Vermont: Ashleigh Tillson denies 88 counts of animal cruelty

VERMONT -- A South Hero woman has pleaded not guilty to 88 counts of animal cruelty after officials found scores of dead rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles last month in her rented home.

Ashleigh M. Tillson, 30, was released on conditions Thursday from Grand Isle Superior Court in North Hero. The restrictions include that she not possess or take care of any animals while the criminal case is pending and refrain from going on the property. She now lives elsewhere in town.

Grand Isle County State’s Attorney Doug DiSabito charged her with depriving animals that she owned or possessed from having adequate food, water and sanitation between Feb. 1 and Sept. 20.

Judge A. Gregory Rainville questioned whether there was a need for Tillson to undergo an outpatient competency and sanity evaluation. Public defender Rory O. Malone said he thought they were unnecessary at this time. He said his client had been checked leading up to the arraignment and if he sees any need he will alert the court.

Rainville said he was concerned that the more time that passes, the harder it becomes to establish what was the state of mind of a defendant at the point of the alleged offense.

In a court affidavit, Grand Isle County Deputy Sheriff Jason Essinger said one of the defendant’s friends indicated she thought Tillson was going to be admitted to the hospital for two weeks but was surprised when she was discharged after four days.

Sheriff Ray Allen was among the authorities to say the raid was the most disturbing animal cruelty case they have ever witnessed.

“In my 26 years of law enforcement I have never seen this type of animal cruelty and neglect. I was overwhelmed by what I saw and odor from inside the trailer,” Allen wrote. He said that when a member of the Humane Society of Chittenden County came into the trailer, “the look on her face (was) that of total shock.”

The abuse story was first reported by The Islander newspaper on its Facebook page in September. It soon spread to the rest of the media, including The New York Times and other major outlets across the country.

During the arraignment, DiSabito successfully argued to add a condition that Tillson not be allowed to keep any animal cages or crates. Malone questioned the need for the requirement but said Tillson was making plans to donate the cages. DiSabito said he was concerned that any animal enclosures from the residence go to proper authorities.

Rainville gave Tillson one week to dispose of the cages and crates. The judge also said he wanted an update in the court case in one month.

Tillson had lived in Winooski for two years before moving into the $700-a-month trailer in South Hero about nine months ago, court papers show. Eviction proceedings have started, court papers indicated and Malone confirmed in court.

Tillson did not address the court during her seven-minute hearing. She pulled up the hood of her jacket in an effort to block news photographers as Malone escorted her out to a car waiting in the courthouse driveway. Tillson was given a chance to comment, but Malone said she would have nothing to say.

When the sheriff’s department attempted to interview her five days after the search, Tillson declined and said she wanted to speak with her mental health worker, court papers show.

Court records show Tillson has been charged with driving while intoxicated twice. She was convicted of DUI in a February 2010 case and fined $300 after a Colchester police investigation, court records show. A DUI second offense charge was reduced to a negligent operation count for a January 2014 incident investigated by Williston police, records show. They indicate Tillson received a six- to 12-month suspended sentence, was placed on probation and fined $300.

The search

Court records suggest Tillson appeared more concerned about the media coverage than the welfare of the animals in her home. Tillson initially took care of animals, but suddenly in recent months had stopped talking about them, court records show.

Allen said that the day of the search, he reached Tillson by phone and explained why authorities were at the home.

Tillson “never inquired about the health or status of the animals and her only question was will the media know about this. I found that very concerning,” Allen said.

Five days later when she arrived at the sheriff’s office, Tillson was told authorities found only a small number of animals alive.

“She never inquired which animals were found alive or asked how they were doing. She said nothing about the other animals and the situation. She was concerned about the media learning about this and how the public would react,” Allen wrote. She said she wasn’t staying at the house because it was hot and the windows didn’t open.

Besides the 80 animals found dead during the search Sept. 21, an additional eight – four lizards, two rabbits, one hedgehog and one chinchilla — were discovered alive, Allen said. One rabbit died about a week later, Dr. Peggy Larson, a veterinarian, told The Islander.

