California: Lucio Lopez accused of torturing kitten by locking her inside freezer, viciously squeezing her, then throwing her off balcony breaking her leg

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA -- A Fontana man has been arrested on suspicion of animal cruelty after allegedly putting a kitten in his freezer and then throwing her off his balcony, leaving the cat with serious injuries, police said Tuesday.

Officers began investigating last Friday afternoon after receiving a report of a man assaulting a 3- to 4-month-old kitten in the 9200 block of Olive Street, according to a Fontana Police Department news release.

The man, identified as 34-year-old Lucio Lopez, alleged became angry with the feline for entering his apartment and locked the cat inside the freezer [for an undetermined amount of time], witnesses told police.

He is accused of later taking the small animal out of the freezer and squeezing her body “as the frightened kitten cried out in pain,” the release stated.

After, he allegedly threw the cat off a second-floor balcony, police said. The feline hit the concrete below and suffered major injuries to her chest and a fractured leg.

“The kitten is doing as well as could be, but will need surgery and much needed love,” the release said.

Lopez initially fled the scene but was apprehended by police as he drove in the area of Oleander and San Bernardino avenues, according to the release. He was arrested and booked on suspicion of animal cruelty and an outstanding warrant.

Fontana Police Department Animal Cruelty Arrest

On 02/06/18, at approximately 2:45 am, Fontana PD officers responded to an apartment complex in the 9200 block of Olive, regarding Lucio Lopez (34) assaulting a 3-4 month old kitten.

Lopez fled the scene before the initial officer arrived.  Officers canvased the area and located Lopez driving in the area of Oleander and San Bernardino.

An investigation revealed Lopez was upset with the kitten for entering the apartment. Witnesses reported Lopez placed the kitten in the freezer.  Lopez later took the kitten out of the freezer and began squeezing its body as the frightened kitten cried out in pain. Lopez threw the kitten off the second story balcony.  The kitten struck the concrete floor resulting in major injuries to its chest and a fractured leg.

Lopez was arrested by officers and booked at the West Valley Detention Center for animal cruelty and an outstanding warrant. Fontana Animal Services responded to the scene and transported the kitten to the veterinarian for emergency treatment.

The kitten is doing as well as could be, but will need surgery and much needed love.

• Suspect: Lucio Cota Lopez, 34, Fontana resident
• Victim: 3-4 month old, female tortoiseshell kitten nicknamed “Olive” by emergency room staff  

(KTLA - February 6, 2018)

North Dakota: Samuel Mieke charged with assaulting Fargo woman, sitting on Chihuahua

NORTH DAKOTA -- A 38-year-old man is accused in Cass County District Court of injuring a woman and her Chihuahua during an assault that allegedly took place in the woman's Fargo home Sunday.

Samuel J. Mieke is charged with one count of aggravated assault/domestic violence and one count of animal cruelty.

According to court documents filed in the case:

A woman told police Sunday evening that Mieke, whom she has known for a long time, became angry with her after drinking and punched her in the shoulder.

She said he also grabbed her by the throat and pressed with his thumbs, preventing her from breathing, and later struck her several times on the back with his boots, causing pain.

The woman told police Mieke knew she recently had surgery on her back.

She also said Mieke sat on her Chihuahua before grabbing the dog by the throat and throwing the animal.

Court documents do not specify the extent of the dog's injuries.

When Mieke was later located by police, he told them nothing physical occurred and he denied striking the woman.

He was taken to jail and made a court appearance on the charges Tuesday.

CURRENT CHARGES:

• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 ANIMAL CRUELTY
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 ASSAULT AGGRAVATED
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 RESISTING POLICE OFFICER
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 TAMPERING W/WITNESS
• MIEKE, SAMUEL J Male White 7/30/1977 12:00 AM 2016-00002323 VIOL ORDER PROHIB CONTACT

(InForum - March 8, 2016)

Webster teen arrested after pet deaths under investigation for separate incident

NEW YORK -- The Webster teen who police said killed a neighbor's four pets is under investigation for animal cruelty involving his own.

"Where do these acts of violence stop?" asked Joseph Meyer, whose family was victimized Saturday.

People on his quiet Webster street also want to know why the 14-year-old has been released to the custody of his father rather than being held in a secure location. "I wouldn't want anything like this to happen again. It's just got to stop," said Meyer.

