06/08/12: Clarksville Police charge Man with Animal Cruelty after finding Malnourished Horse

TENNESSEE -- On June 3rd, 2012 around 7:30am, a call came into 911 about a horse walking in the area of Oak Street that look sickly. Clarksville Police Officer Teresa Bryden located the a brown and white miniature horse which appeared to be malnourished and in need of care.

 

 

Another 911 call pointed officers to 1 Short Street for the possible home of the horse. When officers arrived, at 1 Short Street, they found an open gate on the yard and indications that a horse had been there.

The owner, Derrick Michael Logue, returned home and admitted to owning the horse. He said the last time he saw the horse was two days earlier. When queried about the horse’s appearance, the owner stated she was sick and had not been to the vet. There was no food for the horse to be found.

Officer Bryden had also been told there was a foal seen with the horse, but the owner would not provide a location for the foal.

 

An agricultural officer determined the horse was severely malnourished and had the lowest body assessment score given to an animal. Officer Bryden secured an Cruelty to Animals warrant which was served on Derrick Michael Logue on June 6th, 2012 around 4:30pm.

The horse was turned over to the custody of a concerned citizen to take care of the horse.

Name: Derrick Michael Logue
DOB: 8/17/82
Given Address: 1 Short A Street, Clarksville, TN
Arresting Officer: Jack Hemmingson
Booked Into: Montgomery County Jail
Charged with: Cruelty to Animals
Bond: $5,000.

(clarksvilleonline.com - June 8, 2012)

6/29/12: Dog destroyed after vicious attack on teenage girl near Mylor

UNITED KINGDOM -- A dog has been put down after a vicious attack on a teenage girl near Mylor.

The police say they are keen to reassure the local community that the dog that had "severely bitten" a woman yesterday evening, Thursday, June 28, has been located and caught.

A police spokesman said they were called to an incident that took place at around 10.15pm on Comfort Road between the Norway Inn and Mylor Primary School in the Mylor Bridge area of Falmouth.

He added: "An injured and terrified woman called police to say a dog had bitten her and it was attempting to chew its way into her car.

"Seconds earlier the woman had approached a dog that was in the middle of the road as she was concerned for its welfare.

"As the woman approached, the dog attacked her and bit her legs causing severe injury. The woman fortunately was able to quickly get to safety inside her car.

"When emergency services arrived the dog ran off. The woman, aged 19, was taken to Treliske Hospital by paramedics where surgery was required on her leg."

As the incident was close to Mylor school, police sergeant Tim Wilson who was in charge at the scene made the decision that the dog must be located as soon as possible.

There were concerns that this dog was dangerous and there was potential for the dog to attack someone else, possibly a child in the morning on their way to school.

At around 2.20am officers located the dog but initially were unable to capture it and it ran off.

Around an hour later the dog was located again and it was cornered. A police dog handler, PC Phil Nankivell, needed to use a padded arm sleeve, used for training dogs, to get the dog into a cage in the police car.

In the process the dog managed to damage part of the car, a dog loop and a police hat.

The dog, described as a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was taken to a vets.

The spokesman said: "The decision was made to put the dog down. This was due to the dogs aggressiveness, because it had already been bitten a member of the public and police has so far been unable to trace the owner.

“We are keen to reassure the local community that this dog has now been caught and destroyed.

"A woman has had a nasty bite from this dog and if it wasn’t for the good work of police officers someone else could have been seriously hurt – and if it was a child with potentially fatal consequences.

Called "A nasty bite" by police, this looks more like
an attack from a Great White shark

“Our advice is not to approach an unknown dog. If anyone has concerns call the police or RSPCA so it can be dealt with properly.”

Police are keen to trace the owner of the dog, described as a female, tan coloured Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

Anyone with any information is urged to call the police on 101, quoting log number 860 of 28 June 2012.

(Falmouth Packet - June 29, 2012)

Maine: Investigators trying to determine whether to press charges in dog attack on 5-year-old girl

MAINE -- Police are working with the Sagadahoc County District Attorney’s Office and a local animal control officer to determine whether charges are appropriate following an incident Saturday in which a 5-year-old girl was attacked by two dogs.

