Kentucky: Woman shares memory of having been attacked by a pit bull a year ago

KENTUCKY --  "1 year ago today I was attacked by a pit bull. I still am very scared of them. I love animals but it is very difficult for me to love pit bulls!"

2015 UPDATE POSTED: My finger is very swollen and sore. I went to the hand specialist this morning and he confirmed what the ER said, not to cover it and watch for signs of infection with another appt on Monday morning. I'm glad it happened to me instead of a child that was trick or treating.

 

 

Texas: One year ago, little Tanner Smith, 5, was mauled to death by two pit bulls which had attacked a little girl a year earlier

TEXAS -- Before attacking and killing Tanner, these same dogs had dug under their fence and attacked a little girl. However, it appears that - per Texas law - nothing could be done about them. So they stayed at the residence - and the owner knowingly kept these vicious dogs. One year later, they killed Tanner.

ORIGINAL STORY
The first sign that something was wrong was the bloody dog.

The animal ran inside its home on Aloha Drive in Vidor, Texas, where Ashley Phillips was visiting a friend.

Phillips’ five-year-old son, Tanner Smith, had been jumping on a trampoline in the fenced-in yard, where the dog had come from and another dog had been.

“When one of the dogs came running in the house and was covered in blood,” Tanner’s aunt, Melinda Greathouse, 28, told INSIDE EDITION. “That’s when my sister ran outside and they found Tanner’s body next to the porch.”

The homeowner’s two pit bulls had mauled the vivacious kindergartner, who was thought to be playing outside under the supervision of the homeowner. But the man was not there during the attack and no one heard the child scream as he was severely bitten more than one dozen times, including once in an artery in his neck, Greathouse said.

 

Emergency responders rushed Tanner to a nearby hospital, but he could not be saved.

“His whole left side of his head had a hole in it. His ear was gone. There was a lot of what looked like road rash on his face. Did they drag him?” Greathouse tearfully wondered aloud. “He didn’t cry out. Neighbors were out there around that time and they didn’t hear anything. They just heard my sister cry out.”

Tanner was only two days away from turning six when he was attacked. He wanted a ‘Scooby-Doo’-themed birthday party to celebrate and his family was happy to oblige the boy who had been through so much.

VICIOUS DOGS HAD ATTACKED BEFORE
The same dogs were quarantined for 10 days in December of last year after they bit a 9-year-old girl and her mother as the pair walked by the home, police said.

 The dogs allegedly got out of their yard by digging a hole below the fence and made puncture wounds in the victims’ skin, but the injuries did not meet the criteria under Texas law to deem the dogs dangerous, cops said.

“Isn’t that terrible? It really is. It’s awful that it comes down to that (criteria). If something had been done then, a life could have been saved,” Greathouse said.

The dogs' owner paid the injured parties' medical bills and appropriately restrained his dogs after the 2014 incident, police said. But that comes as little comfort to Tanner’s family.

“Ashley didn’t know the dogs were that way. She didn’t know… otherwise they wouldn’t have been there,” Greathouse said.

Earlier:

• Texas: Police say they don't expect to file charges after 2 pit bulls maul 5 year-old to death
• Texas: Mom Saw Bloody Dog Before Finding Her Son Mauled to Death: 'He Didn't Cry Out'

Chile: Snowboarder rescues horse found trapped in the snow

CHILE -- On his 21st birthday, Rafael Pease went out to ride some fresh powder in Chile. His plans changed when he found a stranded horse stuck in the snow and he swiftly moved to action.

Note: I can watch this video using my desktop but it won't

appear on my ipad. Sorry if you can't view it.

“I pointed out a rock that was in the distance and realized it was a horse,” he said. “The horse was going to die unless someone did something.”

They dug the horse out and gave it some food they had brought with them. Then they slowly led her six miles down the mountain back to her owner. In the video, it says she had been missing (and likely stuck on the mountainside) for four days.

(GoPro YouTube - Oct 6, 2015)

October 2015 - West Virginia: Donna Baker, 57, pleads guilty to animal cruelty

WEST VIRGINIA -- The woman who had more than 150 rabbits at her home in Wallace pleaded guilty to 3 counts of animal cruelty.

Donna Baker, 57 was in magistrate court on Friday and will have to pay more than $1400 in fines and court costs.

