CONNECTICUT -- A New London woman who was attacked and seriously injured by a pit bull staying at the pet-friendly Marriott Residence Inn on Route 27 in 2014 has reached a $300,000 settlement with the owner of the hotel, according to her attorney.
Dan Horgan of New London said Tuesday that the lawsuit filed by his client Jo-Lynne Grillo, who suffered a permanent injury that left her with limited use of her right arm and disfigurement, had been slated to go to a jury trial on Feb. 27, but the two sides agreed to the settlement during a daylong mediation session in New London Superior Court on Monday.
How can a hotel be expected to know whether or not a dog is vicious? They can't have their desk staff deciding which dog can stay and which dog can't - they'll get sued for discrimination. I realize that her friend Kotyk has since died, but her estate is there and should be the one to pay - not the hotel. Her son chose to own this dog and let his mother watch it for him - why should he collect from her estate while the hotel is the one stuck paying the victim?
Now, Horgan said, he is talking to state Rep. Christine Conley, D-Groton, about possibly introducing a bill that would require pet-friendly hotels to do a background check on dogs allowed to stay with guests and possibly take further measures to prevent future attacks by large and potentially dangerous dogs.
Horgan said that “incredibly, the (Residence Inn) still has an unrestricted open door policy for pit bulls and other large dogs.”
New Haven attorney Joe Musco, who represents VIII-HIII-Whitehall Avenue LLC, the hotel ownership entity set up by the Waterford Hotel Group, which owns the property, did not return a phone message Tuesday.
Horgan said the settlement ends a “horrific ordeal” for Grillo.
According to an account by Horgan and Stonington police, Grillo went to the hotel to pick up a friend, Eileen Kotyk, for an afternoon of shopping. Staying with Kotyk and her husband, who were at the hotel after their home was damaged in a fire, were their golden retriever and their son’s pit bull named Bullet.
When Kotyk opened the door and left to get something, the dog attacked and repeatedly bit Grillo in the second-floor corridor.
Kotyk unsuccessfully tried to stop the dog by hitting it with a pan.
Finally a hotel desk clerk pulled Grillo into a room. The dog remained in the hallway.
A Stonington police officer who arrived was forced to shoot the large dog after he suffered minor bites to his hand and arm when he tried to help Kotyk get control of the dog after the attack. The dog initially survived the gunshot from the officer’s .45 caliber handgun.
The officer was then able to corral the dog in a stairwell away from other guests until Christina Donovan, a Groton Town Police animal control officer, arrived. She was able to guide the dog to the Stonington animal control truck with the use of a noose at the end of a long pole (catchpole).
The dog, which had blood dripping from its shoulder and abdomen after being struck with a bullet, whimpered as it refused to walk up the ramp into the truck. As police and Old Mystic firefighters tried to coax the dog into the van, one officer stood a few feet way, his gun drawn.
They were finally able to get the dog into the animal control truck by putting a blanket over it and lifting it up and into a cage in the truck. The dog was taken for veterinary treatment but later died.
Photos released by Horgan show Grillo with numerous bite marks to her arm as well as a blood-soaked rug and the dog standing over Grillo in the hallway. Grillo was taken by ambulance to Lawrence + Memorial Hospital in New London.
Because of the severity of her injuries she was transferred to Yale-New Haven Hospital, where she underwent surgery.
Grillo eventually was able to return to her job as nurse at Lawrence + Memorial Hospital. She has since retired after 38 years. Kotyk, who also was sued by Grillo, later died and was removed from the suit.
(The Day - Feb 7, 2017)
Earlier:
Showing posts with label january 2014. Show all posts
Showing posts with label january 2014. Show all posts
Wednesday, February 15, 2017
Friday, January 20, 2017
Illinois: Three years ago, Kara Hartrich, 4, was attacked and killed by her family's pit bulls. Pit bulls she had helped choose as puppies.
ILLINOIS -- Kara Hartich's Angel Day is January 17th, 2014, which was also her 4th birthday.
Kara and her little sister were being cared for by their grandmother in their Bloomington, Illinois home when the family's two well cared for pit bulls attacked the little girl; a 3rd pit bull had been crated at the time.
Kara's grandmother tried desperately to save her granddaughter, but was not able to.
Kara had loved those dogs and had even helped pick them out when they were puppies.
Kara not only was a princess, but she was also Super Girl. She was a very happy little girl who loved to smile and give hugs.
In addition to singing and dancing, Kara enjoyed playing dress-up and dressed appropriately in her princess attire daily. She had a wonderful sense of humor and had loved having tea parties--sometimes the dogs would join her. She loved playing outside on her swing set and she sometimes even liked to play in the dirt.
Kara's family created a beautiful memorial garden in Kara's honor. She is terribly missed today, her 3rd Angel Day, and also her 7th birthday.
Our hearts are aching for Kara and her family-- may they find peace and comfort in their love and memories of their precious angel.
Earlier:
Kara and her little sister were being cared for by their grandmother in their Bloomington, Illinois home when the family's two well cared for pit bulls attacked the little girl; a 3rd pit bull had been crated at the time.
Kara's grandmother tried desperately to save her granddaughter, but was not able to.
Kara had loved those dogs and had even helped pick them out when they were puppies.
Kara not only was a princess, but she was also Super Girl. She was a very happy little girl who loved to smile and give hugs.
In addition to singing and dancing, Kara enjoyed playing dress-up and dressed appropriately in her princess attire daily. She had a wonderful sense of humor and had loved having tea parties--sometimes the dogs would join her. She loved playing outside on her swing set and she sometimes even liked to play in the dirt.
Kara's family created a beautiful memorial garden in Kara's honor. She is terribly missed today, her 3rd Angel Day, and also her 7th birthday.
Our hearts are aching for Kara and her family-- may they find peace and comfort in their love and memories of their precious angel.
Friday, September 2, 2016
Alabama: Colbert County breeder Debra Jane Catledge, 53, pleads not guilty to animal cruelty charges
ALABAMA -- Debra Jane Catledge, who was arrested after authorities found dozens of dogs on her property, pleaded not guilty Tuesday to multiple animal cruelty charges.
Catledge, 53, is scheduled to go to trial March 4 in Colbert County Circuit Court.
