Missouri: Pit Bull kills 13-month-old Missouri girl. Her babysitter is charged with manslaughter

MISSOURI -- A southeast Missouri woman faces manslaughter charges after a dog she was keeping killed the 13-month-old girl she was baby-sitting.

The Cape Girardeau County, Mo., prosecutor filed a second-degree involuntary manslaughter charge against Erica N. Jordan “for acting with criminal negligence that resulted in the death" of the girl, Loxli Chavez, said a police department statement.

Jordan was arrested last week and posted bond, court records show. Loxli was attacked March 9 at Jordan’s home in Cape Girardeau and was pronounced dead at a hospital.

KFVS 12 reported that an autopsy showed she died from two puncture wounds to the skull.

The Southeast Missourian reported the dog, named Smokey, was part Pit Bull, Labrador and Malamute.

Jordan told police that she was keeping the dog at her home for her brother and that the dog was “not good with kids," the newspaper reported.

The woman said the dog had bitten her son "about a year ago", but claimed she thought the dog had calmed down after being neutered.

Loxli's mother, Tia Bailey, said she wasn't informed of the attack on Jordan’s son, or of the dog's behavior around children, the newspaper reported. Jordan had started baby-sitting the girl and her 5-year-old sister earlier in the week of the attack.

In court records, the babysitter described hearing “screaming and crying” and saw “blood everywhere” when the dog mauled the girl, the newspaper reported. She said she pulled the dog off the child and called 911.

The dog was taken to a shelter and is expected to be euthanized, per protocol, police said.

Following Loxli's death, the community raised more than $4,800 through GoFundMe to help the family.

"Loxli was full of life, she was happy, strong and was always full of joy," said a statement on the fundraising website. "She is also described as having a beautiful attitude. She would wrinkle up her nose and snort. Just a couple of weeks ago she started taking her first steps. Today, Loxli's life was cut too short by a tragic accident. ... It was all (too) unexpected."

Baby Loxli Willow Chavez Memorial
Created March 9, 2018
Jeremy Verhines
on behalf of Michelle Seabaugh
  Medical
  SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA

On March 9, 2018, Loxli Willow Chavez went to be with the Lord. Loxli was born on February 4, 2017. Loxli was born premature, weighed 3lbs, 3 oz. She was a warrior and made it out of the NICU and went home with her parents. Loxli was full of life, she was happy, strong and was always full of joy. She is also described as having a beautiful attitude. She would wrinkle up her nose and snort. Just a couple of weeks ago she started taking her first steps.

Today, Loxli's life was cut too short by a tragic accident. The family is devastated and in shock right now if you can imagine. It was all to unexpected.

The funds that are raised will help the family with support through this tragedy. As you can expect, returning back to normal life and routine is going to take some time. The family has limited income to live on and any support you offer will go farther than you can ever imagine.

I set the goal high because that just a fraction of the real picture of what they will need to be able to take care of the accommodations they are responsible for. In addition, they are going to need support in their healing, grieving the loss of their child, and being able to take the time they need to recover and start over.

The father and mother have been through many rough trials. Life has thrown them many curve balls and they continue to do their best to make ends meet. They are going to need our support through this time and financial gifts will ease the stress and concerns they already have.

(Ledger Enquirer - April 12, 2018)

Earlier:

• Missouri: Babysitter Erica Jordan, 33, knew dog in deadly mauling was aggressive with children, say court documents

Missouri: Babysitter Erica Jordan, 33, knew dog in deadly mauling was aggressive with children, say court documents

MISSOURI -- A 33-year-old Cape Girardeau woman has been charged with second-degree involuntary manslaughter after her brother’s Pit Bull / Labrador / Malamute mix fatally attacked a 13-month-old girl she was babysitting last month.

Cape Girardeau County Prosecuting Attorney Chris Limbaugh announced the charge Friday against Erica N. Jordan of 46 N. Hanover St. The charge alleges “criminal negligence.”

Jordan was arrested and posted a $5,000 surety bond. As a condition of her release on bond, Judge Benjamin Lewis barred Jordan from caring for any children in her home other than her biological children, Limbaugh said in a news release.

