GEORGIA -- A man accused of torturing and killing at least 77 cats is out of jail, but a judge ordered him to find a job, begin intense psychotherapy, and spend his nights at home while awaiting trial.
Mitchell M. Munoz, a 34-year-old unemployed Emory Law School graduate, was released Friday after Judge Wayne Purdom reduced his bond from $75,000 to $25,000 while imposing the restrictions.
Munoz was arrested in October after a photo processor notified police that film dropped off by Munoz showed cats that had been tortured.
Before making the arrest, officers said they discovered photographs of dead kittens, three severed cat tails under a bathroom sink and written diaries documenting when the cats were acquired, how they behaved and what torture and abuse was done to them.
A nylon rope hanging from the bathroom shower rod -- used to hang kittens -- also was found, officers said.
At a hearing Friday, prosecutors said Munoz is dangerous and should be hospitalized. But Judge Purdom clearly doesn't think the torture deaths of nearly 100 animals (or more) is that big of a deal; he sided with Munoz's attorney that the bond be reduced.
No trial date has been set.
(AP - Dec 11, 1989)
Earlier:
Monday, December 11, 1989
Friday, October 13, 1989
Georgia: Law school graduate who couldn't pass the bar, Mitchell Munoz, 34, charged in torture-killings of 77 cats and kittens.
GEORGIA -- Police charged a law school graduate with torturing and killing 77 cats he obtained through free-kitten newspaper advertisements.
Mitchell Munoz (Mitch Munoz, Mitchell M. Munoz), 34, of DeKalb County was arrested Thursday after police were tipped by an employee of a photo processing plant who saw pictures of the suspect executing the animals in his apartment.
Before making the arrest, officers said they discovered photographs of dead kittens, three severed cat tails under a bathroom sink and written diaries documenting when the cats were acquired, how they behaved and what torture and abuse was done to them.
A nylon rope hanging from the bathroom shower rod -- used to hang kittens -- also was found, officers said.
'It's disgusting and weird,' said police Capt. A.R. King. 'We've had cruelty to animal cases over the years, but nothing this unusual.'
Detective Lanny Mosley said Munoz graduated from Emory University law school but failed to pass the bar examination.
'Isn't it horrible?' said Virginia Wilkinson, an assistant at the DeKalb County Humane Society. 'Isn't it awful? It's made everybody here sick to our stomachs.
'It worries us that his reason was that he was stressed out and just didn't like cats,' she added. 'What if he just didn't like his neighbor?'
Wilkinson said officials at the humane society were disappointed that the charge against Munoz was not more serious than a series of misdemeanors.
'I could be charged with the same thing for driving down the road too fast,' she said. 'If he could do this to cats, he must be really sick.'
Munoz, in custody at the DeKalb County jail, was charged with 77 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. Bond was set at $75,000.
Munoz, unable to hold a job since graduation, told police he obtained the cats by answering newspaper advertisements offering free kittens, authorities said. All but a few of the victims were young kittens.
Police were led to Munoz by a film processing employee who notified animal control officers after reviewing pictures of the kittens being tortured and killed.
The roll of film had been dropped off at a drug store Oct. 9 by Munoz under a false name and address, investigators said.
After identifying Munoz, who appeared in some unrelated pictures on the roll, police searched his apartment.
During their search, Mosley said, officers found evidence that the cats had been killed starting in 1987.
(UPI - Oct 13, 1989)
Mitchell Munoz (Mitch Munoz, Mitchell M. Munoz), 34, of DeKalb County was arrested Thursday after police were tipped by an employee of a photo processing plant who saw pictures of the suspect executing the animals in his apartment.
Before making the arrest, officers said they discovered photographs of dead kittens, three severed cat tails under a bathroom sink and written diaries documenting when the cats were acquired, how they behaved and what torture and abuse was done to them.
A nylon rope hanging from the bathroom shower rod -- used to hang kittens -- also was found, officers said.
'It's disgusting and weird,' said police Capt. A.R. King. 'We've had cruelty to animal cases over the years, but nothing this unusual.'
Detective Lanny Mosley said Munoz graduated from Emory University law school but failed to pass the bar examination.
'Isn't it horrible?' said Virginia Wilkinson, an assistant at the DeKalb County Humane Society. 'Isn't it awful? It's made everybody here sick to our stomachs.
'It worries us that his reason was that he was stressed out and just didn't like cats,' she added. 'What if he just didn't like his neighbor?'
Wilkinson said officials at the humane society were disappointed that the charge against Munoz was not more serious than a series of misdemeanors.