Catledge was arrested in December and charged with 15 counts of second-degree animal cruelty.
Police said they found a total of 122 Yorkshire terriers and Pomeranians at her home on Highway 72 in Barton. The dogs were kept in wire cages out in the freezing weather.
(WAAY - Jan 21, 2014)
Earlier:
Catledge, 53, is scheduled to go to trial March 4 in Colbert County Circuit Court.
Catledge was arrested in December and charged with 15 counts of second-degree animal cruelty.
Police said they found a total of 122 Yorkshire terriers and Pomeranians at her home on Highway 72 in Barton. The dogs were kept in wire cages out in the freezing weather.
(WAAY - Jan 21, 2014)
Earlier:
Tuesday, July 8, 2014
1/13/14: Man faces animal cruelty charges
KANSAS -- A St. George man was arrested Saturday after allegedly abandoning 13 dogs when he moved out of his home.
Dale Jacobs, 48, is facing 13 counts of animal cruelty and related charges after police found 13 abandoned and malnourished dogs at a home in the area of 1900 W. Jefferson Street. Jacobs reportedly moved out of the residence several months ago, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said.
The dogs, described as Dachshund mixes, were found when police were called to the home to investigate a report of people running from the home, which was supposed to be unoccupied.
“The house was in extremely poor condition, and the animals were just living in filth,” Despain said.
When officers located Jacobs, the owner of the home, he told them he had been breeding the dogs and left the home in September, moving to another home in St. George, Despain said. Jacobs added that he would return periodically to feed the dogs, but otherwise, the home was abandoned.
Animal Control took the dogs to the St. George Animal Shelter, and Jacobs was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on $8,099 bail.
(The Spectrum - Jan 13, 2014)
Dale Jacobs, 48, is facing 13 counts of animal cruelty and related charges after police found 13 abandoned and malnourished dogs at a home in the area of 1900 W. Jefferson Street. Jacobs reportedly moved out of the residence several months ago, St. George Police Sgt. Sam Despain said.
The dogs, described as Dachshund mixes, were found when police were called to the home to investigate a report of people running from the home, which was supposed to be unoccupied.
“The house was in extremely poor condition, and the animals were just living in filth,” Despain said.
When officers located Jacobs, the owner of the home, he told them he had been breeding the dogs and left the home in September, moving to another home in St. George, Despain said. Jacobs added that he would return periodically to feed the dogs, but otherwise, the home was abandoned.
Animal Control took the dogs to the St. George Animal Shelter, and Jacobs was booked into Purgatory Correctional Facility on $8,099 bail.
(The Spectrum - Jan 13, 2014)
Saturday, May 10, 2014
Update to earlier story: Texas man sentenced to 5 years for dragging donkey with SUV
TEXAS -- A true jackass was sentenced Wednesday to five years in prison for dragging a donkey from his SUV.
Marc Saunders, 31, of Splendora, Tex., who has been in jail since his arrest in October 2012, was convicted of felony animal cruelty on Jan. 14. He could have been sentenced anywhere between two and 10 years.
"You're dealing with an animal that's basically defenseless," Montgomery County prosecutor Rob Freyer told ABC affiliate KSAT. "And you have a situation where you have a defendant that's a cross between a sociopath and a moron."
The San Antonio-based station said Freyer pushed for the maximum sentence and called on several witnesses to discuss a prior drug charge.
Freyer told the Daily News that Saunders was already on probation for possessing methamphetamine and beating his wife.
“Methamphetamine clouds people’s judgment. It turns rational people into complete idiots,” he said.
The testimonies revealed that Saunders was “methed up” during the incident on Oct. 25, 2012.
Saunders offered to escort a 2-year-old donkey named Susie Q back to her owner's house after it wandered off, investigators said.
The man tied the donkey to the back of his pickup truck and guided it down the road until the animal stopped moving. Then he hit the gas and dragged it, leaving a bloody trail, the Houston Chronicle reported.
Susie Q fell on her side after the pavement ground off between 1.5 and 2 inches of her hooves, "exposing raw flesh and bone," according to a news release from the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
"The donkey, when located by Constable Morrow, was lying in a ditch and was in obvious pain. Her hooves were bleeding. We did not need that man's consent to go forward with this case," Freyer said to KSAT.
The jury agreed that Saunders used his truck as a deadly weapon, according to the local station.
Saunders' attorney argued that his client never intended to harm the animal. The man will reportedly need to serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
But it is not likely he will get any leniency for good behavior since he has already jumped another inmate, Freyer said.
The donkey's owners say that she is doing fine nowadays.
(NY Daily News - Jan 16, 2014)
Related: Justice for Abused Donkey
Earlier:
Marc Saunders, 31, of Splendora, Tex., who has been in jail since his arrest in October 2012, was convicted of felony animal cruelty on Jan. 14. He could have been sentenced anywhere between two and 10 years.
"You're dealing with an animal that's basically defenseless," Montgomery County prosecutor Rob Freyer told ABC affiliate KSAT. "And you have a situation where you have a defendant that's a cross between a sociopath and a moron."
The San Antonio-based station said Freyer pushed for the maximum sentence and called on several witnesses to discuss a prior drug charge.
Freyer told the Daily News that Saunders was already on probation for possessing methamphetamine and beating his wife.
“Methamphetamine clouds people’s judgment. It turns rational people into complete idiots,” he said.
The testimonies revealed that Saunders was “methed up” during the incident on Oct. 25, 2012.
Saunders offered to escort a 2-year-old donkey named Susie Q back to her owner's house after it wandered off, investigators said.
Susie Q fell on her side after the pavement ground off between 1.5 and 2 inches of her hooves, "exposing raw flesh and bone," according to a news release from the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
"The donkey, when located by Constable Morrow, was lying in a ditch and was in obvious pain. Her hooves were bleeding. We did not need that man's consent to go forward with this case," Freyer said to KSAT.
The jury agreed that Saunders used his truck as a deadly weapon, according to the local station.
Saunders' attorney argued that his client never intended to harm the animal. The man will reportedly need to serve half of his sentence before being eligible for parole.
But it is not likely he will get any leniency for good behavior since he has already jumped another inmate, Freyer said.
The donkey's owners say that she is doing fine nowadays.
