Rhode Island: Pekingese named Munchkin mauled while in her own yard by a Pit Bull

RHODE ISLAND -- our fur baby Munchkin was attacked in our yard by a pit bull, we told the owner the bill amount he said he didn't have that kind of money, & why were we getting her help she is gonna die anyway

please any help would be great, we are on a fixed income, we borrowed the money to save her but we would love to pay back the ones who helped

thanks so much & GOD BLESS. we will need this amount by the end of the month if possible

GOFUNDME: help paying vet hospital
Created February 16, 2018
Lori Renaud
  Medical
  PROVIDENCE, RI

Arkansas: Deaf woman's service dog attacked by neighbor's Pit Bull

ARKANSAS -- Sarah Hale shared a link on Facebook January 4, 2018 at 10:56pm

My service dog was attacked last night by a pit bull, and I am hoping a few animal loving souls could donate money so I can get her dislocated hip repaired tomorrow morning!

GoFundMe: Service Dog injured by BIG DOG PIT BULL
Created January 4, 2018
Sarah Hale
  Animals
  SPRINGDALE, AR

Bella the walrus is my 10 year old hearing service dog.

She was injured by my neighbor's big dog Pit Bull Wednesday (01/03/18) night and her hip is dislocated and we just don't have the money to pay for it.

She is my extra set of ears and is my life-line when my hearing aids are off for the night. She alerts me to weather, alarms, my phone, people and all in specific ways.

Last night while she was being injured my 8 month old puppy (was at the vet from suddenly coming ill with non-stop seizures, We received the phone call about Bella's injuries not even a minute after he had to be put to sleep from having brain damage from over heating from the seizures.

Bella was on her leash outside of the neighbors house and their BIG DOG PIT BULL got loose and pinned her to the ground until it was pulled off of her.

We were given an estimate by the emergency vet for $1,000 just for the initial putting the hip back in place, but there's a good possibility that she will need surgery or amputation which is why I am asking for enough to cover all of it.

UPDATE: we have found a local regular vet willing to do any treatment she needs with a down payment of $200 towards everything and a payment plan.  The first $200 that was raised's deposit should hit the bank early this week and we will start Bella's road to recovery then!

Please keep donating so we so we can cover all her upcoming bills.

Any money not spent on Bella's medical care will be donated to the Gandalf Fund which helps other service dogs in need.

My family is in a tough spot financially and I need Bella to function at home.

If you could be an angel for the angel on my shoulder and donate even a small amount, every bit helps!

Vermont: "I tried to save him my hands were torn apart by the pit bull and I couldn't save my Charlie"

VERMONT -- Missy Paya posted on Facebook October 5, 2017

My Charlie died ten months ago I didn't know something could hurt so bad for so long until I lost him.

Charlie was killed by a pit bull not just any Pit bull but it was a friend's dog.

Charlie was not only my best friend he was also my registered service dog emotional therapy he also became a big brother to Gunner the little tan puppy you see he was also a little brother to my son who is 17.

The loss that we suffered was tremendous my parents were devastated because he was like their grandson my son was devastated because his brother died and I was devastated because it was like I lost a child and my little Gunner was never the same.

I am lucky enough to be able to have Charlie's remains with me but I want him I want him to come home I miss all the little things that he used to do I miss him riding on the center console in the car I miss just his presence all together when does it stop hurting.

I still can't talk about him without shedding tears because it is true hurt I was there I tried to save him my hands were torn apart by the pit bull and I couldn't save my Charlie 

my next move was to grab my Gunner and get out of the house so that they didn't turn their attention to Gunner.

I still have Gunner I love him to pieces we have a bond like no other he suffered that day as well going to never leaves my side gunner is a very vocal dog he cries a lot in his sleep but he's my baby but he will never take the place of my Charlie.

I miss you Charlie you'll always be my boo we'll be together again someday.

Texas: Pekingese named Annabelle mauled by Pit Bull which has apparently been terrorizing the neighborhood

TEXAS -- Jennifer Marie Nagg posted on Facebook August 11, 2017

Please please say a prayer for my sweet little girl Annabelle!