'I could be charged with the same thing for driving down the road too fast,' she said. 'If he could do this to cats, he must be really sick.'
Munoz, in custody at the DeKalb County jail, was charged with 77 misdemeanor counts of cruelty to animals. Bond was set at $75,000.
Munoz, unable to hold a job since graduation, told police he obtained the cats by answering newspaper advertisements offering free kittens, authorities said. All but a few of the victims were young kittens.
Police were led to Munoz by a film processing employee who notified animal control officers after reviewing pictures of the kittens being tortured and killed.
The roll of film had been dropped off at a drug store Oct. 9 by Munoz under a false name and address, investigators said.
After identifying Munoz, who appeared in some unrelated pictures on the roll, police searched his apartment.
During their search, Mosley said, officers found evidence that the cats had been killed starting in 1987.
(UPI - Oct 13, 1989)
Wednesday, August 30, 1989
Florida: Vicious pit bull attacks and kills a cat, mauls another dog and then lunges at animal control officer's window smashing the glass before an officer tries to shoot it
FLORIDA -- A Broward Sheriff's Office deputy on Tuesday shot at an 80-pound pit bull terrier that lunged at a animal control officer who was trying to capture the snarling animal, authorities said.
The dog, which had killed a cat and attacked a dog in the Silver Oaks Mobile Home Park in the 5900 block of Southwest 34th Street near Davie, leaped against a window on Broward County Animal Control Officer Lori Morris's truck, Animal Control Director Alan Davis said.
The dog smashed the window and showered the frightened officer with shards of glass as Morris attempted to hook it with a catch pole, Davis said.
Deputy Sue Sumrall fired one round at the dog but apparently did not injure the animal, which retreated to its yard, authorities said.
"The dog was not shot," Davis said. "The dog was bleeding, but the veteranian seems to indicate he somehow got his toenail cut."
The dog was later taken to the animal control compound, and investigators late Tuesday were trying to locate its owner, Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Leljedal said.
(Sun Sentinel - August 30, 1989)
The dog, which had killed a cat and attacked a dog in the Silver Oaks Mobile Home Park in the 5900 block of Southwest 34th Street near Davie, leaped against a window on Broward County Animal Control Officer Lori Morris's truck, Animal Control Director Alan Davis said.
The dog smashed the window and showered the frightened officer with shards of glass as Morris attempted to hook it with a catch pole, Davis said.
Deputy Sue Sumrall fired one round at the dog but apparently did not injure the animal, which retreated to its yard, authorities said.
"The dog was not shot," Davis said. "The dog was bleeding, but the veteranian seems to indicate he somehow got his toenail cut."
The dog was later taken to the animal control compound, and investigators late Tuesday were trying to locate its owner, Sheriff's Office spokesman Jim Leljedal said.
(Sun Sentinel - August 30, 1989)
Wednesday, August 16, 1989
California: Guard dog Trainer Bob Taylor has animal cruelty charge dropped in exchange for plea deal
CALIFORNIA -- When it comes to guard-dog training, Bob Taylor says, "I'm the best."
But Taylor's bravado was shaken Monday after he pleaded no contest in Orange County Municipal Court, Westminster, to training protection dogs without a license.
Taylor, a well-known trainer who operates Superior Dog Training in county territory near Stanton, said he is the victim of a legal technicality and a nosy neighbor.
The neighbor, Robert Keller, started things off when he complained to authorities that Taylor had mistreated dogs. Taylor said Keller imagined it.
Kennel Licenses Only
According to authorities, Taylor has every permit he needs to operate his kennel business but does not have a $250 protection-dog training license issued by the state Department of Consumer Affairs.
But Taylor insisted that he performs no protection-dog training. "I've used a much gentler alternative, and that's Schutzhund training," he said.
He described Schutzhund training as a sophisticated German technique he has been using for years to train German shepherds, Doberman pinschers and other breeds.
According to dog experts, Schutzhund does not involve "attack training," during which trainers in padded suits modify a dog's behavior by irritating the dog with a stick, prompting it to attack.
But Deputy Dist. Atty. David R. LaBahn said Taylor plainly was training protection dogs.
"I would put it to you, a jury or anyone else," LaBahn said, "if it looks like protection-dog training--that is, wearing the padded outfit and hitting with sticks--then it's consistent with protection-dog training."
Taylor said his problems began several years ago, when Keller peered over Taylor's fence. Keller later said he saw Taylor mistreat a dog. He said that on other occasions he saw Taylor or Taylor's handler wearing padded dog-trainer's garb and hitting a dog with a stick to make it attack.