(NY Daily News - Jan 16, 2014)
Related: Justice for Abused Donkey
Earlier:
Thursday, March 27, 2014
Jones County mother, son witness kitten killed with hedge shears
MISSISSIPPI -- Right before Christmas a Jones County mother and son witnessed someone intentionally killing a kitten.
Tia Marie Puckett Brown said the scene was so horrific it was like watching a horror movie. She said they were driving home from the store on Service Road when they spotted Warren Holifield cutting up the kitten in his front yard. Brown says Holifield kept cutting up the kitten until it was dead.
"He then actually raised up the shears toward me and started using his finger to call me over to him," said Brown. "There was no way I was going near him after what I just saw happen."
Brown says she drove up the road and called 911. When the deputy arrived she told him what they had witnessed. The deputy went to the home to speak with Holifield. When he returned he told her the man admitted to killing the kitten, saying it was a stray and he was tired of it getting into the vents of his home.
Brown says the deputy told her there was not much he could do except file a report.
She said he advised her to file a complaint with Justice Court. Brown said the deputy was responsive to her complaint, but feels more could have been done.
"The only thing I do not understand why more wasn't done right there at the moment. The man did admit to the deputy he did do it."
[Yeah, it's called get that moronic deputy fired. Clearly he doesn't even know the laws he's paid to enforce.]
Lydia Sattler, State Director for the Humane Society of the United States says the Mississippi Cat and Dog Protection Act passed in 2011 states that "If a person shall intentionally torture, mutilate, maim, burn, starve, or disfigure any domesticated dog or cat or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of aggravated animal cruelty."
In a statement about the incident Sattler said:
"With what we know about the link between animal cruelty and human violence, this case should be taken seriously by those sworn to protect its citizens. If indeed this man chopped and sliced this kitten up because he was angry and/or frustrated with the animal as he indicated, it would be negligent to say the act is not illegal.
"If the law is written in such a way, that our law enforcement see's this act as acceptable then it's time to open up the statute again and get it right. I can't see any time where it should be acceptable or appropriate to chop an animal up alive with a tool used for yard work. I think it is shameful that this act is even being questioned as to whether it is ‘ok' or not. This is where we need good, strong, moral men and women as leaders and standing up for what is right in our state."
Brown says she has filed animal cruelty charges against Holifield in Jones County Justice Court. They informed her she will be notified when a court date is set.
(WDAM - Jan 2, 2014)
UPDATE:
Holifield will appear in court Jan, 30, at 1 p.m. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. If convicted he faces a fine of up to $2500 and or six-months in jail-or both.
Tia Marie Puckett Brown said the scene was so horrific it was like watching a horror movie. She said they were driving home from the store on Service Road when they spotted Warren Holifield cutting up the kitten in his front yard. Brown says Holifield kept cutting up the kitten until it was dead.
"He then actually raised up the shears toward me and started using his finger to call me over to him," said Brown. "There was no way I was going near him after what I just saw happen."
Brown says she drove up the road and called 911. When the deputy arrived she told him what they had witnessed. The deputy went to the home to speak with Holifield. When he returned he told her the man admitted to killing the kitten, saying it was a stray and he was tired of it getting into the vents of his home.
Brown says the deputy told her there was not much he could do except file a report.
She said he advised her to file a complaint with Justice Court. Brown said the deputy was responsive to her complaint, but feels more could have been done.
"The only thing I do not understand why more wasn't done right there at the moment. The man did admit to the deputy he did do it."
[Yeah, it's called get that moronic deputy fired. Clearly he doesn't even know the laws he's paid to enforce.]
Lydia Sattler, State Director for the Humane Society of the United States says the Mississippi Cat and Dog Protection Act passed in 2011 states that "If a person shall intentionally torture, mutilate, maim, burn, starve, or disfigure any domesticated dog or cat or cause any person to do the same, then he or she shall be guilty of the offense of aggravated animal cruelty."
In a statement about the incident Sattler said:
"With what we know about the link between animal cruelty and human violence, this case should be taken seriously by those sworn to protect its citizens. If indeed this man chopped and sliced this kitten up because he was angry and/or frustrated with the animal as he indicated, it would be negligent to say the act is not illegal.
"If the law is written in such a way, that our law enforcement see's this act as acceptable then it's time to open up the statute again and get it right. I can't see any time where it should be acceptable or appropriate to chop an animal up alive with a tool used for yard work. I think it is shameful that this act is even being questioned as to whether it is ‘ok' or not. This is where we need good, strong, moral men and women as leaders and standing up for what is right in our state."
Brown says she has filed animal cruelty charges against Holifield in Jones County Justice Court. They informed her she will be notified when a court date is set.
(WDAM - Jan 2, 2014)
UPDATE:
Holifield will appear in court Jan, 30, at 1 p.m. He has pleaded not guilty to a charge of aggravated animal cruelty. If convicted he faces a fine of up to $2500 and or six-months in jail-or both.
Saturday, February 15, 2014
Charges expected against Montgomery County owner of two horses found dead in stalls
TEXAS -- Animal abuse charges are pending against the owner of two horses found dead in their stalls with no food or water, Montgomery County officials said.
The horses were found about noon Jan. 4 in a barn on FM 2854 west of Conroe, said Deputy Don Smith, a livestock officer for the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
"It was a pretty nasty scene," Smith said Friday. "I found two horses in two separate stalls that had been deceased about a week. Neither had food or water. There were no water buckets at all in the pen."
Smith said he expects that paper work for filing criminal charges, including statements from another officer who responded to the scene, will be ready sometime next week to submit to the county district attorney's office.
"In 12 years of livestock work, this is the first time I've ever found (animals) locked in the stalls and starved to death," Smith said.
A third horse was loose on the property. It's unclear if that horse had been locked up in a third stall and somehow managed to get out, he said.
"He ate enough vegetation on the property to survive, but there was no water on location on that lot," Smith said.
Although extremely underweight, the third horse is "eating like it's going out of style" and is expected to survive, he said.
The owner told authorities that he had been out of town and had asked a friend to care for the horses in his absence, Smith said.
He didn't know how long the owner had been away, but it would have taken the horses at least a week to starve to death, depending upon their prior condition, Smith said.
