Florida: Tiny Chihuahua named Rico somehow survives vicious Pit Bull attack; slowly recovering

FLORIDA -- Earlier this month this family started a fundraising page after their beloved little Chihuahua was mauled by a Pit Bull (sigh, I know. The attacks never stop). They've updated their fundraising page with photos and updates. Here's the latest:

Our dog Rico (a chihuahua) was attacked this morning by a pit bull.

His injuries are extensive and needs jaw repair surgery (his jaw is broke and his teeth are separated from his gums), which costs $5,000 or more.

After seeing two vets in Central Florida, we were referred to and are taking him to the University of Florida in Gainesville to be seen by a specialist (that’s how extensive the damage is).

This dog has been with my wife through some of the worst times of her life, and the best times when we became family and had our (now 17 month old) daughter. He is a sweet, beautiful dog, and our daughter loves playing with him.

This is a huge financial burden and we would appreciate all of the help you can give. Thank you!

Update 1
Thank you to everyone who has donated and shared this campaign! This was a horrible attack and the injuries are more extensive than we thought. He has two puncture wounds on his chest, the front and back of his jaw is broke, and his teeth are detached from his gums. He will need a CT scan done and the surgery for his whole jaw. Please continue to share if you aren't able to donate, and donate if you can. Words can't express the gratitude we have for everyone who has written, called, texted, and donated so far. This is a very tough time but you all have made it a little "easier" to handle. Thank you!

Update 2
I just got news that the back of Rico’s jaw is broken on BOTH sides. He was given medicine to sedate him, but he’s still fighting it and they are having trouble examining all the way and doing what’s necessary to support the jaw...

Update 3
Rico is back for now. They were only able to put a wire in his front jaw and put the muzzle around his nose to try and stabilize the broken back jaw until the surgery. Monday is the EARLIEST they can get him into surgery, so we’ll be taking him back up to Gainesville to get re-examined, speak with the specialty doctor’s, and figure out the path forward. He may not get the surgery Monday, but we’ll have more answers then. It’s sad to see him so uncomfortable and subdued.

Thank you again for your prayers, communications, and donations. This is a hard hit financially, and you all have helped alleviate part of that stress with your donations. So thank you! Please continue to share this. Thank you again! (Sorry, my mind is still all over the place right now and I may not be making sense...it’s a tough time right now). Thank you.

Update 4
We received some great news today, but also some bad news. The great news is Rico is still alive and well enough to stay alive! The doctors were really impressed with his demeanor and healing in just two short days. On Saturday, the doctors weren’t confident he would make it. He is now home and will hopefully be able to get ‘comfortable’ around here again. He’s back with his brother and sister who missed him a lot, but they need to be apart for a while.

The bad news is he is still in bad shape and it’s going to be a long road to recovery. We will be going to Gainesville weekly. However, we are so blessed that Rico will be with us! God has blessed us with his recovery so far and blessed us with you. Prayers do work, and we thank you for your support, donations, and prayers. Please keep them coming! Thank you so much!

Update 5
Great news from yesterday! We made the trip back up to Gainesville for Rico to get looked at again. The doctors seem to really love Rico and were happy to see him again. It looks like he’s making a better-than-expected recovery!

He still has a long way to go, but he is slowly getting his appetite and energy back. His jaw is looking better (still bad, but better) and the doctors are okay with not doing the surgery on him!

He will be on medicine and have the muzzle/cone on for quite some time. He will also have a huge change in diet and the work they’ve already done on his mouth (wires and other hardware) will have to stay in for a while. We are very happy that he is recovering better than expected and won’t need to undergo surgery! We are most grateful for him still being alive!

Side Note: We cannot thank you all enough for your support, prayers, and donations! We truly believe that the prayers have helped facilitate this better than expected healing. God is great, and your prayers are amazing! So thank you!

Thank you as well for your donations! Without them, we would not have been able to afford what has already happened with treatment. I would also like to mention that, although it has been used towards his medical bills, the funds were initially slated to go towards the surgery for Rico, which he no longer needs. So if anyone would like a refund of their donation, please let me know and I will get that back to you.

Because the title of this campaign is “Surgery Costs....” and he is able to now avoid the surgery, if you’d like the donation returned, we will understand with no hard feelings.

Again, we are grateful for your help and support, and very blessed to have friends and family like you! We are also extremely blessed and thankful that Rico is alive and recovering! Thank you again!

GOFUNDME: Medical Costs For Our Dog
Created March 3, 2018
Chris Sileo
Animals
OVIEDO, FL

Earlier:

• Florida: Chihuahua named Rico mauled by a Pit Bull; has $5,000+ vet bill

California: Doberman attacked by Pit Bull at dog park

CALIFORNIA -- Chicago is a young, very much loved, Doberman Pinscher, who was needlessly attacked by a Pit Bull dog in a dog park in Temecula, California.