“These charges come after a careful review of the evidence, an opportunity to speak with the victim’s family and follow-up investigations with witnesses,” the release stated.

The girl, Loxli Chavez, was taken to a hospital where she later died from “severe injuries,” according to a probable-cause statement.

The attack occurred March 9 at Jordan’s home.

In an interview with police, Jordan said the dog, named Smokey, weighed between 30 and 40 pounds. She said she was keeping the dog temporarily for her brother, according to the probable-cause statement from police Sgt. Darren Estes.

Jordan said she began babysitting Loxli and Loxli’s 5-year-old sister, Juniper, on March 5, Estes wrote. Jordan said Loxli’s parents knew about the dog, according to the statement.

Estes wrote “Jordan stated she frequently lets the dog loose, but sometimes placed the dog into her son’s room because the dog is ‘not good with kids.’”

She recalled the dog had “attacked” her son, biting him in the head about a year ago.

Jordan said the dog had since been neutered and “she thought the dog had ‘calmed down,’” Estes wrote.

Jordan said Smokey was drinking water from a dog bowl within a few feet of Loxli just before the attack. She said she suddenly “heard screaming and crying” and saw “blood everywhere, ”according to the probable-cause statement.

She said in the statement she tried to pull the dog away, but “he was so aggressive” and “just kept going for the baby.”

Jordan said she finally pulled Smokey off the girl and secured him in a closed bedroom. She then called 911.

Tia Bailey, the victim’s mother, told police it was never disclosed to her before the attack Smokey previously attacked Jordan’s child. Bailey said Jordan had reassured her the dog would not pose a risk to her children, according to the statement.

If convicted, Jordan faces a maximum sentence of four years in prison, the prosecutor said.

Police said after the attack the dog was impounded and would be euthanized.

(Southeast Missourian - April 7, 2018)

Australia: Baby girl, 1, being pushed in a stroller by her mother dies after being attacked by Rottweiler

AUSTRALIA -- The little girl killed in a dog attack at Inverell, in northern NSW, yesterday is being remembered as a "loved and adored by so many."

One-year-old Kamillah Jones was being pushed down the street by her mother in her stroller, when it's understood a Rottweiler leaped over a fence and attacked her.

She was taken to hospital but died of her injuries on the way.

Her aunt Ida Boney took to Facebook yesterday to describe the tragedy.

"She was actually being walked by her mother in a pram on the way to her granny's house just one block away," she wrote.

"There are no words to describe a scene where a mother is fighting with every ounce of her being to save her baby girl.

"Our family have lost our baby girl who never got a chance to live her life," she said.

A GoFundMe page started on Saturday has so far raised $710 of its $6,000 goal to help the family in its time of need.

Emergency services were called to a home on Greaves St, Inverell, about 2.20pm yesterday following reports a Rottweiler attacked the baby.

Officers who arrived the scene found the child suffering critical injuries.

She was treated at the scene but died on the way to hospital, NSW Police said.

Reports yesterday suggested the Rottweiler dog belonged to the child's family — either immediate or extended — and was seized by Inverell Shire Council rangers from their backyard, but police today were still unable to confirm who the dog belonged to.

The family were reportedly new to the area, having only recently moved in.

One Greaves St resident, who witnessed the aftermath of the attack, said she was in front of her house when a paramedic walked out of the neighboring property with the young girl in his arms.

 

 

She said the ambulance then sped away from the street with lights and sirens as two distressed women watched on.

"I just saw a young girl in an ambulance officer's arms, which was dreadful to see," she said.

"I figured (she had died) when she came out the way she did. I didn't see any marks on her so I thought it must have been a pool incident … I didn't notice any movement.

The dog was removed from the family's backyard

"I didn't see much after that because I ran inside because it was a little too vivid to watch."

The woman said a man arrived at the house a short time after the incident and was also very distressed.

Initial sources said the attack happened during a family barbecue and that the dog was the family pet.

Neighbor Helen Bedford defended the family on social media and urged people not to jump to conclusions about the incident.

