Police: NC man shot, killed dog that wouldn't stop barking

NORTH CAROLINA -- A man faces animal cruelty charges after police say he shot and killed a dog.
Police officers responded to West Trade Street in Burlington around 8:14 p.m. after receiving reports of gunshots being fired.

Officers said 56-year-old Timothy Enoch shot and killed a dog that was in a vehicle parked on the property because it would not stop barking. The vehicle and dog belonged to a guest at the property, police said.

Police charged Enoch with Discharging a Firearm in the City Limits, Damage to Personal Property (vehicle), and Felonious Cruelty to an Animal (Susie's Law 14-360b).

Enoch surrendered to police and was taken to the Alamance County Jail under a $7,500 secured bond.

Police are still investigating. Anyone with information on this incident is asked to contact the Burlington Police Department at (336) 229-3500 or Burlington / Alamance Crimestoppers at (336) 229-7100.

(WCNC - January 26, 2015)

171 dead animals, 165 suffering animals -- and yet Daniel Ault and Carrie Ault allowed to plea to 4 counts of... wait for it... not animal cruelty, but of "not disposing of a dead animal properly"

INDIANA -- A Madison County couple has pleaded guilty to 4 counts of improper disposal of a dead animal after facing more than 100 charges related to dead and dying farm animals, Fox59 reported.

Daniel and Carrie Ault appeared in court at 1:30 p.m. Monday. They each were facing 96 charges of improper disposal of a dead animal, and 15 counts of animal cruelty. They were also facing two counts of neglect of a dependent child.

Four counts of improper disposal is the maximum for sentencing. The animal cruelty charges were dismissed, along with two counts of neglect of a dependent.

Daniel Ault

Carrie Ault

"The maximum the law allows in the this case is 4 years. So, whether they plead to 400 counts or 2 counts, or 3 counts or 4 counts, the criminal exposure is the same," said Madison County Prosecutor Rodney Cummings.

The charges stem from a case that was called "unprecedented" by several members of Madison County Law Enforcement. Investigators responded to calls from neighbors on April 9, 2013 about a foul smell around the Aults' farm near Summitville.

After arriving on the property, investigators found dozens of horses, goats, sheep, geese, cows and chickens were found inside the barn. Sources said the surviving animals were just "skin and bones."

Several law enforcement members said the conditions in and around the barn were "disturbing" and "horrible." Some of the animals were so decomposed, officials couldn't tell what they were at first. Health officials and investigators spend days wearing HazMat suits as they gathered evidence and disposed of animal carcasses.

Cleanup and disposal cost Madison County about $30,000.

Investigators also said the Aults were living in a barn with their two children. The Madison County Board of Health condemned the barn, which had no running water. Investigators also found a five-gallon bucket of human waste, animal carcasses and animal feces. All four family members shared the same bed, according to court documents.

The two counts of neglect of a dependent child were among the charges dismissed as part of the plea agreement. Defense attorney Bryan Williams says he was able to argue that the Aults' children did not actually live in the barn.

"The counts that concerned me the most were the neglect of a dependent charges concerning their children," Williams said. "They disputed those charges and those charges are being dismissed. That was our primary concern."

One of the animals rescued

Investigators found a total of 171 dead animals on the farm, according to the probable cause affidavit. Authorities also found 165 surviving animals. Of 17 surviving animals taken for analysis, only two were found to be within normal range.

The dead animals were piled up, with investigators describing the scene as "bodies stacked upon bodies."

Many of the surviving animals were eventually moved to new homes for proper care.

FOX59 spoke to Daniel Ault shortly after the story broke in April 2013. At that time, he said the animals died during the winter and he was unable to keep up with their care. He also said he lacked the proper equipment to move the dead animals. Ault said he hadn't had the chance to dispose of the animals before authorities showed up at his farm.

In court Monday, the judge ordered a pre-sentencing investigation and scheduled the sentencing hearing for Friday, February 13. The court will also determine any restitution owed by the Aults.
Williams said he and his clients will dispute the $30,000 clean up and disposal costs outlined by Madison County.

(IndyStar.com - Jan 26, 2015)

Earlier:

• Dozens of dead animals found at property in Madison Co.
• Nearly 100 deceased animals found in Madison Co. barn
• Madison Co. couple posts bond shortly after being charged in farm case
• Owner says he was simply too busy to feed his dying animals
• Animal abuse case to go to trial

North Carolina: Judge tells Fort Bragg soldier, John Burrow, who's accused of drowning his own puppy to pay for his own lawyer

NORTH CAROLINA -- A Fort Bragg soldier charged with felony cruelty to animals for tying a puppy's feet to its nose and then throwing it into a lake to drown will return to court next month.

Multiple media outlets reported 22-year-old Spc. John Garrett Burrow was arrested Jan. 22 along with his wife, 20-year-old Kelsey Caroline Burrow. She's charged with misdemeanor accessory after the fact.

Authorities say the body of the 8-month-old Labrador mix named Riley washed ashore Jan. 2 along McFadyen Lake. His feet were tied to his nose with military parachute cord.

District Court Judge Stephen Stokes declined John Burrow's request for a court-appointed attorney and set a new court date of Feb. 12. Kelsey Burrow's court date is Feb. 11.

