Indiana: "There were three grown men beating, choking, doing anything we could to get this dog off of my little Zita. Nothing would free it's grip"

INDIANA -- My sister and I have had a terrible last few months. This week was especially horrible. This page will explain everything. Please share.

GoFundMe link: My little Zita's vet bills
Created December 26, 2016 by Matt Cadle  
MERRILLVILLE, IN

It's not easy for me to write about this nor is it easy for me to ask for any kind of charity, but sometimes, I guess, it's what you just have to do.

About five days ago a huge stray pit bull was wandering around my home. I was outside near my truck and my sister opened the door to tell me something. Right at that same moment I noticed that the stray dog had wounds on it. I yelled for my sister to close the door. It was too late. The dog had already seen my Zita inside the home.

It literally shoved the door open ran inside my home and immediately attacked my Zita. It locked onto the back of her neck. There was nothing my dog could do. I began to beat the dog with anything that I could get my hands on. Three of my neighbors heard my sister's screams and they ran over to help.

There were three grown men beating, choking, doing anything we could to get this dog off of my little Zita. Nothing would free it's grip. After all, Zita is only 40 pounds and this pit bull was at least 80 to 90 pounds.

Finally, somehow, the dog finally lost it's grip. Zita ended up having a severe puncture wound to the back of her neck.

The police were called. They arrived along with an animal control officer. They took the dog to the local Humane Society. The Animal Control Officer pointed out cut marks on the dog that were caused by a knife. Obviously this dog was abused & trained to attack and kill other dogs. I do not blame the dog.  I blame the sick disgusting person who 'raised' it.

Not having any money to my name, I didn't bring her to the vet until today (Christmas Day). I also truly believed that she would be fine. I really did.

Zita didn't look well this morning. There was a ton of pus all over the wound. I applied online for an emergency pet credit card, but I was denied. My sister applied and was given $700 credit. I took Zita into the animal emergency vacility. She had to have emergency surgery performed. She had developed an extrememly bad infection all the way around the inside of her neck area. The vet had to insert 5 drainage plugs which need to be flushed for the next 3-5 days.

The bill for the surgery, medication and other services came close to the $700 that my sister was approved for. But I still need to take Zita to the vet at least 3 to 5 more times and I have no idea how much it's going to be or how I'm going to pay for it.

Those of you who know me, may know that I suffer from severe clinical depression and very bad anxiety disorder. I have fought depression my entire life. The past 10 or more years my conditions have worsened much more. It may not be an excuse to some, but it's the reason I haven't been able to make any type of living. Every day is a battle just to stay alive.

The two reasons I am still on this earth is because of my sister Joanne and my dog Zita. They are the only two reasons I live for. My sister Joanne, whom is disabled (which is a whole other story), lives with me. She gets a very small SSI check which has been our only income for the past several years.

My sister and I never had the chance to have children (me by choice, my sister because she physically couldn't). So Zita is literally like my daughter and Joanne's niece. we both love her more than anything in the world.

When Zita was attacked, it was one of the most traumatic experiences that my sister and I have ever experienced. I really thought my little girl was going to die. I cannot even describe it in words. It was absolutely horrible. My sister and I are still both in tears ever since it happened. It's something that we, unfortunately, will never forget.

I still cannot believe that I started a gofundme page. To tell you the honest truth, I feel like a complete loser asking people for money. I would never ask for money for any other circumstance. But I have to do what I have to do. I have no other options. I have to swallow my pride and save my baby.

My sister and I both would be extremely and eternally grateful for any donations that you could spare.

Update 1
I thought I would add a picture of Zita's post operation. There are a total of five drains.

She is doing better today. She has been eating, alert and wants to play a little. I just gave her her pain meds and now she's asleep next to me on my bed. I have to bring her to the vet tonight to have her drains 'flushed' for the first time. I feel so bad, because she is going to be so scared.

Update 2
Just a little update on Zita. She seems to be doing well. She ate her first bowl of food today. She's still alert and acting herself, but still tired at times.

I took her in for the second time to get her drains flushed. The doctor didn't like the way some of the discharge looked, so she took a sample and she's sending it to the lab to be tested. She wants to make sure that it's not another bacteria growing inside her. If it is, then we will have to switch the antibiotics that she's on.