The dead animals included fish, rats, a mouse, chinchillas, hamsters, gerbils and a lizard. Thirty of the dead animals were in a freezer, but the electrical power had been shut off for three days because of nonpayment, reported Essinger, the deputy sheriff. The unseasonably warm weather helped turn the metal trailer into an oven, said Essinger, who has been specially trained in animal abuse cases.

“During the process, it became evident that the remains of the majority (of animals) were severely decomposed, many reduced to bones and fur,” Essinger wrote. He said the trailer had a morgue-like smell.

Larson, who also has a law degree and was a prosecutor, said she conducted autopsies on most of the dead animals. Most died from lack of nutrition, she said. Larson said not much was left but fur and bones in most cases. She said it was the worst incident among the 15 cruelty cases she has been asked to respond to since she came to Vermont seven years ago.

“Probably the worst thing I have to work on are the hoarding cases. Because you walk into these houses and they are filled with debris,” she said.

Larson said she has seen in hoarding cases that people fill their cages back up with animals. Larson said she had pushed to have the cages taken away from Tillson.

“Thank God the prosecutor was able to accomplish this,” Larson told reporters outside the courthouse. “These hoarding cases are absolutely horrendous.”

Included in the court paperwork was an elaborate 10-column chart listing all 88 animals and indicating various items, including in what room they were found, the species, sex, body condition, weight, level of decomposition and clinical notes.

The complaint was filed by one of the landlords, David Gardner, who went to the property to mow the lawn Sept. 20, Essinger said. Gardner spotted scores of flies on the inside of the trailer’s windows and a notice from the power company on the door that it had shut off electrical service, the deputy said.

Gardner said he entered the trailer and took pictures of dead animals. Gardner described it as “wall to wall cages.”

Marcie Nash, a friend of Tillson’s, said she was not allowed in the trailer and thought the defendant was exaggerating when she claimed she had 30 animals in her home.

Sheriff Allen said he was alerted by South Hero Animal Control Officer Everett Dubuque about 5 p.m. Sept. 20 about the dead animals. A plan was developed to bring in all needed resources in the morning, but no mention was made that any might be alive.

It was only as experts began combing through the cages that a few animals were found alive. A living hedgehog was in the same cage as another that was dead.

One rabbit was described as very thin, hungry and thirsty, with prominent bones and long nails.

Some carcasses were in the refrigerator and the freezer, but with no recent electrical power they had all thawed and begun to rot, said Dubuque, the longtime animal control officer and retired deputy sheriff. 

Also at the search was South Hero Health Officer Anne Zolotas.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP #1:


VIDEO NEWS CLIP #2:

(VT Digger - Oct 25 2017)

Earlier:

• Vermont: Ashleigh Tillson charged after 80 dead animals found. Ex-boyfriend reported her to Animal Control nearly 6 months earlier; they did NOTHING.
• Vermont: How massive case of alleged animal cruelty involving Ashleigh Tillson was uncovered

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.

Vermont: How massive case of alleged animal cruelty involving Ashleigh Tillson was uncovered

VERMONT -- A man who went to mow a lawn made a gruesome discovery-- dozens of dead animals inside a South Hero home. He says the trailer's windows were shut and there was no power. Then, he went inside.

"The smell and the devastation, it was really bad," David Gardner said. "My lungs were not right for three days after."

The smell of 80 dead animals inside the house is something Gardner can't forget.

"When I went in, I found a lot of dead animals in cages and a lot of flies and a lot of fleas," he said.

Gardner and his family were renting out the home to Ashleigh Tillson, 30. Tillson now faces cruelty charges after police say they found 88 animals inside: birds, reptiles, fish and small mammals. All but eight were dead.

The Grand Isle Sheriff's Department says cases like this are rare in this community and this is the biggest one that they have seen. The lead investigator for the Humane Society says it's the saddest case they have seen.

Neighbors and people who frequently visit the area say they had no idea what was going on here.

"I didn't think anybody lived there," said Cyndi Reynolds of South Hero.

Polly Lee-Milton frequents the area to visit the graveyard across the street.

"I never saw any activity or anything," Lee-Milton said.

Travis Dubuque was picking up the propane tank at the property after he disconnected it over a month ago.

"It was bad a month ago; I had no idea what was going on inside the place," he said.

When WCAX News checked out the home, there were flies everywhere and a rotten smell emanating from the house. But we couldn't see inside because the building is boarded up.

