California: Woman's Dachshund mauled by Pit Bulls; she refuses to get vet care for the injured dog named Buddy

CALIFORNIA -- June Crawford posted on Facebook May 3, 2018 ·

On Monday poor buddy got attacked by three pit bulls

GOFUNDME: Please do not donate
Created May 2, 2018
Elizabeth Lee
  Medical
  TWENTYNINE PALMS, CA

Please do not donate as the owner of the little dog Buddy has refused to get the medical services he was in need for.

We are sadly not able to help him since the owner removed her dog from the veterinarian hospital.

If we are able to recover him now it sound like it's to late as he took a turn for the worst.

However we are still praying that the owner works with law enforcement and we can help Buddy,  if we are able to we will definitely keep you posted on Facebook as well as our sanctuary website.
Again thank you.

Update 1
Okay, here is an update on Buddy. The situation has turned dire. His lacerations on his abdomen are now infected. He is at the Veterinary Specialty Hospital in San Marcos, California. If you can please share this and get more people involved we can get him the treatment and care that he needs before it's to late, he cannot wait that much longer without treatment. Right now he is suffering, if the surgery is not performed euthanization maybe his last resort.

*The vet will Not accept donations directly.*

Phone:(760) 466-0600
Address: 2055 Montel rd, San marcos ca 92069
Owners name : Jean Roberts

Update 2
To all the donors!

Jean Roberts has not helped her dog in twentynine palms and has let him down, due to this situation and us trying to reach out and help and her not wanting to care for Buddy we will be asking GoFundMe to return all fees from the donors.

We appreciate your support and we are so sad and heartbroken that Jean has not wanted to work with the Sheriff's department and veterinarian services as well as our sanctuary to help Buddy.

Again we thank you for your support and please make sure GoFundMe has returned all payments as we are now asking GoFundMe to return all donations.

Update 3
All donations are being sent back to all donors, please make sure you got your refund within 7 days GoFundMe has stated it could take up to that time, unfortunately the owner of Buddy took him from the veterinarian hospital and is not going to treat her dog, we are saddened by this and its unfortunate as Buddy is going to die.

We have worked with the Sheriff's department on a recovery mission however that didn't end well as now animal welfare is going to be taken over and law as we can not help as a sanctuary home now as its 100% out of our hands.

Its Buddy who needs help and it is him who is the victim that unfortunately we reached out to help but the owner is mentally unstable and isn't capable of being a responsible pet owner.

The owner needs to be charged with Animal Cruelty and Buddy needs to be taken for the needed vet care immediately. No, the owner will NOT go to jail. They will likely make her surrender Buddy, find a better home for him, and hopefully ban her from having animals for her unsupervised probation time - which won't be more than a year. That's hardly any punishment at all - but to leave Buddy suffering these horrifically painful injuries is outrageous.

Again we thank you and your support.
If the situation changes we will post it on our website and Facebook.

Thanks again
https://eandjrescuesandshortstories.simdif.com

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

(Lodi News - March 9, 2018)

Missouri: Dachshund attacked by Pit Bull while she was in her own yard

MISSOURI -- Country View Animal Clinic added 3 new photos to Facebook February 25, 2018 ·

This Dachshund female was attacked in her own yard by the neighbor's Pit Bull dog.

The owner warned the neighbors that she would shoot the dog if it came back.The dog runs off when she goes outside.

The dog's regular vet was unavailable and the owner had been referred to the emergency vet in Springfield

Pennsylvania: Dachshund named Riley attacked by two Pit Bulls at dog park

PENNSYLVANIA -- Nicky Blair posted on Facebook group page McClelland Dog Park on February 19, 2018 · Harborcreek, PA

Yesterday on Sunday the 18th around 3, my poor 8 year old Dachshund, Riley, was attacked by 2 Pit Bulls at the McClelland Dog park!

I immediately took him to the Emergency Vet, where they treated his wounds. He was VERY lucky. But he has a long way to recovery to go.

I thank those who helped pry these dogs off mine. No words can express how thankful I am that you helped my baby.

One pit bull was a medium size, mainly white with a green collar, which broke. I think he was a male. The other was a little smaller, dark gray with a little white on her chest and a purple collar.

PIT BULL OWNERS DID A "PIT AND RUN" - RAN OFF WITH THEIR DOGS

The owners were a black man and a white lady both in there late 40s possibly to mid 50s. He had a baby blue hoodie and a black baseball cap.

