FLORIDA -- Two Pompano Beach men have been accused of arranging a pit bull fight that resulted in the losing dog being beaten to death with a shovel.
Jimmy Lee Finklin, 20, and Rodney Wiggins, 21, were charged with fighting or baiting animals, a felony, and cruelty to animals, a misdemeanor.
Broward Sheriff's Office investigators said the men kept their animals at the home of Carolyn Phillips, who had several pit bulls in cages in the back yard of her home in the 3600 block of Northeast 14th Avenue, near Pompano Beach.
The men arranged a Jan. 28 dogfight at Phillips' house and agreed that if the losing animal survived it would be killed and buried in the yard, deputies said.
When the fight was over, a sheriff's spokesman said, Wiggins dug a hole in the ground, dragged the losing dog to the hole, killed it with a shovel and buried it. A neighbor called the Sheriff's Office the next day.
A search on Feb. 3 failed to find any remains, but detectives took custody of two pit bulls that, they said, bore scars from fighting. Both dogs were placed in Broward County Animal Control kennels. Police said they are not sure who owns the dogs that were seized.
Sheriff's Detective Don Banas said Phillips had been in jail on a drug charge on the day of the dogfight. Banas said she was released the next day and told the men to get rid of the dog's remains when she discovered the carcass was buried on her property.
Detectives arrested Phillips during the Feb. 3 raid on charges of possession of cocaine and narcotics paraphernalia. Phillips told deputies that the dog's body had been removed and dumped in the ocean.
Although they did not find the remains, detectives said they found evidence that an animal had been buried in the yard.
Detectives returned to the house with another warrant on Feb. 10 and seized another pit bull, cages, collars, dog food and assorted equipment. They then obtained arrest warrants for Finklin and Wiggins.
Wiggins has been in custody since last week on an unrelated drug charge. Finklin surrendered on Thursday to sheriff's deputies.
If convicted on both charges, they could each be sentenced to a maximum of six years in prison and fined a maximum of $6,000.
All three animals remain in the custody of Broward Animal Control.
The arrests prompted animal rights activists to call for increased pressure on elected officials to end so-called blood sports.
"Dog fighting is a lot more prevalent than many people think, and because of it we have a whole breed that is not safe to have as house pets," said Lani Wigand of the Broward County Humane Society.
"Until we get our elected officials to make stopping it a priority, we're going to continue to have pit bulls attacking children and killing cats and incidents like this one."
(Sun Sentinel - March 3, 1989)
Friday, March 3, 1989
Sunday, January 22, 1989
Florida: Pit-bull Terrier Terror Has Only One Solution
Dear Ann Landers: I've just read another story in our newspaper citing two more attacks of pit bull terriers on children in our area.
I know you've written about this in the past, but I believe you ought to go back to this subject one more time.
When in God`s name will there be legislation to phase out this breed of animal? Can you imagine the agony of the victim during the attack, whether he survives or not?
To be attacked by an animal is every person's most terrifying nightmare.
Are the owners and defenders of this vicious strain of animal unable to love any one of dozens of other breeds of canines? This bloodthirsty creature is the result of man`s tinkering and has no place in a loving home.
I do not know a pit bull owner nor have I ever met a victim, but I am outraged every time I hear or read about a pit bull tearing a person apart.
Please! What can be done?
A Florida Reader
Dear Reader: A highly respected veterinarian who asked that his name not be used told me that the viciousness of the pit bull is in the genes. Although some breeders insist that the dogs are gentle unless provoked, most are not.
If pit-bull terriers are neutered, they will be calmer and less apt to attack. Neutering will, of course, phase out this breed, which would not be a bad idea.
(Chicago Tribune - January 21, 1989)
I know you've written about this in the past, but I believe you ought to go back to this subject one more time.
When in God`s name will there be legislation to phase out this breed of animal? Can you imagine the agony of the victim during the attack, whether he survives or not?
To be attacked by an animal is every person's most terrifying nightmare.