Gardner says that he knows Tillson. She is his cousin's daughter. Gardner tells me he thinks she had good intentions and things just got out of hand. Right now, his focus is on the animals.

"Our concerns were the animals on the inside and that's all it really comes down to is that," Gardner said.

Ashleigh Tillson is due in court in three weeks.

We first reported on Tillson's arrest Wednesday night.

Since then, we've heard from several of people who gave their animals to Tillson who are concerned about their welfare.

We know that two rabbits, four lizards, a hedgehog and a chinchilla survived. They were taken to the Chittenden County Humane Society. We're told some of the animals are now staying with the volunteers who rescued them.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(VT Digger - Sept 28, 2017)

Earlier:

• Vermont: Ashleigh Tillson charged after 80 dead animals found. Ex-boyfriend reported her to Animal Control nearly 6 months earlier; they did NOTHING.

Vermont: Ashleigh Tillson charged after 80 dead animals found. Ex-boyfriend reported her to Animal Control nearly 6 months earlier; they did NOTHING.

VERMONT -- A South Hero woman is facing animal cruelty charges after 80 dead animals were found in her trailer on South Street, the Grand Isle County Sheriff’s Department said Wednesday.

Ashleigh M. Tillson, 30, is due in Vermont Superior Court in North Hero on Oct. 19, Sheriff Ray Allen said.

Allen said the dead animals included rabbits, ferrets, guinea pigs, birds and reptiles.

Eight other animals – four lizards, two rabbits, one hedgehog and one chinchilla — were found alive last Thursday, Allen said.

The story was first reported by The Islander newspaper in North Hero.

The landlord reported checking the property and spotted the windows covered with flies, the sheriff’s department said. The tenant had been absent for some time, the sheriff said.

“The landlord entered into the trailer and was overwhelmed by the odor inside,” Allen said in a statement.

The landlord reported seeing numerous animal cages and dead animals inside.

Deputy Sheriff Jason Essinger, South Hero Town Constable Everett Dubuque and Health Officer Anne Zolotas all responded to the scene, the sheriff said.

The Humane Society of Chittenden County removed the dead animals and planned to examine them, Allen said.

“There were some ferrets that were nothing left of them but fur and bones,” said Dr. Peggy Larson, a veterinarian, according to WCAX-TV.

The personnel from the various agencies wore respirators and protective clothing to search the trailer for animals with the tenant’s permission.

Allen said there was no electricity and all the windows were closed at the trailer, which is across the road from the South Hero Cemetery.

Tillson’s ex-boyfriend told investigators that she would ask him for money for bills but would use it to buy more animals.

Quicker action by animal control could have made a difference here. Court documents reveal that Tillson's ex-boyfriend called Grand Isle animal control back in May but got no response.

VIDEO NEWS CLIP:

(VT Digger - Sept 27 2017)

Vermont: Attacked in the face by her neighbor's pit bull just after Christmas, woman details her recovery

VERMONT -- ​Immediately after returning from Christmas with my family I was viciously attacked by my neighbor’s very large Pit Bull.

The dog leapt over a fence and grabbed my face and shook me until he tore away a large portion of my identity. I sustained immense tissue loss and damage as well as emotional trauma that haunt me every day.

After being rushed to the local hospital I was immediately transferred to UVM Medical Center to undergo emergency reconstructive surgery. Weeks later I underwent another massive reconstructive surgery and now, over a month later, I patiently await the third and hopefully last surgery to help restore the smile I am proud to say I got from my beautiful mother.

After I heal from surgery I will need collagen injections to fill in the concaves in my face due to massive tissue loss and extensive laser surgery, potentially for years to come to help smooth and fade the horrific scars.

​Barely a week previous I had just graduated with my bachelor’s degree and was working two jobs while in school. Due to being in school and working part time I have no coverage through employment for health care and lost wages and was currently financially clawing my way through life in order to finish school.

I was out of work for the first month and have been released to return to one job preforming low risk work part time. Once I undergo my third surgery I will be back to square one of healing and out of work again for weeks.

​Any contribution will graciously be used to help with medical bills, trauma therapy, keeping my home, and helping to restore my severely derailed life. That’s all I want back, my life, my ability to give back to my community.

