ILLINOIS -- A Roselle kindergartner who was attacked by a pit bull mix was resting at home Wednesday after undergoing plastic surgery to repair wounds in the back of his head, his father said.
Anthony Duffy Jr. was getting off the school bus in front of his home in the 700 block of Autumn Drive about 11:45 a.m. Tuesday when the dog, which was twice his size, knocked him to the ground, said his father, Anthony.
The dog bit the boy in the head, leaving 4-inch and 6-inch wounds, before a contractor working on a nearby home rushed over and helped the boy's mother pull the dog away, Duffy said.
"He ran across shouting and basically got the dog off him for enough time that my wife could get him in the house," Duffy said. "It was pretty traumatic."
Anthony Jr. underwent surgery in Alexian Brothers Medical Center in Elk Grove Village Tuesday night and was released from the hospital Wednesday afternoon, his father said.
"He's gonna be OK," Duffy said. "We're just really thankful that it wasn't worse."
The dog also bit the hand of a 56-year-old woman who was walking in the neighborhood, police said. The woman was treated and released from the same hospital.
The dog's owner, Jason Devincent, who lives on the same block, was cited for having a dog at-large and not licensing the dog. Devincent told police he had not realized his dog had escaped from a fenced yard.
The dog was turned over to DuPage County Animal Care & Control and euthanized Wednesday afternoon, officials said.
Anthony Jr. is the youngest of five children, and the family does not have any pets, Duffy said.
"We were talking about maybe getting a puppy for his birthday, but I think we're going to put that on the back burner," he said.
(Chicago Tribune - October 28, 2004)
Friday, October 29, 2004
Sunday, October 24, 2004
Illinois: Cat hoarder Lynda Smith, 63, appealing her animal cruelty conviction
ILLINOIS -- Aurora resident Lynda Smith, convicted in July of keeping 26 sick and malnourished cats and one dog, is seeking a new trial contending she didn't understand the documents she signed before a Kane County judge found her guilty of animal cruelty.
HOARDED CATS IN TWO HOUSES
Smith, 63, also said she did not get to present evidence in her defense and had ineffective counsel. She is accused of keeping the animals at her home and her brother's, both on Aurora's east side. Aurora Animal Control reported removing most of the animals from Smith's brother's home over a year ago.
Her brother has not been charged. Smith said Friday she wants her day in court.
"I have never been cruel to an animal," she said. "If it's smaller than me or handicapped, or older or can't fight back, I'm not going to take advantage or hurt or maim it. That's not me."
Smith, who has Parkinson's disease and asthma, said she signed the papers because she feared going to prison. She was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty and failure of owner's duties. Judge William Brady sentenced her to 24 months' probation. She agreed to inspections of her home in the 800 block of George Avenue and was barred from keeping animals.
The city has started foreclosure proceedings. Smith owes nearly $10,000 in property code violation fines.
(Chicago Tribune - Oct 23, 2004)
Earlier:
HOARDED CATS IN TWO HOUSES
Smith, 63, also said she did not get to present evidence in her defense and had ineffective counsel. She is accused of keeping the animals at her home and her brother's, both on Aurora's east side. Aurora Animal Control reported removing most of the animals from Smith's brother's home over a year ago.
Her brother has not been charged. Smith said Friday she wants her day in court.
"I have never been cruel to an animal," she said. "If it's smaller than me or handicapped, or older or can't fight back, I'm not going to take advantage or hurt or maim it. That's not me."
Smith, who has Parkinson's disease and asthma, said she signed the papers because she feared going to prison. She was convicted of misdemeanor animal cruelty and failure of owner's duties. Judge William Brady sentenced her to 24 months' probation. She agreed to inspections of her home in the 800 block of George Avenue and was barred from keeping animals.
The city has started foreclosure proceedings. Smith owes nearly $10,000 in property code violation fines.