Because of this vicious attack, she now has to have surgery to remove a canine tooth and a partial tail amputation. PLEASE help us raise money for this beloved pet of Sherry and Doug Lacey. 

Most of you already know this beautiful Christian couple, Sherry and Doug Lacey from British Columbia, Canada. In December, 2017 they sold their home and began to live the RV life full time, for the purpose of Ministry.

They had two dobermans, Santana and Chicago. Santana had been sick for a long time, but they had prayed she would live long enough to return to the beaches of Oregon, which was her favorite place in the world. She did make it there, but the day they left Oregon, sadly she passed away. Not only was it an incredible loss for Sherry and Doug, but Chicago took it exceptionally hard too.

Sherry and Doug have continued onward, and have worked hard to bless many people along the west coast of California. One place they set up was in the desert in Slab City, CA. In this ministry they were able to love and bless many people living there by handing out supplies, food and water. While in this area a defenseless dog had been brutally attacked by a Pit Bull dog. So they loaded the dog into their car, took him to the Mexican border to an emergency vet office. He was examined and treated and the Lacey's paid for the examination, x-rays, medical care and medicine of this poor dog.

In late February, 2018, Sherry and Doug took Chicago to a dog park in Temecula, CA, where she was attacked by a different Pit Bull dog. However, they did not realize, until they had gotten back home to their RV, that one of her lower canine teeth had been broken. Sherry and Doug took Chicago to an emergency vet and learned that the Pit had also injured her tailbone too! The vet informed her that the tooth would need to be surgically removed and part of the tailbone would need to be amputated.

In the midst of all of this Sherry and Doug had gotten a new Doberman puppy named Journey. Chicago was not accepting of Journey and was showing exceptional aggressiveness towards the little puppy. They thought this was due to her mourning for the loss of her sister, Santana. But they quickly realized that Chicago is in severe and constant pain with the damage to her tooth and tailbone. She is still very young and will be two years old in May. The veterinarian, Dr. Gill from Vail Ranch Veterinary Hospital in Temecula, California, is a specialist. He will be performing the tail amputation and extraction of the canine tooth on March 23, 2018.

It is a very serious amputation which will require two to three months of monitored recovery. It is actually more serious than the loss of a leg due to possible spinal complications if not taken care of properly. She could end up paralyzed. The money needs to be raised and into their checking account no later than March 16, if possible.

The surgeries, initially will require the following:
Blood Collection two days prior - Pre Anesthetic Panel 2 - fluids and intravenous - Lg pain injection - Antibiotic injection - Cerenia Inj.P/Surg 56-75 lbs - Anesthesia Isoflurane 90 mins - Amputation of Tail - Tooth extraction of Lower canine - Buprenorphine injection - Hospitalization - Elizabethan collar #30 - Cefpodoxime 100 mg tabs - Tramadol 50 mg - Carprofen 100 mg.

The above costs have been conservatively estimated to be around $3,400. However; following the surgery, Chicago will need to be seen in the office several times to monitor her healing, possible infections, security of the stitches, follow up blood work and spinal function. These will be added expenses which are not listed above.

So to help offset some of these costs, I am praying that we can raise a minimum of $4,000, or more, to give to this wonderful, loving, giving Christian couple. I had to beg Sherry to let me set up a GoFundMe account to help Chicago. She told me that her dad, and many of you, were also telling her that she needed to ask us for help. Many people have stated they are willing and able to contribute. With the money we raise it will enable Sherry and Doug to continue with their Ministry of helping people in need. The Laceys ministry in the USA can be followed through their blog at: www.knightrider360.com

PLEASE SHARE this with your friends and family and help us RAISE THESE FUNDS by March 16, 2018! Thank you and may God bless you all.

GOFUNDME: Chicago needs Surgery!
Created March 2, 2018

New Mexico: Thirteen-time convicted felon Shaun Anaya will spend at least 8 months in jail for beating and torturing a puppy with power tools

NEW MEXICO -- This afternoon, Attorney General Hector Balderas announced that Shaun Anaya, who was on probation for an Office of the Attorney General case and is a thirteen-time convicted felon, was found by Second Judicial District Judge Angela Jewell to have violated his probation for committing extreme cruelty to animals and possession of marijuana.

The Office of Attorney General Hector Balderas asked Judge Jewell to impose the maximum penalty of 1,421 days in prison which included habitual enhancements.

Anaya was sentenced to two years in the Department of Corrections for the violations.

Likely he'll only serve a 1/3 of that "with good behavior" so assume he'll be out in 8 months' time.

 

"Violence against animals is so many times directly linked to domestic violence and can never be discounted," said Attorney General Balderas. "My office is committed to holding violent, repeat offenders accountable."