"Whoever his friend was, wasn't a real good friend," the deputy said.
(Houston Chronicle - Jan 10, 2014)
The horses were found about noon Jan. 4 in a barn on FM 2854 west of Conroe, said Deputy Don Smith, a livestock officer for the Montgomery County Precinct 4 Constable's Office.
"It was a pretty nasty scene," Smith said Friday. "I found two horses in two separate stalls that had been deceased about a week. Neither had food or water. There were no water buckets at all in the pen."
Smith said he expects that paper work for filing criminal charges, including statements from another officer who responded to the scene, will be ready sometime next week to submit to the county district attorney's office.
"In 12 years of livestock work, this is the first time I've ever found (animals) locked in the stalls and starved to death," Smith said.
A third horse was loose on the property. It's unclear if that horse had been locked up in a third stall and somehow managed to get out, he said.
"He ate enough vegetation on the property to survive, but there was no water on location on that lot," Smith said.
Although extremely underweight, the third horse is "eating like it's going out of style" and is expected to survive, he said.
The owner told authorities that he had been out of town and had asked a friend to care for the horses in his absence, Smith said.
He didn't know how long the owner had been away, but it would have taken the horses at least a week to starve to death, depending upon their prior condition, Smith said.
"Whoever his friend was, wasn't a real good friend," the deputy said.
(Houston Chronicle - Jan 10, 2014)
Friday, February 14, 2014
6-year-old boy hospitalized after pit bull attack
UTAH -- A 6-year-old boy has been hospitalized after an attack by a neighbor's pit bull.
April Hancock said she was watching out a window Wednesday evening as her son, Wyatt Abraham, was playing soccer in a neighbor's yard and the dog snapped its chain. The dog's owner wrestled the animal off, but released it as Wyatt began to run away, and the dog attacked again, Hancock said.
Wyatt was severely bitten on his face, requiring hours of reconstructive surgery, and another surgery is scheduled for deep puncture wounds to his arm.
"I figured, 'The owner's outside. He'll be OK,'" Hancock said. "His whole lip was torn off. You could see his gums and his teeth, and it was in pieces. His cheek was hanging off. He was missing a little piece of his arm."
Wyatt is also wearing a neck brace in case of a possible fracture, Hancock said. He will remain at Primary Children's Hospital for at least two weeks and will require speech therapy.
Officers from Salt Lake County Animal Services responded to the home near 500 South and 1000 West, and the owner voluntarily surrendered the dog, according to an animal services spokeswoman.
The dog, which has no recorded history of attacks, was euthanized.
The dog's owner was also cited, animal services reported.
Hancock said she has only lived in the neighborhood for a month, and she usually brings her son inside when the dog is out. She said she fears the owner has attempted to sic the dog on her family.
"We were moving our stuff in and he was saying, 'Oh, get 'em. Get 'em. Oh, good boy,'" Hancock said. "We got in a fight over him trying to sic his dog on our dog because we have pit bulls as well."
Wyatt is good spirits as he recovers, Hancock said, though he says he now only likes his own dog and became startled during a dog food commercial.
(KSL - Feb 13, 2014)
April Hancock said she was watching out a window Wednesday evening as her son, Wyatt Abraham, was playing soccer in a neighbor's yard and the dog snapped its chain. The dog's owner wrestled the animal off, but released it as Wyatt began to run away, and the dog attacked again, Hancock said.
Wyatt was severely bitten on his face, requiring hours of reconstructive surgery, and another surgery is scheduled for deep puncture wounds to his arm.
"I figured, 'The owner's outside. He'll be OK,'" Hancock said. "His whole lip was torn off. You could see his gums and his teeth, and it was in pieces. His cheek was hanging off. He was missing a little piece of his arm."
Wyatt is also wearing a neck brace in case of a possible fracture, Hancock said. He will remain at Primary Children's Hospital for at least two weeks and will require speech therapy.
Officers from Salt Lake County Animal Services responded to the home near 500 South and 1000 West, and the owner voluntarily surrendered the dog, according to an animal services spokeswoman.
The dog, which has no recorded history of attacks, was euthanized.
The dog's owner was also cited, animal services reported.
Hancock said she has only lived in the neighborhood for a month, and she usually brings her son inside when the dog is out. She said she fears the owner has attempted to sic the dog on her family.
"We were moving our stuff in and he was saying, 'Oh, get 'em. Get 'em. Oh, good boy,'" Hancock said. "We got in a fight over him trying to sic his dog on our dog because we have pit bulls as well."
Wyatt is good spirits as he recovers, Hancock said, though he says he now only likes his own dog and became startled during a dog food commercial.
(KSL - Feb 13, 2014)
Saturday, February 8, 2014
Sandy the wonky dog gets life-changing surgery after being rescued from Greece
UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog abandoned in Greece because of his extreme bow legs is going from wonky to walkies after being brought to Britain.
Sandy, a loveable ten-month-old German Shepherd who is also partially sighted, had faced a life of misery with his crippling deformity.
A nutritional problem is thought to have made his front legs seriously bowed and his Greek owner gave up on him.
His plight came to the attention of Pat Clark, who runs a dogs charity in Cambridge, and she launched an appeal to bring him to Britain.
Generous animal lovers donated hundreds of pounds to pay for his transportation and treatment.
Sandy arrived a month ago and last week had the initial operation to fix one of his legs with his right being treated first.
The complicated procedures are being carried out for free by surgeon Chaim Pilosof who is a partner at Companion Care vets in Cambridge.
Chaim said: ‘So far it has gone really well. At the moment he is on cage rest because he needs to rest a lot but he is already trying to do much more than we allow him to.
‘We are seeing improvements already and he is walking much more comfortably and faster than before and that is just with one leg fixed.’
Chaim and colleagues have also started physiotherapy on Sandy's straightened right leg and hope to carry out hydrotherapy when his left leg has been treated.
Other donors have provided the money for other treatment, including an MRI scan at a reduced price and a visit to an eye specialist.
The plates needed to straighten his legs, which normally cost around £200, have been donated for free.
Chaim, who is carrying out the operations on his day off, added: ‘A lot of other people have helped with what he needs.
‘A lot of good people have helped him and a lot of people donated money. He is a lovely dog. He is very gentle and loving. You really could not wish for a nicer dog.’