(Chicago Tribune - Oct 23, 2004)
Earlier:
Tuesday, September 21, 2004
Oklahoma: James Cox attacked by his own dog. Neighbor shot Rottweiler, killing it
OKLAHOMA -- At about 9:20 p.m. on July 26, a Rottweiler belonging to Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, resident James Cox suddenly attacked Cox and began viciously biting one of his legs. Several neighbors ran to help the beleaguered pet owner, but could not control the dog, which began menacing the rescuers.
Another neighbor, Michael Bigler, was outside in his wheelchair when he realized what was happening. Quickly wheeling himself into his house, he emerged with a handgun and fatally shot the dog.
Cox was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his leg wounds. The Oklahoman newspaper reported the next day that police "don't expect any criminal charges against Bigler" since, in the words of a department spokesman, he was "trying to protect people."
(The New American - September 20, 2004)
Another neighbor, Michael Bigler, was outside in his wheelchair when he realized what was happening. Quickly wheeling himself into his house, he emerged with a handgun and fatally shot the dog.
Cox was taken to a local hospital for treatment of his leg wounds. The Oklahoman newspaper reported the next day that police "don't expect any criminal charges against Bigler" since, in the words of a department spokesman, he was "trying to protect people."
(The New American - September 20, 2004)
Saturday, August 28, 2004
Florida: Animal Control officer mauled by two pit bulls before another officer manages to shoot and kill one
FLORIDA -- Frank Baldwin could see the blood dripping in front of his left eye as the two pit bulls sank their teeth into his body.
The Martin County Animal Control officer knew he had to get to his feet if he was going to live. He pushed himself up off his stomach, feeling the bite that tore his ear, but using sheer will to continue the fight.
"I just knew that I had to get that dog before it went after somebody else," Baldwin said Friday. "This was a level of viciousness that I had not experienced before."
One dog involved in the Wednesday night attack was shot and killed by a state environmental officer. The second was captured. Authorities are seeking criminal and civil charges against their owners.
Though he sat in pain, with a partly mangled face, the 130-pound, 23-year-old vowed to continue serving.
"I want to go back. I don't have any fears about going back," he said. "I like doing what I do. As soon as I can get back out on the road, I want to be there."
The attack came after Baldwin was called to a home off Dixie Highway and Alicia Street on a report that a jogger and a bicyclist had been bitten by a pit pull.
He arrived to find the animal charging the state officer's vehicle before it turned and charged at his own vehicle. Though the other man was armed, Baldwin knew he had the training and tools to handle the dog, so he got out of his vehicle and went to work.
The noose on the end of Baldwin's catch pole kept getting twisted but he finally had the dog cornered between the house and the back yard fence.
"I just about had the noose around his head when I saw the other pit bull squeeze out of the top half of the gate on the fence," he said. "It got stuck just a little bit and gave me just a second to draw my baton because I knew they were going to come after me."
The attack was on.
"And I hit the ground," he said. "That's when I really felt one of them bite my ear, one of them bite my face," he said. "The only thing I was thinking when I was on the ground was that I had to get back up.
"I pushed up with my hands. ... I could see drops of blood just falling in front of my left eye."
During the attacks, George LeBanc pulled up and opened his door for Baldwin.
Sheriff's deputies and firefighters arrived to help, whisking the officer to the hospital.
"We kind of lost count on the stitches," he said. "I still have my eye, which I'm very thankful for. It could have been a lot worse."
Baldwin credited those who stopped to help with saving his life.
"If it had just been me and those dogs," he said, "I do not believe I would have survived."
(Sun Sentinel - August 28, 2004)
The Martin County Animal Control officer knew he had to get to his feet if he was going to live. He pushed himself up off his stomach, feeling the bite that tore his ear, but using sheer will to continue the fight.
"I just knew that I had to get that dog before it went after somebody else," Baldwin said Friday. "This was a level of viciousness that I had not experienced before."
One dog involved in the Wednesday night attack was shot and killed by a state environmental officer. The second was captured. Authorities are seeking criminal and civil charges against their owners.