Shaun Anaya was arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty in June of 2017 when he was accused of brutally beating and mutilating a Pit Bull puppy with power tools in the backseat of his car on June 1, 2017, leaving the three-month-old dog bloody, with a broken tooth and other injuries.

Anaya has denied hurting the puppy, claiming a group of kids injured it.

“I know you’re telling me you didn’t, but all of the evidence, physical testimony, eye-witness, ear-witness says that this happened, “said Judge Jewell.

HORRIFIC DETAILS FROM THE POLICE REPORT:

On June 1, 2017, at approximately 2358 hours (1158pm), I was dispatched to the alley just south of ______ in response to a call about an animal.

Caller advised he could see an individual beating his dog in a vehicle. He could see the individual hitting the dog and throwing it around the vehicle. While en route, Dispatch advised that the caller could still hear the dog screaming.

Further remarks just as I was arriving advised the man was standing at the rear of the vehicle with the tailgate up and the caller could hear a power tool.

I arrived and parked just west of the alley and approached on foot.

From approximately 40 feet away I saw a man, later identified as SHAUN ANAYA, standing at the tailgate of a vehicle with the tailgate open. He was moving his hands and appeared to be working on something in the tailgate.

I heard a dog yelping and screaming in agony. I began walking towards him and got within 30 feet and could see he was doing something to a small dog.

I shined my flashlight at him and he quickly stopped what he was doing and started trying to clean up the area. As soon as he stopped the dog immediately stopped yelping.

Shaun said, "Can you get your flashlight out of my face?"

I observed blood on several areas of the dog's fur. I observed blood all over the carpeted area in the rear of the car and smeared on the inside of the back right window. I observed dog feces in several areas of the back of the vehicle and on a power saw on the blade and on the handle.

The passenger door was open and I observed blood on the seat and blood smeared on the door. There was fresh blood spatter all over the dash. I observed the small puppy had swollen eyes and was very sluggish. I observed blood in his mouth and saw he had a broken tooth on the right side of his mouth.

I spoke with the caller, Derrick Sanders, who told me he was woken up by a dog yelping. He looked out his window and observed SHAUN ANAYA outside the open front passenger door. He was punching the dog who was in the front passenger seat repeatedly. He then threw the dog to the rear of the vehicle. He walked back to the rear and the dog started yelping again. At this time, Derrick heard what sounded like a power tool being started in the rear of the vehicle. Shortly after this I arrived and confronted SHAUN ANAYA.

(Grant County Beat - January 31, 2018)

Earlier:

• New Mexico: Convicted felon Shaun Anaya, 40, accused of torturing a Pit Bull puppy with a power saw
• New Mexico: Attorney General asks judge to sentence con man Shaun Anaya to prison for alleged puppy torture and abuse

Georgia: Hero neighbor pulls attacking pit bulls off 9-year-old boy

GEORGIA -- A woman is being credited with saving a boy’s life after three pit bulls attacked him in metro Atlanta.

The boy was attacked Wednesday night in a Loganville neighborhood. Police said three pit bulls somehow got loose and first jumped on the 9-year-old boy.

The Pit Bull owner lives in the dark gray house

The neighbor saw what was going on, jumped in and was able get the pit bulls off of him.

“I pushed the dogs away, I managed to get them off of his face,” said Svetlana Reut.

 

 

 

Police said the next-door neighbor and owner of the dogs finally showed up and got control of the pit bulls.

The boy received severe injuries to his face and was airlifted to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta at Egleston.

“He had severe lacerations to face and to his neck,” said Loganville city spokesperson Robbie Schwartz.

 

 

Reut was hospitalized for her injuries. She has bites and darkening bruises all over her body. One tooth was nearly knocked out.

“They gnawed on my face here. They nicked my tooth here, I had to get braces. This was a pretty deep wound,” Reut said.

“My thing was just to save him, that was a lot more important,” Reut said.

 

 

 

 

The boy suffered severe injuries to his face and neck. He had to undergo plastic surgery.

The boy's family said he is recovering but they are asking for privacy at this time.

The dogs were taken to animal control, where they will be quarantined for 10 days. Animal control officials said the dogs’ futures have not been decided yet.

 

 

Authorities said the owner has not been charged.

“He’s been very cooperative. He has cooperated with animal control,” Schwartz said.

WSBTV NEWS CLIP:

(WSBTV - January 26, 2018)

Indiana: Defonte Acklin beat and tortured his four-month-old puppy, say police

INDIANA -- An anonymous caller told officers Aug. 5 that noises were coming from a Francis Street apartment that sounded like a dog was being beaten.