A local Pets at Home branch have also supplied Sandy with a new bed and toys.
Pat Clark, who runs the Mutts in Distress charity, has decided to adopt him when his operations are complete.
She said: ‘I saw his picture and that was it. We had to get him over. I am over the moon with his progress. I am speechless and overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity shown to an abandoned dog.
‘A month ago he had no hope of ever walking properly or hope of the gift of sight. No-one had heard his name or knew of his existence.
‘Here he is now, facing a whole new life, happy and safe, thanks to people prepared to give.’
(Daily Mail - Jan 28, 2014)
Sandy, a loveable ten-month-old German Shepherd who is also partially sighted, had faced a life of misery with his crippling deformity.
A nutritional problem is thought to have made his front legs seriously bowed and his Greek owner gave up on him.
His plight came to the attention of Pat Clark, who runs a dogs charity in Cambridge, and she launched an appeal to bring him to Britain.
Generous animal lovers donated hundreds of pounds to pay for his transportation and treatment.
Sandy arrived a month ago and last week had the initial operation to fix one of his legs with his right being treated first.
The complicated procedures are being carried out for free by surgeon Chaim Pilosof who is a partner at Companion Care vets in Cambridge.
Chaim said: ‘So far it has gone really well. At the moment he is on cage rest because he needs to rest a lot but he is already trying to do much more than we allow him to.
‘We are seeing improvements already and he is walking much more comfortably and faster than before and that is just with one leg fixed.’
Chaim and colleagues have also started physiotherapy on Sandy's straightened right leg and hope to carry out hydrotherapy when his left leg has been treated.
Other donors have provided the money for other treatment, including an MRI scan at a reduced price and a visit to an eye specialist.
The plates needed to straighten his legs, which normally cost around £200, have been donated for free.
Chaim, who is carrying out the operations on his day off, added: ‘A lot of other people have helped with what he needs.
‘A lot of good people have helped him and a lot of people donated money. He is a lovely dog. He is very gentle and loving. You really could not wish for a nicer dog.’
A local Pets at Home branch have also supplied Sandy with a new bed and toys.
Pat Clark, who runs the Mutts in Distress charity, has decided to adopt him when his operations are complete.
She said: ‘I saw his picture and that was it. We had to get him over. I am over the moon with his progress. I am speechless and overwhelmed by people's kindness and generosity shown to an abandoned dog.
‘A month ago he had no hope of ever walking properly or hope of the gift of sight. No-one had heard his name or knew of his existence.
‘Here he is now, facing a whole new life, happy and safe, thanks to people prepared to give.’
(Daily Mail - Jan 28, 2014)
Abandoned calf with frost bite has his hind legs amputated and replaced with prosthetic ones
TEXAS -- Have you ever heard of a cow with two prosthetic legs? Well Texas A&M veterinarians hadn't either until they put them on Hero the cow. Here's the story of how Hero almost didn't make it to Texas A&M but now, he's making it out despite his rough journey.
Watching little Hero walk will on two prosthetic legs will break your heart, but this isn't a story of what Hero lost, but instead a story of what he's gained.
"I brought him out here not knowing whether he was going to be going to his death sentence," said Hero's owner Kitty Martin.
Hero was found with frostbite on both of his legs tail in Virginia last April, before Martin rescued him and took him to her all-animal rescue ranch.
"The ones that they say are unadoptable, can't be helped," said Martin.
Martin called vets all around the country, seeing who could help Hero, and ended up making the trip here.
"We almost lost him along the way. He went critical and was in ICU for a day or two, I believe, here," Martin said.
Hero's road to recovery was far from over once he reached Aggieland.
Martin said, "If they felt that it was against his quality of life that he would put down... And I had no idea whether he was going to walk out of here or not, but I loved him that much to take a chance."
And that chance paid off, since Hero's surgery was a huge success.
"We got totally healthy skin to cover the whole bottom of the stump. We also were able to bring the tendons around so that we had a nice cushion so that it wasn't bone on skin touching the prosthetic," said Dr. Ashlee Watts, Assistant Professor of Large Animal Surgery at Texas A&M.
Now Hero has his permanent prosthetic legs, something Martin and Hero's doctors never thought they'd see.
Hero's doing better than anyone expected and after he goes home soon, he should only have to come back for some readjustments to his legs.
"I can't put it into words... This was worth everything..." Martin said.
Martin hopes Hero can work with wounded warriors and children with special needs. ‘He’d be an encouragement to people,’ she said.
Truly Martin's Hero... The little cow that could.
(KAGS - Jan 27, 2014)
Watching little Hero walk will on two prosthetic legs will break your heart, but this isn't a story of what Hero lost, but instead a story of what he's gained.
"I brought him out here not knowing whether he was going to be going to his death sentence," said Hero's owner Kitty Martin.
Hero was found with frostbite on both of his legs tail in Virginia last April, before Martin rescued him and took him to her all-animal rescue ranch.
"The ones that they say are unadoptable, can't be helped," said Martin.
Martin called vets all around the country, seeing who could help Hero, and ended up making the trip here.
"We almost lost him along the way. He went critical and was in ICU for a day or two, I believe, here," Martin said.
Hero's road to recovery was far from over once he reached Aggieland.
Martin said, "If they felt that it was against his quality of life that he would put down... And I had no idea whether he was going to walk out of here or not, but I loved him that much to take a chance."
And that chance paid off, since Hero's surgery was a huge success.
"We got totally healthy skin to cover the whole bottom of the stump. We also were able to bring the tendons around so that we had a nice cushion so that it wasn't bone on skin touching the prosthetic," said Dr. Ashlee Watts, Assistant Professor of Large Animal Surgery at Texas A&M.
Now Hero has his permanent prosthetic legs, something Martin and Hero's doctors never thought they'd see.
Hero's doing better than anyone expected and after he goes home soon, he should only have to come back for some readjustments to his legs.
"I can't put it into words... This was worth everything..." Martin said.
Martin hopes Hero can work with wounded warriors and children with special needs. ‘He’d be an encouragement to people,’ she said.
Truly Martin's Hero... The little cow that could.