Though he sat in pain, with a partly mangled face, the 130-pound, 23-year-old vowed to continue serving.
"I want to go back. I don't have any fears about going back," he said. "I like doing what I do. As soon as I can get back out on the road, I want to be there."
The attack came after Baldwin was called to a home off Dixie Highway and Alicia Street on a report that a jogger and a bicyclist had been bitten by a pit pull.
He arrived to find the animal charging the state officer's vehicle before it turned and charged at his own vehicle. Though the other man was armed, Baldwin knew he had the training and tools to handle the dog, so he got out of his vehicle and went to work.
The noose on the end of Baldwin's catch pole kept getting twisted but he finally had the dog cornered between the house and the back yard fence.
"I just about had the noose around his head when I saw the other pit bull squeeze out of the top half of the gate on the fence," he said. "It got stuck just a little bit and gave me just a second to draw my baton because I knew they were going to come after me."
The attack was on.
"And I hit the ground," he said. "That's when I really felt one of them bite my ear, one of them bite my face," he said. "The only thing I was thinking when I was on the ground was that I had to get back up.
"I pushed up with my hands. ... I could see drops of blood just falling in front of my left eye."
During the attacks, George LeBanc pulled up and opened his door for Baldwin.
Sheriff's deputies and firefighters arrived to help, whisking the officer to the hospital.
"We kind of lost count on the stitches," he said. "I still have my eye, which I'm very thankful for. It could have been a lot worse."
Baldwin credited those who stopped to help with saving his life.
"If it had just been me and those dogs," he said, "I do not believe I would have survived."
(Sun Sentinel - August 28, 2004)
Saturday, July 24, 2004
California: Emma Harter, 73, Gets Probation for Forcing More Than 230 Chihuahuas and 60 Birds to Live (and Die) in Squalor
CALIFORNIA -- Emma Regina Harter, an animal breeder convicted of keeping more than 230 Chihuahuas in squalid conditions at her Acton home, was sentenced Thursday to five years' probation and barred from owning any animals during that time.
Harter, 73, was also ordered to receive psychological treatment.
Harter seemed unmoved by the sentence, a far cry from her reaction during her trial four months ago. She collapsed in the Lancaster courtroom after she was found guilty of four felony counts of animal abuse and four misdemeanor charges, including battery on an animal control officer.
On Thursday, Harter, wearing a blue dress and a long pearl necklace, quietly watched her attorney, Robert D. Conaway, unsuccessfully argue for a new trial. Footage taken by animal control officers as they entered Harter's home unfairly influenced the jury, Conaway told the court.
Instead, Superior Court Judge Lisa Chung agreed to spare Harter the three-year prison term allowed by law. Prosecutors said Harter's age -- and a clean record -- made her unsuitable for incarceration.
"I just don't see how sending Ms. Harter to state prison for three years is going to do anybody any good," said Deputy Dist. Atty. Steven Heller after the sentence. "Putting her in jail with hardened criminals was not an adequate result."
Nonetheless, Harter was ordered to follow a series of restrictions. She will be subject to periodic visits from animal control officers to ensure that she is not keeping animals at her property during the probation.
Harter also cannot live with anyone who owns an animal. Harter's attorney said his client was considering an appeal of the sentence.
In March, a jury took 45 minutes to convict Harter. Officials in that hearing testified that hundreds of Chihuahuas, some of them sick or injured, roamed Harter's property and four-bedroom home, sometimes defecating inside the house. Some dogs became feral, forming packs, fighting and occasionally killing each other.
Many of the Chihuahuas died from illness, officials said. About 150 were saved and turned over to Chihuahua rescue groups for treatment and possible adoption.
Impounding and treating the dogs cost the county about $440,000, officials said. Harter will return to court in September to face a restitution hearing for those costs.
