button four times - squishing the little dog repeatedly inside the machine - before returning to his car and driving away.

On Feb. 21, someone heard the dog whimpering and barking from inside the compactor and called the Nashville Fire Department. Firefighters responded to the complex and rescued it.

The little dog was rushed to a veterinarian, but despite round-the-clock care, he died of his horrific injuries four days later.

The investigation showed the dog belonged to Clark’s mother.

Clark was charged Tuesday afternoon with aggravated animal cruelty and jailed in lieu of $65,000 bond.

(NewsChannel5 - March 9, 2017)

In West Virginia, you can torture, stomp, kill and dismember a cat, skin another while it is alive, stab a third cat through the forehead, through the eyeball and down to the gum line while it is still alive.... and you just have to go spend 18 months in the county jail. You just might get out in six months if you're a good boy.

WEST VIRGINIA -- A Kanawha County man pleaded guilty Thursday in a brutal cat killing and torture case and received the maximum penalty - an 18-month sentence.

Mallory COULD have been charged with felonies and COULD have faced FIVE YEARS IN PRISON, but prosecutors probably thought 'they were just cats, it's not like they were children'. 

With this plea he only has to spend 18 months in the county jail - county jail is a lot more laid back than prison. Also, as with typical sentencing guidelines, as long as he follows the rules and doesn't get into trouble, he'll only have to do 1/3 of that time - 6 months. 

I don't see anything in this article that he was forced to get psychological evaluation and treatment. You and I both know as soon as he gets out HE WILL DO THIS AGAIN - but just be more secretive about it. 

Wayne Mallory Jr. was arrested and charged with three counts of animal cruelty last week in South Charleston for killing, dismembering and torturing cats.

It’s been called the most disturbing case the Kanawha Charleston Humane Association has ever seen. The shelter took four cats - one was stomped on, killed and dismembered, two were tortured by skinning it alive and torture stabbing it in the face and head and through the eye and one appeared to be healthy - Mallory hadn't yet had a chance to do anything to it. The cats are recovering and will eventually need to find good homes.

It was an unexpected guilty plea and many are glad the maximum penalty was given. Still though, it's difficult for a lot of people to wrap their minds around how someone could ever do this.

When asked why he would do this to innocent animals, Mallory had nothing to say after he pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty and was sentenced. He also can’t own or live with animals for the next 5 years.

“The deceased cat was dismembered. One of the live cats was perfectly healthy, one of them had begun to be skinned alive and one was stabbed through the forehead, through the eyeball, and then down into the gum line so it was really, really heinous," Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association Executive Director Chelsea Staley said.

Evidence from Mallory’s home in South Charleston was covered in blood. The wounds on the cats, according to the veterinarian, were inflicted with "surgical precision."

The surviving cats that Mallory tortured are now in the loving care of the Humane Association.

Association staff members said it’s the most cold-hearted case of animal abuse they have ever seen, especially because these cats may have belonged to someone else.

“It is said in the community that the woman who owns the cats is now in a nursing home. But they're incredibly friendly cats as you might expect, you couldn't do this to cats that weren't. Very, very sweet cats and we think we'll find them loving homes soon," Staley said.

The cats now have a chance for a life they deserve. “Willow" is healthy and ready for adoption. "Jenkins" was stabbed and will need eye removal surgery. “Star,” who was skinned around her neck, is being fostered by animal lover, Kate Lucas.

“I’ve never seen one that’s been wounded to that degree that’s been done by a human being so that’s distressing, but her personality makes up for it and she’s doing better," Lucas said.

While this cruelty is sickening to many, this outcome is a win for animals and animal lovers in West Virginia.

“It makes me feel wonderful and hopeful, hopeful that people will finally understand you can’t abuse animals. I don’t care if you don’t like animals or not, it’s against the law and you will be punished and it makes me feel hopeful people might learn that," Itty Bitty Kitty Committee President Dorella Tuckwiller said.

Staley said it's a case that the court and the public takes seriously.

“If anyone witnesses something like this, say something because the animals can’t and one day is an eternity if an animal is in distress," Staley said.