She is not allowed to own animals or have any contact with animals for the next 5 years.

All of the animals seized from her home have found homes with local people or animal rescues.

Original
Harrison County Humane Officer Lieutenant Greg Scolapio and animal control officers seized about half of nearly 200 rabbits from a residence in the Rock Camp area of Wallace on Friday.

"The rabbits were being kept in deplorable conditions, cages that hadn't been cleaned for months, with an accumulation of feces and urine in all the cages," said Scolapio.

Scolapio said after hearing that someone purchased a rabbit from the property that was apparently in bad health, he checked out the situation.

The weather caused some problems for the officers, so some rabbits are still left at the house.

"We've been able to take about 65 or 70 rabbits off of the location, but we ended up leaving over 100 rabbits on scene. We're going to try to get back there on Monday or Tuesday," said Scolapio.

Scolapio said the rabbits seem to be in good condition, and there are more than seven different breeds now at Harrison County Animal Control.

"We have an assortment: English Lop-ears, Holland Lop-ears, Lionheads, English Angora, Dutch, Jersey Woolies, Netherland Dwarfs, Havana's, and some mix breeds," explained Scolapio.

There are a few baby rabbits available as well.

All of those rabbits are in need of good homes, but staff at Eastern Pet Supply said you want to make sure you are ready for that responsibility by doing your research.

"Educate yourself, go online, find out all the information you need to know before you get any kind of animal. In bunnies, you need to check their paws and make sure they don't have sores, check their ears, check their spine and make sure they're not emaciated," explained David McClung, a staff member at Eastern Pet Supply.

Scolapio agreed that even though they need a good home, it should be to someone who is prepared. He also said some of the rabbits may be pregnant.

"They assume all responsibility for the bunnies once they take them, it's their responsibility. When they come to pick up a rabbit if they would want one bring a pet porter, bring a box, bring something to transport the rabbit off the property," Scolapio said.

The rabbits will be up for free adoption.

Scolapio said the woman who had the rabbits will face charges.

You can call Harrison County Animal Control for more information about adoption at 304-592-1876.

(WVIllustrated - Oct 5, 2015)

Christina Roach charged with child abuse and animal neglect after tying puppy out in the sun

ILLINOIS -- Meet Christina S. Roach.

Christina here is charged with Two Class B Misdemeanors for Violation of Owners Duties related to a June 2nd, 2015 Riverton Police Report.

The Sangamon County States Attorneys Office filed formal charges on October 9th, 2015 (4 Months later???). The judge issued her a notice to appear for court on October 26th, 2015 to answer to the charges.

This story was sent in by one of the readers and just gave us the Sangamon County Court case number and said look into it. When we read the charge Violation of Owners Duties we had no idea what it was at first.

We contacted the Riverton Police Department for a copy of the police report and oh boy is it interesting…

 

 

 

According to the report Riverton Police received a citizens complaint to check on the welfare of a 2 month old puppy tied to a boat outside in the hot June day with no water, shade, or food.

Upon arrival the Officer noticed a small puppy tied to a boat with no food, water, and feces around it.
The Officer tried to knock on the residence, the front door was open and as the officer knocked the door came open further. The officer announced herself and noticed several piles of feces on the floor and a dog cage full of feces according to the report. The officer then was authorized by the Chief of Police to enter the residence to attempt to locate someone inside.

 

Upon further inspection of the house the officer reported feces in all the rooms of the house, including the kids rooms. The Officer then contacted DCFS and The Animal Control. Sangamon County Animal Control removed the dog and DCFS started an investigation into the welfare of the children.

A Class B misdemeanor by comparison, basically has a punishment with half the severity of a Class A misdemeanor. This type of offense has a maximum penalty of 180 days incarceration in the county jail, with a maximum fine of $1500.

  

  

 

To my knowledge, there are no Class B misdemeanor offenses on the books in Illinois that require the judge to sentence the defendant to jail. Instead, the court can sentence a person who is found guilty of a Class B misdemeanor to probation and community service instead of incarceration.

Class B misdemeanors are few and far in between. Almost every misdemeanor offense that prosecutors pursue is a Class A misdemeanor such as domestic battery, driving under the influence, driving while license suspended for DUI, retail theft, etc.