EMMA HARTER WAS HOARDING DOGS AS FAR BACK AS 1982
Harter said she began breeding Chihuahuas in 1982 when she was living in Granada Hills, where she got into similar troubles with Los Angeles city animal control officials.
She then moved to Acton in 1992 and obtained a kennel license. Within three years, she was caught with about 40 Chihuahuas living inside the home in squalor and charged.
(LA Times - July 23, 2004)
Earlier:
Harter, 73, was also ordered to receive psychological treatment.
Harter seemed unmoved by the sentence, a far cry from her reaction during her trial four months ago. She collapsed in the Lancaster courtroom after she was found guilty of four felony counts of animal abuse and four misdemeanor charges, including battery on an animal control officer.
On Thursday, Harter, wearing a blue dress and a long pearl necklace, quietly watched her attorney, Robert D. Conaway, unsuccessfully argue for a new trial. Footage taken by animal control officers as they entered Harter's home unfairly influenced the jury, Conaway told the court.
Instead, Superior Court Judge Lisa Chung agreed to spare Harter the three-year prison term allowed by law. Prosecutors said Harter's age -- and a clean record -- made her unsuitable for incarceration.
"I just don't see how sending Ms. Harter to state prison for three years is going to do anybody any good," said Deputy Dist. Atty. Steven Heller after the sentence. "Putting her in jail with hardened criminals was not an adequate result."
Nonetheless, Harter was ordered to follow a series of restrictions. She will be subject to periodic visits from animal control officers to ensure that she is not keeping animals at her property during the probation.
Harter also cannot live with anyone who owns an animal. Harter's attorney said his client was considering an appeal of the sentence.
In March, a jury took 45 minutes to convict Harter. Officials in that hearing testified that hundreds of Chihuahuas, some of them sick or injured, roamed Harter's property and four-bedroom home, sometimes defecating inside the house. Some dogs became feral, forming packs, fighting and occasionally killing each other.
Many of the Chihuahuas died from illness, officials said. About 150 were saved and turned over to Chihuahua rescue groups for treatment and possible adoption.
Impounding and treating the dogs cost the county about $440,000, officials said. Harter will return to court in September to face a restitution hearing for those costs.
EMMA HARTER WAS HOARDING DOGS AS FAR BACK AS 1982
Harter said she began breeding Chihuahuas in 1982 when she was living in Granada Hills, where she got into similar troubles with Los Angeles city animal control officials.
She then moved to Acton in 1992 and obtained a kennel license. Within three years, she was caught with about 40 Chihuahuas living inside the home in squalor and charged.
(LA Times - July 23, 2004)
Earlier:
- California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter, 64, avoids jail by hiding most of her 40 Chihuahuas
- California: Animal rescue groups want ownership of vicious, feral Chihuahuas seized from breeder Emma Harter
- California: Puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter won't sign over dogs until she can wiggle out of the $500k she already owes the shelter
- California: In court, Emma Harter pleads not guilty to felony and misdemeanor animal cruelty
- California: Judge's Ruling Saves 170 Dogs - The Chihuahuas, taken from an Acton breeder last year, are to be released to a rescue group based in Burbank early next week.
- California: Feral dogs seized from an Acton breeder Emma Harter, accused of animal cruelty, are being released to rescue groups this week
- California: Chihuahua Animal Cruelty Case involving puppy mill breeder/hoarder Emma Harter, 72, to go to trial
- California: Emma Harter's animal cruelty trial begins as her attorney says she has raised Chihuahuas for 20 years and runs a commercial operation
- California: Emma Harter, 72, convicted of animal cruelty toward more than 230 dogs and 60 birds she forced to live in squalor
Thursday, July 22, 2004
Illinois: Cat hoarder Lynda Smith found guilty, given probation. She and her husband Larry Smith still in denial
ILLINOIS -- The Kane County state's attorney stepped in this week to resolve the case of Aurora resident Lynda Smith, who once hoarded and neglected 26 cats in her home and could have faced felony charges, but instead was found guilty of animal cruelty and sentenced to 24 months' probation.