(KAGS - Jan 27, 2014)
Friday, February 7, 2014
Killeen Animal Control Manager terminated
TEXAS -- Killeen's Animal Control Manager, who had been on paid administrative leave since October of last year, was fired Wednesday.
Stacie Sherva was accused of violating department policy related to the management of personnel and the proper care of animals.
Police Chief Dennis Baldwin said in a statement an internal investigation sustained the violations pertaining to "Neglect of Duty concerning the substandard management of employees and the lack of care and treatment of animals under the shelter's care."
The statement went on to say the search of Sherva's replacement will begin immediately.
(KXXV - Jan 30, 2014)
Stacie Sherva was accused of violating department policy related to the management of personnel and the proper care of animals.
Police Chief Dennis Baldwin said in a statement an internal investigation sustained the violations pertaining to "Neglect of Duty concerning the substandard management of employees and the lack of care and treatment of animals under the shelter's care."
The statement went on to say the search of Sherva's replacement will begin immediately.
(KXXV - Jan 30, 2014)
Sunday, February 2, 2014
Pit bull raised with family mauls baby... and mother feels need to address "negative and incorrect stigmas surrounding pit bulls"
SOUTH AFRICA -- A Richards Bay toddler whose face was ripped by his family’s “gentle” American pit bull, lost two teeth and received more than a 100 stitches after the brutal encounter.
The toddler’s father had to stab the dog with a penknife (pocket knife) before it would loosen its grip. It died of its injuries.
While 14-month-old Sebastian Strecker is on the mend after the attack at his home on Saturday, his parents are still traumatized.
Sebastian was rushed to the Bay Hospital, where he spent two hours in theatre after sustaining serious injuries to his face. The left side of his face had a deep gash from his jawline to his eye socket.
He received 64 stitches on the inside of his face and another 64 on the outside, as well as six in the gum.
Two of Sebastian’s teeth were ripped out in the attack. He was placed in a temperature-controlled room to prevent infection and spent five days in ICU.
“It has been a very traumatic week for all of us, but he is now at home and is the same baby we love. He is walking around and doing the things he loves,” said his mother, Karien Strecker.
“My husband is still struggling to get the picture of Sebastian looking so lifeless out of his mind.”
Dwayne Strecker had been sitting on the porch with his son when he turned away “for a second” to answer his phone. When he heard the boy’s cries, he turned around and could not believe his eyes.
“My husband answered his phone and within seconds our American pit bull, Max, jumped on to him (Sebastian) and attacked him,” said Karien.
Recalling the harrowing incident, mom Karien says they are still haunted by the abrupt assault.
‘I want to set the record straight, as well as addressing the negative and incorrect stigmas surrounding pit bulls,’ said Karien.
‘Max was never aggressive and Sebastian used to hug him all the time. We have two daughters, aged five and seven, who have also been very close to Max with no previous incidents or signs of aggression shown towards them.
‘Our dog was our other child and we all loved him dearly. Losing him to save Sebastian was not, and is still not, easy for us.’
However, Karien said once Max ‘entered that state of mind’ and grabbed hold of their son, their attempts to remove the injured baby to safety was met by further hostility.
‘The attack happened with my husband standing only two steps away and he had just turned around to answer his phone.
‘Dwayne immediately jumped in to save Sebastian and found him passed out with his head hanging back. We thought Sebastian was dead.
‘Max then came after both Dwayne and me as we tried to get the baby to the car and to hospital. Dwayne tried to kick him off and even punched him in an attempt to snap Max ‘out of it’.
‘But he continued to attack us and that was when my husband eventually grabbed his Leatherman knife from his belt where it is stays attached for his work.’
Karien said only a few minutes had passed between the attack and herself running into the hospital cradling her child.
‘Everything happened so fast and when I arrived at the hospital, the staff immediately jumped into action and stormed off with Sebastian to casualty to stabilize him. It was only then that I looked down and saw I was covered in blood from top to bottom.’
“Max was a part of the family, he was always very gentle with our children – our two daughters – and with Sebastian. He often lay next to Sebastian as if to protect him.
“We had him for three years and not once was he aggressive to any of us. I believe he could have become jealous of my husband’s relationship with Sebastian and saw an opportunity to set the record straight.”
Kathy Clayton, chairwoman of the Animal Behavior Consultants of South Africa, said pit bulls where genetically bred to attack and be vicious.
“I believe that in this case, the dog probably saw the child as another dog and wanted to let him know that he was the boss.
“Pit bulls can be fantastic dogs, but it’s always a question of maybe... Every dog has the potential to attack, but that chance is greater with pit bulls because that’s just how they are. Their behavior can be very good and very caring towards people, but they only become attached to one person and do not like it when any other dog or person moves in on their territory.”
Caroline Smith, marketing manager at the Durban and Coast SPCA, said they did not find new homes for pit bulls left in their care.
“When we get pit bulls we do not re-home them because we consider them risky,” she said.
(Daily News - Jan 31, 2014)
The toddler’s father had to stab the dog with a penknife (pocket knife) before it would loosen its grip. It died of its injuries.
While 14-month-old Sebastian Strecker is on the mend after the attack at his home on Saturday, his parents are still traumatized.
He received 64 stitches on the inside of his face and another 64 on the outside, as well as six in the gum.
Two of Sebastian’s teeth were ripped out in the attack. He was placed in a temperature-controlled room to prevent infection and spent five days in ICU.
“It has been a very traumatic week for all of us, but he is now at home and is the same baby we love. He is walking around and doing the things he loves,” said his mother, Karien Strecker.
“My husband is still struggling to get the picture of Sebastian looking so lifeless out of his mind.”
Dwayne Strecker had been sitting on the porch with his son when he turned away “for a second” to answer his phone. When he heard the boy’s cries, he turned around and could not believe his eyes.
“My husband answered his phone and within seconds our American pit bull, Max, jumped on to him (Sebastian) and attacked him,” said Karien.
Recalling the harrowing incident, mom Karien says they are still haunted by the abrupt assault.
‘I want to set the record straight, as well as addressing the negative and incorrect stigmas surrounding pit bulls,’ said Karien.
‘Max was never aggressive and Sebastian used to hug him all the time. We have two daughters, aged five and seven, who have also been very close to Max with no previous incidents or signs of aggression shown towards them.
