Ohio: Robert Frazier, 36, accused of leaving his starved, chained dog outside to freeze to death

OHIO -- On Dec. 26, 2017, the Darke County Humane Society (DCHS) received a report of a deceased dog behind a residence at 205 E. Cross St., Ansonia.

Upon arrival, Agent Dustin Wills of the DCHS discovered an emaciated dog that had appeared to freeze to death during the current subzero temperatures.

The dog was chained up outside and only had an indoor style wire crate to get inside. There was no food or water readily available for the animal.

Agent Wills removed the animal and had a necropsy done. All case files were turned over to the Darke County Prosecutor’s Office with recommendations for Felony Animal Neglect/Cruelty charges.

On Jan. 25, a Grand Jury indicted Robert Frazier, 36, of Ansonia, on a Felony Cruelty/Neglect charge. This is DCHS’s first-ever felony indictment under the new laws for animal abuse in Ohio.

“This kind of behavior cannot and will not be tolerated in our county,” said Agent Wills. “It must stop now; hopefully this gets the point across to people. There are many ways to re-home an unwanted animal. Letting one die from starvation and freezing temperatures is not an option.”

Frazier appeared in the Darke County Common Pleas Court on Monday where he pleaded not guilty to Causing Harm to a Companion Animal (5th degree felony). Dave Rohrer was appointed to represent Frazier. He is currently free on his own recognizance but faces up to a year in prison and a $2,500 fine.

(Early Bird Paper - February 7, 2018)

Illinois: Jonathan Flores-Barona and his wife Monica Alanas charged with Animal Cruelty after leaving their Shih Tzu named Terry outside to freeze to death

ILLINOIS -- A couple faces animal cruelty charges after their dog froze to death when he was left outside overnight in last week’s bitter cold temperatures, Northlake police said.

Jonathan Flores-Barona, 26, and his wife, Monica Alanas, 21, of Glendale Heights, were charged with misdemeanor cruel treatment to an animal following the death of their 14-pound Shih Tzu, police said.

The couple “were involved in an argument” that prompted Flores-Barona to “take his wife’s belongings and the family dog to a Northlake address” on Dec. 28, police said in a news release.

The 1½-year-old dog was found dead the next morning “after apparently being left on the porch overnight,” authorities said.

Northlake Deputy Police Chief Jay Militello said Flores-Barona made several trips to his in-laws’ home that night, dropping off his wife’s personal belongings after Alanas had left the couple’s home and went to Northlake to stay with her parents.

The last load was left on the front porch at about midnight and included the dog, named Terry, the deputy chief said.

The dog was found frozen to death on the porch at about 5:30 a.m. Hours later, Alanas called police, Militello said

The deputy chief said Flores-Barona and Alanas gave conflicting statements to police, with the man saying he told his wife the dog was outside. Alanas, who was inside the Northlake home at the time, said he did not, according to Militello.

“Both of their actions are negligent,” Militello said.

Both are due in Cook County court Feb. 20.

(Chicago Tribune - January 5, 2018)

(April 2017) Tennessee: Stephen Spencer, 65, accused of killing his dog by leaving it out in below-freezing temperatures

TENNESSEE -- A Hixson man has been charged with killing his dog by allowing him to be in a crate without food or water in below-freezing conditions in March.

Stephen Douglas Spencer, 65, of 7377 Princess Way, is charged with aggravated animal cruelty.

Police said the dog suffered hypothermia, pneumonia, bowel perforation and other conditions due to the treatment.

ARREST INFO:
Full Name: Stephen Douglas Spencer
Block: 7300 Princess Way
City: Middle Valley, Tennessee 37343
Gender: Male
Race: White
Arrest Age:65
Arrest Date: 04/19/2017
Arresting Agency: Hamilton County
Charge
#1 AGGRAVATED CRUELTY TO ANIMALS

(Chattanoogan - April 20, 2017)

Illinois: Please say a prayer for Lydia Chaplin's family. She died 12 years ago today after being attacked by dogs.

ILLINOIS -- January 27, 2005 is LYDIA ELAINE CHAPLIN'S Angel Day.

Fourteen-year-old Lydia had done what many teens occasionally do - she had snuck out of her house late that night to meet up with some friends and hang out.