Christina is set for First Appearance Criminal Misdemeanor on Oct 26, 2015 at 9:00 AM in Courtroom 6C.

  

 

  

PAST CRIMINAL HISTORY:
In 2012 She Pled Guilty & Got Supervision on a Battery Charge.

When we asked Ms. Roach about this incident she stated their was no evidence and the case was dropped so she had no comment.

According to the report their were some ongoing issues with her then boyfriend and on the day in question she became a “wild woman”. She started attacking the boyfriend and his family; throwing things, punching them, biting them, etc. according to police.

(Springfield IL Exposed - Oct 21, 2015)

UPDATE TO CASE:
On 10/26/2015 in front of Honorable Judge Otwell, Ms. Roach plead guilty to two Misdemeanor Counts of Violation of Owners duties in relation to a June 2015 Riverton PD Incident.

Ms. Roach received 1 year of probation, a $327.00 fine, and 100 hours of Community Service in exchange for her plea. NO JAIL TIME!!!

Julianne Westberry, who abused and killed 69 cats and stole thousands in donation money, gets probation from SC Judge Daniel Hall

SOUTH CAROLINA -- Julianne Westberry, the animal rescue volunteer accused of mistreating dozens of cats in Belton, has received a probationary sentence and has been ordered to continue mental health treatment.

Judge Daniel Hall sentenced Westberry to four years in prison Thursday, but suspended that to four years probation, provided she does not break other laws, continues treatment, and does not have any animals. The sentence came after Westberry agreed to plead guilty to ill treatment of animals and a breach of trust.

Did they even bother to charge her per animal? If so, she should have been facing 69 YEARS IN PRISON! Sixty-nine animals suffered. Thirty-seven of those animals suffered until they died. Meanwhile, she was taking in money from her Paypal donation site and spending the money on herself!

Westberry, 47, was charged in June 2014 after Belton police removed 69 cats from a home on Anderson Road. Of those, 37 cats were already dead. 

Westberry ran a rescue group called J’s Kitten Cottage. Conning people into donation money for her 'rescue', she took the money and spent it on herself, moved out, and abandoned the cats to die. 

Another 32 were taken to Anderson County’s animal shelter, Pets Are Worth Saving. Two of those cats died shortly after getting to the shelter because their medical conditions were untreatable, shelter Director Jessica Cwynar said.

“There was nothing we could do, and we would not have been able to do anything to help those two even if we had been a high-dollar vet clinic,” Cwynar said Friday. “They were too far gone. The rest we were able to get into rescues, but seeing the living and the deceased in that kind of shape was very hard.”

The cats were discovered shortly after someone went to Westberry’s home to ask about buying some furniture. The person noticed swarming flies, a strong odor, and got no response to a knock on the door, said Chrissy Adams, 10th Judicial Circuit solicitor. The person called police, who then contacted Westberry. Westberry told them she was out of town, and that only cats should be in the home. When officers went inside, they found “just the most deplorable conditions you can imagine,” Belton Police Chief Tommy Clamp said.

Adams said that when Westberry was questioned by officers, she told them she had been operating a cat rescue, had “personal issues” and became overwhelmed by the large number of animals.

Westberry found herself unable to care for them, and decided to abandon both the cats and the residence, (her attorney) said in a prepared statement.

Westberry could not be reached Friday. Her attorney, Scott Thomason, spoke briefly.

“This is a tragic case for all involved,” he said.

Westberry is a former volunteer with the Anderson County Humane Society. Wanda Crane, the director of the Anderson County Humane Society, said in a previous interview that Westberry also operated a private cat rescue that was not connected to Crane’s organization. That rescue was called J’s Kitten Cottage.

 

Several months after the cats were seized from her home, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division announced that Westberry had been charged with a breach of trust with fraudulent intent.

According to an arrest warrant, Westberry received $21,505 in a PayPal account during a yearlong period that ended in June. The money was given to her so she could provide foster homes, food and medical treatment and set up adoptions for cats, according to the warrant. 

Of that money, Westberry debited about $11,300 for her personal use, according to the warrant.

(Independent Mail - Oct 16, 2015)

Anthony Estevez, 25, pretended to be an animal control officer to dump his dying dog at the shelter

NEW YORK -- A 25-year-old Queens man pretended he was an animal rescuer so he could dump his neglected dog at a shelter — and make sure the skeletal pooch didn’t die in his bedroom, officials said Thursday.