The cat “Willow, is available for adoption, but the other two will not be available until they recover from their injuries.

(MyFox28 Columbus - Dec 23, 2016)

Earlier:

• West Virginia: Wayne Mallory, 37, accused of stabbing, stomping and skinning several cats - three which were found STILL ALIVE inside his home in this condition(!)

Maryland: Donald Yearwood, 21, is accused of kicking and stomping four puppies and then throwing them down a flight of stairs before tossing their tiny bodies into a dumpster.

MARYLAND -- A Baltimore man has been charged with animal cruelty after police said he killed four puppies and threw them in the trash.

Donald Yearwood, 21, is charged with 17 counts of animal cruelty and animal abuse, according to Baltimore Police.

Baltimore Police said they were called to Yearwood's home in the 3700 block of 10th Street in Brooklyn on Nov. 9 after people said they saw him kill four puppies.

Police couldn't find Yearwood or the puppies, but police officers and animal control officers were called back a few hours later when children found the puppies in a Dumpster.

About two-and-a-half weeks earlier, animal control officers had seized a female pit bull and six puppies from the home after a child was bitten by the female dog. The officers didn't realize that there were still four more puppies in the home.

The surviving siblings of the dead puppies

During the investigation, detectives learned that Donald Yearwood attempted to feed and care for the four remaining puppies over the next two weeks (why didn't he just call animal control to come and get them to reunite them with their mother???).

According to witnesses, on November 9, 2016, Yearwood was inside the home attempting to sleep. The puppies were making noise and that is when Yearwood began to kick and stomp on the puppies. The witnesses told investigators that Yearwood then threw the puppies down a flight of stairs.

During this incident, there were several young children in the room who witnessed the attack. Yearwood then put the puppies in a box and left the location.

A surveillance video showed Yearwood tossing the puppies in the Dumpster -- one of the poor puppies was still alive at this point, but mortally injured and in horrific pain. It was still alive when it was rescued and rushed to the vet clinic, but it died of its injuries. The other three puppies were already dead by the time authorities found their tiny, broken and crushed bodies.

Police issued a warrant for Yearwood, who turned himself in at the Southern District Police Station on Wednesday night. Yearwood was taken to Central Booking and could not be reached for comment.

VIDEO CLIP: "Man wanted for killing 4 puppies" (ABC 2 News - WMAR)

(Baltimore Sun - Dec 1, 2016)

West Virginia: Wayne Mallory, 37, accused of stabbing, stomping and skinning several cats - three which were found STILL ALIVE inside his home in this condition(!)

WEST VIRGINIA -- A South Charleston man has been arrested after officials say he killed and injured cats.

Media outlets report that 37-year-old Wayne Nelson Mallory is charged with three misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty.

A criminal complaint says neighbors of Mallory called 911 on Monday, and a responding deputy saw a dead cat in the front yard of Mallory's home.

According to a statement from the Kanawha-Charleston Humane Association, a humane officer responded to the scene the next day and seized four cats from the home — three living and one deceased.

The statement says the cats had been "stabbed, stomped and/or skinned," and that some of the injuries were inflicted with "surgical precision."

Veterinarian Jamie Totten says all of the cats' injuries were human-inflicted.

It's unclear if Mallory has an attorney.  He is currently being held in South Central Regional Jail on $15,000 bond.

PREVIOUS ARRESTS:
Full name: Wayne Nelson Mallory
DOB: 03/31/1979
Height: 5'8"
Weight: 210 lbs.

Arrest Date: 3/9/2014
Arrest ID: WV-1005097430
Charge:

1. Conspiracy To Commit Breaking & Entering

Arrest Date: 9/18/2014
Arrest ID: WV-1005121199
Charges:

1. Destruction/injury Property
2. Fingerprint Refusal
3. Arson Attempt To Commit, 4th degree
4. Domestic Battery
5. Obstructing police interfere W/officer

(AP - Dec 9, 2016)

Maryland: Brandon Shorts, 23, sentenced to just 90 days in jail for "crushing" Dachshund named Daisy's skull

MARYLAND -- A 23-year-old White Plains man has been sentenced to 90 days in jail for reportedly "crushing" the skull of a 2-year-old Dachshund.