A spokeswoman for Maine Medical Center in Portland said the girl was treated and released on Saturday. Brett Strout, chief deputy for Sagadahoc County Sheriff’s Department, said Monday the girl’s injuries were “significant,” but declined to provide further details.

He said the girl was playing in the yard with the dogs when she "made a sudden move and startled them", causing them to attack her from behind.

What is that supposed to mean? Was she supposed to tiptoe around them?

The dogs’ owner, who is related to the girl and lives next door to her on Birch Point Road, then killed the dogs by shooting them, Strout said.

The girl initially was taken by a family member to Mid Coast Hospital in Brunswick before being transferred to Maine Medical Center.

Strout said Tuesday that investigators are looking into whether the two boxers had ever been involved in an attack before, which could conceivably lead to a charge of keeping a dangerous dog, and whether their rabies vaccinations were current. Because the attack happened on the property where the dogs live, no immediate charges were filed in the aftermath of the attack.

Strout said the dogs were imported into the country two years ago from Denmark.

(Bangor Daily News - July 24, 2012)

Earlier:

• Maine: 5-year-old girl attacked by relatives' two Boxers; injuries called "significant"

Savage Pit bull 'could have killed child'

UNITED KINGDOM -- Police have put down a dog who tore a chunk out of a nineteen year old girls leg as she tried to help the wandering animal.

The lost female bull terrier struck out on Thursday night in a wild attack on a woman in Mylor, near Falmouth in West Cornwall.

The police hunted for the animal overnight and caught up with her in the early hour of this morning.

A spokeswoman said: “We’re keen to reassure the local community that a dog that severely bit a woman yesterday evening, Thursday 28 June 2012, has been located and caught.

“Police were called to an incident that took place at around 1015 pm on Thursday 28 June 2012 on Comfort Road between the Norway Inn and Mylor Primary School in the Mylor Bridge area of Falmouth.

“An injured and terrified woman called police to say a dog had bitten her and it was attempting to chew its way into her car.
 
“Seconds earlier the woman had approached a dog that was in the middle of the road as she was concerned for its welfare.  As the woman approached, the dog attacked her and bit her legs causing severe injury.  The woman fortunately was able to quickly get to safety inside her car.
 
“When emergency services arrived the dog ran off.

“The woman, aged 19, was taken to Treliske Hospital by paramedics where surgery was required on her leg.
 
 “As the incident was in close proximity to the school, police sergeant Tim Wilson who was in charge at the scene made the decision that the dog must be located as soon as possible. 

“There were concerns that this dog was dangerous and there was potential for the dog to attack someone else, possibly a child in the morning on their way to school.
 
 “At around 2.20am officers located the dog but initially were unable to capture and it ran off.
 
“Around an hour later the dog was located again and it was cornered. 

“A police dog handler, PC Phil Nankivell, needed to use a padded arm sleeve, used for training dogs, to get the dog into a cage in the police car.  In the process the dog managed to damage part of the car, a dog loop and a police hat.

“The dog, described as a female Staffordshire Bull Terrier, was taken to a vets. 

“The decision was made to put the dog down.  This was due to the dogs aggressiveness, because it had already been bitten a member of the public and police has so far been unable to trace the owner.
 
 A police spokesman said: “We are keen to reassure the local community that this dog has now been caught and destroyed. 

“A woman has had a nasty bite from this dog and if it wasn’t for the good work of police officers someone else could have been seriously hurt.

“A child could have been killed.”

“Our advice is not to approach an unknown dog.  If anyone has concerns call the police or RSPCA so it can be dealt with properly.”
 
 Police are keen to trace the owner of the dog, described as a female, tan coloured Staffordshire Bull Terrier. 

(Cornwall Community News - June 28, 2012)

Dog that killed Calgary canine could be spared

CANADA -- The owner of a dog killed by another canine said the fine facing the offending pet’s owner and the possibility it could be spared euthanization is outrageous.

Irene Estay told the Sun a mastiff charged her and two of her grandsons in the Hawkwood area on Tuesday when it made a beeline to eight-year-old shih tzu Stanley, who was mortally wounded.

She said the owner of the mastiff then came out of her house and, without offering help or an apology, took the dog back into her home.

The mastiff is currently in city custody pending an investigation of the incident and its owner faces recommended fines of $1,100, though maximum penalties for the charges is $10,000 each.