District Attorney Richard Brown said Anthony Esteves misled rescuers and police when he claimed he found the starved dog in a Queens field on Oct.13.

NOTE: Later news stories identify him as Anthony Estevez.

The friendly boxer, dubbed Brewster by rescuers, weighed just 25 pounds when Esteves brought him to the New York City Animal Care Center in Rego Park. He should have weighed closer to 60.

Adopt a Boxer Rescue took the gravely ill dog to a veterinary hospital and put out a reward for information.

After the Daily News reported Brewster’s plight and contacted Police Department officials, the NYPD Cruelty Investigation Squad launched an investigation. Esteves changed his story several times, first giving a false address and then saying other people owned the dog.

Brown said Esteves finally admitted he owned the dog and he did not want it to die in his bedroom. A search showed there was no evidence of dog food ever having been in the house, officials said.  Esteves was even using an empty dog food dish to keep some of his personal items.

“The defendant is accused of showing a complete disregard for the well-being of this helpless animal when he failed to provide the basic necessities required to maintain the animal’s health,” the DA said. “I commend the Daily News for bringing the matter to the attention of authorities.”

Esteves was arrested and faces a number of charges including aggravated cruelty to animals, falsifying records and torturing and injuring animals. He was released and is expected back in court on Dec. 15.

Brewster underwent medical treatment and is currently recovering in a foster home said Amy Swift, from Adopt-a Boxer Rescue.

“He’s doing really well, he gained six pounds in the first week we had him,” said Swift. “His temperament could not be better. He is the ideal dog – so friendly to everyone.”

Swift said Brewster will need several more weeks of treatment before he is ready for adoption, but noted the group has several other boxers in need of good homes.

(NY Daily News - Oct 23, 2015)

Justine Corene Wilson, 21, wanted for animal cruelty charges after foster dogs found dead

OKLAHOMA -- Authorities in Cleveland County are searching for a woman who is being charged with animal cruelty.

Deputies with the Cleveland County Sheriff’s Office learned about the remains of two dogs on a property near Lexington.

During their investigation, detectives learned that 21-year-old Justine Corene Wilson took both dogs from a Tulsa program, called Unchain, to foster the dogs.

Authorities claim Wilson put one dog in a homemade kennel and tied the other on a thin leash.

Investigators say Wilson, who was supposed to take care of the animals, didn’t provide them with adequate shelter, food, water or necessary care.

This week, Wilson was charged with two counts of cruelty to animals.

“Taking care of an animal comes with responsibility,” said Sheriff Joe Lester. “You must provide food, water and shelter. Unfortunately, the person who was trusted to care for these dogs, failed them miserably and as a result, these innocent dogs suffered a cruel death. I am asking citizens for their help finding Ms. Wilson so that she is held accountable and punished for her crimes.”

If you know where Wilson is, call (405) 701-8888 or CrimeStoppers at (405) 701-8872.

(KFOR - Oct 22, 2015)

Karin Adams and her daughter Catherine Adams plead guilty to animal cruelty

CANADA -- Two women from Houston, B.C., have been sentenced after pleading guilty in an animal cruelty case involving more than 100 animals.

Karin Adams and her daughter Catherine Adams were investigated after the SPCA seized the animals from their property in August 2014.

Constables seized 18 horses, 18 dogs, 15 birds, two cats and 104 fish, finding them malnourished and kept in unsanitary and overcrowded conditions.

  

  

Both women were handed 20-year bans on owning animals and ordered to pay nearly $5,500 in restitution to the SPCA to offset care costs.

Karin Adams was also sentenced to 15 days in jail and two years’ probation, while her daughter was given six months’ conditional house arrest and three years’ probation.

Marcie Moriarty of the SPCA says conditions were so bad that two horses were eating wood in an attempt to survive, while many dogs were extremely matted, had dental issues and lacerations.

(Global News - Oct 16, 2015)

Matthew Ziolkowski, 51, caught raping his girlfriend's dog

PENNSYLVANIA -- A horrified woman walked into her bedroom only to find her boyfriend having sex with her DOG, according to police.

The unnamed woman was furious upon making the alleged discovery, demanding that her partner Matthew Ziolkowski leave the house.