Brandon John Shorts was sentenced in Howard County Circuit Court Friday morning on animal cruelty charges.

Officials say the dog belonged to the family of the man's girlfriend.

According to the Howard County State's Attorney's Office, Shorts pled guilty to one count of animal cruelty and one count of malicious destruction of property in January. Officials say the dog was found curled up in her bed, bleeding, and unresponsive on June 10, 2015.

The family rushed the dog, named Daisy, to an emergency animal hospital, where she was euthanized. Hospital officials then called animal control to report a suspected case of animal cruelty.

The veterinarian who performed an autopsy said she believed Daisy was hit, or kicked, or stomped in the head, fracturing her skull and causing significant brain trauma.

"He told investigators that he went to the family home in Laurel to drop off his girlfriend's bags and that Daisy was barking and got underfoot," a release from the Howard County State's Attorney's Office states. "Shorts stated that he kicked Daisy away and she fell down the stairs but ran away. Prosecutors told the court that his statement was not consistent with injuries detailed in the necropsy report which opined that Daisy would have been unable to get into her dog bed; that it was more likely that she was placed there."

At the sentencing hearing, Howard County Assistant State's Attorney Devora Kirschner read a letter from the dog's owners who declined to attend because it is "still very painful even after a year."

Shorts was sentenced to 90 days in jail on the animal cruelty charge and suspended a consecutive sentence of 60 days on the malicious destruction of property charge.

The judge also placed Shorts on three years of supervised probation during which time he can have no contact with Daisy's owners, cannot care for or have custody of any animals, and has to submit to anger management counseling and treatment.

(Fox Baltimore - May 20, 2016)

Puerto Rico: ICE arrests Ehbrin Castro-Correa for creating, distributing dog fight, animal torture porn videos

PUERTO RICO -- U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement’s (ICE) Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) special agents arrested a man March 4 in Rio Grande for the creation of an animal crush video and its distribution in interstate commerce and for sponsoring and exhibiting of an animal in an animal fighting venture.

According to the criminal complaint, Ehbrin Castro-Correa arrived March 4 at the Pan-American Dock in a pickup truck with several dogs inside crates. At approximately 5:45 p.m., HSI special agents observed he placed six crates, each containing a dog, in the luggage drop off area before he presented his boarding pass to board the Caribbean Fantasy Ferry.

Castro-Correa presented documentation showing he was the owner of the six Spanish bulldogs. He then went to check in to board the ferry where he showed the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officers a boarding pass. The boarding pass indicated that he was traveling to the Dominican Republic along with pets. The CBP officer referred him to a secondary inspection in which he was subject to a more thorough search of his belongings.

During the inspection, HSI special agents interviewed Castro-Correa who indicated that he was transporting the canines to the Dominican Republic, he was paid $800 to do so and that the canines belonged to someone else.

HSI special agents were able to inspect Castro-Correa’s cellular phone. The cellular phone contained three videos: an original six-minute video of a dog fight and two shorter clips made of that same video.

The six-minute video depicts a fight between two pit bull female dogs and two men are overheard encouraging the canines to fight. Castro-Correa admitted that he filmed the video recording. The two clips of the original video were transmitted in interstate and foreign commerce using WhatsApp.

The criminal complaint further alleges that a search of Castro-Correa’s residence in Rio Grande revealed several man-made cages and pits that did not have any overhead cover exposing the dogs to the elements. The dogs inside the cages appeared to be adult dogs that could barely fit inside the cages.

HSI special agents observed a total 25 dogs, nine of them puppies, in deplorable conditions. Some were chained or tied to a structure while others were caged and/or exposed to the elements with dirty water containers. Most dogs appeared to be pit bulls and some of them had scars in their muzzle areas and faces.

Inside the residence, HSI special agents found a man-made treadmill designed for training dogs, old newspaper articles of dog fights, a bag containing what appeared to be antibiotics, iron and calcium supplements for dogs, dressing compounds and medication that requires the use of syringes along with an open bag containing several syringes.