A night of innocent fun never happened as shortly after departing from her front yard, she was attacked by 3 pit bulls and 1 mixed breed dogs which belonged to her neighbor Arthur Dersham.

After nearly mauling her to death, the dogs departed. Likely they abandoned her body after she went unconscious and stopped struggling. The dogs thought she was dead so they left to find something/someone else to attack.

Severely injured Lydia was either unconscious or unable to get up and laid all night outside alone in the freezing cold. Lydia died of hypothermia less than 1/2 a mile from the safety of her home.

"Our beautiful daughter didn't find her way home," her parents said. "She was later located in a cornfield and had died of hypothermia."

Authorities originally thought that Lydia had been struck by a car, but her autopsy told the story of the dog attack.

The grand jury failed to indict the dog's owners.

Lydia was a freshman in high school and a cheerleader; she was also an artist. She loved to smile and laugh, and to make those around her do the same. Lydia was a very unique girl with a wonderful sense of humor, and she was very loved by her family and friends.

Twelve years have passed since Lydia's attack, but she will live forever in the hearts of those who loved her. You have not been forgotten, beautiful angel.

Earlier:

• Illinois: Lydia Chaplin, 14, cause of death has been determined
• Illinois: Arthur Dersham's loose dogs mauled Lydia Chaplin, 14, to death. His punishment? Nothing.

Ohio: Tameka Smith, who abandoned her chained dog to starve and freeze to death gets her animal cruelty charge dropped, is allowed to plead "no contest to dog confinement" instead and gets NO jail time for the suffering she inflicted on this poor dog

OHIO -- A woman who left her dog outside of a Campbell home to die after she moved was sentenced in court on Monday.

Tameka Smith pleaded no contest to dog confinement, a misdemeanor charge.

Police said Smith moved last year, leaving her dog chained outside of the Reed Avenue home to die. Investigators said the animal was left with no way to get food and eventually starved to death, having been weakened by the freezing temperatures and snow.

Really, did anyone expect anything different? Rarely do animal abusers like Tameka Smith get a punishment that fits the crime. This was what I was expecting. A slap on the wrist and probation. That's what they all get. 

 

Smith was initially charged with animal cruelty, which is punishable by up to 90 days in jail and a $750 fine.

Monday, Smith managed to avoid jail time, receiving 250 hours of community service instead, as well as a $500 fine. As part of her sentence Smith will have to volunteer at an animal charity.

Pathetic.  wouldn't let her near ANY animals. Campbell County, shame on you.

Animals rights activists have been following the court proceedings and demonstrating every time Smith had a court appearance.

It didn't make one bit of difference. The judge didn't care. The prosecutors didn't care. She was going to get handed this deal from the beginning and all those times, for 20+ months that they trekked downtown and sat in the courtroom, didn't matter to them at all. 

 

 

 

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WDTN - Nov 7, 2016)

Earlier:

• Ohio: Police say Tameka Smith moved out of her rental house and left her chained dog to die
• Ohio: Animal lovers rally at Tameka Smith's court appearances. She's accused of abandoning her dog to starve and freeze to death whe she moved out of her house
• Ohio: Tameka Smith pleaded not guilty to leaving her dog to die; trial set

Tennessee: Angela Green and James Green charged in Montgomery County animal cruelty case

TENNESSEE -- A man and woman in Woodlawn have been charged with animal cruelty after authorities said they let a crated dog die in their backyard.

Montgomery County Animal Control officials said the dog probably froze to death in James Stephen Green and Angela Dawn Green’s backyard.

The Greens CLAIMED to officers the dogs in the backyard did not belong to them.

Another dog in the backyard was taken into protective custody and was later adopted.

Two small dogs found in the front yard were allowed to stay at the home.

Montgomery County Animal Care and Control Director Jeanette Farrell said the deceased dog, as well as a living one, had been abandoned by an individual who had reportedly moved out of the home.

 

The suspects said they were unable to contact the owner, but never bothered to contact Animal Control and that the dogs were left in kennels in the backyard without food or water.

One of the dogs died from hypothermia, according to a veterinarian. The other dog survived and has been adopted.

Farrell noted that the suspects had two dogs of their own chained in the front yard.

The suspects were each given a bond of $1,000.

(WSMV - March 1, 2016)

Pennsylvania: Suspect's mother accused of intimidating witness in animal abuse case

PENNSYLVANIA -- A woman will be facing charges of witness intimidation, after authorities said she threatened a person who was helping police in the animal cruelty case against her son.