Smith, who also was convicted of failure of owner's duties, a misdemeanor, will not be able to keep cats in her home for two years. She also agreed to unannounced inspections of her home on George Avenue for the duration of probation.
"I became aware that the case was taking too much time because there were too many attorneys involved," State's Atty. Meg Gorecki said. "I assigned the file to myself in hopes of resolving the case.
"My concern was for the neighborhood and any animals that could be harmed in the future," Gorecki added.
She said that if animals are found in Smith's home during inspections, a violation of probation could be issued along with a notice to appear in court.
"Or we could issue a warrant [for her arrest]. It would depend on the severity of the violation alleged," Gorecki said.
When Smith's lawyer, Michael Noland, explained that for two years she will not be able to have any pets, Smith said: "I will die. It will kill me."
The prosecution produced photographs Monday of cats that were said to have been seized from Smith's brother's home. The photos of the cats, euthanized after their seizure, showed visible injuries and were said to be "lethargic and dehydrated."
Smith cried foul because the animals were not found in her home, and although she admitted one injured cat had been in her care, she said it had been given to her that way by a neighbor.
"I believe you when you say this cat came from [a neighbor]," Noland told his client. "But it's not necessarily about what the truth is. It's about what you can prove."
Last August and September, Aurora Animal Control removed 26 cats and a dog from Smith's residence and her brother's residence on Smith Street, according to Linda Nass, animal control manager.
Aurora allows citizens a limit of four domesticated animals per household: two cats and two dogs. Most of the animals were at her brother's house, where Smith was assumed to be living because her home was "deemed unfit for human habitation," Nass said. No charges have been filed against Smith's brother.
Larry Smith said his wife was "never cruel to animals. If an animal was sick, she called the vet. She has even done CPR on cats."
Although last month Smith could have agreed to a deal to sell her house to the city for $70,000, plead to reduced charges and have fines and court costs waived, she refused. Her lawyer at the time, Salvatore Miglore, withdrew from her case that day.
(Chicago Tribune - July 21, 2004)
Earlier:
Smith, who also was convicted of failure of owner's duties, a misdemeanor, will not be able to keep cats in her home for two years. She also agreed to unannounced inspections of her home on George Avenue for the duration of probation.
"I became aware that the case was taking too much time because there were too many attorneys involved," State's Atty. Meg Gorecki said. "I assigned the file to myself in hopes of resolving the case.
"My concern was for the neighborhood and any animals that could be harmed in the future," Gorecki added.
She said that if animals are found in Smith's home during inspections, a violation of probation could be issued along with a notice to appear in court.
"Or we could issue a warrant [for her arrest]. It would depend on the severity of the violation alleged," Gorecki said.
When Smith's lawyer, Michael Noland, explained that for two years she will not be able to have any pets, Smith said: "I will die. It will kill me."
The prosecution produced photographs Monday of cats that were said to have been seized from Smith's brother's home. The photos of the cats, euthanized after their seizure, showed visible injuries and were said to be "lethargic and dehydrated."
Smith cried foul because the animals were not found in her home, and although she admitted one injured cat had been in her care, she said it had been given to her that way by a neighbor.
"I believe you when you say this cat came from [a neighbor]," Noland told his client. "But it's not necessarily about what the truth is. It's about what you can prove."
Last August and September, Aurora Animal Control removed 26 cats and a dog from Smith's residence and her brother's residence on Smith Street, according to Linda Nass, animal control manager.
Aurora allows citizens a limit of four domesticated animals per household: two cats and two dogs. Most of the animals were at her brother's house, where Smith was assumed to be living because her home was "deemed unfit for human habitation," Nass said. No charges have been filed against Smith's brother.
Larry Smith said his wife was "never cruel to animals. If an animal was sick, she called the vet. She has even done CPR on cats."