‘Our dog was our other child and we all loved him dearly. Losing him to save Sebastian was not, and is still not, easy for us.’
However, Karien said once Max ‘entered that state of mind’ and grabbed hold of their son, their attempts to remove the injured baby to safety was met by further hostility.
‘The attack happened with my husband standing only two steps away and he had just turned around to answer his phone.
 |
| Mas was well-loved by this family yet turned on them |
‘Dwayne immediately jumped in to save Sebastian and found him passed out with his head hanging back. We thought Sebastian was dead.
‘Max then came after both Dwayne and me as we tried to get the baby to the car and to hospital. Dwayne tried to kick him off and even punched him in an attempt to snap Max ‘out of it’.
‘But he continued to attack us and that was when my husband eventually grabbed his Leatherman knife from his belt where it is stays attached for his work.’
Karien said only a few minutes had passed between the attack and herself running into the hospital cradling her child.
‘Everything happened so fast and when I arrived at the hospital, the staff immediately jumped into action and stormed off with Sebastian to casualty to stabilize him. It was only then that I looked down and saw I was covered in blood from top to bottom.’
“Max was a part of the family, he was always very gentle with our children – our two daughters – and with Sebastian. He often lay next to Sebastian as if to protect him.
“We had him for three years and not once was he aggressive to any of us. I believe he could have become jealous of my husband’s relationship with Sebastian and saw an opportunity to set the record straight.”
Kathy Clayton, chairwoman of the Animal Behavior Consultants of South Africa, said pit bulls where genetically bred to attack and be vicious.
“I believe that in this case, the dog probably saw the child as another dog and wanted to let him know that he was the boss.
“Pit bulls can be fantastic dogs, but it’s always a question of maybe... Every dog has the potential to attack, but that chance is greater with pit bulls because that’s just how they are. Their behavior can be very good and very caring towards people, but they only become attached to one person and do not like it when any other dog or person moves in on their territory.”
Caroline Smith, marketing manager at the Durban and Coast SPCA, said they did not find new homes for pit bulls left in their care.
“When we get pit bulls we do not re-home them because we consider them risky,” she said.
(Daily News - Jan 31, 2014)
Dog attacks second neighbour
SOUTH AFRICA -- A woman who witnessed her neighbour being mauled by a pit bull terrier two months ago says she too was attacked by the dog – and has the stitches to prove it.
Helen Stieger of Cluver Crescent on the Bluff, said her daughter Carmen had returned home from school on Thursday when her nephew’s pit bull, Jack, locked its jaws on her leg, at the font door of their cottage.
Stieger said her daughter let out a bloodcurdling scream and she instinctively tried to push the dog off to save her. But Carmen lost her balance and fell on to her mother. The dog locked its jaws on Stieger’s outstretched hand. “The thoughts going through my head were to save my daughter.
“I noticed the dog did not have a collar so I attempted to put my hand around its neck. The dog was powerful; it tried to pull me out of the door and into the yard,” she said. “My daughter managed to close the door, accidentally jamming the dog’s paw in the gap. It let go of my hand.”
Bleeding from their wounds, she phoned a nearby friend for help. They were stuck inside for 25 minutes while the dog, which lived with its owner in the main house, continued to prowl outside.
Stieger said neighbours gathered at the driveway gate, shocked. One called the dog to the gate while another tied a rope around its neck, holding on to the animal as the mother and daughter ran out of the house and grounds.
They were taken to Wentworth Hospital where Stieger received five stitches to her hand and her daughter’s wound was bandaged and treated for infection.
The same night, the mother and daughter were accompanied by a neighbour into the yard as they needed to fetch their clothes. The neighbour was armed with a paint ball gun and a knobkierie as the dog was still loose. The owner was not at home.
Since the ordeal, Stieger has slept at her sister Zelda Brancart’s home in Queensburgh, while her daughter is staying with a friend.
In November, a neighbour was mauled by the same dog.
Cindy van Wyk, 23, had been visiting Stieger when it attacked her. She was bitten on the left elbow, right arm, on her crotch and her legs. Although the wounds have healed she still walks with a limp.
“Since the last incident with the neighbour we have been ducking and diving. You cannot come in or go out of the house,” Stieger said. “We live in fear.”
The dog’s owner, Warren Richards, could not be reached for comment at time of publication despite calls and SMSes.
After the previous attack he said there had been adequate signage warning of the dog.
Last week’s incident has been reported at the Brighton Beach police station, but no docket has been opened.
Caroline Smith, spokeswoman for the Durban and Coast SPCA, said it was a civil matter and such incidents were dealt with by the metro police.
Metro police spokesman Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi said the victim needed to make a detailed report before an investigation could begin.
(Daily News - January 28 2014)
Helen Stieger of Cluver Crescent on the Bluff, said her daughter Carmen had returned home from school on Thursday when her nephew’s pit bull, Jack, locked its jaws on her leg, at the font door of their cottage.
Stieger said her daughter let out a bloodcurdling scream and she instinctively tried to push the dog off to save her. But Carmen lost her balance and fell on to her mother. The dog locked its jaws on Stieger’s outstretched hand. “The thoughts going through my head were to save my daughter.
“I noticed the dog did not have a collar so I attempted to put my hand around its neck. The dog was powerful; it tried to pull me out of the door and into the yard,” she said. “My daughter managed to close the door, accidentally jamming the dog’s paw in the gap. It let go of my hand.”
Bleeding from their wounds, she phoned a nearby friend for help. They were stuck inside for 25 minutes while the dog, which lived with its owner in the main house, continued to prowl outside.
Stieger said neighbours gathered at the driveway gate, shocked. One called the dog to the gate while another tied a rope around its neck, holding on to the animal as the mother and daughter ran out of the house and grounds.
They were taken to Wentworth Hospital where Stieger received five stitches to her hand and her daughter’s wound was bandaged and treated for infection.
The same night, the mother and daughter were accompanied by a neighbour into the yard as they needed to fetch their clothes. The neighbour was armed with a paint ball gun and a knobkierie as the dog was still loose. The owner was not at home.
Since the ordeal, Stieger has slept at her sister Zelda Brancart’s home in Queensburgh, while her daughter is staying with a friend.
In November, a neighbour was mauled by the same dog.