As a caregiver for mental health and human services I am used to being asked for help. I have worked hard to accept that, right now, I’m the one in need of help.

​Thank you for reading my story.

Update 1
This was a recent post from Kate's dad, John on his FB page.

So most of my friends and family here rarely see a post by me, but I feel compelled to send this out. Pictured here is my daughter Kate (Kat to her friends in VT) with her rescued "pasture pet" Ruby.

When she got back to VT from a Christmas break with her family, Kate was attacked by a neighbor's pit-bull, severely injuring her face. This is so ironic as our family members are such dog lovers.

She's been through a couple of surgeries and will require more with one scheduled in a few weeks. PLEASE remind all your friends and family members that although dogs are often our best friends, bad things can happen in seconds when we least expect it.

Thank you to all my friends and family for the support and words of encouragement already sent. See Kate's story in her own words on GoFundMe.com by searching for "Kate's Journey to Recovery".

Many thanks to our good friend Linda for setting that up for her. Peace and Love to all.

Update 2
This photo was taken right after the attack.

Update 3
This photo was after the first surgery.

Update 4
This photo is after the second surgery.

Update 5
It has been four weeks since my beloved family friend, Linda Hansen, created this go fund me page in response to a traumatic injury sustained by a dog attack ten weeks ago. The out pour of love and support has been immense, even overwhelming at times.

I have received support from people of all walks of my life: friends, family, people I went to high school with but haven't spoken to in ten years, people who haven't met me but know one of my wonderful family members or friends, even complete strangers who happened upon the story via Facebook and it pulled at their heart strings.

I am not on Facebook and do not participate in social media but I needed a way to reach out to all these people to somehow thank them. I cannot begin to express my immense gratitude for your generosity and selflessness. THANK YOU with all my heart and from the bottom of my being. Words will never be enough. I have so much to be grateful for. Perspective is powerful and all of you have helped me see and remember that every day.

Currently, my amazing team of surgeons have pushed back my final surgery with concern that the wound needs more time to heal on its own since the last surgery as well as the hopes that it may not be necessary.

In the mean time they have been treating me with steroid injections. Although immensely uncomfortable, the low doses of hormone has been helping take down the swelling in my surgical flap and begun to flatten out the scarring of the surgical lines.

If positive results from the injections persist then another surgery may be able to be avoided all together and the laser treatments to help fade the intense scars can begin soon!

I am back to work part time at Washington County Mental Health Services providing support to consumers in the Community Developmental Services Department while I continue to process and work though the trauma. Every day poses immense challenges that I have been working though thanks to the support of so many. This ordeal will continue to pose many physical, emotional, and financial challenges for years to come.

I am forever humbled and gracious with all the love and support.

Thank you.

Kate

Update 6
This is the most recent photo of Kate (above). Kate is healing nicely!

GoFundMe link: Kate's Journey to Recovery!
 Created February 4, 2017
Linda MacCorison Hanson  
on behalf of Katherine Higgins
  Emergencies
  PORTLAND, ME

Vermont: James Burke fined $868 for ignoring wildlife officials' repeated warnings to stop feeding bears at his house

VERMONT -- Vermont wildlife officials said a man was fined $868 after wardens caught him feeding wild black bears in his yard.

Vermont Fish & Wildlife said Wardens Richard Watkin and Lt. Greg Eckhardt executed a search warrant at the Wilmington home of James Burke,60, and witnessed "several bears" eating from plates of food in the yard and acting "indifferent to human presence."

The agency shared a photo of a bear walking among the plates of food on Facebook.

Officials said Burke was convicted of two misdemeanor counts and fined $868 for feeding the bears, which was made illegal by a 2013 law.

The agency said Burke was repeatedly warned about feeding bears over the years (as far back as 2006) and officials offered to work with him to wean the bears off his food source, but the search warrant was issued when they discovered that bears fitted with radio collars for a habitat study were continuing to frequent the property.

"Wardens noted a large number of bears that were killed along the road near the man's residence," the Facebook post said.

“A bear that has been fed no longer behaves like a wild bear,” said Forrest Hammond, bear biologist for the Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department. “Too often, these instances end tragically for the bear.