I’m not trying start anything but I can’t in good conscience let this go without warning others! My dog got lucky, but barely! I don’t want this to happen to any other dog or god forbid a person!!

Because when your dog his looking at you crying as these pit bulls are attacking him and you’re trying to save him, it breaks your heart!!!! Don’t let this be your dog!

(More photos added) Massachusetts: Pit Bull owner refuses to get out of the way when officer wants to shoot Pit Bull ripping guts out of little Dachshund. Now the Doxie is dead, its owner stuck with $20,000 in vet bills and the Pit Bull owner won't talk to police

MASSACHUSETTS -- A routine dog-walking trip on the afternoon of Dec. 19 in the waterfront neighborhood has completely upended Amy Schlegel’s life – leaving her coping with the death of the family dog at the jaws of a loose Pit bull and trying to figure out how to pay more than $20,000 in vet bills.

It’s been a hard lesson, she told the Record, but it’s a lesson that she hopes can enlighten dog owners around the city – especially before the dog park opens on the corner of Broadway and Admiral’s Hill, which is ironically where she and her dog was attacked.

“Our backs were turned and there was no warning,” she said. “We passed the Pit bull and its owner on the sidewalk and something must have tipped it off. It came running after us at full speed and lit into my dog’s neck. I had absolutely no warning. It was a surprise attack. I didn’t see it coming because our backs were turned. It seemed like forever, but it was probably five minutes in total.

"My dog Fitzgerald is now gone and I have $22,000 in veterinarian bills and very little legal recourse or help. The key is that it was on public property and so there isn’t much anyone can do, I’m told.”

According to the police report, around 3 p.m., police were on patrol in the Lower Broadway area when they encountered two women screaming and a Pit bull attacking a Dachshund.

“The Pit bull was repeatedly biting and eating the skin of the smaller Dachshund dog as the Dachshund was laying helplessly on the sidewalk bleeding profusely with the Pit bull on top of him viciously and continuously biting him,” read the report.

Officers approached the scene and found Schlegel and the Pit bull’s owner trying to separate the dogs. Both women had injuries to their hands as the Pit Bull had bitten them too.

The officer quickly moved to shoot the Pit bull because it was clearly killing the Dachshund, but the owner of the Pit bull got in front of the officer and prevented him from shooting the dog. 

Even after the officer ordered her numerous times to move, she refused and her dog continued to rip at the innards of Fitzgerald. 

Finally, the officer shoved her out of the way and shot the Pit bull, stopping the attack. 

The Pit bull was taken to Angell Animal Hospital, where it died later.

The more important victim, little Fitzgerald, was rushed to another animal hospital, and after 11 days and many procedures, he died too.

“That additional time she stood there in front of the officer I’m convinced is what killed Fitzgerald,” she said. “The bites that happened to his stomach during that time are what really injured him to where he couldn’t recover.”

As horrible as the attack was, and the loss of her dog, it is the aftermath that has opened Schlegel’s eyes – and she now believes that the community needs to be starkly aware of what she is convinced will happen once the dog park opens.

Police follow up investigations yielded little cooperation from the other dog owner, and she never brought any information on the dog to police or answered her door – despite police indicating that they could observe her inside the apartment several times.

Nonetheless, Schlegel found that there are probably many, many more such attacks that go unreported or undocumented. She said when an attack happens on private property, insurance covers any losses. However, on public property, if the offending owner doesn’t cooperate, not much can happen.

“This is the kind of thing that could really change somebody’s life in an instant,” she said. “That dog park is going to be a nexus and I think attacks there are going to be inevitable. Something serious is going to happen there. It needs to be addressed beforehand. They say they’re going to have a big dog area and a small dog area, but I don’t know if people are going to abide by that. And how many people are going to volunteer information at the dog park that they own a vicious dog?”

Schlegel hopes that there might be a way to enhance the current laws to help police to initiate criminal charges against owners involved in attacks on public property. Right now, that is nearly impossible, she said.

Meanwhile, one idea she believes might help to bolster the cause is to start a record keeping system outside of the police. She said she would like to see the City create a dog attack hotline for statistical purposes.

She said she hopes it all points to some sort of reforms that Chelsea might be able to lead on.

“Bigger cities have tried things like bans and lost,” she said. “Chelsea is relatively small compared to Boston and you can get things done. There isn’t a lot of gridlock. Maybe this is a place where we can get something done that can be a model for other places. There is a huge hole here and it is attacks on public property. I’m hoping this will help the general public. It can change someone’s life forever. I’m a perfect example of that.”