She was attacked by a pit bull. Her jaw is broken in multiple places and just hanging off her face, puncture wounds all over her little body and possible broken back leg.. 

when the vet finally let me see her she was laying in the corner of the cage crying in pain and shaking so hard, when she saw me she tried to stand up and come to me😭 hoping she will be able to get her reconstructive surgery tomorrow, if not tomorrow then they will make her wait until Monday depending on how she is...

she is being well taken care of at the vet with iv pain meds and water to keep her hydrated and sedated.. say a little prayer for me too if you don't mind cause I'm a mess... nothing bad has ever happened to my baby so to see her like this and not her happy playful self is heart breaking....

Also PLEASE if you have an aggressive dog put a muzzle on them and make sure they are being taken care of properly... my boyfriend also got bit by the pit while trying to break up the fight... I love all animals but have realized that charges must be pressed in order to save the next victim 😢

Sandy Anastasi - Yes please press charges. I used to breed Pekes and a student of mine bought a brother and sister that became like children to her, going everywhere with her for years. One night she was out walking with her boyfriend and her Pekes and two off-leash pit bulls came running by, grabbing her little girl and ripping her apart between them and running off with her, also biting her boyfriend who tried to grab the poor thing from their mouths. She never saw her baby again. Her little boy died a short time later.

I hear so much about people who want to talk about how gentle, loving and protective their pit bulls are but remember the breed was bred to hunt, attack and kill and those are instincts that make many of them lethal outside of their own pack.

Pit bull and other attack-bred breed owners need to remember that and those dogs should never be allowed off leash or unmuzzled when around other dogs and people not part of their pack-family.

I am sending huge love and healing to your little girl. ❤️

Julie Kempke - Mine was attacked by a Rottweiler. He lost a eye but made a really great recovery. My heart breaks for you

Jennifer Marie Nagg - Currently we are dealing with animal control and our angry neighbors ): they haven't been able to do the surgery yet ): we are about to go check on her and see how she is at the vet I will keep you guys posted as best as I can thank you all for your sweet wishes of healing thank you so mucb

Sharmon Lester Beasley - Please press charges. Praying for you and your baby .When I was a teenager a pit attacked my peek, Pojo . Puncture wounds, and a slit across his throat, several days under vet care and weeks of recovery. He was timid after that when walking him. It breaks my heart to see pekes or any animal hurting. I would press charges for sure. I know it's awful but , the pit that attacked my Pojo , died from lead poisoning. My Daddy didn't play about his babies. He knocked on the mans door and ask him if he wanted to tell his dog goodbye.

Bonnie Barber-Jones - I'm so so sorry you and Annabelle are going through this. My Sugar Bear lost an eye to a Pit Bull attack. Then a few years later a Queensland Heeler knocked out several of her teeth and tore open her hind end at the dog park. I will be praying for little Annabelle.

GoFundMe: Surgery fund for Annabelle

Annabelle our beloved Pekingese was violently attacked last night by a Pit Bull. The dog ran my dog down and immediately tried to kill her, the dog almost severed Annabelle's bottom jaw completely off. 

Annabelle needs a very expensive reconstructive surgery for comfort and quality of life for the future. Never one to ask for help, but I need help. Anything you can do is appreciated this is me and Jennifer's baby and she is everything to us.

UPDATE:
This is Annabelle after her violent attack she is doing ok out of critical but a long way to go. This is our baby and it is a tragedy that she is going through this..
We visited Annabelle today, to comfort her and show her love they have her on lots of meds, the surgeon that can fix her will be doing procedure Monday morning. So she is staying in hospital until most likely Tuesday. They are taking good care of her and trying syringe feeding, this is a horrible tragedy that no sweet fur baby should ever have to endure. We are looking into legal actions against the owner of the aggressive dog and the apartment complex who did nothing after reports of this aggressive dog! 

Keep Annabelle in your thoughts and prayers she is our everything.

Texas: Pit bull attacks man and his dog, causing $9,000+ in medical bills. Animal Control gives pit bull back to owner, refuses to try to get pit bull deemed dangerous.

TEXAS -- A Victoria man is worried the dog that viciously attacked him and his Pekingese in February may strike again.

"It's not a matter of if but when he's going to do it again," said Gilbert Hernandez, 51. "What if he attacks a woman with a baby or a child?"

Hernandez said he is frustrated and alarmed the pit bull that almost killed his dog and inflicted injuries on him that cost more than $9,000 in medical bills was given back to its owners by Animal Control.

The pit bull, he said, continues to live around the corner from his house in a neighborhood where strolling women and playing children are a common sight.

Trinity Episcopal School is about 700 feet from where the attack occurred.