 

Police in Sharpsburg, near Pittsburgh, are investigating the woman's claims after she called 911 at 9am on Thursday.

Officers have charged Ziolkowski with sexual intercourse with an animal.

Ziolkowski has also been charged with animal cruelty.

The man is currently in Allegheny County Jail, remanded on a $500,000 bond.

Cops have said that their investigation into the alleged animal sex offense is continuing.

(Daily Mirror - Oct 24, 2015)

Michigan: Darrin Pickard, 25, and Brittannie Wiggins Pickard, 24, arrested after 29 dogs, 3 horses seized in Animal Cruelty investigation

MICHIGAN -- A man and his wife have been charged with animal cruelty after police seized 29 dogs and three horses from their property, police said.

Police said the animals needed immediate veterinary care.

 

Darrin Pickard, 25, and Brittannie Wiggins Pickard (Brittannie Pickard), 24, of Copemish, were arrested this this week and held on felony animal cruelty charges involving 10 or more animals.

Manistee County sheriff's deputies, with help from Homeward Bound Animal Shelter, Pettingale Kennels and a state Department of Natural Resources conservation officer, removed the animals from the property in Marilla Township.

The two are free after posting 10 percent of a $5,000 bond. A probable cause hearing is Nov. 10 in 85th District Court in Manistee.

A woman who answered the phone at a number listed for the wife said she had no comment and hung up.

Manistee County Undersheriff John O'Hagan said no additional information would be released because the investigation is ongoing.

(MLive - Oct 28, 2015)

Sheriff: Retired UPS driver, James Allan Darland, 56, admits to raping people's pets on route

ARIZONA -- A retired UPS driver from Washington state is accused of wanting to have sex with his neighbor's farm animals in Arizona.

The Maricopa County Sheriff's Office arrested 56-year-old James Allen Darland on a felony charge of conspiracy to commit bestiality.

Investigators say Darland told undercover detectives posing as farmers that he wanted to have sex with various animals on the farmer's property, including with miniature horses, dogs and goats.

The Sheriff's Office said Darlard admitted to having sex with raping his neighbor's horse, dogs and sheep while he lived in Washington.

Authorities also say Darland, while driving for UPS, admitted to having sex with raping the pets of his customers when they weren't home.  Darland, according to the Maricopa County Sheriff's Office's Facebook page, picked up stray dogs to have sex with rape as well.

Investigators seized Darland's dog.  The suspect said he had sex with raped his own dog.  The animal is now being cared for and evaluated for any signs of sexual abuse by the Arizona Humane Society.

(WTSP - Oct 28, 2015)

Aimee Cook, 41, charged with poisoning her 14 cats and kittens after their bodies found stuffed in a suitcase

NORTH CAROLINA -- A North Carolina woman has been charged with multiple animal cruelty counts after police say 14 dead cats were found in a suitcase near a trash bin at an apartment complex in Cornelius.

Aimee Cook, 41, was arrested Tuesday after an employee at One Normal Square Apartments discovered a small suitcase near a dumpster and recognized it as belonging to the woman.

When the worker opened the suitcase, he discovered inside 10 dead kittens and four adults cats.

Authorities said the man also recognized one of the dead animals as Cook's.

When police confronted Cook about the gruesome find, the woman reportedly admitted to killing her pets because she was overwhelmed by the cats' 'recent unplanned litters.'

Police said the 41-year-old pet owner also told officers she tried to relocate the felines to no-kill shelters but was unsuccessful and ended up poisoning them to death, reported the Charlotte Observer.

According to investigators, however, Cook never reached out to the Cornelius Animal Shelter about dropping off her pets.

Cook was booked into the Mecklenburg County Jail Tuesday on 14 felony counts of animal cruelty. She was freed early Wednesday after posting $14,000 bail.

Court records show Cook has landed behind bars twice in the past year for drunken driving and driving with a revoked license, according to TWC News.

(Daily Mail - Oct 29, 2015)

Brooke Summers, 25, arraigned for animal cruelty after Chihuahua chokes to death

KENTUCKY -- Family members say they're shocked that a woman has been charged in a bizarre case of animal cruelty.

Brooke Summers, 25, was arrested around 11 a.m. Wednesday after police say she left a 6-month-old Chihuahua in a car for about an hour in the 700 block of S. 7th Street.