Are the owners and defenders of this vicious strain of animal unable to love any one of dozens of other breeds of canines? This bloodthirsty creature is the result of man`s tinkering and has no place in a loving home.
I do not know a pit bull owner nor have I ever met a victim, but I am outraged every time I hear or read about a pit bull tearing a person apart.
Please! What can be done?
A Florida Reader
Dear Reader: A highly respected veterinarian who asked that his name not be used told me that the viciousness of the pit bull is in the genes. Although some breeders insist that the dogs are gentle unless provoked, most are not.
If pit-bull terriers are neutered, they will be calmer and less apt to attack. Neutering will, of course, phase out this breed, which would not be a bad idea.
(Chicago Tribune - January 21, 1989)
Wednesday, December 21, 1988
Oklahoma: Jury find Marty Bates guilty of animal cruelty after he rode his horse to an exhausted death during an endurance race
OKLAHOMA -- A Claremore man Tuesday was fined $500 on a cruelty to animal charge stemming from the ill-fated June 1987 Catoosa Days endurance horse race.
Associate District Judge Edwin Carden followed a trial jury's recommendation in fining Marty Douglas Bates, 23, of Claremore, who gave notice he will appeal his felony conviction. The judge stayed the fine pending the appeal, a court spokesman said.
A seven-woman, five-man jury deliberated about an hour in November to convict Bates, the first participant in the race that left seven horses dead from heat exhaustion, to face a felony conviction. He could have received a maximum five-year prison term.
Defense attorney Robert Green asked the court to rule that Bates was convicted of a misdemeanor, not a felony, because jurors recommended only a fine. But Carden upheld the felony conviction.
District Attorney T. Jack Graves contended Bates' actions during the race constituted intentional animal cruelty to his Appaloosa horse.
Bates claimed he was only a participant in an athletic event.
Co-defendants Jody Marcella Trotter of Kiefer and Billy Andrew Coghill of Broken Arrow, who is accused of overdriving a black mare to her death, are awaiting separate trials.
William B. Schlunegar of Broken Arrow was acquitted in June after a jury deliberated for seven hours before reaching their verdict. It was believed that Schlunegar had shown more care and concern for his horse than the other riders.
Race promoter Bill McAnally, his wife Paula McAnally and another horseman, Johnnie Lee Meders, were fined and placed on probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in October 1987.
UPDATES:
Jody Marcella Trotter entered a no-contest plea to two charges of animal cruelty involving the overriding of a two horses in the Catoosa Days endurance race.
Rogers County Associate District Judge Edwin Carden sentenced Trotter to a $750 fine plus court costs and ordered her to perform 50 hours of community service.
Billy Andrew Coghill pleaded no contest to a charge of animal cruelty. Rogers County Associate District Judge Edwin Carden fined Coghill $500 and gave him a one-year deferred sentence. His conviction will be cleared from the court record if he is convicted of no other law violations within the year.
(NewsOK - December 21, 1988)
Earlier:
Associate District Judge Edwin Carden followed a trial jury's recommendation in fining Marty Douglas Bates, 23, of Claremore, who gave notice he will appeal his felony conviction. The judge stayed the fine pending the appeal, a court spokesman said.
A seven-woman, five-man jury deliberated about an hour in November to convict Bates, the first participant in the race that left seven horses dead from heat exhaustion, to face a felony conviction. He could have received a maximum five-year prison term.
Defense attorney Robert Green asked the court to rule that Bates was convicted of a misdemeanor, not a felony, because jurors recommended only a fine. But Carden upheld the felony conviction.
District Attorney T. Jack Graves contended Bates' actions during the race constituted intentional animal cruelty to his Appaloosa horse.
Bates claimed he was only a participant in an athletic event.
Co-defendants Jody Marcella Trotter of Kiefer and Billy Andrew Coghill of Broken Arrow, who is accused of overdriving a black mare to her death, are awaiting separate trials.