Hernandez was walking his dog, Boo, 9, the evening of Feb. 14 about a block away from his house when a gray-and-white pit bull he estimated at 90 pounds attacked him unprovoked.

"I saw him out of the corner of my eye," Hernandez said. "He lunged. He jumped and bit my chest and just clamped on. Once he let go, I was just spewing blood."

For about 45 minutes, Hernandez, who weighs more than 200 pounds, fought and wrestled with the dog, which continued to attack him despite his best efforts to defend himself.

"I hit this guy with everything I had," he said.

According to a Victoria Police Department report, officers found Hernandez sitting on top of the dog, which had fresh blood on its jaws, after they had received a call reporting a disturbance.

According to that report, the pit bull could have escaped after recent rains collapsed the roof of its kennel.

Hernandez suffered bites to his chest, knees and arms and required two stitches. He still bears significant scarring from those wounds.

He was transported by ambulance to Citizens Medical Center for treatment.

But Boo fared far worse. The less than 14-pound Pekingese required three internal stitches and two staples to seal a gaping shoulder wound inflicted from the pit bull's teeth, Hernandez said.

And Boo has also suffered mental, post-traumatic stress from the attack.

"It screwed him up big time. After the attack, he couldn't go down that road. He would stop and back up. It would freak him out," he said.

Hernandez now avoids the area where the attack occurred and also carries a gun.

For Hernandez, seeing Boo in such shape was extremely distressing.

"Boo is not my pet. He's not my dog. He's my child," he said.

When he was gifted Boo, the dog was about a month old and fit in the palm of his hand. Hernandez, a combat veteran who served in Iraq, said he found the puppy had a miraculous affect on the mental demons he has born from his military service.

"When I have a bad day ... he jumps on top of me. He kisses me a million times, and I just melt," Hernandez said.

Those mental and physical traumas as well as the violent and unprovoked nature of the pit bull's attack should have meant severe penalties for its owner, he said.

 

 

According to Victoria County Animal Control records, the dog was returned to its owner after a 10-day quarantine.

Those records show the pit bull, named Sensei, belongs to a Louis Martinez, who lives in the 600 block of West Nueces Street. Members of the Martinez family declined to comment.

Louis Sylvester Martinez (aka Louis Lechuga Martinez), 59, 607 W Nueces St, Victoria, TX 77901.

Hernandez said the family was fined by animal control, but the Advocate was unable to confirm the charge or the amount of the fine.

Hernandez has hired an attorney and is considering suing the owners to recover medical expenses.

VICTORIA, TEXAS HAS A DANGEROUS DOG LAW, WHY IS ANIMAL CONTROL REFUSING TO APPLY IT?

According to an ordinance adopted by Victoria County in July 2012, dogs are deemed "dangerous" if a written, formal complaint is lodged. If animal control's director finds reasonable cause, the dog is ordered seized and a hearing is scheduled.

If that hearing finds the dog is indeed dangerous, it can be ordered destroyed or released but only on numerous conditions.

A dog that is deemed dangerous must be micro-chipped; wear a red, county-issued tag on its collar at all times; and wear a muzzle when outside of its enclosure.

Additionally, owners of dangerous dogs must purchase liability insurance covering at least $100,000.

VICTIM WAS GIVEN THE RUNAROUND BY ANIMAL CONTROL WHEN HE TRIED TO GET THE PIT BULL DEEMED DANGEROUS. 

But those proceedings never started for the pit bull that attacked Hernandez and Boo because a formal complaint was never filed, said an animal control employee who refused to be identified as she supplied the Advocate with requested public information documents.

But Hernandez said he visited animal control twice within a week of the attack to do just that. He said employees told him they "were satisfied with the outcome" of the dog's quarantine and would not accept a complaint.

When Hernandez approached the police department with his problem, he said, they told him the matter was an animal control issue.

Animal control's chief officer could not be reached for comment.

Furthermore, animal control has noted the dog's behavior in its own documents, corroborating much of Hernandez's claims. 

Animal control records describe the dog that attacked Hernandez as a large, "very aggressive" dog that made an "unprovoked" attack.

CHRISTY BEAR, PIT BULL ADVOCATE APOLOGIST
While Christy Bear, pit bull advocate and president of the Crossroads nonprofit Rebel Rescue, said humans are to blame for the pit bull's attack, "every animal is capable of aggression because they cannot communicate their feelings outside of action."