On Friday, city animal and bylaw services coordinator Doug Anderson said it’s possible a judge could designate the mastiff a vicious dog and release it to its owners under strict control conditions.

Shih Tzu owner Melissa Estay said she’d disagree strongly if those penalties were levied, adding the offending dog should be euthanized.

“It would be absolutely terrible — these people are obviously not responsible pet owners and wouldn’t follow instructions,” she said.

“I feel sad for that dog because ultimately it’s the owners’ responsibility to train that animal.”

She said her sons were “petrified” following the incident in the alleyway,

“We’ve been telling our sons Stanley was a superhero, he was there to protect them,” she said, adding other neighbours said the mastiff had offended in the past.

Too many city dog owners minimize their pets’ attacks on other animals, said bylaw services’ Anderson.

“This is a thing we have problems with, in convincing them how serious an issue this is,” said Anderson.

“People don’t seem to take animals attacking animals as seriously as they do when they attack people, that it’s common for animals to fight each other — but it’s not.”

But he said that rehabilitation over pure punishment approach has generally worked well, with relatively few repeat re-offenders.

“We had probably about 30 recurrences last year and so far this year, less than 10,” Anderson said, adding dog owners have rarely fought euthanasia resulting from the repeat offence.

“We know there are more aggressive dogs out there than people are aware of, but people are responsible, we don’t get calls on them.”

If an investigation finds the mastiff is a repeat offender, the chances of euthanasia will be much higher, said Anderson.

(Calgary Sun - June 29, 2012)

Pit bull mauls dog to death, Animal Control calls it an "unfortunate incident"

NEW YORK -- A dog, attacked by a larger dog on South Main Street on Monday evening, had to be put down due to her injuries, the Niagara County Sheriff's Department reported.

According to the report, the owner of a white rat terrier named Jade was walking with some friends when a brown American Staffordshire terrier (aka pit bull) ran to the smaller dog from across the street.

The pit bull grabbed Jade in his mouth and would not let go. Four people began punching, kicking and hitting the dog until it finally let Jade loose.

The pit bull was secured and taken inside the owner's residence. Jade was breathing with wounds to his back and sides and taken to a veterinarian to seek medical treatment.

A 19-year-old man was dog-sitting the pit bull for the owner who is away on a extended vacation. The dog got out of the house when someone opened the door.

"There was too much damage. They put it to sleep ... It's an unfortunate accident," Animal Control Officer Marshall Herrington said. Herrington contacted the pit bull owner who was on her way to South Dakota. He said she was well aware of the situation.

The dog is to remain quarantined for 10 days at the owner's home.

(Niagara Gazette - June 26, 2012)

Yes, dog attack did happen

CANADA -- Re: Dog attack seems unlikely, Letters to the editor, The Record, June 27.

(Letter to the Editor) Although I know this is not the right forum for open arguments, I will not sit back and not respond to B. Kendall's letter about my "so-called dog attack."

Although it is openly acknowledged more than once that Mr./Ms. Kendall was not present to witness the incident, how could they possibly make an informed opinion? To state that it is highly unlikely any dog would attack without some sort of warning is ridiculous. Have you never read the papers with regards to incidents such as mine? Or is it that you have never witnessed such an incident that you believe it to be impossible?

I have a question for B. Kendall. How would you describe an incident where you, the owner of an 11-year-old, 40-pound dog (not a puppy) had to swing your dog by the leash and collar in the air continually in order to keep a 150-pound dog (not a puppy either) from, yes, trying to rip your dog's stomach out? If this can't be called an "attack," I don't know what could. If I would have just stood there and done nothing then, yes, my dog would have been dead on the spot, plain and simple.

Because I did react and save my dog's life is by no means reason to consider it not an attack. And, yes, my dog was minding her own business and was totally unaware of what was about to happen because this dog came charging up the street and attacked her from behind. She was not just lying on the ground being submissive.

The dictionary's definition of the word "attack" is as follows: to set upon in a forceful, violent or aggressive way. What is B. Kendall's definition of the word?

If multiple trips to the vet and two operations totalling nearly $2,000 and a trip to the emergency room for me could be construed as a misunderstanding of the bull mastiff's intentions, I really don't know what to say.