William B. Schlunegar of Broken Arrow was acquitted in June after a jury deliberated for seven hours before reaching their verdict. It was believed that Schlunegar had shown more care and concern for his horse than the other riders.
Race promoter Bill McAnally, his wife Paula McAnally and another horseman, Johnnie Lee Meders, were fined and placed on probation after pleading no contest to misdemeanor animal cruelty charges in October 1987.
UPDATES:
Jody Marcella Trotter entered a no-contest plea to two charges of animal cruelty involving the overriding of a two horses in the Catoosa Days endurance race.
Rogers County Associate District Judge Edwin Carden sentenced Trotter to a $750 fine plus court costs and ordered her to perform 50 hours of community service.
Billy Andrew Coghill pleaded no contest to a charge of animal cruelty. Rogers County Associate District Judge Edwin Carden fined Coghill $500 and gave him a one-year deferred sentence. His conviction will be cleared from the court record if he is convicted of no other law violations within the year.
(NewsOK - December 21, 1988)
Earlier:
Friday, December 2, 1988
Florida: Little girl, 6, recovering after being attacked by Nina Owen's pit bull
FLORIDA -- After spending one night in a hospital, a 6-year-old dog-bite victim went home on Thursday, the day the pit bull that attacked her was euthanized for rabies testing, police and hospital officials said.
Shannon Hunter, who lives north of Pompano Beach, was bitten on the right side of the face on Wednesday as she sat in a neighbor's apartment watching television, the Broward Sheriff's Office reported. She was admitted to North Broward Medical Center in Pompano Beach for treatment.
The 1-year-old pit bull dog, named Spuds, apparently attacked without warning, the Sheriff's Office said.
The owner, Nina Owen, told officials she did not want the animal returned, the Sheriff's Office said. She relinquished custody to the Broward County Animal Control Division, which had the dog destroyed, officials said.
(Sun Sentinel - December 2, 1988)
Earlier:
Shannon Hunter, who lives north of Pompano Beach, was bitten on the right side of the face on Wednesday as she sat in a neighbor's apartment watching television, the Broward Sheriff's Office reported. She was admitted to North Broward Medical Center in Pompano Beach for treatment.
The 1-year-old pit bull dog, named Spuds, apparently attacked without warning, the Sheriff's Office said.
The owner, Nina Owen, told officials she did not want the animal returned, the Sheriff's Office said. She relinquished custody to the Broward County Animal Control Division, which had the dog destroyed, officials said.
(Sun Sentinel - December 2, 1988)
Earlier:
Thursday, December 1, 1988
Florida: Little girl, 6, attacked in the face by pit bull while watching TV
FLORIDA -- A 6-year-old girl who was watching television and eating potato chips in a neighbor's apartment was bitten on the face by a pit bull dog on Wednesday afternoon, the Broward Sheriff`s Office said.
Shannon Hunter, of the 3100 block of Northeast Seventh Avenue, north of Pompano Beach, underwent surgery at North Broward Medical Center and was in fair condition Wednesday night, police and hospital officials said.
The 1-year-old dog, Spuds, attacked without warning and may have been going after the potato chips, Sheriff's Office spokesman Al Gordon said.
Broward County paramedics treated the wound on the right side of Hunter's face and the girl's mother took her to the hospital, Gordon said.
The dog's owner, Nina Owen, of the 3000 block of Northeast Seventh Avenue, was issued citations for not having a dog license and not having proof it was vaccinated for rabies, Gordon said.
Spuds was turned over to the county's Animal Control Division and will be impounded for 10 days to determine whether it has rabies, Gordon said.
Owen told officials she did not want the dog back, Gordon said.
Norman Lane, Owen`s neighbor, described Spuds as a friendly dog.
Lane said he knew of no complaints about Spuds besides a call to police when the animal had gotten loose.
(Sun Sentinel - December 1, 1988)
Shannon Hunter, of the 3100 block of Northeast Seventh Avenue, north of Pompano Beach, underwent surgery at North Broward Medical Center and was in fair condition Wednesday night, police and hospital officials said.