Fixing future bad behavior, she said, is not about punishing a dog but about understanding what human or environmental effects led to the attack.

"What is the animal's story, and why don't people concern themselves with that in these situations?" she said. "Every animal can attack a person depending on the circumstances. I urge the public to consider the circumstances over the breed of an animal."

And I would urge Christy Bear to quit trying to push pit bulls on us and focus on the pit bull owners. Mandatory sterilization unless the dog is registered (AKC, UKC). Mandatory muzzles when out in public. Mandatory liability insurance for owners.

(Victoria Advocate - May 20, 2017)

Canada: “I’d kind of been sitting on the fence as far as pit bulls go... But after going through something like this, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re unpredictable, dangerous dogs”

CANADA -- A Westside man whose dog was killed by a pit bull couldn’t believe the animal’s sudden viciousness and relentless ferocity.

The off-leash pit bull ambled peaceably up to Norm McParland as he was walking his two small dogs. Moments later, the bit pull had Baxter, McParland’s Pekingese, locked in its jaws.

McParland and another man fought desperately to free Baxter and eventually succeeded. But the dog’s head and face were so badly mauled that a veterinarian recommended it be put down.

The incident left McParland badly shaken, and it forever changed his views of pit bulls and their capacity for violence.

“I’d kind of been sitting on the fence as far as pit bulls go,” McParland said Wednesday. “But after going through something like this, there’s no doubt in my mind that they’re unpredictable, dangerous dogs.”

After the Oct. 1 attack, the pit bull’s owner agreed to have his dog put down.

But McParland still wants to draw attention to his experience in hopes of convincing people never to let their guard down around a pit bull, and to suggest what they should try if they ever find themselves in a situation like his.

McParland said he had no sense things were going to take a terrible turn as he walked his dogs down Michelle Crescent on the Westside. A pit bull, having apparently worked itself free of a short leash in a neighbor’s front yard, approached them in a non-threatening manner.

“There was no sign of aggression or malice,” McParland said. “He looked as calm as a pussy cat, as if he wanted to be petted.”

But the placid demeanor changed in an instant, without provocation or warning.

The pit bull attacked Buddy, and McParland, aided by a neighbor who’d heard the commotion, fought to free the small, 10-year-old dog.

“We were hitting and kicking the pit bull, but it wouldn’t let go,” McParland said.

He then remembered something he’d read about how to fend off a pit bull attack.

“I’d seen something about pulling the dog’s two front legs as far apart as you can,” McParland said. “Apparently, the pain that causes to their breastbone convinces them to stop the attack.”

The pit bull did indeed break off the attack, but it was too late.

Baxter’s injuries were so severe that he was euthanized later that day.

McParland said his wife has long had the view that pit bulls were dangerously unpredictable. He wishes now he’d picked up his dogs when he first saw the pit bull coming toward them.

“Something just clicked in that dog and it turned into a killer,” McParland said. “Honestly, I don’t think he could have helped it. They’ve just got something in their genes.”

(Daily Courier - Oct 20, 2016)

Oklahoma: Ronald Parker, 65, already on probation for meth, is facing animal cruelty charges

OKLAHOMA -- A 65-year-old Perkins man has been charged with failing to provide necessary medical attention, shots, food and water for the care of nine dogs kept inside his residence — while he was in the Payne County Jail for violating his probation in a methamphetamine possession case.

Ronald Ray Parker, who remains on probation for possessing methamphetamine at his residence in 2013, was arraigned on a felony animal cruelty charge last week. Parker has been freed on $5,000 bond pending an Oct. 28 court appearance with an attorney in his animal cruelty case, court records show.

The nine dogs, which were initially placed in the Perkins Animal Welfare Department, “were transferred to a rescue and all are doing well,” Perkins Police Chief Bob Ernst said.

Perkins Police Officer George Hannon was sent to Parker’s residence on July 22 to check on the dogs’ welfare with Animal Control Supervisor Colleen Crummy, according to his affidavit.

A relative of Parker said “he received a call from Ronald (Parker) this morning asking him to take care of his animals,” but the front door was locked, the affidavit said.

“We walked around to the back of the residence and attempted to enter through the back sliding glass door,” which had a piece of wood blocking the track, the Perkins officer wrote in his affidavit.