"These poor parents are beyond devastated and grieving," she wrote.

"I watched the ambos trying to help her ... I feel sick now. Please stop with the nasty comments, they don't need to see this at all."

Notice the neighbor didn't dispute that the dog belonged to the family.

An investigation is now underway by police from New England Police District and a report will be prepared for the coroner.

There were 1196 dog attacks reported to NSW local councils from July-September 2017, with 125 children attacked and 36 people hospitalised.

There were 1228 dog attacks during the same period last year, according to the Office of Local Government.

(NZ Herald - March 4, 2018)

Missouri: Joseph and Lindsay Brink charged after their Boxers mauled elderly man to death in 2015

MISSOURI -- A southwest Missouri couple has been arrested after their dogs were linked to the fatal 2015 mauling of an elderly bicyclist, following an investigation during which two of the dogs were given away to unsuspecting owners, according to investigation files.

Joe Brink and Lindsay Brink were indicted in October on one count each of second-degree involuntary manslaughter in the death of 85-year-old Werner Vogt.

Both suspects were booked into jail on Thursday and released on their own recognizance.

They didn't even have to post bond???

Vogt was mauled in November 2015 while riding his bicycle in an upscale subdivision near the couple's home in rural Rogersville, about 15 miles (24 kilometers) east of Springfield.

Vogt, who also lived in the area, died three weeks after he was attacked. Investigators said DNA eventually matched one dog to saliva found on Vogt's clothing and couldn't rule out the couple's three other boxers.

The Brinks' attorney, Dee Wampler, said Thursday that his clients have cooperated with authorities and "deny any guilt or criminal negligence."

It's unclear why there was a months-long delay between the indictment and the couple being booked. The local prosecutor didn't return phone messages from The Associated Press on Friday.

My guess is that the prosecutor's office doesn't really want to prosecute.

The Brinks previously settled a wrongful death lawsuit with Vogt's son for $300,000.

The grand jury indictment alleges the Brinks were "aware of the aggressive disposition of the dogs and failed to maintain adequate control of the dogs by allowing them to run at large." No other details were provided in the document.

But files from the Christian County Sheriff's Office show that an investigator examined the Brinks' four large boxers shortly after the attack. The investigator found no blood on the animals.

 

 

In the spring, sheriff's Sgt. Michael Elliott returned to the Brinks' home to take DNA samples from their dogs, but Joseph Brink told Elliott he had gotten rid of two of his dogs — Chubbs and Otto — which were among the three dogs running lose at the time of the 2015 attack, according to the Springfield News-Leader newspaper .

"It seemed to me that Joseph believed his dogs were likely responsible, and told me he just couldn't allow himself to keep the dogs, especially since he has a little boy," Elliott wrote in the report.

Elliott took DNA swabs from the Brinks' two remaining boxers, and tracked down Chubs and Otto.

ADOPTED FROM SHELTER AND SOLD ON CRAIGSLIST

One of the dogs had been sent to an animal shelter in Bolivar, where a family adopted it.

A Springfield man acquired the other dog through a Craigslist ad.

The new owners told the News-Leader they were shocked to learn of the boxers' possible link to the fatal attack.

OWNER LIED TO THE SHELTER ABOUT THE DOG BEING INVOLVED IN THE FATAL ATTACK ON A HUMAN BEING

Jessie Shepardson, director of the Polk County Humane Society, said there were "no red flags" in the initial adoption paperwork for Otto.

The intake form indicated the dog hadn't bitten anyone within the past 10 days but noted the dog "doesn't do well with little kids."

 

 

She said there was no mention of the fatal attack in paperwork filed by the man who brought the dog in.

A forensic DNA analyst told the sheriff that DNA tests linked Otto's saliva to Vogt's clothing and couldn't rule out the other dogs.