*  *  *  *  *  *

GoFundMe: Justice for Fitzgerald
Created December 23, 2017
Amy Schlegel
  Animals
  CHELSEA, MA

My 6-year-old long-haired Dachshund Fitzgerald and I were attacked on the street on Tuesday, December 19, 2017 by a pit bull that--incredulously--had slipped out of its harness. The attack was unprovoked and the most horrific, bloody few minutes of my life.

The tragic attack ended when the police intervened and shot the Pit bull, which later died.

About 75% of Fitz's 20lb. body sustained grievous injury, according to the Veterinarian Dr. Kimberly Helmbold, of Blue Pearl Emergency and Specialty Pet Hospital,  in Charlestown, MA, where Fitz was triaged and operated on by
 Small Animal Surgeon Dr. Matthew Cleveland for 4 hours that night.

Fitzgerald and the Veterinarians did everything they could to save him but, after 10 days in the ICU, and many complications from his extensive injuries, Fitz passed on December 30.

We were so blessed to be able to adopt Fitz from BuddyDog, a shelter in Sudbury, MA, 2-1/2 years ago. He brought such joy to our lives--every day. His loss has been absolutely devastating. He was our 12 year-old son's First and Forever dog, my best buddy and constant companion, and my ailing husband's solace.

Our heartfelt thanks go to all our family, friends, neighbors, and good citizens who have found us through GoFundMe, who grieve with us over this completely senseless and avoidable tragedy. I will recover from my physical wounds, but the psychological trauma and memory of the vicious Pit bull repeatedly lunging, jumping, biting, and eventually pulling Fitzgerald out of my arms, eviscerating him in front of my eyes, will take a very long time to recover from.

Many people think justice in these Pit bull attacks is simply a matter of suing the other dog owner for veterinary and other medical expenses as well as pain and suffering. Guess again. If the owner is a Renter, you are out of luck if they don't carry Renter's Insurance (who does? Only if Landlords require it!)--even if that person tries to do the right thing--which is unfortunately not the case here.

I am initiating a push to pass an ordinance in my small city (which already has the support of the City Manager) to require owners of Pit bull-type dogs and dogs deemed dangerous, if they have bitten before, to wear a muzzle in ALL public spaces. This includes Chelsea's first official off-leash dog park, the entrance to which is, ironically, where the attack that killed Fitzgerald took place.

You will not find me at that dog park--ever. Even if every Pit bull-type owner does the Right Thing. There must be some justice for Fitzgerald. I must do what I can to ensure that no other person goes through what I went through and -- God forbid -- loses a child or beloved pet to these unpredictable creatures.

(Chelsea Record - January 26, 2018)

Illinois: "Prayers for my brothers Chiweenie. It was attacked by a pit bull"

ILLINOIS -- Krysten Kelly posted on Facebook December 17, 2017 ·

Prayers for my brothers Chiweenie. It was attacked by a pit bull. My family really could use a break....so all prayers appreciated for a much loved tiny dog...

Gillyann Marie - Oh no! I hate being a pit bull hater but after being a landlord of 42 properties, my family and tenants have been badly attacked by pits. I just don’t trust the breed. I’ve met some very nice ones but even my 130 pound Great Dane was brutally attacked by a pit. My dad was too. I hope your brothers pup heals quickly!

Krysten Kelly - My brother says he will be ok....after surgery and lots of pain...

Louisiana: "It was a horrific event. He shot the dog up close and blew her skull apart in front of my children. Like her eyeballs were out of her head." Family says Evangeline Parish Sheriff's Deputy killed 12-pound dog

LOUISIANA -- One Ville Platte family is looking for answers after they say a deputy from the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office shot and killed their son’s dog.

The deputy was responding to their complaint about alleged harassment from a neighbor when the small dog got out.

 

Facebook users are identifying the deputy as Kalinsky Ardoin

In a report, the deputy said the 12-pound dog aggressively charged at the deputy three times, after which he felt the need to shoot it.

  

The family who owned the dog said this wasn’t the case.

"I know in my heart he didn't have to shoot her. He didn't have to shoot that dog in front of my kids. He just didn't,” said Kelli Sullivan.

 

 

The dog was 12 pounds, and Sullivan says about ankle height on most people. She said the dog did not seem like a threat to the officer. She said after the deputy had taken care of a neighborhood disturbance, her son’s dog escaped from their house.