Police said 36-year-old Tia Matthews of Wilkinsburg sent threatening texts and voicemails after her son, 19-year-old Gerald Walker Jr., was arrested.

 

 

Walker Jr. turned himself in to police last week, after humane officers said his emaciated dog was discovered in a Homewood apartment.

The dog, which has since been named Effie, was brought to the Western Pa Humane Society weighing 14 pounds.

 

 

Gerald's defense is that he "couldn't afford" to feed his dog.
Doesn't look like Gerald missed any meals...

Effie was placed in foster care after undergoing surgery.

(WPXI Pittsburgh - Feb 11, 2016)

Earlier:

• Pennsylvania: Gerald Walker Jr., 19, owner of badly emaciated dog described as 'fur on top of a skeleton' charged

Kentucky: Garbage truck driver finds abandoned puppies, two had already frozen to death

KENTUCKY -- Four puppies were found cold and abandoned in Louisville this week. Sadly, two of the puppies did not survive the frigid temperatures.

They were found along the National Turnpike.

A garbage truck driver named Gregory Curry is the one who spotted the puppies.

He heard whimpering while driving on his route.

He found the four puppies inside a plastic storage bin, dumped sideways and positioned with the open side facing the dumpster so the dogs couldn’t escape.

Curry says he cannot imagine how someone could just leave these dogs to die.

“There was two other ones with them and they were dead. I initially thought they were stuffed animals in there with them and then when I got out, I could tell that they weren't,” said Curry.

He drove around with the puppies in his truck until the area shelter opened up.

According to animal services, the dogs are Shepherd mixes and only about seven weeks old.

The two surviving dogs are expected to be up for adoption sometime next week.

(Lex18 - Feb 11, 2016)

Pennsylvania: Gerald Walker Jr., 19, owner of badly emaciated dog described as 'fur on top of a skeleton' charged

PENNSYLVANIA -- The owner of a badly emaciated dog described by a police officer as being just "fur on top of a skeleton" and near death was arrested Friday morning.

Pittsburgh police said Gerald Walker Jr., 19, turned himself in and was charged with animal cruelty. His pit bull, Effie, is continuing a slow recovery at the Western Pennsylvania Humane Society.

 

In an unrelated case, Walker was the victim of a shooting this week on Tioga Street in Homewood, according to the criminal complaint.

"My initial reaction was, "Aww, come on man.' That's how bad she was," Officer Christine Luffey said after police found Effie Jan. 21. "I held her, and it was awkward to hold her because I have dogs and I love dogs. I was literally holding a skeleton."

Gerald's defense is that he "couldn't afford" to feed his dog.
Doesn't look like Gerald missed any meals...

Police said a man who was servicing an apartment in Homewood spotted Effie and reported the dog's condition. Investigators found Effie the next day at a different apartment in Wilkinsburg and removed her.

Effie was initially taken to the Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty & Emergency Center. In addition to being about 30 pounds underweight, doctors said she was hypothermic and they were not sure if she would survive.

Effie has gained just two pounds in two weeks, but the Humane Society said she has made significant progress and a full recovery is expected in eight to 10 weeks.

(WTAE - Feb 5, 2016)

Ohio: Tameka Smith pleaded not guilty to leaving her dog to die; trial set

OHIO -- The animal cruelty case against a Campbell woman will go to trial.

Tameka Smith, 23, is charged with moving from a home on Reed Avenue and allegedly abandoning her dog, Charlie, chained outside to starve to death.

The dog died from starvation and exposure to the cold.

 

 

Animal rights advocates have demonstrated at every court appearance by Smith. They want harsher penalties for cruelty to animals.

 

 

"We would like a felony in some of the animal abuse cases, but we realize that is going to take time for it to happen. But I think this case warrants jail time, someone should pay for that crime," said activist Holly Justice.

The defense attorney representing Smith contends that the dog did not belong to her and that she was not responsible for its care.

A trial date for the case will be set within 60 days.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(WFMJ - Jan 30, 2016)

Earlier:

• Ohio: Police say Tameka Smith moved out of her rental house and left her chained dog to die
• Ohio: Animal lovers rally at Tameka Smith's court appearances. She's accused of abandoning her dog to starve and freeze to death when she moved out of her house

Tennessee: Amber Davidson and Joshua Dailey charged with cruelty after letting puppies freeze to death

TENNESSEE -- Six dogs are headed to a Paris shelter later this week after police seize them and arrest their owners.