John Burrow left a court hearing Friday without talking to reporters.

 

(Army Times - Jan 26, 2015)

Earlier:

• Fort Bragg soldier John Garrett Burrow and wife arrested in 'horrific case of animal cruelty'

Wild fox survives with help of Stephenville veterinarian

CANADA -- At death’s door 12 days ago, Dr. Jessica Boyd, a veterinarian who operates out of West Coast Veterinarian Services in Stephenville, discovered the young adult male fox in a shelter where she keeps her horses in the community of Noel’s Pond.

“I was surprised when he came over to me instead of running away,” she said of the fox and their first meeting.

The animal was slumped over and seemed weak, so she used a blanket to pick him up, fearing that her horse may have kicked him instinctively to protect itself. It was the first fox she had ever handled and going under the assumption he was injured, she moved with caution.

Being a veterinarian it was easy for her to take Felix to her clinic. The first thing she did was carry out a normal physical exam and quickly learned that he was undernourished and, in her opinion, starving to death.

She started giving him fluids to rehydrate him and has been feeding him a dog recovery formula used for critically ill dogs and cats, which also proved to be an appropriate diet for a starving fox.

Boyd said when she first brought him to the clinic he weighed 7.85 pounds and when he was weighed on Sunday, he was up to  9.06 pounds, a 15 per cent bodyweight increase in 10 days.

She said he’s doing well and she is very happy with his progress.

Boyd said there is no plan to release him into the wild in this area because with his low body weight and less than ideal fat reserves; in her opinion he wouldn’t make it without having a place to hunt easily.

“I don’t think he would survive,” she said. “Another issue is that where he’s so tame, he’s at risk of getting himself into trouble.”

The veterinarian clinic is not really set up to keep him long term, so Boyd contacted the Salmonier Nature Park on the Avalon Peninsula, who agreed to take Felix.

He is currently awaiting transportation to the nature park in the next couple of days, weather permitting.

Boyd said the park will decide whether he will be rehabilitated and released back into the wild or kept as a permanent resident.

“I hope it ends up that they keep him in the park,” Boyd said.

(The Western Star - January 27, 2015)

Philly Cop Shoots, Kills Dog After Attack In Frankford

PENNSYLVANIA -- A Philadelphia police officer shot and killed a dog after the dog reportedly attacked her Sunday night.

The incident happened at about 10 p.m. in the 4400 block of Leiper Street in the city’s Frankford section.

According to investigators, the dog attacked the female officer and bit her in the hip.

Investigators say the officer discharged her firearm, killing the dog.

Police say the officer was taken to Jeanes Hospital for treatment.

The incident remains under investigation.

(CBS Local - Jan 26, 2015)

Police: Man orders dog to attack them during traffic stop

PENNSYLVANIA -- A man ordered a dog to attack officers during a traffic stop in Wernersville, police said.

Daren Shaffer was charged with aggravated assault. Police said he was driving a car that had a headlight out when he was pulled over Sunday in the 500 block of Erich Street.

As police were on scene, they said a dog charged at them, and Shaffer ordered the dog to attack.
The dog was able to be controlled.

(WFMZ - Jan 27, 2015)

Michigan: Nearly a dozen dogs left abandoned for days by owner Nina Sparks

MICHIGAN -- Nearly a dozen dogs were left behind to fend for themselves for days were found in an apartment in Van Buren County after the landlord heard barking.

The owner of the property claims the 56-year-old woman (identified as Nina Sparks) who owns the Chihuahua mixes moved out in December, leaving her sons in the apartment. Her sons moved out last week.

“That’s like leaving your children at home with no supervision,” said Robert Michael Allen, who lives downstairs from where the dogs were abandoned.

 

 

While Van Buren County Animal Control investigates the case, those animals are being cared for at the county shelter.

Robert Michael Allen took one of the smallest dogs of the bunch, named Tim. He said the dog was suffering from severe malnutrition. Most of the abandoned dogs were bigger, making it hard for Tim to get any food if there was any in the home, Allen said. Allen was also the person who called animal control and made the complaint.

 

“It was Friday night and we knew for a fact they were alone, because the boys moved out, and the mother’s been gone since December.”

Authorities arrived to the apartment on Main Street Monday to find the dogs and one puppy in the worst of conditions.

“Upon executing the search warrant, we found 11 dogs inside a one-bedroom apartment,” said Sgt. Ron Douglas. “They did not have any food or water, and there was feces and urine about the apartment.”

Authorities are still searching for the owner of the dogs, a 56-year-old woman. They are withholding her name for now (see updated info below).

Allen describes her as irresponsible, and the Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department says the woman’s fate in the hands of the prosecutor’s office when it comes to possible charges.

“We take these cases very seriously in Van Buren County,” said Douglas.

For now, Allen is looking out for little Tim and hoping a good home can be found for the dog.

If you have any information about this case or any animal cruelty concerns in Van Buren County, call Van Buren County Sheriff’s Office at 269-657-3101, Crime Stoppers at 1-800-342-7867, or Silent Observer at 269-343-2100.

UPDATE:
Nina Sparks has been identified as the owner.

(FOX17 - Jan 26, 2015)