I couldn't pay for the tests yet. Therefore they won't send the sample to the lab yet. I'm waiting for these funds to be deposited into my bank account. Hopefully the money will be in my account by tomorrow.

I'm back to being a nervous wreck again. The vet tech told me that this is not uncommon for a dog bite. I think (hope) they are just making sure that it's not something worse. Hopefully Zita's wounds won't get worse and she can stay on the same medication.

Thank you to all who have donated. I have no idea what I would do without your support.

Much love <3
~Matt

Update 3
Just a pic to go with my last update. The bottom drain is draining the most (gravity). Hopefully the tests that they took will come back ok and Zita will be able to stay on her same antibiotics.

I don't want much out of life. I just want my dog to be ok.

Update 4
I just got back from taking Zita to get her drains flushed. The doctor told me that everything starting to look a little better. It's not as swollen and it's not draining as much. We have to wait for the culture to come back from the lab to make sure that Zita's on the perfect type of antibiotic.

The vet tech told me not to worry. That Zita will be ok. It's just going to take take. I needed to hear that more than anything. I haven't been able to eat or sleep. I couldn't even hold water down last night.

I want to thank everyone that has donated and helped us through this. I truly don't know what we would have done without all your donations, love and compassion. I hope that, in the future, I will have the means to pay all of you back in one way or another.

So much love <3,
~Matt

Update 5
I just got back from taking Zita to get her drains flushed again. Her regular doctor wasn't there, but the vet techs said that everything is looking good. We will head back to the vet tomorrow. Hopefully the culture will come back from the lab ok and Zita can continue on the same antibiotics and the doctor will remove the drains. *fingers crossed*

Zita actually gets excited to go for a ride and visit the clinic. I think I'm more nervous in there than she is! :)

I would like to give a HUGE thank you to everyone who has donated, sent kind notes and shared my campaign. Your compassion and kindness is appreciated more than you'll ever know. You all have been simply amazing!

Thank you! <3 Thank you! <3 Thank you! <3
~Matt

Update 6
Zita is doing very well. Hopefully tomorrow the lab results will be in, she will remain on her same antibiotics and she can get her drains removed.

I cannot thank all of you enough. You are all amazing people. Your generosity, love and compassion has warmed my heart. It's just so nice to know that there are people out there that truly care.

Much love to all of you, <3
~Matt

Update 7
Zita seems to be doing very well. I THINK her drains should be removed tonight when I bring her in. They aren't draining anymore which is, I'm pretty sure, a great sign.

The lab tests came back and Zita has to go on a different antibiotic. I'm a tad nervous, but I'm sure everything will be fine. As I stated above, she seems to be healing very well.

For those of you who want to donate directly to the vet....I am going to speak to the lady at the clinic who handles all the bills. I'll ask her if she can credit my 'care credit' card if someone wants call the vet and donate. I'm pretty sure that they can do that. I don't see why they wouldn't. I'll post another update tonight after I take my Zita in. :)

Once again, a HUGE thank you to everyone! And HUGE thank you to my "ragazza fantastica" Lisa Steczo. Lisa you have helped me so much! <3 YOU! <3 ALL of you!
~Matt

Update 8
Great news everyone! Zita had her drains removed tonight! The lab results showed that she had a different strain of bacteria growing in her, but the Doc put her on another antibiotic and said not to worry. On Sunday the 15th she will most likely get her stitches removed! I am so relieved! My little Zita is gonna be ok!

Thank you once again to everyone that donated and sent notes! Your love and compassion is overwhelming! I truly love all of you! You saved my daughter! :) <3

Lisa....<3 you!

Those that want to donate directly to the vet, please call them. Demitra, the gal that handles the bills, will take your payment and deduct the amount from my 'care credit' card.

I am trying to post a video from my phone, but it's too large to send to my email. I know nothing about smartphones. lol....so here's a pic of Zita in the waiting room. :)

Thank you ALL again!

Update 9
Zita's last day at the Emergency clinic! Stitches removed!

She was so hyper all day! I think she was feeding off of my emotions. I was in a good mood because my pipes thawed out on their own and no busted pipes!

When Zita and I first got to the vet, she was going nutty! Then she wore herself out and almost fell asleep in the chair (you can tell by the pictures that I posted how she gradually wore herself out. LOL....I LOVE my dog!

Thank you again everyone! ALL of you are incredible!