"The dog got out. I walked to the end of the driveway to try to catch her. My daughter was running around trying to catch her. I thought we were going to go back in the house. I walked back to the house opened the door, turned around, (and) boom, he shot her," Sullivan said.

"It was a horrific event. He shot the dog up close and blew her skull apart in front of my children. Like her eyeballs were out of her head."

According to Sullivan, the dog had no history of biting and was behaving normally for a dog of her breed.

“She was around his feet like she always does--like to the mailman--if she gets out. Anybody who comes by, she’s going to bark at you," said Sullivan.

Sullivan said the deputy told her it was better that he shoot the dog than to have to sue her if the dog was to bite [him]

“He said 'I had to shoot her she came at me'. Then, he said, 'It’s really a shame I had to waste that bullet because it’s a really expensive bullet,'” said Sullivan, recounting the event.

KATC reached out to the sheriff’s office, but as of Tuesday evening, we have not received a response.

 

 

Section 612 of the Evangeline Parish Sheriff’s Office policy titled Use of Force Discharge of Firearm that went into effect on February 15, 2017, states in part, “A deputy of this department may only use deadly force when he believes that it is necessary to defend his own life".

In a month of Sundays, this little dog could not have killed this officer by ankle biting him. Therefore, he broke Sheriff's Office policy regarding the use of deadly force.

KATC NEWS CLIP:

COMMENTS ON THE EVANGELINE PARISH SHERIFF'S OFFICE FACEBOOK PAGE:

(KATC - Nov 1, 2017)

Florida: Pasco County police officer refuses to investigate vicious Pit Bull which attacked woman and her two Dachshunds

FLORIDA -- Maretta Mott‎ posted to Pasco Sheriff's Office Facebook page on
November 11, 2017 at 1:03pm · Pasco, FL ·

Called the Sheriff because a neighbor's loose pit bull attacked my 2 mini dachshunds while I was walking them, both of my dogs on leashes.

Neighbor finally showed up and pulled her dog away, somehow no blood was drawn. No remorse from her, or understanding that her dog by law must be on a leash or otherwise contained.

Deputy showed up and acted very put out that I called about this, told me to call Animal Services on Monday. His attitude was pretty disrespectful, and made this whole situation worse.

Unfortunately, this is not uncommon. A lot of police officers feel there is a pecking order and that handling animal calls are 'beneath' them. 

Also, many people (not just law enforcement) think it's no big deal if no one, including pets, is actually bitten by the attacking dog(s). However, this does not take away from the terror of it all. 

Many jurisdictions have dangerous dog laws that say they can charge the owner if the dog is running loose and behaving in a vicious manner. No one (or their pet) even has to be bitten for the aggressive dog owner to be cited to court and their dog deemed vicious, which comes with strict restrictions that the owner must abide by or risk having the dog seized. 

If you have to run into your house to escape the dog, if it chases you down the road, if it corners you against your car when your'e bringing in groceries, it doesn't matter if it bites you or not. If it put a "reasonable person in fear", that's enough for many jurisdictions that have these laws.

Watch this video from the Nampa Idaho police department. Two large dogs (later identified as a Chesapeake Bay Retriever and a Pit Bull / Mastiff mix) burst out the open door and attack the officer. 

The news articles say the officer was not actually bitten/injured, but imagine you're this officer. Do you think we should shrug our shoulders and say, "Well, you didn't actually get bitten so you shouldn't have shot the dog"? Of course not. 

Idaho: Nampa police release video of dogs attacking officer prior to Monday shooting

BODYCAMERA VIDEO FROM NAMPA IDAHO OFFICERS:

According to the Pasco County Florida codes, they DO have dangerous dog laws.

(2) “Dangerous dog” means any dog that according to the records of the Division authority with jurisdiction in the state:

a. Has aggressively bitten, attacked, or endangered or has inflicted severe injury on a human being on public or private property;

b. Has more than once severely injured or killed a domestic animal while off the
owner's property; or

c. Has, when unprovoked, chased or approached a person upon the streets,
sidewalks, or any public grounds in a menacing fashion or apparent attitude of attack, provided that such actions are attested to in a sworn statement by one or more persons and dutifully investigated by the appropriate authority. 

She needs to swear out a statement and go to court to try to get this dog deemed vicious. Yes, it will allow the owner to keep its mauler, but they would be under court-ordered restrictions. 

Learn your local laws. Learn your state laws. Many times police officers are unfamiliar with animal laws and unfortunately there are animal control officers that don't care enough or aren't trained well enough to be knowledgeable about the different laws that can be applied.