“I was able to see several small dogs inside the residence. I was also able to see urine and feces all over the floor. The smell outside the glass door was overwhelming. I was able to knock the wood over and open the door,” the Perkins police officer wrote in his affidavit.

“AC Crummy and I rounded up the dogs and got them outside the residence so we could check on them. There were nine dogs inside the residence. All of the animals appeared to be in poor health. One of the dogs had a large open wound on its abdomen with maggots in it. This dog also appeared to have recently had a litter of puppies.

“All of the dogs were infested with fleas and they all had skin sores. The dogs had severe matting and some of the dogs had feces in the matted hair,” the Perkins officer alleged in his affidavit.

“There were roaches everywhere in the residence…they fell off the cabinet doors... they were crawling on the clothing that were hung up in the closets. There was no running water to the residence due to a leak in the yard…The dog food that was out had vomit in it along with roaches, and it was sitting on urine and feces, which covered the entire floor.

“There were bags of trash on the floors, counter tops, the stove and furniture,” the affidavit alleged.

A man told the Perkins officer that “the house is always in that condition and that he tries to clean it,” the affidavit alleged.

He said “when a dog dies in the residence, Ronald (Parker) will place it on a dresser instead of disposing of it. No corpses were found during our time in the residence,” the Perkins officer wrote in his affidavit.

“The dogs were seen by the OSU medical staff,” which confirmed that the dogs were flea-infested, the affidavit said.

“The dog with the open wound will require surgery. One of the dogs had feces-impacted paws. Another of the dogs had fractured teeth. Most of the dogs have severe matting and skin sores that will require medical attention beyond this initial visit,” the affidavit said.

“Due to the conditions of the house and Ronald’s age, I’m sending a referral to Adult Protective Services,” the Perkins officer wrote in his affidavit.

Two weeks later, Parker voluntarily forfeited to the Perkins Animal Welfare Department his ownership of the small dogs described as a male Pomeranian mix, a male Pekingese mix, a male Yorkie mix, a female Shih Tzu mix, another male Yorkie mix, a male Shih Tzu mix, a male terrier and Shih Tzu mix, another male Yorkie mix and a female Pekingese, court records show.

In 2014, Parker had been placed on a four-year deferred sentence with conditions including a substance abuse evaluation and random drug testing for possessing methamphetamine at his residence in February 2013, court records show.

Two and one-half years later, on July 14 of this year, Parker was ruled in violation of his probation and given a five-year suspended sentence except a 30-day jail term, court records show.

If convicted of cruelty to animals, Parker could be given as much as a five-year prison term and a $5,000 fine, according to the charge filed last week by Payne County Assistant District Attorney Tom Lee.

(1600KUSH - Oct 6, 2016)

New Hampshire: Toby Tousley, who fatally kicked neighbor's 15 year-old Pomeranian, found guilty of animal cruelty

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- Kicking a dog hard enough to kill was excessive, inappropriate, negligent and, ultimately, animal cruelty a Keene resident learned Wednesday in a court order finding him guilty of the misdemeanor.

Judge L. Phillips Runyon III issued his finding Wednesday after presiding over the bench trial of Toby Tousley, 55, on June 23 in 8th Circuit Court District Division for a kick last Octobor that left a neighbor’s 15-year-old Pomeranian injured and dying.

‘Teddy’ weighed about 20 pounds and stood only 10 inches tall, owner William LaPlante said in court last week.

During the trial, Tousley’s defense attorney Richard Guerriero argued that the dog, contrary to town ordinances, wasn’t on a leash and was in the act of defecating on Tousley’s property when it was kicked.

But that explanation didn’t hold water with Runyon, who said the kick was unjustified and animal cruelty under the law for mistreatment of an animal.

“The act was not justified as in defense of the defendant or anyone else, and while the dog was violating the defendant’s property rights, there were many alternate ways to resolve that situation without kicking the dog,” the judge wrote.

“In other words, the defendant’s response was so inappropriate and excessive that it rose to the level of mistreatment. The defendant could not have known that his kick would seriously injure or cause the dog’s death, but he certainly would or should have been aware that such a kick might cause some injury to the dog. That is negligence at the very least.”

Keene police went to LaPlante’s home at 147 Carroll St. in Keene on Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. for a report that his dog had been kicked by Tousley and had died.

Tousley owns and operates Tousley Property Management on Emerald Street in Keene and the rental property at 143 Carroll St, near LaPlante’s home. Tousley was at his rental property that day to work on the furnace in the basement.