I wrote my letter to give another perspective from a person involved in a dog attack. I had no intention of getting into exact particulars regarding our attack, but it appears by B. Kendall's written attack on me, I needed to.

How dare B. Kendall suggest that I don't know how to read a dog or even how to handle my own dog. You don't know me, and you have no idea what my dog and I went through. The fact that you even felt you could comment on this attack is mind-boggling. You need to get your facts straight before you accuse someone of misreading such an incident. To suggest what "may" have happened is unbelievable.

It appears I was given some wrong information with regards to the bull mastiff's heritage, but it seemed to fit with what I experienced. I acknowledge my mistake. It does, however, change nothing.

I take offence from someone who was not there and has no right commenting on the attack. You are making assumptions, whereas I was there and I speak the facts. These are my final words on this matter.

Diane McQuade (and Mitzi), New Westminster

(The Record - June 29, 2012)

When Animal Control doesn't show, woman rescues dog from hot car

NEW MEXICO -- What would you say to somebody who just smashed the window of your car? One Albuquerque woman said "thanks". It's a story about a hot dog on a hot day in Albuquerque's blistering heat wave.

The sun was broiling. Susanne Jones was watching a little dog in a locked car in a parking lot at a medical clinic. The window was cracked open - but only a tiny bit. She watched the dog yelping and pawing at the windows, then saw him curl up on the floor, apparently exhausted and over-heated.

"The temperature was very hot, the car had to have been very hot," Susanne told KOB Eyewitness News 4 outside a Metro Court courtoom this morning. "It was not sitting in the shade. She didn't have a sun visor up and I just felt like if I stayed there and watched I was gonna watch the dog die."

Susanne was testifying in a hearing about Claire "Cissy" King's admitted violation of city animal ordinances. She told the judge she was taking her 98-year-old mother to the doctor and didn't realize the dog was in danger.

Meanwhile Susanne Jones asked another woman in the parking lot to call 911, but the 911 operator told the woman she needed to call the main city hotline at 311.

The 311 operator connected her to the Animal Welfare Department and she reported the case.

Susanne said she waited 40 minutes [for Animal Control officers to arrive], then took matters into her own hands. She said she took a "Club" locking device out of her car and smashed the rear window on the driver's side to let some air in for the dog.

Then the police arrived. Then an Animal Welfare officer. Then Cissy King came out of the doctors office and a police officer told her she had broken the law by leaving her dog locked in the car, but the case was more complicated than that.

"The officer asked if I wanted to file a counter-complaint," said Cissy outside the courtroom. "I said about what, and he said about the lady who broke your window. I said absolutely not - no - I'm sure she did what she felt like she needed to do at the time."

"She came over when everything was finished and thanked me for doing what I did" Susanne said. "She asked if there was anything she could do to thank me and I said just please don't leave your dog in the car again."

The judge said he will dismiss charges against Cissy King, as long as she takes a pet safety class. She said she would do that right away.

Under city ordinances, private citizens do not have the right to break a window or destroy someone else's property to rescue an animal. Police and Animal Welfare officers do have that right.

(KOB - June 27, 2012)

Malamute rescued after fall off Gorge trail

OREGON -- A rescue crew and five Good Samaritans teamed up to save a dog that fell down a cliff in the Gorge.

The Malamute fell about 200 feet and was seriously injured along the Eagle Creek Trail last Monday.

Bohdee's owner said he got too close to the edge, lost his footing and was gone in a flash.

It took several hours for the rescuers to reach Bohdee and pull him back up to the trail.

"He wasn't crying, he wasn't moving, he was alive, but we didn't know how long he was going to be alive," said his owner and hiking partner, Amanda Reese.

Once they got him back up on the ridge, Bohdee was rushed to Southeast Animal Hospital where he had emergency surgery.

(KGWNews - June 28, 2012)

Firefighters rescue dog who chased raccoon 30 feet up tree

CALIFORNIA -- When a call came in last week to a San Mateo County emergency dispatch center that a dog had climbed 30 feet up a tree in Atherton and couldn’t get down, no one believed it.

Menlo Park Fire Protection District Fire Chief Harold Schapelhouman said that in his 32 years of service, he’s rescued plenty of cats that were stuck in trees, and even some exotic pet birds, but never a dog.