The 1-year-old dog, Spuds, attacked without warning and may have been going after the potato chips, Sheriff's Office spokesman Al Gordon said.
Broward County paramedics treated the wound on the right side of Hunter's face and the girl's mother took her to the hospital, Gordon said.
The dog's owner, Nina Owen, of the 3000 block of Northeast Seventh Avenue, was issued citations for not having a dog license and not having proof it was vaccinated for rabies, Gordon said.
Spuds was turned over to the county's Animal Control Division and will be impounded for 10 days to determine whether it has rabies, Gordon said.
Owen told officials she did not want the dog back, Gordon said.
Norman Lane, Owen`s neighbor, described Spuds as a friendly dog.
Lane said he knew of no complaints about Spuds besides a call to police when the animal had gotten loose.
(Sun Sentinel - December 1, 1988)
Tuesday, October 18, 1988
Florida: Officer attacked by a pit bull while trying to serve an arrest warrant
FLORIDA -- A Broward Sheriff`s Office detective who went to a home in Davie on Monday to arrest a man on a probation violation was bitten by a pit bull as five of the animals sprang from the man's yard.
Detective Christopher Dale, 25, was bitten on the left calf by one of the pit bulls, Sheriff`s Office spokesman Al Gordon said. He was treated at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood and released.
Dale had gone to a home in the 5700 block of Southwest 38th Street to arrest Wayne Allen Luno, 25, on a warrant charging him with violation of probation for battery on a law enforcement officer, Gordon said.
When Dale arrived at the home at 5:30 p.m., he went to the front door and began talking to a woman, Gordon said.
As the detective talked with the woman, five pit bulls came running from the back yard, and one bit Dale on the calf. Dale kicked the dog, which then let go of his leg, Gordon said.
The woman at first said the dog was hers, but later said she was taking care of it for a friend. The animal was taken into the custody of Broward County Animal Control and will be kept for 10 days to determine whether it has rabies, Gordon said.
Luno was taken into custody on the warrant and was being held without bail at the Broward County Jail on Monday night, Gordon said. There were no charges in the biting incident, Gordon said.
(Sun Sentinel - October 18, 1988)
Detective Christopher Dale, 25, was bitten on the left calf by one of the pit bulls, Sheriff`s Office spokesman Al Gordon said. He was treated at Memorial Hospital in Hollywood and released.
Dale had gone to a home in the 5700 block of Southwest 38th Street to arrest Wayne Allen Luno, 25, on a warrant charging him with violation of probation for battery on a law enforcement officer, Gordon said.
When Dale arrived at the home at 5:30 p.m., he went to the front door and began talking to a woman, Gordon said.
As the detective talked with the woman, five pit bulls came running from the back yard, and one bit Dale on the calf. Dale kicked the dog, which then let go of his leg, Gordon said.
The woman at first said the dog was hers, but later said she was taking care of it for a friend. The animal was taken into the custody of Broward County Animal Control and will be kept for 10 days to determine whether it has rabies, Gordon said.
Luno was taken into custody on the warrant and was being held without bail at the Broward County Jail on Monday night, Gordon said. There were no charges in the biting incident, Gordon said.
(Sun Sentinel - October 18, 1988)
Thursday, September 29, 1988
Florida: Accused of beating a tiny kitten to death and feeding it to his pit bull, Michael Biondi, 21, now accused of breaking into shelter and stealing his dogs back
FLORIDA -- A man accused earlier this week of feeding a kitten to his pit bull terrier has been charged with breaking into the Broward County Animal Control Division and removing his dog and another pit bull.
Hollywood resident Michael Biondi, 21, of the 2100 block of Cleveland Street, surrendered to police on Tuesday at the Broward County Courthouse, but refused to tell authorities where the missing dogs were. One of the missing dogs is Biondi`s pet.
Biondi was charged with burglary, two counts of petty theft and felony criminal mischief for breaking into the facility at 1871 SW 40th St. and removing the dogs, sheriff`s spokesman George Crolius said. Biondi was being held in the Broward County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $1,550 bail.