A sentencing hearing will be scheduled in the district court. Guerriero said at trial last week his client will appeal if found guilty.

(New Hampshire Union Leader - June 30, 2016)

Earlier:

• New Hampshire: Toby Tousley, 55, accused of kicking, killing tiny dog says there are two sides to the story
• New Hampshire: New trial date set for Toby Tousley, 55, accuse of kicking small dog named Teddy to death

New Hampshire: New trial date set for Toby Tousley, 55, accuse of kicking small dog named Teddy to death

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- A Keene businessman’s trial on a charge of animal cruelty has been rescheduled for June 23.

Toby Tousley, 55, of Washington St., Keene, is charged with misdemeanor cruelty to an animal.

The trial was scheduled to take place in the 8th Circuit Court District Division in Keene last week, but was moved to the 8th Circuit Court District Division in Jaffrey shortly before that, then canceled.

The trial was rescheduled to take place on June 23 at noon in the Jaffrey court.

The misdemeanor cruelty to an animal charge alleges Tousley kicked Teddy, a 17-year-old Pomeranian-Pekingese mix, causing his death.

Keene Police went to 147 Carroll St. on Oct. 3 at 1 p.m. for a report that Tousley had kicked and killed the dog.

Tousley, who owns and operates Tousley Property Management on Emerald Street in Keene, was working at 143 Carroll St. — one of his properties — that day. According to Keene police Sgt. Thaddeus Derendal, in October Teddy came onto Tousley’s property while Tousley was working there that day.

“The dog started to go to the bathroom,” Derendal said, and Tousley tried to shoo the dog away.

“When that didn’t work, he kicked it once,” Derendal said. “Then it died.”

That week, Tousley turned himself into police on a warrant for his arrest and was released on $1,000 personal recognize bail.

After his arrest, Tousley said on the Good Morning Dan Mitchell radio show on WKBK 107.5 FM that he was being “crucified.”

RIP Teddy

He added that tenants of his rental property on Carroll Street have complained to him before about the dog, and added: “People just think their dogs are the best dogs in the world and they can just let them do whatever they want.”

That same week, Teddy’s owners, Bill and Cheryl LaPlante, said the community’s outrage prompted the formation of a group called “Justice For Teddy,” which approached them asking if the group could pay for an autopsy on the dog.

They agreed to the procedure, which Cheshire Animal Hospital in Keene confirmed was being performed by one of its veterinarians.

Kilham said Tuesday she could not comment on any possible evidence for the trial.

(Union Leader - March 29, 2016)

Earlier:

• New Hampshire: Toby Tousley, 55, accused of kicking, killing tiny dog says there are two sides to the story

Ohio's continuing pit bull problem: Elderly woman, 84, mauled and her beloved little dog killed when pit bulls invade her home

OHIO -- An 84-year-old woman was attacked inside of her own home by a neighbor’s dog.

The victim, Patricia Blair, said she is still traumatized by the pit bull attack.

The attack happened inside of Blair’s Lebanon house in the 400 block of Knollcrest Court.

Blair’s caregiver was walking her Pekingese when she was followed home by two pit bulls, Bill Blair, the son of the victim, said.

Family members said one of the pit bulls followed the caregiver to the porch of Blair’s home. When the 84-year-old heard a commotion outside, she opened the door.

The pit bull then ran inside and attacked Blair, the caregiver and the Pekingese, family members said.

  

The 2-year-old Pekingese named Milo later died.

"She was not only bit, but she witnessed the death of her beloved dog," said Bill Blair. "It's very traumatic for her. "

Blair and the caregiver suffered bites and cuts on their hands.

"It almost looked a murder scene to me with blood everywhere, on the walls on the railing of the porch,” Bill Blair said. “It was very traumatic for me to see. I can't imagine what they went through."

  

Police said the pit bull’s owner, who lives around the corner, corralled the dog back to his house. The Warren County Dog Warden said the animal is now classified as a dangerous dog.

The pit bull’s owner has 10 days to appeal the classification. He has been cited for failure to confine a dog.

  

Blair's son said he is grateful his mother and mother's caregiver were not more injured. He encouraged dog owners to keep their pets close to them at all times.

"You just need to restrain your dog," he said. "Especially with the children around. It's only a matter of seconds when the attack can occur."