 

He stands in his mother's house which is suddenly way too quiet. The constant chirping of birds, a gift to his mother from his now deceased father, is gone. Nearly every window in the back of the house carries a reminder of damage from a BB gun allegedly shot from the neighbor's back yard.

Thirteen holes in one bedroom pane show an alarming level of violence. "I know people whose kids have had trouble with the law for less offenses, those not nearly as violent, and being minors were put into juvenile detention," he said.

Instead, the teenager was released with the condition that he be continually supervised.

13WHAM News obtained the juvenile risk assessment form used by the state. It's called DRAI (Detention Risk Assessment Instrument) and contains four questions on a point system for determining risk.

The burglary charge was enough to add a point and require the supervision. Any further detention would have required evidence of possible petitions or warrants already pending in family court.

Sources tell 13WHAM the allegations of past abuse involving family dogs may have only come to light after Saturday's incident. They are currently being investigated by Humane Society Investigators.

Dr. Santo Bentivegna is a psychiatrist and forensic expert in cases involving children who behave violently, including those who abuse animals. "These are warning signs, and I think police have to be notified when they see these things," he said. "This is not a joke. This is not something that is going to go away without help."

The family's African Gray Parrot and 9-year-old daughter's bearded dragon were killed after being shot at close range by a BB gun.

The Meyers say their cat was spared only because it ran and hid in the basement. Lights turned on in the basement indicate to them the teen went down there, perhaps following the frightened cat. A larger bird and bearded lizard were shot to death.

The teenager allegedly told police he crushed her two cockatiels named Dracula and Valerie in his own hands. "That is a sign of very deep aggression and deep rage," said Dr. Bentivegna. "It's not enough to use a weapon of some sort, but one has to use one's own hands."

New York law allows juveniles as young as 13 to be charged as adults for high level crimes. In this case, the teen is charged with Burglary 3rd and Criminal Mischief; both are low-level felonies which do not qualify.

No one answered the door at the teen's house Tuesday. On Monday night, an adult there called this a "personal matter" and asked reporters to leave. Joseph Meyer said the single father was a good man and neighbor but he remains concerned. "This yard and this community are full of pets. (the teenager) can step over that fence and have the opportunity to harm another animal," he said.

(13WHAM - Dec 15, 2015)

Axel Salemi, 18, 'killed cat with his bare hands after sister refused to give his bong back,' court hears

ILLINOIS -- he 18-year-old man accused of killing a kitten with his bare hands had become enraged during an argument with his sister over a bong, a prosecutor said in court Wednesday.

The judge in the case refused to lower the bond for Axel Salemi, 18. He is accused of killing the 7-week-old kitten that his mother, who runs an animal rescue out of their Crystal Lake home, had taken in, officials said.

Salemi is accused of felony aggravated animal cruelty and criminal damage to a domesticated animal.

Salemi's attorney, Assistant Public Defender Grant Tucker, asked that Salemi's bond be reduced to $10,000 from $20,000. Tucker said Salemi is a student at McHenry County College and works at a restaurant in McHenry. The lawyer said that if Salemi is released on bond, he will live in Chicago with his grandfather, who does not own any pets. Tucker also said Salemi will undergo psychiatric counseling.

But Judge Michael Feetterer said that though Salemi is young and presumed innocent, the violent nature of Salemi's alleged crime concerns him.

The judge, addressing Salemi, said he must "consider the safety of not only the public but to yourself. There is some anger in you that needs to be addressed."

Referring to past charges against Salemi and the violent nature of the current allegation, Feetterer said he is concerned that Salemi is "starting to string together criminal offenses at a very young age."

In March, Salemi was charged with domestic battery and consumption of alcoholic liquor by a minor, records show. He later pleaded guilty to a lesser charge of disorderly conduct, and the alcohol-related charge was dropped, according to court documents. He was placed on court supervision, which was to have ended next June.

Those charges stemmed from an allegation that Salemi struck a female victim in the nose and mouth, drawing blood, and "grabbed her neck," according to the complaint.

Assistant State's Attorney Kate Lenhard called the current case against Salemi "brutal" and said he poses a threat and is a flight risk.

Lenhard said in court Wednesday that before Salemi allegedly squeezed the cat to death, he had argued with his sister over her not returning a water pipe. He then argued with his father, who would not allow him to sell the sister's TV, Lenhard told the judge.