“The dispatchers thought, ‘Whoever it is must be wrong,’” Schapelhouman said. “I’ve never seen or heard of a dog that could climb a tree.”

On June 19 at about 9 p.m., a 40-pound Wheaten Terrier named “Guinness” pursued a raccoon high into the branches of an oak tree. Guinness got stuck, and his owner climbed the tree but couldn’t reach him.

When firefighters arrived, the dog was suspended in branches hanging over a drainage channel, Schapelhouman said.

Firefighters used an improvised rescue harness, a rope system and a 36-foot ladder to reach Guinness, who was frozen in place, nervous and shaking.

Firefighter Tony Eggimann climbed the ladder, secured Guinness in his harness and gave him a treat, Schapelhouman said.

The dog was safely carried down and reunited with his grateful owners.

[Hope the raccoon was ok...]

Schapelhouman, who said he has had decades of experience working with highly trained search-and-rescue dogs, said he has never seen a canine scale a tree like Guinness.

“It’s unbelievable,” he said. “That dog could really climb.”

Guinness’ owners have since put a fence around the tree.

(Bay City News Service - June 28, 2012)

Horse slaughter dealer ordered to cease transporting horses

TENNESSEE -- After two crashes, which killed several horses, Lebanon based Three Angels Farms has been ordered to stop transporting animals by the government.

The U.S. Department of Transportation's Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration said on Friday that Three Angels Farms and its owners, Edwin Ayache and Dorian Ayache, were ordered to immediately stop all transportation series, as they post an "imminent hazard to public safety".

Earlier this month, a section of 440 westbound was closed for hours after a trailer hauling 36 horses overturned just outside Nashville. In January of this year, another wreck caused the deaths of four horses after a trailer overturned on Interstate 40.

"Safety is always our top priority," said U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood. "If a truck company ignores federal safety rules and places the traveling public at risk, we will remove them from the road."

Concentration camp for horses bound for slaughter

After an investigation, officials discovered multiple federal violations of driver qualification requirements, drug and alcohol testing and vehicle maintenance. The investigation also discovered that Three Angels Farms let driver operate the trailers with commercial driver's licenses and without proper drug tests.

"This strong enforcement action is an example of how we are working to keep all travelers on our highways and roads safe," said FMCSA Administrator Anne S. Ferro. "We will continue to use every resource within our current authority to weed out the unsafe operators."

(NewsChannel5 - June 29, 2012)

Earlier:

• Crash Shines Light On Horse Slaughter Issue

Deep Scars

TEXAS -- When Micahela Garcia sees a dog, her fingers go numb and her heart starts to race.

And from far away, what seems to be a rash of black, tattooed script blankets her legs and arms. Up close, the tattoos are deep scars and slashes, reminders of why she panics when a dog is near.

Recently, she retold the story of her scars on the porch of her Southwest Side home to Animal Care Services Dangerous Dog investigator Joel Skidmore.

Garcia, 25, was walking to the store in December when two pit bulls approached her at Callaghan and Seacroft. She stopped as she’d heard she should do, hoping they would let her pass.

Instead, the dogs encircled her and tore at her arms.

She called her attack “15 minutes of horror.” She screamed for help, but no one responded. Part of her wanted to give up, but she thought of her six children and screamed their names. Then the dogs’ owner arrived, warding the dogs away with a knife.

Her right side went numb and when she saw her cuts she went into shock.

Skidmore said she had one of the most severe attacks he’d seen.

“She did everything right,”he said. “She stood still and the dogs still attacked her.”

Garcia spent three days in the hospital. Sizemore obtained a warrant for the seizure of the two dogs. There was a serious bodily injury hearing at  municipal court, where Sizemore offered his findings to a judge, Garcia testified and the owner of the dogs was fined.

The judge decreed that Garcia received bodily injuries and ordered the animals to be euthanized.

Garcia cried as she told Skidmore her family they could have been planning her funeral.

“I’m just suffering pain,” she said. “They tell me I’ll get over it, but it’s going to take awhile. I’m lucky to be alive.”