“One does not have to be a pet lover to condemn animal cruelty,” said Ricardo Mayoral, acting special agent in charge of HSI San Juan. “HSI has distinguished itself for protecting our children from online predators and those who exploit the most vulnerable segment of our society but it's also important to let people know that we will not tolerate animal cruelty as well.

"We will continue identifying, investigating, and with the help of our partners, prosecuting those who show total disregard for animals. It is despicable, it is inhumane and it is against the law.”

The dogs are under the custody and care of the U.S. Marshals Service. The case will be prosecuted by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mariana Bauzá,

Castro-Correa faces a maximum penalty of up to seven years in prison for the violations.

(US Immigration and Customs Enforcement - March 10, 2016)

North Dakota: Samuel Mieke charged with assaulting Fargo woman, sitting on Chihuahua

NORTH DAKOTA -- A 38-year-old man is accused in Cass County District Court of injuring a woman and her Chihuahua during an assault that allegedly took place in the woman's Fargo home Sunday.

Samuel J. Mieke is charged with one count of aggravated assault/domestic violence and one count of animal cruelty.

According to court documents filed in the case:

A woman told police Sunday evening that Mieke, whom she has known for a long time, became angry with her after drinking and punched her in the shoulder.

She said he also grabbed her by the throat and pressed with his thumbs, preventing her from breathing, and later struck her several times on the back with his boots, causing pain.

The woman told police Mieke knew she recently had surgery on her back.

She also said Mieke sat on her Chihuahua before grabbing the dog by the throat and throwing the animal.

Court documents do not specify the extent of the dog's injuries.

When Mieke was later located by police, he told them nothing physical occurred and he denied striking the woman.

He was taken to jail and made a court appearance on the charges Tuesday.

CURRENT CHARGES:

• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 ANIMAL CRUELTY
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 ASSAULT AGGRAVATED
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 RESISTING POLICE OFFICER
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 TAMPERING W/WITNESS
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 VIOL ORDER PROHIB CONTACT

(InForum - March 8, 2016)

Texas: Trial underway for Brent Justice, accused of creating horrific videos showing animals tortured to death

TEXAS -- The trial for a man accused of torturing and killing a puppy began Monday in Harris County.

Brent Justice and Ashley Richards were charged in 2012 with animal cruelty after they allegedly used a meat cleaver to cut off a pit bull puppy’s tail, slice its leg and slash its neck. The puppy died as a result.

Brent Justice

The gruesome death was reportedly videotaped and posted online to make money. Investigators said the videos are called crush videos. Crush videos show an animal being tortured, often crushed, to satisfy the viewer’s sexual appetite.

Justice and Richards created as many as 27 'crush' videos between February 2010 and August 2012 and was eventually stopped after PETA discovered the footage and alerted the authorities.

After her arrest in 2012, prosecutors said Richards tortured a puppy, kittens, a rabbit, mice, a pigeon, fish, lobsters and crabs using high heeled shoes, a meat cleaver, knives, screwdrivers and pliers.

She allegedly killed a cat by slitting its throat and stomping its eye with her shoe heel.

Richards pleaded guilty to creating the video at the federal level and has a sentencing trial set for Feb. 25.

 

Ashley Richards 

She also pleaded guilty to the animal cruelty charge and was sentenced to 10 years in prison.

Justice is acting as his own attorney in the Harris County trial.

(KHOU - Feb 8, 2016)

Earlier:

• Houston pair charged with torturing, killing puppy
• Monster sentenced to 10 years in prison for torturing animals to death in sexually perverted videos

Wisconsin: Zachary George Senner, 38, repeatedly tortured poor Cocker Spaniel to death

Some stories are so horrible, they're almost too much to read. This is one of those stories...

WISCONSIN -- A Milwaukee man is accused of stabbing an unwanted cocker spaniel to death after the dog repeatedly returned to its owners' home, once after having already been stabbed and left for dead, according to a criminal complaint.

Zachary George Senner, 38, is charged with felony mistreatment of an animal/use of a dangerous weapon in the stabbing and bludgeoning of the dog Dec. 27 in the 2700 block of S. 10th St., according to a criminal complaint.