Lenhard said Salemi "purposely crushed (the cat) to death in his hands." He later admitted what he had done to police and told them that killing the kitten "was more difficult than he thought it would be," the prosecutor said.

Lenhard also said that Salemi had called his mother, told her he killed the kitten and "threatened to kill another one if his sister didn't give back his bong."

Following a request from Donna Salemi, Axel's mother, the judge lifted an order preventing Salemi from having contact with his parents. But an order of protection remained in place for Salemi's sister.

Lenhard said Donna Salemi told an official in the state's attorney's office, "Thank God he killed an animal instead of another family member."

Donna Salemi sought to explain those comments when she testified Wednesday, saying she was just glad it was "one situation over another."

She declined to comment after the hearing.

Should Axel Salemi post the required $2,000 of his $20,000 bond, he will be prohibited from having any contact with domesticated animals.

A licensed animal rescue operation called Saving All Our Angels operates out of the Salemis' home, Illinois Department of Agriculture records show, and the rescue is allowed to foster up to four animals at a time, officials said.

After the cat's death, the owner of the animal rescue, as well as McHenry County authorities, contacted a Department of Agriculture field investigator about the case, agency spokeswoman Rebecca Clark said.

Clark said the investigator has visited the rescue site and that the owner is "fully cooperating." The shelter is still operational as the investigation continues, she said.

"At this time, the case remains open as the Department determines what course of action to take regarding the matter," Clark said in an email.

Keri Zaleski, spokeswoman for the McHenry County Health Department, said an agency veterinarian, Lisa Lembke, performed a necropsy on the kitten and determined it died from head trauma.

Axel Salemi is due back in court Dec. 14.

(Chicago Tribune - Nov 26, 2015)

Thomas Knox stole and tortured 200 rare birds and stuffed carcasses into mailboxes

UNITED KINGDOM -- A teenager who tortured more than 200 rare birds before posting the carcasses through people's letterboxes with a grin has been jailed for six months.

Thomas Knox, 19, squeezed, kicked and battered the birds to death after stealing them from a life-long collector's aviary in Brownhills, West Midlands.

  

CCTV footage shows the teenager arrive with three others at a block of flats in Walsall, with bags and boxes containing the dead and alive animals, including doves and rare jays and quails.

The video shows him grinning as the gang then post the birds through resident's letterboxes and force them through 'barely open' living room windows.

One shocking image shows one of the vile yobs kick a bird across the hallway while others were jammed into drawers and even chased by a dog.

On Wednesday Knox, from Bloxwich, appeared via video-link at Walsall Magistrates Court and was jailed for six months.

He was also ordered to pay £350 compensation and £80 victim surcharge.

Chairman of the bench, Bob Thomas, described the case as the 'most disturbing' he had ever seen.

He added: 'The animals must have suffered significant distress. Your trial was one of the most disturbing I have ever had the misfortune to sit in.'

Mr Thomas also cirticised Knox for spending most of the trial giggling with his co-accused in the dock.

The court heard Knox went along to the flats with pals Jake Higgs, 23, Chad Worgan, 19, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons.

They had earlier bundled the birds into sacks and containers after stealing them from a collectors house in Brownhills, West Midlands.

Owner Lee Williams, 43, who spent his life collecting rare jays, finches, budgerigars, doves, quails and pigeons, was 'devastated' after the yobs only left one bird alive.

Maggie Meakin, prosecuting, said it would cost £1,500 to replace the birds, and added: 'He cannot afford to replace the birds and he cannot claim on the insurance.'

Knox was convicted of causing unnecessary suffering to a protected animal, receiving stolen goods, common assault and using threatening words or behavior.

The latter charges related to his behavior towards a dog warden and housing staff when he was told his dog was going to be taken away.

Vaughn Whistance, defending, said Knox was a vulnerable young man who suffered with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and autism.

He added: 'He has been greatly influenced by the behavior of others.'

Co-accused Higgs from Mossley, West Midlands, was also due to learn his fate on Wednesday but failed to show up and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Worgan, from Goscote, Walsall, was jailed for six months last Friday for his role in the act of animal cruelty.

The other defendant, 16-year-old boy, was given an 18-month rehabilitation order.