Skidmore knew her story as well as that of the owner of the dogs, having documented the details in ACS case files. In his line of work, he’s reviled by some and welcomed by many, but, he said he tries to do thorough investigations to the best of his ability.

“The City of San Antonio takes a hard stance against people doing what they’re not supposed to do,” he said. “God forbid one of these cases comes in — victim attacked by dog, victim dead.”

(MySanAntonio - July 1, 2012)

Pit bull attack on Kalamazoo letter carrier

MICHIGAN -- Kalamazoo letter carrier Laura Blanchard [as been attacked twice in the last two years].

The most recent attack on Blanchard happened June 18 at 1515 Woodrow Drive, just blocks from Northeastern Elementary School on Kalamazoo's east side.

“Had it been a child -- that thought haunts me,” Blanchard said.

She was able to use her satchel to fend off the charging dog, and her adult strength to try to protect herself, she said. “I did get a hold on its collar or it would have been so much worse,” she said.

As it was, Blanchard was left with gashes on her face that would require more than 40 stitches to close, and puncture wounds on her left arm as well, before neighbors and the dog’s owner, who witnessed the attack, were able to pull the animal away.

Witnesses ran to help
Blanchard said she had just delivered a handful of packages to a resident at the corner of Woodrow and Gertrude streets, who signed for them and watched her walk away.

As she passed the vacant house next door and came around a hedge, she looked up from sorting the next batch of letters to see a male pit bull ”running at me with intent, growling with hackles raised."

She learned later the dog had just been returned to its owners after having been picked up for running loose.

“I put my satchel in front of me to block him and said firmly ‘No, go home,'” she recalled. But the dog kept coming, pulling her to the ground, grabbing her wide brimmed hat, and then going for her face.
She learned later that the dog was outside with its owner and had yanked the leash from his hand as she approached.

The dog was euthanized by animal control authorities following the attack.

Second time
It was not the first time Blanchard had been attacked on the job.

In August, 2010, she had been on her route on East Morrell Street in Otsego when she encountered a domestic squabble between a woman and her boyfriend; the woman had brought her dog with her as she removed items from the house they had once shared. As the two argued, the man caused the woman to drop the dog's leash. It then charged at Blanchard, slashing her ankle to the bone and biting her  behind her knee.

That time she summoned 911 from her own Bluetooth telephone headset, she said. The couple was so intent on their own scuffle they failed to notice at first that she was under attack, Blanchard recalled.

In that case, she missed work for months, and is suing the dog’s owners.

This time, she is ending her tenure as a letter carrier, work she has done for eight years. “My heart can’t take it,” Blanchard said.

She began training Tuesday for supervisory work, with her manager, Jon Scott's, blessing.

(MLive - June 27, 2012)

Pit bull's owner may face charges

Mailman lost skin on forearm, had several bites on wrist, leg

KENTUCKY -- A prosecutor says he’ll decide next week if charges could be brought against the owner of the pit bull who attacked a mailman Thursday morning.

County Attorney Rick Sparks says he will work with the animal control officer to gather details about the dog and its history before deciding whether to prosecute.

Around 9:30 a.m. Thursday, Chris Lombardi was attacked by the large, brown pit bull and severely injured on his left forearm and leg at 214 Swigert Ave., Frankfort Police say.

The dog ripped a large area of skin from his forearm and multiple bite marks were found around his wrist and leg, Maj. Fred Deaton said.

“Frankfort Police and animal control confiscated the animal and in the process the dog bit the animal control officer (on his boot), but caused no injury,” Deaton said.

“The report noted a large amount of blood on the gate, sidewalk and paved parking area in front of the home.”

Lombardi was listed in fair to good condition at Frankfort Regional Medical Center this morning, according to hospital administration. He was in surgery Thursday afternoon and could not be reached for comment.

“Officers gathered statements at the scene from neighbors who said this is the second time the dog has bit someone, and that happened several years ago,” Deaton added.

Bullasan, the brown pit bull, has lived with its owners for seven years and is around children often, a woman – who would not provide her name, but was in the home – told The State Journal around noon Thursday.

“We’re praying for the mailman,” the woman said while crying.

It is unclear if the woman was the dog’s owner or a family member of the owner, because she would not give her identity. Police have identified the dog’s owner but won’t release it publicly. Polk City Directory listed a telephone number for the residence that is no longer connected.