Senner was in the Milwaukee County Jail on Thursday with bail set at $1,000, according to state court records.

According to the complaint:

Senner told police that he tried to find a new home for the dog, which belonged to his brother and sister-in-law, after the couple asked him to "get rid of the dog," named Brandy.

When he could not find someone willing to take the animal Senner tried leaving Brandy at a location away from the couple's residence, but the dog found its way back home.

Senner then "worked up the courage to get rid of the dog in a way that he thought was best," before taking Brandy outside of the home, pinning her down, slashing her throat with a butcher knife and using the handle of the knife to crush the dog's windpipe, according to the complaint.

Believing the dog was dead Senner took the animal to a dead end down the block and discarded it in a wooded area. However the dog returned to its owners' residence bleeding from its wounds, according to the complaint.

Senner and the couple then waited inside the home, hoping the dog would bleed out and die. When the dog "would not die", Senner pinned the dog down again and repeatedly stabbed the animal in the chest and abdomen until it stopped breathing, according to the complaint.

He then placed the dog in a garbage bag and dumped it in the same wooded area as he had before, according to the complaint.

If convicted Senner could be sentenced to up to 7 1/2-and-a-half years in prison, according to the complaint.

(JS Online - Jan 9, 2016)

Webster teen arrested after pet deaths under investigation for separate incident

NEW YORK -- The Webster teen who police said killed a neighbor's four pets is under investigation for animal cruelty involving his own.

"Where do these acts of violence stop?" asked Joseph Meyer, whose family was victimized Saturday.

People on his quiet Webster street also want to know why the 14-year-old has been released to the custody of his father rather than being held in a secure location. "I wouldn't want anything like this to happen again. It's just got to stop," said Meyer.

 

He stands in his mother's house which is suddenly way too quiet. The constant chirping of birds, a gift to his mother from his now deceased father, is gone. Nearly every window in the back of the house carries a reminder of damage from a BB gun allegedly shot from the neighbor's back yard.

Thirteen holes in one bedroom pane show an alarming level of violence. "I know people whose kids have had trouble with the law for less offenses, those not nearly as violent, and being minors were put into juvenile detention," he said.

Instead, the teenager was released with the condition that he be continually supervised.

13WHAM News obtained the juvenile risk assessment form used by the state. It's called DRAI (Detention Risk Assessment Instrument) and contains four questions on a point system for determining risk.

The burglary charge was enough to add a point and require the supervision. Any further detention would have required evidence of possible petitions or warrants already pending in family court.

Sources tell 13WHAM the allegations of past abuse involving family dogs may have only come to light after Saturday's incident. They are currently being investigated by Humane Society Investigators.

Dr. Santo Bentivegna is a psychiatrist and forensic expert in cases involving children who behave violently, including those who abuse animals. "These are warning signs, and I think police have to be notified when they see these things," he said. "This is not a joke. This is not something that is going to go away without help."

The family's African Gray Parrot and 9-year-old daughter's bearded dragon were killed after being shot at close range by a BB gun.

The Meyers say their cat was spared only because it ran and hid in the basement. Lights turned on in the basement indicate to them the teen went down there, perhaps following the frightened cat. A larger bird and bearded lizard were shot to death.

The teenager allegedly told police he crushed her two cockatiels named Dracula and Valerie in his own hands. "That is a sign of very deep aggression and deep rage," said Dr. Bentivegna. "It's not enough to use a weapon of some sort, but one has to use one's own hands."

New York law allows juveniles as young as 13 to be charged as adults for high level crimes. In this case, the teen is charged with Burglary 3rd and Criminal Mischief; both are low-level felonies which do not qualify.

No one answered the door at the teen's house Tuesday. On Monday night, an adult there called this a "personal matter" and asked reporters to leave. Joseph Meyer said the single father was a good man and neighbor but he remains concerned. "This yard and this community are full of pets. (the teenager) can step over that fence and have the opportunity to harm another animal," he said.