(Daily Mail - May 14, 2015)

Florida: James Wertz accused of assaulting pet rabbits, girlfriend after argument

FLORIDA -- The high-pitched screeching told Dana Jongeward that something was horribly wrong.
She ran out to the living room to see her then-boyfriend, James Wertz, choking her pet rabbit, Bun Bun. He dropped the animal and tried to apologize, but the damage had been done.

Now, Bun Bun and her other pet rabbit, Maxine, are recovering from injuries inflicted in the attack, and Jongeward said she is moving on from the relationship.

"It's over," she said Tuesday. "It's beyond over."

Wertz didn't yet have that same freedom to decide his next step on Tuesday night. Court records show he remained in custody in the Palm Beach County Jail in lieu of $3,000 bail, charged with cruelty to animals and domestic battery.

According to a Boynton Beach police arrest report, Wertz, 28, and Jongeward, 25, were arguing about women's rights just before 11:40 p.m. on Friday at their shared residence in the 1100 block of Lake Terrace in Boynton Beach.

In an interview Tuesday, Jongeward said that Wertz was telling her it's man's world, a stance she was challenging. The argument flared, and Jongeward went to her bedroom to get away from Wertz, according to the arrest report. She said she was through with the relationship.

Jongeward said her two pets are both 9 months old and weigh about a 1-1/2 pounds each. Instead of sitting all day in a cage, they are allowed to roam freely in the house. Jongeward said they are affectionate, emit purring-like sounds when they are happy, and like to follow her into the kitchen for their favorite treat, marshmallows.

On Friday night, however, the animals' sense of security was shattered when Wertz attacked the pets, she said. One of them began screaming; she isn't certain which one because she was in the bedroom.
According to the police report, Jongeward witnessed Wertz abusing Bun Bun.

She said that Wertz punched and choked Bun Bun to the point that blood was coming from the rabbit's eyes.

"It was shocking, the most horrible thing I could walk out of the bedroom to see," she said.

After Jongeward confronted Wertz and he dropped Bun Bun, she grabbed her pets and tried to keep him away from them.

 

Wertz, seeing Jongeward calling 911, "grabbed her and threw her across the room," according to the arrest. Then he left.

Police arrived and tried to find Wertz but couldn't. He was arrested on Saturday, records show.

Jongeward took the rabbits to an emergency animal doctor. Bun Bun suffered burst blood vessels in her eyes, and Jongeward doesn't know if the animal will ever regain her full vision.

As for Maxine, she suffered soft-tissue trauma. Both rabbits are being treated with painkillers and anti-inflammatories.

"I just can't believe it happened," she said. "It's just disgusting."

(Sun Sentinel - July 1, 2014)

Man admits to squeezing HAMSTER to death with his bare hands in pet store

LOUISIANA -- A 21-year-old Louisiana man has pleaded guilty to aggravated cruelty to animals for squeezing a hamster to death at a mall pet store.

On Monday, State Judge Steve Grefer ordered Vincent Caracci, of Metairie, to serve two years' probation and perform 80 hours of community service.

Grefer also ordered the 21-year-old grocery store clerk must undergo psychological evaluation at his own expense, and he is barred from owning pets while on probation.

According to an arrest report, Caracci grabbed a hamster similar to the one
pictured and squeezed it in his hand until the tiny rodent stopped breathing

His conviction may be expunged from his criminal record if he completes his probation, according to the plea agreement reached between his attorney, Ann Steinhardt, and prosecutor Rachel Africk.

[All this sadist has to do is his community service and not pick up any new criminal charges in two years' time and this horrific crime will be wiped off his record - as though it had never happened.]

The incident took place March 27, 2013, when Caracci stopped by the now-closed Lakeside Pets store at Lakeside Shopping Center.

According to Caracci’s arrest report cited by NOLA.com, an employee at the pet shop spotted the would-be customer roughly touching the animals in their cages.

When the woman told Caracci to stop mishandling the critters, the 21-year-old picked up a hamster and ‘continued to squeeze the animal until it made a loud squeaking sound and [stopped] breathing.’

When the store clerk confronted Caracci and demanded to know what he was doing, the 21-year-old kept mum, but stared at her 'with a mean disposition.'

At the time he was arrested, Caracci was on probation for possessing synthetic marijuana. He was sentenced to six months in jail on the drug charge last month.
(Daily Mail - Feb 28, 2014)