“Nothing like this has happened before,” the woman said from the front doorway of the residence.

The family had a couple guests over that morning, and the woman said a second gate – which holds the dog in the back yard – was accidentally left open by one of the children.

“He’s a sweet dog; he was just sticking up for his family.”

Lombardi has worked for the Frankfort post office for about two years and was previously a carrier in Florida.

(The State Journal - June 29, 2012)

Gates Police: Officer Justified in Shooting Dog

NEW YORK -- Gates Police said an officer was justified in shooting a loose dog on Crestwood Boulevard this week.

The dog’s owner questions the actions of police and insists his dog was no threat to anyone.

"No, Chino was a big pussy cat," Jerome Johnson said of his three-year-old pit bull / mastiff. "He'll bark, he'll growl at you if you come in my yard but he's never bitten anybody. There is not one person in this neighborhood that can say he's bitten anybody, never."

Gates Police addressed the issue with local media late Friday morning. The encounter happened around 9 a.m. Monday after a neighbor called 9-1-1 to report an aggressive dog loose in the area of Crestwood Blvd. Police claim the neighbor said the dog attempted to attack his dog and once he got inside he made the emergency call.

The encounter was caught on videotape thanks to a body camera attached to the responding officer.

Police would not release that video as it is part of an ongoing prosecution but they did show it to members of the local media and agreed to release one still image that shows the dog just a few feet from the officer who had his gun drawn and was using his patrol vehicle for cover.

"The officer was behind the fender of his police car trying to create some distance between him and the dog and then at the last minute the dog was about three-feet away from being attacked he shot once and struck the dog in the leg," Lt. Jim Vanbrederode of the Gates Police Department said.

Johnson insists his dog was tied to a chain that is anchored on his property. Police say the chain was broken, which explains why the dog was feet from the police officer, who was positioned on the far side of his police vehicle in the middle of the road.

Chino was struck in the leg and Jerome Johnson said he was quoted a $6,000-$8,000 medical bill. He opted instead to have the dog euthanized.

[What kind of vet charges $8,000 to amputate a leg?? There are plenty of 3-legged dogs who get around just fine. And it didn't cost them 8 grand. Sounds like he simply chose to have the dog put down.]

(WHAM - June 29, 2012)

Roommate who kicked Yorkie to death gets jail

OREGON -- Kaylan Aleshire  used a credit card to buy Max, a Yorkshire terrier who became her best friend during their four years together.

The $1,200 she paid was "the best money I ever spent," Aleshire told Clackamas County Circuit Judge Ronald Thom. "I still make monthly payments on the best friend I will never see again."

Kaylan Aleshire (right) and her
mother with Max

The six-pound dog died a violent death last summer when a roommate, Charles Joseph Cliff III,  kicked the dog like a football.

Max died in Aleshire's arms shortly afterward as she and her boyfriend rushed from their Government Camp home to a veterinarian.

Cliff admitted he booted Max. He even demonstrated by kicking a heavy duffel bag, Aleshire said.

"He did a back flip," Cliff told her.

Aleshire called the cops. Cliff, 20, pleaded guilty to first-degree animal abuse this week. Judge Thom sentenced him to 30 days in jail, five years on probation and ordered him to complete an anger management program. Cliff also has to reimburse Aleshire for the purchase price of the dog.

Aleshire tearfully recalled the last time she saw her dog alive. "I returned home a little while after Chuck kicked my little Max in the side of his face with deadly force ... snapping his neck and breaking his little back."

She said she later discovered photos and other information showing that Cliff had tormented the dog:  Putting the animal in the refrigerator, blowing marijuana smoke in his face, holding the dog as it dangled over a second-floor balcony and hanging Max on the wall by placing a hook through the dog's sweater.

Cliff said he was surprised to see Aleshire in the courtroom. He apologized.

As Judge Thom spoke, Cliff interrupted him. Judge Thom cut him short.

"Shut up," the judge said. "I don't think you have a clue what you have done here."

Charles Joseph Cliff III

Likewise, when Cliff's attorney offered an explanation -- the dog was aggressive and nipped at Cliff's heels -- Judge Thom would have none of it.

"I wouldn't be going there," he cautioned the lawyer.