And a special thanks to my buddy Lisa!

Much love to everyone! <3
~Matt

Michigan: Man and his leashed dog attacked by neighbor's loose pit bull

MICHIGAN -- LPO Night Poster posted on Facebook December 30, 2016

ANIMAL COMPLAINT: 800 Blk of Huntington Ln. Caller was just attacked by their neighbor's pit bull. They are bleeding but refusing EMS. They do want police there. The pit bull owner has the dog contained.

The pit bull attacked the callers dog that was on a leash. Someone started hitting the pit bull to get the pit bull off the callers dog.

The caller was then attacked by the pit bull. #Almont

 

Courtney Scura - Everyone on this post is so dumb. You don't know the whole story. You shouldn't automatically go to killing the dog. Was it provoked by the other dog? Does the pit have prior aggression issues against him? And I don't care who you are, if I'm getting hit by someone I'm going to attack them. The person shouldn't have been dumb and hit the dog. There are smarter ways to go about it. I've owned a lot of pits/bully breeds. They are the sweetest dogs ever and not aggressive at all..

Alan King - Owner is 100% responsible if any breed that drawls blood on human or amimal outside fenced in yard, even in there yard at times.

Courtney Scura - Yeah tell animal control that.. I had a Boston terrier come to my yard, attack my pit and when I broke it up that little dog bit me in the face and drew blood. But I got a ticket.. how does that make sense??

Amy Gibbs - It says they hit the pit bull to get it to stop attacking their dog. Seems right to me.

Rubicon Bob - Bang bang done

Courtney Scura - Well it's not... if you hit the dog it's only going to piss it off more and it's going to get more aggressive... you guys need to learn a thing or two about dogs..

Jesse Salcido Why does it even say pit bull!? Any other breed would state dog attack. It's BS that when it's a pit they name the breed to make sure everyone knows. It's not the breeds fault, its the trainers fault!

Tracey Bon - Soo they should have just let the pit kill the dog that was on leash? You wouldn't do everything to save your dog like hitting the attacker? Why was the pit loose to begin with??

Heather Stevens Tesler - Just because it's a pit doesn't mean shit I have two pits and 6 kids that play pull on the dogs and they have never attacked anyone it's not always because it's a pit. There's other breeds that attack to so people mess to stop attacking pits

John McIntosh - Any time there is discussion regarding dog attacks, in this case a pit bull, owners of the same breed are always quick to defend the breed. " My dog is a sweetheart", or my dog has never been vicious" etc.

In my fire/ems career, I ran many dog attack calls. Not one single time ever have I heard anyone say " yeah, that dog does that all the time".

Usually when I dog latches on to someone and starts ripping their face, hands, neck or legs to shreds, tearing skin and muscle, its the first time for the dog to do that.

So we give them a free pass? How many is an acceptable number? Until it attacks you? Or maybe your child?

I'm sorry, but once a dog draws blood on a human, its should all done. Someone mentioned maybe the dog should go to training before being killed. Seriously, after a dog rips into you, you are perfectly ok just letting it go, and hope it doesnt happen to someone else?

Those 2 dogs that killed the man in Metamora were KNOWN to be vicious aggressive animals, yet nothing was done until after they ripped that man apart, to bleed to death on the side of the road as the dogs ripped him into pieces. At the point a dog aggressively attacks a human, it doesn't matter one little bit what that dogs history is. May have been mistreated, may not have. Its doesn't matter.

When I got attacked walking my pup, I had literally 2-3 seconds to kick the dog back from grabbing my leg as I unholstered and shot it dead in the middle of the road. It was purely self defense. I've seen first hand what a dog is capable of doing to a person. And I sure as hell was not going to negotiate with it, and hope it gets training later. A vicious animal, even if its the first time, should never get a second chance.

Florida: John Snell was seen beating his dog. Hero MMA instructor Dennis Davidson tackles him and holds him for police

FLORIDA -- Dennis Davidson knew he had to do something when he saw a dog being hit and kicked by a man in Brevard County, Florida.

"We noticed a gentleman chasing a dog around, and the dog was cowering. And he was shouting obscenities at it, and every time he'd get close, he was swinging and/or kicking at it," Davidson said.

 

Davidson confronted the dog's owner, John Snell, who allegedly began threatening Davidson's wife.