(WLWT - Dec 16, 2015)

New Hampshire: Toby Tousley, 55, accused of kicking, killing tiny dog says there are two sides to the story

NEW HAMPSHIRE -- A businessman charged with animal cruelty says there are two sides to the story.

Toby Tousley, 55, of Washington St., turned himself in Monday afternoon after police told him he was wanted on a warrant, Keene police Sgt. Thaddeus Derendal said Tuesday.

The misdemeanor cruelty to an animal charge alleges Tousley kicked Teddy, a 17-year-old Pekingese Chihuahua mix, causing his death, Derendal said.

A newer article described Teddy as a Pekingese Pomeranian mix.

“Well, I’m getting crucified today,” Tousley said on the Good Morning Dan Mitchell radio show on WKBK 107.5 FM Wednesday morning.

Tousley said he doesn’t have legal representation yet so he didn’t want to get into the details of the incident, but said there are two sides to the story.

“This has nothing to do with an elderly blind dog taking a dump on my property,” Tousley said. “I’m sorry that people can’t take care of their dogs the way they are supposed to.”

Tousley said tenants of his rental property on Carroll Street have complained to him before about this dog.

“People just think their dogs are the best dogs in the world and they can just let them do whatever they want,” Tousley said.

Tousley added that unfortunately police do not ticket people when they let their dogs run loose.

“There are statewide laws that require people have their dogs under control,” he said.

Tousley ran for the Ward 2 City Council seat, but did not garner enough votes in Tuesday’s primary to make it on to the general election ballot.

Police went to 147 Carroll St., on Saturday at 1 p.m. for a report that Tousley had kicked and killed the dog.

RIP Teddy

On Saturday, Tousley was working on a rental property he owns, Derendal said, when Teddy walked into the yard.

“The dog started to go to the bathroom,” Derendal said, “Tousley [claims he] tried to shoo the dog away.”

“When that didn’t work, he [brutally] kicked it once,” Derendal said. “Then it died.”

Tousley was released on $1,000 personal recognizance. He will be arraigned Dec. 10.

Tousley owns and operates Tousley Property Management on Emerald Street.

(Union Leader - Oct 7, 2015)

Vermont: More than 70 animals suffered at the hands of Russell Goodell, 50. He's allowed to plead no contest to 2 counts of animal cruelty and gets probation

VERMONT -- One of the suspects in ongoing animal cruelty investigation in Eden entered a plea agreement Wednesday.

Russell Goodwell, 50, was living in a room in the Eden home where more than 70 animals were relinquished to humane workers in February. Goodell was the caretaker for two dogs named "Peanut" and "Reba." He plead no contest to two animal cruelty charges.

The dogs, cats and duck found inside the home were living in boxes and cages, according to humane workers. The animals were found underfed and dehydrated.

Goodell surrendered the two dogs that lived in his room to rescue workers during the massive rescue.

 

"He understands now the level of care the dogs received was not up to what society would believe it should be," said Mark Keller, Goodell's lawyer.

As part of the plea agreement Goodell will serve five years probation with a suspended sentence of up to one year in jail. During his probation period, he is not allowed to own or live in a home with animals. A town humane officer will make unannounced visits to make sure he complies.

  

  

The police affidavit lists 10 dogs that were in particularly bad shape. Here are some of the dozens of health conditions described in the affidavit, all of which include filth and feces:

Destiny, a 7-year-old boxer mix, was emaciated, covered with open wounds, and was vomiting feces. Her digestive system was “overwhelmed” by parasites.

Jack, a German shorthair mix of unknown age, had a scar on his side, a badly overgrown nail and his muscles were wasting away.

Jaxon, a 3-year-old pit bull mix, had similar conditions, and lots of tartar on his teeth.

Mia, a 5-year-old boxer mix, had a bloody tail, ulcers on her hip bones, and swollen pads on her feet.Brutus, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, was badly dehydrated, and had mange and pressure sores on his hocks.

Murphy, a 2-year-old pit bull mix, had a weepy eye, mange, dermatitis and a lesion on the tip of his tail.

Angie, a 5-year-old terrier mix, had overgrown nails, was extremely dirty and was covered with feces and soaked with urine.

 Buddy, a Pekingese between 5 and 7 years old, was difficult to examine because of the amount of “matting” of excrement and dirt, but had a raft of problems with his eyes, and toenails that were so badly ingrown only two of them could initially be removed.