"The bear ends up being hit by a car as they go from house to house foraging for food, or they lose their fear of people and become aggressive and need to be put down. Bears that have been fed can present a danger not just to the person feeding the bear, but also to their neighbors for many miles around.”

(UPI - Dec 9, 2016)

Earlier:

• Vermont: Wilmington Man Arrested for Allegedly Feeding Bear

Vermont: Lisa Demar was seriously injured in both her legs in a pit bull attack. Why won't anyone do anything about the dog, which is still living with its owners?

VERMONT -- Hospital visits, pain and infection have taken over a St. Albans woman's life after she was reportedly attacked by a dog.

Worried about her well-being, her family contacted WCAX saying although the attack happened this fall nothing has been done to help her.

Her daughter posted this September 11th

It's been nearly two months since Lisa Demar woke up in an ambulance face to face with a terrifying reality.

"Both legs. They got my left and down here on my right," said Demar.

 

She says she was attacked by a dog when she stopped by an acquaintance's home to pick up keys for a friend.

Now, she says her wounds and the infection that has taken over leave her in pain unable to work.

"Fighting to still keep the leg," said Demar.

Attempts to talk to the dog's owners were not successful.

WCAX wanted to ask St. Albans police what is being done about the dog, but no one would speak on camera. A police report of the incident shows the dog is still with its owners being confined to their property and it's muzzled if it's outdoors. The police do not plan to pursue further action.

My guess is that they're not doing anything because the dog was on its own property when it attacked her. She needs to get an attorney and sue them civilly. 

But for Demar, that's not enough. She wants the city to take action.

"I've only gotten like two different phone calls from two different men so I don't even know who is who," said Demar.

According to St. Albans City law, when a pet has bitten or attacked a person the victim should file a written complaint with the Animal Control Officer or City Council. That way the city council can weigh whether a hearing about putting the dog down or taking other measures would be necessary.

But when WCAX heard back from the town manager later Thursday, Demar and her family may have talked to city officials and he has talked with her lawyers, but she must file a written complaint. It is not clear if it's been explained to her that she needs to do that.

GoFundMe: "Please help raise money for my mom"
My mom was attacked by a pit bull last night, her leg was mauled and may never be the same! She will be out of work for a very long Time. She has a very long road to recovery. We are asking for people to donate anything they can to help with bills still coming in and every day needs with having a young child! Every penny will help

Update on my mom, she has an appointment with an orthopedic surgeon tomorrow to find out exactly where they will begin. My mother is the strongest woman I know and she will get through this with the help and support from all of us!! Thank you so much to who has donated, and also thank you to everyone who has shared!

My mom went to the surgeon today, she was told that her leg has an infection. She will be having surgery next week. We are all very thankful for the donations we have received!

WHY DON'T PIT BULL LOVERS DONATE?

After nearly 2 months, this GoFundMe has only raised $140. If just a fraction of the people who regularly post online defending pibbles and pitties and demand that we blame the deed and not the breed and that Chihuahuas and Golden Retrievers bite more... if just a fraction of these people each donated $1, this woman would have more than enough money for her medical bills. She is not going to be up and running anytime soon. She is facing months, maybe years of physical therapy and surgeries and possibly spending the rest of her life on Disability and unable to work. 

(WCAX - Nov 3, 2016)

Earlier:

• Vermont: Daughter asks for prayers after her mother was attacked by a pit bull

Vermont: Highgate community weighs in on vicious pit bull attack; Owner whines about breed discrimination

VERMONT -- Highgate's Selectboard held a public hearing Wednesday night to discuss reports of vicious dog attacks in the area.

It started Friday, when a St. Albans woman reported to police she was attacked by three pit bulls.

The pit bulls belong to Mike Kelly. He's got three of them. Sage and Tyson, two male dogs, and Bella, a female. Kelly said she is in heat.

"The temperament of the household, with the two of them fighting over the female. it just boiled over," said Kelly.

Kelly Fiorini, along with the owner and other members of the community voiced their concerns about why this can't happen again.

"I feel sorry for Mike, because I don't want to take his pets away from him, but it's just really, really, really scary," said Fiorini.

Fiorini says when she got out of her car to meet a friend on Park Street Friday night, three pit bulls came charging at her. She was bitten multiple times.

"The brown one got my stomach and the black one got my arm," said Fiorini.