"He basically got irate and started to move toward her, shouting some obscenities and pointing," Davidson told WESH.

   

  

 

 

At that point, Davidson sprung into action.

Snell had no way of knowing that Davidson is a black belt in jujitsu, and actually teaches at a martial arts school.

Davidson immediately put Snell in a choke hold and brought him to the ground. He was able to hold him until police arrived.

Snell was arrested on complaints of battery and animal abuse.

As for the dog, Davidson says he hopes to adopt her.

“We’re animal lovers, have several dogs and live on a big property with a fence. Hopefully, we’ll get the dog and it’ll live out the rest of its life with happiness,” he said.

(KFOR - Dec 15, 2016)

Earlier:

• Florida: John Snell, 56, charged with animal cruelty

Florida: Home, where Sondra Tyson was mauled to death by her own pet pit bull, is torn down

FLORIDA -- Less than a year after a pit bull mix mauled a woman to death at a Leesburg home, the structure has been torn down.

Owners of the pale green wooden home at 1215 South Street had it demolished in October along with a garage apartment on the same property months ago after structural issues were found in both, according to a Leesburg code enforcement official.

“We wanted them to fix it. They didn’t want to salvage it,” said Riley Snavely, code enforcement officer.

Sondra Tyson, 66, was living in her son’s home in March when she was attacked by her 68-pound pit bull.

According to Leesburg police, a relative came to the South Street home on March 31 and found her in a pool of blood. Police said they had to shoot the blood-covered dog on the rear porch to allow paramedics to get to the body.

 

Tyson was pronounced dead at the scene.

Nothing could be found in a subsequent necropsy report to indicate why the dog attacked the woman, an animal she had raised since it was a puppy.

Snavely said code enforcement officers later determined the home and the garage were structurally unsound. The stairwell of the garage had collapsed and residents were using a ladder to access the top floor.

The owner eventually elected to tear down both buildings.

(Daily Commercial - Dec 26, 2016)

Earlier:

• Florida woman mauled, killed by own pit bull

Tennessee: Timothy Martel, 36, got mad at his cat so he drowned it in the bathtub, say police

TENNESSEE -- A Nashville man is being accused of drowning his cat in a bathtub is now charged with aggravated animal cruelty, Metro police say.

According to an arrest affidavit, a Metro Animal Care and Control Officer responded to a call to have a talk with Timothy Martel about a cat bite he had received.

Martel reportedly explained he has anger issues and his cat had been hiding from him.

According to the affidavit, the 36-year-old moron told the officer that he then beat his cat, which bit him.

In response, Martel went on to explain that he then drowned the cat in a bathtub. He also reportedly kept the deceased cat in a bag and showed it to the animal control officer.

The cat’s body was immediately taken to the Kord Diagnostic Laboratory for a necropsy.

Martel is now charged with aggravated animal cruelty. His bond is set at $35,000 and he is due in court on Thursday.

(Thebestcatpage.com - Dec 17, 2016)

Ohio: Judge feels sorry for Collin Macaulay, who beat his pit bull puppy, and lowers his bond so he can go home for Christmas

OHIO -- The bond for a Cortland man accused of beating his 6-month-old pit bull puppy last month was reduced during his arraignment Thursday on felony charges, including one under the state’s newest animal cruelty law.

Collin J. Macaulay, 19, of Gates Street, pleaded not guilty before Trumbull County Common Pleas Judge Peter J. Kontos.

Macaulay is charged with two counts of intimidation and one count of prohibitions concerning companion animals, violating what is commonly known as “Goddard’s Law.” If convicted, he could face a maximum of seven years in prison.

The case involved a report from Cortland police that Macaulay beat his female puppy and then threatened neighbors in his Gates Street apartment complex who called police to report the incident.

JUDGE PETER KONTOS IS NO FRIEND TO ANIMALS

Kontos reduced Macaulay’s bond from $155,000 to $50,000 and ordered him to have no contact with his neighbors. Macaulay’s attorney, Brendan Keating, said his client plans on no longer living at the Gates Street address, as his father is making plans to find him new living quarters.

Jail records show Macaulay, who has been in jail since Nov. 14, was still in custody Thursday evening.

The vet later found that the puppy suffered from blunt face trauma, causing dried blood in the ear canal, two fractured teeth, swelling on her muzzle, and possible sinus and optical socket fractures.