(13WHAM - Dec 15, 2015)

Axel Salemi, 18, 'killed cat with his bare hands after sister refused to give his bong back,' court hears

ILLINOIS -- he 18-year-old man accused of killing a kitten with his bare hands had become enraged during an argument with his sister over a bong, a prosecutor said in court Wednesday.

The judge in the case refused to lower the bond for Axel Salemi, 18. He is accused of killing the 7-week-old kitten that his mother, who runs an animal rescue out of their Crystal Lake home, had taken in, officials said.

Salemi is accused of felony aggravated animal cruelty and criminal damage to a domesticated animal.

Salemi's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Grant Tucker, asked that Salemi's bond be reduced to $10,000 from $20,000. Tucker said Salemi is a student at McHenry County College and works at a restaurant in McHenry. The lawyer said that if Salemi is released on bond, he will live in Chicago with his grandfather, who does not own any pets. Tucker also said Salemi will undergo psychiatric counseling.

But Judge Michael Feetterer said that though Salemi is young and presumed innocent, the violent nature of Salemi's alleged crime concerns him.

The judge, addressing Salemi, said he must "consider the safety of not only the public but to yourself. There is some anger in you that needs to be addressed."

Referring to past charges against Salemi and the violent nature of the current allegation, Feetterer said he is concerned that Salemi is "starting to string together criminal offenses at a very young age."

In March, Salemi was charged with domestic battery and consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor, records show. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct, and the alcohol-related charge was dropped, according to court documents. He was placed on court supervision, which was to have ended next June.

Those charges stemmed from an allegation that Salemi struck a female victim in the nose and mouth, drawing blood, and "grabbed her neck," according to the complaint.

Assistant State's Attorney Kate Lenhard called the current case against Salemi "brutal" and said he poses a threat and is a flight risk.

Lenhard said in court Wednesday that before Salemi allegedly squeezed the cat to death, he had argued with his sister over her not returning a water pipe. He then argued with his father, who would not allow him to sell the sister's TV, Lenhard told the judge.

Lenhard said Salemi "purposely crushed (the cat) to death in his hands." He later admitted what he had done to police and told them that killing the kitten "was more difficult than he thought it would be," the prosecutor said.

Lenhard also said that Salemi had called his mother, told her he killed the kitten and "threatened to kill another one if his sister didn't give back his bong."

Following a request from Donna Salemi, Axel's mother, the judge lifted an order preventing Salemi from having contact with his parents. But an order of protection remained in place for Salemi's sister.

Lenhard said Donna Salemi told an official in the state's attorney's office, "Thank God he killed an animal instead of another family member."

Donna Salemi sought to explain those comments when she testified Wednesday, saying she was just glad it was "one situation over another."

She declined to comment after the hearing.

Should Axel Salemi post the required $2,000 of his $20,000 bond, he will be prohibited from having any contact with domesticated animals.

A licensed animal rescue operation called Saving All Our Angels operates out of the Salemis' home, Illinois Department of Agriculture records show, and the rescue is allowed to foster up to four animals at a time, officials said.

After the cat's death, the owner of the animal rescue, as well as McHenry County authorities, contacted a Department of Agriculture field investigator about the case, agency spokeswoman Rebecca Clark said.

Clark said the investigator has visited the rescue site and that the owner is "fully cooperating." The shelter is still operational as the investigation continues, she said.

"At this time, the case remains open as the Department determines what course of action to take regarding the matter," Clark said in an email.

Keri Zaleski, spokeswoman for the McHenry County Health Department, said an agency veterinarian, Lisa Lembke, performed a necropsy on the kitten and determined it died from head trauma.

Axel Salemi is due back in court Dec. 14.

(Chicago Tribune - Nov 26, 2015)

Miami man, Ryan Gutierrez, 21, accused of killing Chihuahua after argument with girlfriend

FLORIDA -- A 21-year-old man was arrested on an animal cruelty charge after killing his girlfriend's aunt's dog, police said.

Ryan Gutierrez was arrested Oct. 16 after surveillance video linked him to the death.

According to an arrest report, Gutierrez had an argument with his girlfriend on Oct. 8 before dropping her off at school.