ARREST INFORMATION: 

Full Name: Lindsay Renee Brink

Gender: Female

Race: White

Height: 5'06"

Weight: 145 lbs

Hair Color: BRO

Eye Color: BRO

Arrest Age: 34

Date: 01/18/2018

Time: 10:12 AM

Arresting Agency: CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF"S OFFICE

Location: Christian County, Missouri

Charge

#1 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER 2ND DEGREE

STATUTE: 565.024-002Y199909

Full Name: Joseph Michael Jude Brink

Gender: Male

Race: White

Height: 5'09"

Weight: 195 lbs

Hair Color: BLO

Eye Color: BLU

Arrest Age: 37

Date: 01/18/2018

Time: 10:10 AM

Arresting Agency: CHRISTIAN COUNTY SHERIFF"S OFFICE

Location: Christian County, Missouri

Charge

#1 INVOLUNTARY MANSLAUGHTER 2ND DEGREE

STATUTE: 565.024-002Y199909

(U.S. News & World Report Jan 19, 2018)

Earlier:

• Colorado: Unsuspecting families end up with 2 dogs linked to fatal attack. Police have no plans on doing anything about it.

California: Deborah Onsurez, 56, found lying in her driveway; police believe she was mauled to death by dogs

CALIFORNIA -- Some are now calling attention to what they call a stray dog problem in Stanislaus County.

This, after a woman was found dead in a driveway south of the city.

Authorities believe she was mauled by stray dogs.

The attack happened early Thursday morning.

“Stray dogs everywhere, that’s Stanislaus County for you, that’s all that’s around here,” said Armando, who works lives in the area. “A bunch of mutts really, not no full-breed dog — especially little dogs transients like to keep,” he added.

Armando says he usually sees stray dogs roaming up and down Crows Landing Road. That’s where 56-year old Deborah Onsurez was found lying dead Thursday morning. Stanislaus County sheriff’s deputies say they believe Onsurez was killed by a pack of stray dogs.

“Being killed by a dog is extremely unusual,” said Tai Bogan, an attorney in Modesto, who has worked dog attack cases.

He questions whether the dogs were actually strays after deputies and animal control officers said they couldn’t find any dogs in the area.

But dog attacks aren’t uncommon.

Just last month, a pit bull in Elk Grove attacked at least three people.

Back in May, a bicyclist was attacked by a dog on the American River Parkway.

In 2014, there two separate pit bull attacks in Stanislaus County — one left a man dead.

Bogan is calling on law enforcement to step up.

“Animal control cannot allow dogs to roam around the street. It just can’t happen in a civilized society,” Bogan said.

Deputies have not been able to identify the breed of dog which may have killed Onsurez.

If the dogs to belong to an owner, Bogan says they could face criminal charges for negligence.

(CBS Sacramento - Jan 1, 2018)

Arizona: Woman, 69, Mauled to Death By Akita While Volunteering with Dog Rescue Organization

ARIZONA -- A 69-year-old woman was mauled to death Wednesday by a dog while volunteering at the Canine Country Club and Feline Inn in Phoenix, PEOPLE learns.

The victim, Carol Harris, was killed by an Akita.

Harris was volunteering with Akita Advocates, which had rented out space at the Canine Country Club and Feline Inn in Phoenix.

The organization confirmed Harris was killed Wednesday in a statement posted to Facebook.

The Canine County Club and Feline Inn issued a statement on the mauling incident: “It is with heavy hearts we pass along sad news. This afternoon a volunteer from one of the rescue groups we host was playing with…[an] Akita [that] is owned by the rescue group, Akita Advocates…in one of our play yards when [the] dog attacked her. She was taken to the hospital with critical injuries, and has since passed away.”

The business adds that it takes “great pride in the work the rescue groups who use our facilities do to ensure better lives for animals.”

The mauling is “a tragedy,” the statement adds. “We are all at a loss for words.”

The Akita who killed Harris had been abandoned, and she was working with the animal to rehabilitate it for adoption. The dog will be euthanized.

According to police, Harris was found lying motionless with dog bites. She was rushed to a hospital, where she died.

PEOPLE’s attempts to reach her family were unsuccessful Friday.

Harris is the second woman this month whose mauling death by dogs has made headlines.