That day, an Animal Care & Control officer went to the apartment where she found Nani, a four-month-old puppy, trembling in a bathtub and covered in excrement and urine. Her breed was not mentioned in court documents.

The owner, Defonte C. Acklin, 22, of the 4400 block of Standish Drive, told police Nani had gotten into the trash when he left his apartment for about 15 minutes and she had urinated and defecated on the floor.

The dog “knew she was in trouble as she ran into her kennel as if to hide from him,” Acklin told the officer. He got his hand bitten when he reached into the kennel to pull her out, causing a puncture wound, court documents said.

Acklin said he had “whooped her ass with the arm of the chair,” and produced the chair arm, although he wouldn't allow the officer to take it with her, court records said.

Nani had bloodshot eyes and there were red fluid droplets all over the base of the bathtub. 

At the Northeast Indiana Veterinary Emergency Hospital, doctors said Nani had bruises on her lungs and respiratory distress, fractures to her teeth and was missing her front incisors.

There was blood in her ear canals and her oral cavity and a red lesion to her right ear with other eye injuries. She was limping and several of her ribs were fractured, injuries consistent with blunt force trauma to the thorax.

Acklin was charged with felony torturing or mutilating a vertebrate animal and two misdemeanor charges of cruelty to an animal. He was being held at the Allen County Jail held in lieu of $4,000 bail.

Nani was adopted into another home on Aug. 30.

(Journal Gazette - January 24, 2018)

Florida: Woman outraged after Chris McCullough's two Pit Bull try to kill her Doberman. Animal Control shows up and hands the maulers back to him

FLORIDA -- Pam Adams posted on Facebook January 2, 2018 at 4:28pm · Callaway, FL ·

Walking Daisy two pits came up and attacked her and ripped her from head to toe. She even lost some teeth.

 

 

She's in surgery now and I'm praying she's alright.

Animal control picked up the dogs came returned them to their owner Christopher McCullough.

Calling a attorney to see if there's anything I can do with them paying her $500 Vet bill.

Animal control took pictures and there's witnesses. Florida has the worse laws of any state I've lived in. Animal Control said I'd have to sue for damages. This never should have happened. Blood is everywhere!

 

 

 

 

 

New Mexico: Why does career criminal and animal torturer John Santiago keep getting chance after chance?

NEW MEXICO -- Back in August 2016, John Santiago was accused of breaking into his ex-girlfriend's apartment, beating and torturing her small Pomeranian named Teddy to death. 

When the woman went into her home, she found blood in various parts of the house and dog-shaped dents in the wall and a mirror.

She rushed dying Teddy to an Albuquerque veterinarian, who told her that the dog had been burned all over his body, even his eyes had been burned, he had brain swelling, a facial fracture and missing teeth. Teddy had to be euthanized because of its injuries.

Santiago was on the run for a few months before getting caught. He was charged with extreme animal cruelty, aggravated burglary and tampering with evidence.

For this horrific crime against Teddy, career criminal Santiago was given a year in the county jail (not prison) and then that was supposed to be followed up with 18 months of probation.

Well, we all know that being sentenced to a year in the county jail doesn't mean a year. It really means about 1/3 of that -- 4 months. So Santiago was sprung from jail early and by March 2017, he was arrested again for not bothering to show up for his compliance checks. The judge gave him a $25,000 cash bond and said if he can actually pay that, he'll be required to wear a GPS bracelet.

Well, here we are 8 months later and Santiago has been arrested AGAIN. And it looks like he still can't be bothered to show up to his court dates. 

Why does the state of New Mexico keep babying him? Let's remember what he did -- HE TORTURED, BEAT, BURNED AND ABUSED A LITTLE DOG TO DEATH.

 

Of course, Santiago knows he can do whatever he wants and the courts won't really bother with him. I'm sure they'll give him bond, he'll pay it and disappear again... laughing his way out of the courtroom.

Shame on you, New Mexico.

ARREST INFORMATION:
Full name: John Steven Santiago
Gender: Male
Race: Hispanic
Arrest age: 30
Date: 12/20/2017
Time: 6:39 AM
Location: Bernalillo County, New Mexico
Charges:
#1 FAIL TO APPEAR COURT; EXTREME CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Warrant: D202CR201603321
Bond: $0
Notes: Hold

#2 FAIL TO APPEAR COURT; EXTREME CRUELTY TO ANIMALS
Warrant: D202CR201702652
Bond: $0
Notes: Hold

(KRQE - Mar 17, 2017)

Earlier:

• New Mexico: Albuquerque police seek John Santiago, 28; accused of beating ex's dog to death
• New Mexico: Alliance Against Animal Abuse helps Crime Stoppers arrest animal torturer and killer John Santiago
• New Mexico: John Santiago, who beat, tortured and burned a Pomeranian named Teddy to death, has been arrested again