Police said he returned to the woman's home and tormented her aunt's Chihuahua because he was angry with his girlfriend.

Police claim that Gutierrez crushed the dog between a couch and wall, punched the dog in the face twice and threw the dog on the ground twice. Police said he also picked up the small dog by the tail and kicked the animal.

According to the report, surveillance video form inside and outside the home shows Gutierrez abusing the dog before placing the pet in his backpack. Police said he then drove across the street and threw the dog's corpse into a dumpster behind a business.

Detectives said Gutierrez confessed to the crime.

(Local10 - Oct 29, 2015)

Ohio: Kenneth Mabe gets five years probation after slamming Lucy the cat against sliding glass door, killing her

OHIO -- State of Ohio v. Kenneth Mabe, a case prosecuted for Lake Humane Society.

Mabe was charged with 2 counts related to the death of a cat named "Lucy."

Lucy suffered extreme trauma that literally severed her skull into two large pieces-- essentially the "skull was separated at its base and the top half was pulled up to create an opening in the head to Lucy's ears." 

Lucy did not survive and the pictures are too graphic to post.

Mabe claimed to police that he accidentally shut the cat's head in a sliding glass door (pictured). However, Mabe purportedly told a witness that he grabbed the cat by her back legs and slammed her into a table.

The case was initially brought to light during a domestic violence case, and the police chose not to pursue Lucy's case due to the conflicting stories. LHS Humane Agent Pike took over the investigation, consulted with veterinarians, and reviewed evidence at the scene, which led to charges and a conviction.

Mabe will be on five years of probation, during which time he cannot own or possess animals. Mabe is thereafter banned indefinitely from owning companion animals unless the Court later orders otherwise upon application. LHS is permitted to conduct random inspections to ensure compliance. Mabe must also complete an anger management course and pay court costs.

He is currently in jail facing a felonious assault charge in Cuyahoga County.

(Holland & Muirden, Attorneys at Law - June 24, 2015)

Philippines: Life in prison for couple who made "crush" videos involving underage girls torturing and killing rabbits and dogs

A Philippines court hands down a landmark sentence to a couple for making fetish videos involving underage girls killing rabbits and dogs.

PHILIPPINES -- A court in the Philippines has imposed life imprisonment sentences on two citizens who made fetish videos showing young girls forced to torture and kill live animals.

Called “crush” videos, the tapes depict heinous acts committed against animals—sometimes by underage girls—leaving them mutilated, maimed, or dead.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals Asia received a tip about the videos in 2011 and contacted the Philippine National Bureau of Investigation. Jason Baker, PETA Asia vice president, wrote in a blog post on Monday that Dorma and Vicente Ridon, the couple who produced the videos, also received fines of more than $198,000 each.

The court, based in La Union, Philippines, convicted the couple on charges of cruelty to animals, child abuse, human trafficking, and wildlife-protection crimes, according to The Philippine Star.

“The Ridons’ sentence is a warning to anyone involved in the vile crush video industry,” Baker said in a statement. “PETA was made aware of these horrible videos by a compassionate person who stumbled upon them and took the time to report it. It’s people like you who helped make this conviction possible.”

Buyers in Australia, France, Korea, Malaysia, the United Kingdom, and the United States purchased the videos, according to PETA, and all face the possibility of prosecution.

The news follows the recent announcement from the FBI, which has moved to reclassify animal abuse as a “crime against society,” the same level of offense as murder, drug trafficking, arson, and assault.

Animal crush videos were banned in the U.S. following the passing of the Animal Crush Video Prohibition Act of 2010 by Congress and signed by President Obama.

In 2012, two Houston residents—Brent Wayne Justice, 53, and Ashley Nicole Richards, 23—were arrested for making animal crush videos and selling them internationally.

In May, Justice was sentenced to 10 years in prison after pleading guilty to three counts of animal cruelty, and Richards remains in the Harris County Jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

(TakePart.com - Sept 29, 2014)

Ugly skanks who tortured and killed animals in horrific porn videos will escape prosecution because the statute of limitations has expired

FLORIDA -- A pair of fetish models who allegedly filmed sex scenes featuring them torturing fish, bunnies, and chickens may never see a day in court because the statute of limitations has expired.