Animals bring us joy and they help us, Judge Thom said. In return, we are their guardians.

After Max died, Cliff moved to Pennsylvania. He will return there when he is released next month.

"I have no qualms about him leaving the state," Judge Thom said. "In fact, I wish he would."

(The Oregonian - June 29, 2012)

Stray dog rescued from tar pit in Snowflake

ARIZONA -- Workers found a dog stuck inside a tar pit in Snowflake on Tuesday morning.

The men jumped in to rescue the dog, and then took him to a pet-grooming shop in Show Low named Classic Canine.

Employees at the shop say the stray, found with a collar but no tag, had about three inches of tar covering his entire body.

They say it took two days to get enough tar off to shave the dog.

During that time, the 78-year-old shop owner says numerous customers who learned about what happened tried to help by bringing in their own tar removers and remedies.

In all the pulling and tugging on the dog to try to get him clean, employees say he never showed any sign of aggression.

An animal rescue group, Pet Allies, is rehabilitating the dog because he suffered some skin damage. He will go up for adoption soon.

(AZFamily - June 29, 2012)

Woman accused of dragging dog to death

TEXAS -- A woman has been accused of horrendous animal cruelty.

Authorities say 44-year-old Herlinda Trigo tied her dog to her truck bumper and dragged the dog until it died.

A witness told police he yelled at her to stop, but she swore at him and sped up.

When police caught up to Trigo near General McMullen Dr. and Ceralvo Street she admitted that she dumped the dog's body after the rope snapped it's neck.

Trigo was arrested on Wednesday and charged with cruelty and animal torture. She was released after posting bail.

(WOAI - June 29, 2012)

Boy mauled by pit bull mix, owner appealing euthanization decision

CONNECTICUT -- The parents of a 10-year-old boy who was viciously attacked by their neighbor’s pit bull mix dog are furious over the dog owner’s decision to appeal the dog’s pending euthanasia.

The boy, Brian Ozenne, was running towards his Bloomfield, Connecticut home on June 17 when the neighbor’s dog (described by police as a pit bull / mastiff mix) named Dutch, ran after the boy, severely injuring him after mauling him for several minutes. The boy suffered bite and puncture wounds to his head, neck, back and buttocks. The dog also severed part of the boy’s ear. He is now recovering with multiple staples in his head.

The boy was rescued by his father, who fought off the dog by punching and kicking it.

The boy’s parents, Yvonne and Brian Ozenne Sr.,  said their son will have to undergo reconstructive surgery to repair the ear he almost lost.

Now the dog’s owners are fighting the decision to put the dog down. The dog’s owners have reportedly retained an attorney to fight the police department's decision.

The victim’s parents believe the dog is dangerous and doesn’t understand why the owners would spend money fighting to have a vicious dog in a neighborhood with children.

Mr. Ozenne told the Hartford Courant, “This dog was on a mission to kill my son. If I thought he was going to still live I’d have killed him.”

‎Mrs. Ozenne said, “I respect animal lovers, but to want to keep a vicious dog that almost killed my son in my front yard…”

The dog owner was ticketed for harboring a nuisance doge and failing to have the dog vaccinated.

(Imperfect Parent - June 29, 2012)

Animal owner fined for mistreating his pets

MAINE -- A 56-year-old Warren man was fined, ordered to pay medical costs and prohibited from having animals after entering a guilty plea Thursday to mistreating his animals.

Judge Patricia Worth ordered Foster Sullivan to pay fines and fees totaling $660 and ordered him to repay the Humane Society of Knox County $790 for care they provided animals taken from his property on March 24.

Sullivan also is prohibited from having any animals in his possession for one year.

Two Husky mix dogs were among the animals removed from his home after Knox County Sheriff Deputy John Hansen received a complaint of animal neglect.

One of the dogs was in very poor condition. He found the dogs, 14 chickens and six ducks with inadequate food and water and otherwise suffering from severe neglect. The water in the dog pen was green and unfit to consume, the deputy reported.

The dog in worst shape, Jake, has recovered and is in foster care. The other dog, Liza, is at a new home and doing well, according to the Humane Society.

(Bangor Daily News - June 28, 2012)

Earlier:

• Warren man accused of animal cruelty