She had to get 18 stitches in her arm and four stitches on her stomach. She was also bitten on the shoulder by the dogs. Getting stitches/sutures isn't really a way to calculate how bad a person is injured, though. Sometimes the doctor will leave the wound open rather than close it as it's a risk that the dog's saliva and germs will get sealed inside the wound. 

She says, had the owner not intervened, and had she not been wearing layers, she could have been dead.

Her mother, Kathleen Cook, told pit bull owner Michael Kelly how the whole situation has left her shaken up.

"I've had animals, dogs, all kinds of animals all my life. I get a phone call from Kelly's husband, telling me my daughter's on her way, by ambulance, has been attacked by three dogs. don't know the severity of her injuries, and all I can think is, I don't want to lose another child," said Cook.

"I love animals but those dogs need to be put down," said Fiorini's mom, Kathleen Cook.

The owner claims his dogs haven't had a problem until his third pit bull, a seven-month old male named Tyson, that he says he adopted from a rescue, was brought into his home.

Unneutered seven-month-old pit bull named Tyson

PIT BULL OWNER COMPLAINS OF DISCRIMINATION

"I feel really bad about it. But if this was any other dog, would we be having this hearing right now if it was a different kind of dog?," asked Kelly.

Since the attack, the dogs were put under mandatory ten day quarantine at the owner's Park Street apartment.

NEIGHBORS OUTRAGED THAT PIT BULLS GET TO STAY

The dogs must be under his supervision at all times during that period, but some community members say that still isn't enough.

"You might be going to a funeral because some child gets mauled by these same dogs. So think long and hard when you make this decision on what to do with these animals," said one community member. 

Other members of the public chimed in as well. Some, including Mike Kelly's landlord, want all three dogs gone from the apartment.

The Selectboard will have a private hearing and visit the apartment where the attacks took place.

A decision on what to do with the dogs may be known as soon as Thursday.

Posted on Facebook:
I still can't believe this happened to my good friend Kelly Cook Fiorini! It was scary as fuck and me and Mike saved her life! Last weeks she came to my house and my roommate has 3 Pit bulls but Tyson the 7 month old Pitbull bit her n it was really bad and she has 22 stitches... 18 of the stitches on her forearm and 4 stitches on her stomach! Idk why he did it to her and cant wrap my head around it stil but Kelly I hope u know I'm really sorry that happened and i hope u feel better soon and i love ya girl

Adam Greene: I'm not trying to start nothing but all pit bulls are not bad they are the most protective dog for family I've had multiple around my kids me my family no bites been around them my whole life never been bitten it's how they are raised

Taylor Mackenzie Harris: 7 months? All young dogs bite. All puppies of all breeds bite.

Charles Minckler: ya tell that to all the people that got killed by them.

Laura Catoe: All depends on how you handle and train your dog. This "pit bull" would do anything for her babies. This is her being walked down church street by a 2 year old with many dogs and people around her. Lying down next the the baby. Mind you we have her very well trained and run her daily

Charles Minckler: I didn't say they are all bad you just can't trust them

Darrell Meyer: Blaming the dog because the owner raised it wrong.....

Adam Greene: Actually the daschund or however ur fucking spell it is the most dangerous breed for biting this year and Rottweilers coming in at second place for 563 attacks 245 being deaths

Patricia Murray: Look at my 2 killers. Sitting at a open door lol. People have no clue

Lisa Fabley Light: I have a German shepherd an a pitt they are recues an are great together an love my granddaughter, an they have 3 Pitts, all great. Any dog an I mean any dog could bite an that includes a mutt that's all I'm saying an puppies need to be trained an they always chew on things I don't think the puppy meant no harm.

Jane Laroche: Hope they don't put him down all he needs is to be fixed and new owner to train him.

Kelly Rose Cook Fiorini: Hi I was the one that got attacked by the three pit bulls all I did was got out of my car and was attacked and almost killed if the dogs were not pulled off me and the owner still has the dogs at the residence

Justin Lussier: Did you get bit?

Kelly Rose Cook Fiorini: Yes allot

Crystal Bashaw: i wish i knew about this (the hearing that was held) because i no the owner of the dogs and he trained his dogs to attack people. i would have gone so i could give them the info i know.