(Tribune Today - Dec 23, 2016)

Earlier:

• Ohio: Collin Macaulay, 19, arrested after neighbors heard him beating his puppy

Tennessee: National Guard member Kate Handley said she was running a 'rescue' and pet food pantry. Police say she and her boyfriend Michael Foster were hoarding animals and neglecting their baby

TENNESSEE -- A Newport couple was arrested for child neglect/abuse and animal cruelty after Newport Officers found a residence hoarding 22 neglected animals along with a neglected 2-month-old child on Tuesday, Dec. 27.

Capt. Amy Gentry and Patrolman Mike Robey were dispatched to 596 Freeman Ave., to assist Animal Control Officer Lisa Laymen on a welfare check of a pit bull.

Photos are from her Facebook page

Upon their arrival, officers noticed the pit bull was severely malnourished and its ribs were visible as a result from starvation.

Officers then made contact with the owner, Katherine Ann Cogdill (aka Kate Cogdill, Kate Handley), 27, who said there were more animals inside the residence.

Notice the name on her badge says COGDILL

 

As Officers searched through the home to conduct a welfare check on the other animals, they found a total of 11 snakes, two spiders, three dogs, two cats, and four lizards, with one deceased, but still in the cage.

According to the report, all animals did not have water and the cages had not been cleaned in weeks. Capt. Gentry said the floors of every room in the residence were covered in animal feces and urine.

Officers also found a two-month-old child, who was dirty, all of his bottles were moldy, and his blanket was crawling with fleas. 

  

 

In addition, his playpen was in three feet of a cage that contained 12’ Burmese python with no secured lock, along with three other tanks of snakes.

DCS was called to the scene and removed the child.

 

Codgill and the father of the child, Michael Foster, 23, were placed under arrest and charged with animal cruelty and child abuse/neglect.

Bond for Cogdill and Foster was set at $10,000 each.

Online records say that Cogdill also has another child, a 6-year-old son who she had with her ex-husband Phillip Cogdill. Does her ex-husband have custody of this child? I hope so.

Katherine Anne "Kate" Handley 

Katherine Handley

Kate Handley

Kate Handley-Cogdill

Kate Cogdill

Katherine Cogdill

DOB: April 30, 1989

 

SAYS ON FACEBOOK SHE'S A NON-PROFIT, BUT ON HER WEBSITE SAYS "I HAVEN'T GOTTEN MY NON-PROFIT STATUS YET". IT IS ILLEGAL TO CLAIM TO BE A 501c3 WHEN YOU ARE NOT.

 

 

 

 

 

SHUT DOWN THE PET FOOD PANTRY BUT STILL DAILY ASKING FOR MONEY

Pet food Pantry in newport,TN

December 31, 2016 at 4:25pm · Newport, TN · 

Due to personal matters we have moved and are having a rough time. We can not currently give out donations. And we apologize. thanks for all the support. If we ever get back up and running we Will let you all know.

Regulate rescue Facebook post December 28, 2016 

How many times has a child been saved from a dangerous situation because someone has taken the time to do a welfare check on an animal? Even if people do not give a damn about the animals- think of how many situations are out there with not just animals needing saved- but, children.

According to Katherine Cogdill's Facebook posts (she appears to work under the name Kate Handley on social media) she was running a pet food bank and appeared to be involved in rescue. Fostering perhaps? For who? Independent rescuer? How was she obtaining her dogs and other animals? DID ANYONE WHOEVER HANDED HER A LIFE EVER STEP INTO THE HOME?? Anyone? Anyone?

"..the pit bull was severely malnourished..." (see story)

".. I run a food pantry out of my house.." Kate Handley - Nov. 16 2016 Facebook post

Someone PLEASE explain to me how any animal residing in the home of someone running a pet food pantry could possibly be malnourished??? Please, explain this to me.

"..two month old child... bottles were moldy..blanket was crawling with fleas... playpen was in three feet of a cage that contained 12' burmese python with no secured lock..." 

Again- anyone do a home check before handing her an animal? Thankfully, that child was taken and is being given non moldy bottles and a snake free place to sleep and play.

Michael Foster is the other adult who has been charged.

Running a pet food pantry but can't even pay for her own pets' food - and asking for donations???

 

 

(Newport Plain Talk - Dec 28, 2016)