Although last month Smith could have agreed to a deal to sell her house to the city for $70,000, plead to reduced charges and have fines and court costs waived, she refused. Her lawyer at the time, Salvatore Miglore, withdrew from her case that day.
(Chicago Tribune - July 21, 2004)
Earlier:
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Bullet stops dog attack
GEORGIA -- A Thomaston police officer was forced to make a split-second decision Tuesday morning, shooting and killing a pit bull dog when the animal suddenly attacked.
The dog's owner, Julius Witt Strickland, 24, 210 West Walker St., was charged with allowing a dangerous dog to roam at large.
"This dog was a mean one," said Bobby Ellington, the city's animal control officer. "He came charging at me full speed. He wasn't barking or growling or anything. It was just a silent dead run and I had to shoot him in order to protect myself and the other officers.
"If there had been a child out in the dark that morning, that dog would have killed a child," Ellington said. "It would have killed an elderly person. This was a big dog - an 80 pound Mastiff Pit Bull mix - capable of crushing bones."
Lt. T.J. Fields and Ptl. Charles Cannady were called to a Plum Street address just before 3:30 a.m. after a man called and said the dog attempted to attack him whenever he came outside and was keeping him trapped inside.
The lieutenant and the patrol officer arrived moments later, but when they attempted to leave their patrol vehicle to knock on the door, the animal barreled around a corner, attempting to attack them, and forcing them to retreat to the safety of their vehicle.
The officers then called Ellington for help.
"I went in the house to make sure the man was okay and as I was coming back outside, that's when the dog ran at me," Ellington said. "The animal was about two feet away from me when I fired the shot, but I didn't have any other choice."
Ellington said minutes after the shooting, the owner, who lives three blocks away on West Walker Street walked up.
"The owner said he had turned the dog out earlier in the evening and that the animal didn't come back," Ellington said. "I don't understand why a dog like that would have been turned loose anyway. These animals need to be penned. We're just not going to put up with that sort of thing in Thomaston."
Ellington said reports of vicious animals are all too frequent.
"I wish these dogs would just get banned in Georgia," he said. "This was an extremely dangerous animal and dealing with an animal like that once a year is enough for me."
(Thomaston Times - June 23, 2004)
The dog's owner, Julius Witt Strickland, 24, 210 West Walker St., was charged with allowing a dangerous dog to roam at large.
"This dog was a mean one," said Bobby Ellington, the city's animal control officer. "He came charging at me full speed. He wasn't barking or growling or anything. It was just a silent dead run and I had to shoot him in order to protect myself and the other officers.
"If there had been a child out in the dark that morning, that dog would have killed a child," Ellington said. "It would have killed an elderly person. This was a big dog - an 80 pound Mastiff Pit Bull mix - capable of crushing bones."
Lt. T.J. Fields and Ptl. Charles Cannady were called to a Plum Street address just before 3:30 a.m. after a man called and said the dog attempted to attack him whenever he came outside and was keeping him trapped inside.
The lieutenant and the patrol officer arrived moments later, but when they attempted to leave their patrol vehicle to knock on the door, the animal barreled around a corner, attempting to attack them, and forcing them to retreat to the safety of their vehicle.
The officers then called Ellington for help.
"I went in the house to make sure the man was okay and as I was coming back outside, that's when the dog ran at me," Ellington said. "The animal was about two feet away from me when I fired the shot, but I didn't have any other choice."
Ellington said minutes after the shooting, the owner, who lives three blocks away on West Walker Street walked up.
"The owner said he had turned the dog out earlier in the evening and that the animal didn't come back," Ellington said. "I don't understand why a dog like that would have been turned loose anyway. These animals need to be penned. We're just not going to put up with that sort of thing in Thomaston."
Ellington said reports of vicious animals are all too frequent.
"I wish these dogs would just get banned in Georgia," he said. "This was an extremely dangerous animal and dealing with an animal like that once a year is enough for me."
(Thomaston Times - June 23, 2004)
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