Authorities say they allowed two puppies to freeze to death when the temperatures dropped..

Captain Terry McDade with the Weakley County Sheriff’s office says he made three different trips to a house off of Kester Road last week after neighbors called to ask him to check on the animals there.

“Two dogs out front they were skinny with their ribs sticking out one had been regurgitating I had been out there twice and both times the dog was sick and had been sick inside the house,” he said.

 

Last Friday McDade says he spoke with the dog owners Amber Davidson and Joshua Dailey.

“I made contact the third day one of the dog owners had stated to me one of the dogs had puppies had two had frozen to death,” Captain McDade said.

McDade says he never saw the two puppies but says Dailey told him that he knew he should have taken better care of the dogs.

“He did admit to the puppies dying because he felt like he should have taken them in the house and he didn’t,” McDade said.

McDade says both Davidson and Dailey are charged with one county of animal cruelty each/

Davidson and Dailey are currently free on a $500 and $2500 bonds respectively and will appear in court next Wednesday.

(WBBJ - Jan 19, 2016)

New York: Brooklyn woman who left dog shivering in blizzard stuck her pets in the cold AGAIN after police visit

NEW YORK --The Brooklyn dog owner who left her mutt to shiver in a blizzard got off with a summons — then let her pets freeze outside again after cops came to her house two days in a row.

The poor pets owned by June Wiggins, in Crown Heights, were once again stuck outside Sunday night, with temperatures in the 30s and snow still piled up from the monster snow storm, a neighbor told the Daily News.

“The dogs were out all night, they were whimpering,” said Evelyn Costa, who filmed a viral video of one dog crying in the cold Saturday night.

“The nightmare continues. Blizzard or no blizzard, those dogs have been abused for years.”

Cops came to Wiggins’ home on President St. Saturday, after a call from a neighbor, then returned Sunday to follow up. Wiggins was issued a C summons, which could lead to 15 days in jail after another infraction, and told she would lose her pets if she didn’t bring them inside, police said.

She let the dogs — 14-year-old Prince, who is blind, and 15-year-old Egypt — into the house, only to cast them out again hours later.

The ASPCA said the dogs' living conditions are not "ideal," but still "do not meet the definition of animal cruelty as defined by the law, making seizure by the police impossible."

Instead, the animal care group said it will work with Wiggins to "improve conditions for the dog," although specific plans are unknown.

Costa said the nasty neighbor, who usually keeps to herself, has been inflicting harm on her two dogs for most of their lives. When pressed about her pet cruelty, Wiggins usually says she needs to pooches for protection, Costa said.

“She’s using them like fire alarms, not like pets,” she said.

“She says they’re there for protection? That’s a joke.”

Wiggins did not return calls for comment.

(New York Daily News - Jan 25, 2016)

Pennsylvania: Puppy Freezes to Death, Another Dog Dies During Dangerous Cold

PENNSYLVANIA -- Charges are expected to be filed against the owners of two dogs who died after being left outside during dangerously cold temperatures in South Jersey.

Atlantic County SPCA investigators responded to an anonymous call about a puppy frozen inside its dog house off Jackson Road in Buena Vista Township Monday.

 

When they arrived they found the puppy’s body as well as an older female pit bull (possibly the puppy's mama) which was cold and malnourished. She was taken to a veterinary clinic where she died overnight.

“Honestly I barely slept last night and I woke up this morning to news that the second dog has passed away,” said Atlantic County SPCA Humane Law Enforcement Agent Kate Warden.

 

 

Authorities say the puppy appeared to be less than six-months-old and underweight and both dogs’ water bowls were only filled with ice.

Officials would not reveal the identity of the dogs’ owners because they’re still preparing to file animal cruelty charges, including failure to provide proper shelter, adequate food and veterinary care.

“Please bring your animals indoors,” Warden said. “There is no excuse to have more animals dying in this extreme cold weather.”

Investigators are hoping the results of the necropsies (animal autopsies) will be revealed Wednesday and plan to file charges after.

(NBC 10 Philadelphia - ‎Jan 19, 2016)