Sara Zamora, 28, and Stephanie Hird, 29, performed in the sickening videos roughly a decade ago. A wait that prosecutors say has left them helpless.

The pair were arrested in April after PETA found the online sex scenes, but prosecutors never filed the felony animal cruelty charges they would have otherwise faced.

Under Miami-Dade County's state attorney the statute of limitations has already expired.

Outside their Thursday court appearance in which the women were set free, Zamora said they were actually victims.

'We were 18 years old and we were manipulated into a situation that we, unfortunately, cannot take back,' she told reporters for Local 10.

Zamora and Hird blamed Adam Redford, a South Florida boat captain who they say made the videos for fetish site 'SOS Barn.'

Zamora pleasured one man while karate chopping bunnies and slitting a chicken's neck with hedge clippers in one video.

In another Hird crushed live fish with her bare hands, abused rabbits, shot rats, and set a pile of vermin ablaze all while wearing a revealing outfit, the Miami Herald reports.

After their arrest, it was reported Zamora faced eight felony charges and Hird five.

'We were manipulated and convinced that these things were alright,' Zamora said. 'And unfortunately they were very wrong and now we have to pay the consequences, even if it was 10 years ago.'

Hird added: 'The truth always comes out. I wasn’t guilty from the get-go. Those were other models.'

Redford, who is listed as a co-defendant in the case, has not been arrested.

'If you're out there Adam Redford, I hope you get everything you deserve,' Zamora told reporters.

As for those who still believe she's tortured and killed animals, Zamora had a message for them.

'They can all go to hell.'

(Daily Mail - May 30, 2014)

Monster sentenced to 10 years in prison for torturing animals to death in sexually perverted videos

TEXAS -- A 23-year-old woman has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars for torturing dogs and cats to death to make videos for people who found the sick treatment sexually arousing.

Ashley Nichole Richards pleaded guilty to three counts of animal cruelty in Houston, Texas, Harris County District Attorney Devon Anderson announced on Thursday morning.

She created as many as 27 'crush' videos between February 2010 and August 2012 and was eventually stopped after PETA discovered the footage and alerted the authorities.

After her arrest in 2012, prosecutors said she tortured a puppy, kittens, a rabbit, mice, a pigeon, fish, lobsters and crabs using high heeled shoes, a meat cleaver, knives, screwdrivers and pliers.

A graphic statement from PETA at the time revealed that she had often killed up to two animals a day, including a kitten who was bound with masking tape before being stomped on with a high heel that went into its eye.

Another video shows her using a meat cleaver to cut off a puppy's leg, PETA said.

She allegedly filmed the videos with the help of Brent Justice, 52, who is also charged with animal cruelty.

They would then give the videos to people who were sexually aroused by the treatment, prosecutors said, the Houston Chronicle reported.

'When a person tortures and kills an animal, that raises a red flag about that person’s capacity for violent behavior in general,' District Attorney Devon Anderson said, News92 reported.

'It will always be a priority for our office to aggressively prosecute offenders who abuse animals.'

The case is the first time anyone has been prosecuted for 'crush' videos in Harris County.

'While we are satisfied that the defendant received the maximum penalty in these cases,' Anderson said. 'We will fight at the next legislative session to increase the punishment range for this offense to better protect these animals and all citizens of Harris County.'

Stephanie Bell from PETA added: 'Given the undeniable link between cruelty to animals and interpersonal violence, the community at large is safer when convicted abusers such as Richards are behind bars.'

Some charges in the case were dismissed last year because a federal judge dismissed the statue as overbroad and a violation of their First Amendment rights. Four months later, prosecutors filed an appeal.

'As with child pornography, it is necessary to dry up the market in animal crush videos, which have little if any social value, in order to effectively prevent the criminal acts that necessarily occur when the videos are produced,' prosecutors had claimed, the Houston Press reported last year.

Justice is being held in the Harris County jail in lieu of $50,000 bail.

(Daily Mail - May 29, 2014)

Earlier:

• Houston pair charged with torturing, killing puppy