Biondi`s dog was taken away by Broward County Animal Control after a neighbor said he saw Biondi standing over the dog as it repeatedly bit a cat last Thursday. Biondi was charged with animal cruelty in connection with the cat incident.
The other missing pit bull, a 35-pound, brown-and-white female, had been quarantined for rabies observation since Sept. 21 after biting a Carver Ranches man. The dog was supposed to remain quarantined until Saturday, according to state regulations, said Larry Atwell, Animal Control assistant director.
"Should the dog not be recovered (by Saturday), that would mean we cannot tell the (dog bite victim) if the dog is healthy," said Sgt. Sherry Schlueter, supervisor of the sheriff`s agricultural crimes/animal abuse unit. "It would be up to the man to decide if he wanted to undergo rabies shots."
The victim, Bob Hough, could not be located for comment.
County health officials, however, said it is unlikely the missing pit bull is infected with rabies.
Steve Dennison, assistant environmental health director at the Broward County Public Health Unit, said the most recent case of a rabies-infected animal was a bat in 1984. A domestic animal has not been found with rabies in the county since 1955, when a cat contracted the disease, Dennison said.
"The odds are pretty good the animal wasn`t rabid," he said.
Dennison also said rabies shots no longer consist of a 21-shot series in the abdomen. Current treatment is a series of five shots in the arm during a two- week period, he said.
The dogs were reported missing on Tuesday morning after Animal Control employees found two empty cages, and discovered holes cut in chain-link fences and gates enclosing the compound, Atwell said.
"We suspect that he was probably trying to rescue his dog," Schlueter said. "He probably mistakenly believed it would automatically be killed."
(Sun Sentinel - September 29, 1988)
Earlier:
Hollywood resident Michael Biondi, 21, of the 2100 block of Cleveland Street, surrendered to police on Tuesday at the Broward County Courthouse, but refused to tell authorities where the missing dogs were. One of the missing dogs is Biondi`s pet.
Biondi was charged with burglary, two counts of petty theft and felony criminal mischief for breaking into the facility at 1871 SW 40th St. and removing the dogs, sheriff`s spokesman George Crolius said. Biondi was being held in the Broward County Jail on Wednesday in lieu of $1,550 bail.
Biondi`s dog was taken away by Broward County Animal Control after a neighbor said he saw Biondi standing over the dog as it repeatedly bit a cat last Thursday. Biondi was charged with animal cruelty in connection with the cat incident.
The other missing pit bull, a 35-pound, brown-and-white female, had been quarantined for rabies observation since Sept. 21 after biting a Carver Ranches man. The dog was supposed to remain quarantined until Saturday, according to state regulations, said Larry Atwell, Animal Control assistant director.
"Should the dog not be recovered (by Saturday), that would mean we cannot tell the (dog bite victim) if the dog is healthy," said Sgt. Sherry Schlueter, supervisor of the sheriff`s agricultural crimes/animal abuse unit. "It would be up to the man to decide if he wanted to undergo rabies shots."
The victim, Bob Hough, could not be located for comment.
County health officials, however, said it is unlikely the missing pit bull is infected with rabies.
Steve Dennison, assistant environmental health director at the Broward County Public Health Unit, said the most recent case of a rabies-infected animal was a bat in 1984. A domestic animal has not been found with rabies in the county since 1955, when a cat contracted the disease, Dennison said.
"The odds are pretty good the animal wasn`t rabid," he said.
Dennison also said rabies shots no longer consist of a 21-shot series in the abdomen. Current treatment is a series of five shots in the arm during a two- week period, he said.
The dogs were reported missing on Tuesday morning after Animal Control employees found two empty cages, and discovered holes cut in chain-link fences and gates enclosing the compound, Atwell said.
"We suspect that he was probably trying to rescue his dog," Schlueter said. "He probably mistakenly believed it would automatically be killed."
(Sun Sentinel - September 29, 1988)
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