Roscoe, a dachshund mix of unknown age, had weepy eyes and tapeworms.

  

"Having witnessed the kind of misery these animals were living in I think personally I would prefer someone who kept animals like this never own another animal ever," said Deborah Loring, Spring Hill Horse Rescue.

The other suspect in the case is Carol Merchant. She was the primary owner of the majority of the animals. She plead not guilty to felony charges earlier this year.

Lamoille County State's Attorney Paul Finnerty called the entire ordeal horrible. In court, he voiced his hope that Goodell will think twice if he ever owns a pet again.

"The state's hope is that by admitting responsibility and participating in the reparative board, that Mr. Goodell will gain some insight into the seriousness of the charges and the community will be made whole," Finnerty said.

Merchant is scheduled to appear in court Oct. 7.

(WPTZ - Oct 2, 2015)

Earlier:

• Dozens of animals rescued from Eden property
• Eden woman, Carol Merchant, charged with several felony counts of animal cruelty
• Details emerge of Eden dog horrors

Attorney: Delco Animal Control acted appropriately in Darby dog mauling

PENNSYLVANIA -- An attorney representing a local animal control company under investigation for a fatal animal mauling last week said Wednesday that his clients did everything they were supposed to when two stray Rottweilers were left with a Darby Borough family.

“From our perspective, Delaware County Animal Control acted fully and consistently with the law and appropriate protocol,” said attorney Gerard Schrom.

This is Louie, the blind 10-year-old Pekinese who was
mauled to death by two Rottweilers in Darby Borough

 

The Chester County SPCA issued a release Tuesday indicating it was investigating the attack at Neomia Green’s home on Sept. 4 that resulted in the death of her blind, 10-year-old Pekinese, Louie.

Green did not respond to a message seeking comment Wednesday.

Patrolman Marcus Pope responded to Frank’s Steaks on the 200 block Main Street at about 11:40 p.m. Sept. 3, where one of the Rottweilers had run into the store and laid on the floor, according to an incident report. While Pope was waiting for dispatch to notify animal control, he received word that another stray dog was being held at a house on the 200 block of North Seventh Street.

Pope put the dog from the steak shop into his vehicle and met animal control officer Christine Cizmarik at the Seventh Street house.

Green told Pope and Cizmarik that her grandson had found the second dog and leashed it. Green said she had washed the dog and told her grandson he could keep it. Green asked if there was another dog in Pope’s vehicle and he told her there was another Rottweiler. Green asked if she could have that dog as well.

Cizmarik said she could only collect dogs if they had been micro chipped. She was unable to locate a chip on either dog and therefore could not take the animals, according to the report.

Cizmarik told Green that if she was going to take one dog, then she needed to take both, according to the report. She informed Green that there was a process before she could actually claim the dogs.

Cizmarik then took photos of Green with both dogs with the intention of creating a post on the company’s website in case the owner was searching for them. Schrom said that post was never created.

Green said she had no problem housing both dogs and that she already had a dog in the house.

Cizmarik asked Green multiple times if she wanted her to introduce the dogs, since two males were involved, and Green stated multiple times that she did not need the dogs introduced, according to the report.

A supplemental report fielded by Officer Sara Keenan indicated officers were dispatched back to the home at 2:22 a.m. for a report of a vicious dog attack and that the victim dog, Louie, was dead.

These are the two Rottweilers which killed Louie

Green told responding officers that one of the Rottweilers had burst out of a basement and attacked her small dog. She said she tried to get the larger dog off of her Pekinese but was unable to do so.

Animal Control was contacted and indicated they would respond, but said they would not be able to do anything because they could not take the animals anywhere, according to the report.

Officers tried several other agencies, including one rescue group that indicated it could take the animals for $500. The dogs were eventually secured at the Darby Police Department, where they were held until Chester County Animal Control came to collect them in the morning.

Schrom said Wednesday that there is no perfect solution for stray dogs, but his clients had acted correctly in this instance by cautioning Green to keep the dogs separate and offering to introduce them. He noted there is no prohibition against allowing a citizen to hold a dog until its owner is found.

Rahn Monrea’l, the owner of Delaware County Animal Control, filed suit against the Chester County SPCA, Delaware County, and state officials company in federal court in July, alleging they conspired to drive him out of business.

That suit is pending before district Judge Harvey Bartle III of the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

(Delaware County Daily Times  - Sept 11, 2015)