Police say the dog was left alone on a leash that was tied to a bucket inside the car with the passenger window down.

At some point, the dog jumped out the window.

The tether tied to his collar was not long enough, so the dog choked to death.

Police say Summers' neglect to provide proper care for the dog resulted in its death.

She pleaded not guilty to one count of second degree animal cruelty.

(WDRB - Oct 8, 2015)

Earlier:

•  Brooke Summers faces animal cruelty charges after leaving puppy alone in vehicle

Miami man, Ryan Gutierrez, 21, accused of killing Chihuahua after argument with girlfriend

FLORIDA -- A 21-year-old man was arrested on an animal cruelty charge after killing his girlfriend's aunt's dog, police said.

Ryan Gutierrez was arrested Oct. 16 after surveillance video linked him to the death.

According to an arrest report, Gutierrez had an argument with his girlfriend on Oct. 8 before dropping her off at school.

Police said he returned to the woman's home and tormented her aunt's Chihuahua because he was angry with his girlfriend.

Police claim that Gutierrez crushed the dog between a couch and wall, punched the dog in the face twice and threw the dog on the ground twice. Police said he also picked up the small dog by the tail and kicked the animal.

According to the report, surveillance video form inside and outside the home shows Gutierrez abusing the dog before placing the pet in his backpack. Police said he then drove across the street and threw the dog's corpse into a dumpster behind a business.

Detectives said Gutierrez confessed to the crime.

(Local10 - Oct 29, 2015)

Candace Lea Driggers accused of tying family dog in pillowcase and drowning it

FLORIDA -- A 32-year-old Middleburg woman accused of stuffing her dog in a pillowcase and tossing it into a retention pond where it drowned was arrested Thursday, authorities said.

Candace Lea Driggers, 32, of Stonegate Lane remains in custody at the Clay County Jail on a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty, according to the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Her husband reported that he had last seen the dog -- a healthy Chihuahua-terrier mix -- alive Sept. 28, according to court papers.

Driggers, her husband alleged, put the dog inside a pillowcase and tied it shut before throwing it into a retention pond to drown behind their home, where he later found it.

Driggers is being held on $50,000 bond, according to an arrest warrant.

(FCN - Oct 9, 2015)

Brooke Summers faces animal cruelty charges after leaving puppy alone in vehicle

KENTUCKY -- A Shepherdsville woman faces animal cruelty charges after leaving her dog in a car unattended.

According to the arrest report, Brooke Summers, 25, was arrested Wednesday after she left her 6-month-old Chihuahua puppy alone in her vehicle, which resulted in the dog's death.

Police say the vehicle was parked on S. 7th Street for about an hour. The passenger side window was left open and the puppy was tied to a bucket inside the vehicle.

Police say at some point while Summers was away, the dog jumped from the window of the vehicle. However, the tether tied to its  collar wasn't long enough and the dog died from apparent asphyxiation.

The arrest report says Summers' neglect to provide proper care for the dog resulted in its death.

Louisville Metro Animal Services investigated the case.

Summers is expected in court for arraignment Thursday. She faces one count of 2nd Degree Cruelty to Animals.

(WDRB - Oct 6, 2015)

Pit bull's fate uncertain after attacking animal control officer

GEORGIA -- An animal control officer attacked by two pit bulls this week is recovering from severe injuries on his arms.

One of the dogs died during the attack and the other remains in quarantine.

“The second dog is being observed right now to ensure it doesn't have rabies because the owner did not have accurate records,” said Drale Short, Division Manger of the Animal Control Center.

Short says her employee who was attacked will be off of work for more than two weeks but the fate of the pit bull that survived is still not certain.

“We have requested that the state classify the dog as a vicious animal,” says Short.

Once the dog is classified by the state as a dangerous animal, the owner has three options: appeal, put the dog down or accept it and comply with all of the state requirements for housing  a vicious animal.

Those requirements include micro-chipping them, having a $50,000 surety bond, marking every entrance of their property with a vicious animal sign and providing a secured outdoor pen for the animal.

Short says following this incident the Columbus Animal Control Center is looking into additional tools to help protect their animal control officers.

(WTOC - ‎Oct 31, 2015)‎

Earlier:

• Animal control officer severely injured in pit bull attack