Cindy van Wyk, 23, had been visiting Stieger when it attacked her. She was bitten on the left elbow, right arm, on her crotch and her legs. Although the wounds have healed she still walks with a limp.
“Since the last incident with the neighbour we have been ducking and diving. You cannot come in or go out of the house,” Stieger said. “We live in fear.”
The dog’s owner, Warren Richards, could not be reached for comment at time of publication despite calls and SMSes.
After the previous attack he said there had been adequate signage warning of the dog.
Last week’s incident has been reported at the Brighton Beach police station, but no docket has been opened.
Caroline Smith, spokeswoman for the Durban and Coast SPCA, said it was a civil matter and such incidents were dealt with by the metro police.
Metro police spokesman Senior Superintendent Eugene Msomi said the victim needed to make a detailed report before an investigation could begin.
(Daily News - January 28 2014)
My dog savaged me three times but I won't let them put him down: Owner who needed emergency surgery and 60 stitches after attacks insists they were her fault
UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog owner is refusing to have her pet put down – even after it savaged her three times.
One of the bull mastiff’s attacks left Angela Fielder needing emergency surgery to save her hand. Another mauling caused wounds to her face, ear and arm that required more than 60 stitches.
Despite her injuries, the 39-year-old insists she will not get rid of her 10st dog Boris and will not even make him wear a muzzle.
‘The bites were my fault,’ said Mrs Fielder, who describes six-year-old Boris as her baby. ‘He lashed out because I was telling off our other dog, Wallis. She is his daughter and he was simply being protective. After the attacks he showed genuine signs of regret, cuddling up to me.’
Mrs Fielder added: ‘Many people might have had Boris put to sleep. You wouldn’t put a child down just because it lashed out in temper. So why do people think differently about a dog?’
She and her gas fitter husband Rob, 39, who have no children, bought Boris as a puppy. He was no trouble until last February when Wallis – Boris’s pup by a friend’s bull mastiff – came to live at their house in Wallsend, North Tyneside.
As Mrs Fielder told Wallis off for chewing the vinyl floor in the kitchen, Boris lunged at her and sank his teeth into her forearm. She was treated at hospital but left to be with her dog.
'Doctors wanted to keep me in,' she said. 'But I went home because I knew Boris would be like a frightened child worrying where mummy had gone – and he was full of remorse. Back home Boris was sorry. I could see from his eyes he was upset.’
But two weeks later Boris attacked again. Mrs Fielder believes Boris thought she was about to tell Wallis off again.
'I turned round to see him flying through the air at me. I raised my left arm to defend myself. It was only when I saw blood pouring from my arm I realised I’d been bitten and my left earlobe had almost been severed. The left side of my face was also slashed open.’
She had 24 stitches to her face and more than 40 to her arm. The couple discussed having Boris put down but Mr Fielder said: ‘Although I was so upset about what Boris did to Angela, neither of us could do it.’
In September, Boris attacked Mrs Fielder again and she needed surgery to save the movement in her left hand.
But she claimed: ‘Boris isn’t aggressive – he was just overprotective. We’ve now solved this by ensuring he’s always behind a gate if I have to tell Wallis off.’
She added: '‘As soon as I saw Boris I fell in love with him. Just a glance at me with those big soulful eyes he has always makes me melt. He’s like a child to me – my baby, especially as despite trying for ten years, Rob and I have been unable to conceive.'
Mrs Fielder insists Boris is no danger to the public. ‘I don’t muzzle him because he’s never gone for anyone else. One woman who asked about my scars said she couldn’t understand why Boris was still alive. But most people say what a lovely, soppy dog he is.’
(Daily Mail - Jan 30, 2014)
One of the bull mastiff’s attacks left Angela Fielder needing emergency surgery to save her hand. Another mauling caused wounds to her face, ear and arm that required more than 60 stitches.
Despite her injuries, the 39-year-old insists she will not get rid of her 10st dog Boris and will not even make him wear a muzzle.
‘The bites were my fault,’ said Mrs Fielder, who describes six-year-old Boris as her baby. ‘He lashed out because I was telling off our other dog, Wallis. She is his daughter and he was simply being protective. After the attacks he showed genuine signs of regret, cuddling up to me.’
Mrs Fielder added: ‘Many people might have had Boris put to sleep. You wouldn’t put a child down just because it lashed out in temper. So why do people think differently about a dog?’
She and her gas fitter husband Rob, 39, who have no children, bought Boris as a puppy. He was no trouble until last February when Wallis – Boris’s pup by a friend’s bull mastiff – came to live at their house in Wallsend, North Tyneside.
As Mrs Fielder told Wallis off for chewing the vinyl floor in the kitchen, Boris lunged at her and sank his teeth into her forearm. She was treated at hospital but left to be with her dog.
'Doctors wanted to keep me in,' she said. 'But I went home because I knew Boris would be like a frightened child worrying where mummy had gone – and he was full of remorse. Back home Boris was sorry. I could see from his eyes he was upset.’
But two weeks later Boris attacked again. Mrs Fielder believes Boris thought she was about to tell Wallis off again.
'I turned round to see him flying through the air at me. I raised my left arm to defend myself. It was only when I saw blood pouring from my arm I realised I’d been bitten and my left earlobe had almost been severed. The left side of my face was also slashed open.’
She had 24 stitches to her face and more than 40 to her arm. The couple discussed having Boris put down but Mr Fielder said: ‘Although I was so upset about what Boris did to Angela, neither of us could do it.’
In September, Boris attacked Mrs Fielder again and she needed surgery to save the movement in her left hand.
But she claimed: ‘Boris isn’t aggressive – he was just overprotective. We’ve now solved this by ensuring he’s always behind a gate if I have to tell Wallis off.’
She added: '‘As soon as I saw Boris I fell in love with him. Just a glance at me with those big soulful eyes he has always makes me melt. He’s like a child to me – my baby, especially as despite trying for ten years, Rob and I have been unable to conceive.'
Mrs Fielder insists Boris is no danger to the public. ‘I don’t muzzle him because he’s never gone for anyone else. One woman who asked about my scars said she couldn’t understand why Boris was still alive. But most people say what a lovely, soppy dog he is.’
(Daily Mail - Jan 30, 2014)
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