 

 

 

The Selectmen are apparently planning a trip to the
apartment to "meet" the pit bulls. The landlord wants them all gone.

(MyChamplainValley.com - Oct 26, 2016)

Vermont: Quinton Clayton, 20, charged with killing horse by shooting it with arrow

VERMONT -- A local man accused of fatally wounding a quarter horse with a stolen bow and arrow earlier this month pleaded not guilty Thursday to criminal charges stemming from what prosecutors described as a “horse slaying.”

Hours after his arrest early Thursday afternoon, Quinton Clayton, 20, was arraigned on charges of aggravated cruelty to animals and petty larceny — both misdemeanors — as well as a felony charge of unlawful mischief.

Clayton’s arrest and unscheduled arraignment at the criminal courthouse in Barre capped a near month-long investigation into a bizarre case that outraged animal activists and claimed the life of a beloved horse, Bunny, on Oct. 5 in Barre.

Police described the killing, which occurred in a Prospect Street pasture owned by Larry and Silvia Lozier, as purposeful at the time. That view was reiterated by Deputy States Attorney Rory Thibault during Thursday’s brief hearing and reflected in court documents.

Though the incident occurred during archery season for deer, moose and turkey, Thibault suggested it was intentional, not accidental. Records suggest Clayton used a stolen bow to intentionally slaughter a horse.

“This was the senseless killing of an animal,” Thibault said, defending his request that Clayton be held on $25,000 cash bail for fear he might flee the state.

Despite three missed court dates — including two this month — Clayton’s court-appointed lawyer, Maggie Vincent, argued against any monetary bail given Clayton’s ties to the community.

Judge John Pacht split the difference.

Pacht acknowledged the seriousness of the crime that left a horse dead, its owner, Regan Howard, emotionally wounded, and the community scarred.

“As a community we are horrified by allegations such as this,” he said, suggesting the case may highlight the need for the Legislature to revisit the statutory penalties for cruelty to animals, which currently include a fine of up to $1,000, a jail term of up to one year, or both.

The judge said that seemed inadequate. But he indicated Thibault’s bail request was inflated by emotion and Vincent’s client-friendly counter ignored a recent record of Clayton’s failure to appear for hearings. Those were for unrelated charges including leaving the scene of an accident, selling drugs to a minor and violations of his conditions of release.

“We do have a history of Mr. Clayton not showing up,” Pacht said, noting one of the charges he now faces is a felony.

He set Clayton’s bail at $10,000 while imposing most of the conditions of release requested by the prosecutor in the event he is able to post it.

Among other things, those conditions include a 24-hour curfew, a prohibition on the use of regulated drugs without a prescription, and a requirement that he report to the Barre City Police Department three times a week.

Pacht deferred a decision on a condition requested by Thibault that Clayton be released only to a “responsible adult” if he is able to make bail.

Vincent argued that amounted to holding Clayton without bail because he had “no such person” to fill that role.

Pacht chose not to decide at this time, suggesting instead that if Clayton is able to post bail, he must return to court to discuss where he will stay before he is actually released.

Barre Mayor Thomas Lauzon and Public Safety Director Tim Bombardier were on hand for the late afternoon arraignment, as were Howard and the Loziers.

Court documents indicate the arrow used to kill the Howard’s horse was among several items — including a compound bow — reported stolen on Oct. 5 from vehicles owned by Corey Maloney and his girlfriend, Rebecca Laplant.

They also show that Clayton emerged as a suspect very early on and the bow was seized as evidence two days after it was taken.

According to court records, police conducted a number of interviews and collected information involving social media posts about the slain horse and text messages that refer to the incident and the stolen items.

Records show two of those conversations occurred Wednesday — arming police with the electronic and anecdotal information they needed to arrest Clayton.

(Times Argus - Oct 28, 2016)

Vermont: Daughter asks for prayers after her mother was attacked by a pit bull

VERMONT -- Lacey Blanchard, Saint Albans, VT: "I dont ever do this, but I'm asking everyone to please pray for my mom, she was attacked by a pit bull. She is in the hospital awaiting surgery right now. I love you so much Lisa Demar you are the strongest woman I know! Together we will get through this, as a family!"

 

  

Please help raise money for my mom