Note: The one thing about followers of the Akita breed. I have never seen them promoting this dog as a misunderstood wigglebutt. Instead, I see enthusiasts say they're great dogs for 'the right person' because:

◆ they're strong-willed dogs prone to aggression, that due to its dominant nature, the Akita does not interact well with other dogs.

◆ This tough breed can be difficult for a first-time dog owner to handle.

◆ As general rule, the Akita or any other large dog, should not be left alone with those who are under the age of 12 years old.

◆ The Akita sees his family very differently than he sees outsiders. He entire demeanor can change in an instant.

◆ Despite proper training, humans cannot completely undo basic nature of a canine. The Akita is a guard dog; and has been bred for centuries to be a hunting dog. This sort of deep trait characteristic cannot be taken away.

(People Magainze - December 22, 2017)

Texas: Five dogs which attacked a killed Erin McCleskey have been ordered to be euthanized

TEXAS -- A Travis County jury has decided the fate of five dogs who brutally attacked and killed a woman in 2016.

Tuesday, the jury deliberated and came to the decision that all six dogs did indeed contribute to the death of Erin Mccleskey and have been ordered to be euthanized (with the exception of the sixth dog, which had already died a few months back).

  

 

The owner of the dogs will have 30 days to decide if he will appeal the verdict before county can in fact put the dogs down.

Earlier Tuesday,  the owner of the dogs and an expert on dog attacks gave emotional and conflicting testimony in court.

The owner of the dogs, Terry Swanson, testified Tuesday that he believes only one dog attacked and killed Erin Mcccleskey last year.

 

 

Swanson and his attorney Eric Torberson, Tuesday, CLAIMED to the jury that a Labrador mix was responsible because she was protecting her litter of puppies.

To address the single dog theory, prosecutors brought in James Crosby, an expert in dog attacks.

“I find the maternal instinct to have been very unlikely because the puppies are older, they were in the round pen.  There’s no evidence that Ms. McCleskey was in the puppy pen or interacting with the puppies at all,” said Crosby.

There were six dogs on the property when Mccleskey went to the house on Fay Road to serve legal papers.

Travis County deputy medical examiner Kendall Crowns testified that he found 455 puncture wounds on McCleskey's body. He told the jury that a [fatal] attack by one dog will typically leave about 150 marks. 

Both Crowns and Crosby concluded that its highly unlikely Mccleskey was chased down and mauled by only one dog.

“My opinion based on the evidence is that all of the dog’s present participated to one level or another in the bites and the attack to Ms. McCleskey that led to her death,” said Crosby.

DOES ERIC TORBERSON WANT TO EXPLAIN THIS???

REPEAT OFFENDERS. POLICE IGNORED COMPLAINTS

Gonzalo Grimaldo, the owner of a parking lot next to the Swansons’ property, said the dogs got loose a few months ago and attacked his dog. He called the attack frightening and said he called 911, but said nobody responded to his report.

Another neighbor, Christi Sparks, said her family has had constant problems with dogs running loose in the neighborhood since they moved there in 2005. 

*  *  *  *  *  *

Since the attack in Manor, the dogs have been locked away at the animal shelter. Legal maneuvering has prevented authorities from putting them all down.

Ending their lives, according to Crosby is the reasonable decision. Even if there is no way for the jury to know if one or more dogs did not take part in the attack.

 

 

“We can’t be sure that those dogs will or will not severely injure another person and I’m not willing to take the chance,” said Crosby.

A vet from the shelter, Dr. Rachael Hays, testified that since the animals arrived at the facility none of the dogs have shown aggression.

Most dogs won't once they've been removed from their property and are in a new environment with unfamiliar smells, people, dogs, etc. Their demeanor changes to more of a timid, cautious state rather than overt aggression.

The jury started deliberations shortly before 4:00 p.m.

VIDEO CLIP #1: 

VIDEO CLIP #2: 

(FOX7 - Nov 28, 2017)

Earlier:

• Texas: Woman killed by dogs in north Travis County while serving court papers
• Texas: Hearing underway to determine if dogs that killed Erin McCleskey will be euthanized