Keller complained to the state Department of Consumer Affairs, which led to the criminal case.
Taylor insisted that the case is a waste of tax money--"a lot of nothing"--but Monday he pleaded no contest to operating a business without a license, a misdemeanor. Municipal Judge Dan C. Dutcher fined Taylor $175 and placed him on two years' probation.
As part of a plea bargain, the district attorney dropped charges of cruelty to animals and false advertising.
This does NOT mean Taylor wasn't guilty of mistreating or abusing dogs. It simply means that in an effort to clear the case out, the prosecutor offered him a similar level crime to plead to.
Taylor said Monday that Keller is motivated by jealousy over Taylor's successful business.
Keller denied it. "He's just calling it by a different name," Keller said, "but it's still protection-dog training."
Taylor accused the state Department of Consumer Affairs of splitting hairs about its definition of protection-dog training.
The department denied it. "We've been at this with Mr. Taylor since 1983," said Ernest Luzania, deputy chief of the Bureau of Collection and Investigative Service in Sacramento. "He has always claimed that he wasn't doing training as the professions code defines protection-dog training. We are of the opinion that he was, and that's why we filed charges.
"We're not splitting hairs, he is," Luzania said.
Taylor said he was once told by Luzania's agency that he did not need a protection-dog license. He later applied for a license and was rejected because the agency had begun its investigation of Keller's claims, he said.
Taylor said he will go before an administrative hearing judge today to appeal the agency's license denial.
Update: Bob Taylor has been charged with felony animal cruelty (2017).
(Los Angeles Times - August 15, 1989)
But Taylor's bravado was shaken Monday after he pleaded no contest in Orange County Municipal Court, Westminster, to training protection dogs without a license.
Taylor, a well-known trainer who operates Superior Dog Training in county territory near Stanton, said he is the victim of a legal technicality and a nosy neighbor.
Kennel Licenses Only
According to authorities, Taylor has every permit he needs to operate his kennel business but does not have a $250 protection-dog training license issued by the state Department of Consumer Affairs.
But Taylor insisted that he performs no protection-dog training. "I've used a much gentler alternative, and that's Schutzhund training," he said.
He described Schutzhund training as a sophisticated German technique he has been using for years to train German shepherds, Doberman pinschers and other breeds.
According to dog experts, Schutzhund does not involve "attack training," during which trainers in padded suits modify a dog's behavior by irritating the dog with a stick, prompting it to attack.
But Deputy Dist. Atty. David R. LaBahn said Taylor plainly was training protection dogs.
"I would put it to you, a jury or anyone else," LaBahn said, "if it looks like protection-dog training--that is, wearing the padded outfit and hitting with sticks--then it's consistent with protection-dog training."
Taylor said his problems began several years ago, when Keller peered over Taylor's fence. Keller later said he saw Taylor mistreat a dog. He said that on other occasions he saw Taylor or Taylor's handler wearing padded dog-trainer's garb and hitting a dog with a stick to make it attack.
Keller complained to the state Department of Consumer Affairs, which led to the criminal case.
Taylor insisted that the case is a waste of tax money--"a lot of nothing"--but Monday he pleaded no contest to operating a business without a license, a misdemeanor. Municipal Judge Dan C. Dutcher fined Taylor $175 and placed him on two years' probation.
As part of a plea bargain, the district attorney dropped charges of cruelty to animals and false advertising.
This does NOT mean Taylor wasn't guilty of mistreating or abusing dogs. It simply means that in an effort to clear the case out, the prosecutor offered him a similar level crime to plead to.
Taylor said Monday that Keller is motivated by jealousy over Taylor's successful business.
Keller denied it. "He's just calling it by a different name," Keller said, "but it's still protection-dog training."
Taylor accused the state Department of Consumer Affairs of splitting hairs about its definition of protection-dog training.
"We're not splitting hairs, he is," Luzania said.
Taylor said he was once told by Luzania's agency that he did not need a protection-dog license. He later applied for a license and was rejected because the agency had begun its investigation of Keller's claims, he said.
Taylor said he will go before an administrative hearing judge today to appeal the agency's license denial.
Update: Bob Taylor has been charged with felony animal cruelty (2017).
(Los Angeles Times - August 15, 1989)
Thursday, May 11, 1989
Michigan: Man throws his Shar Pei into woman's yard and tries to get it to attack her Doberman-Shepherd mix
MICHIGAN -- Police issued a ticket to a 24-year-old Westland man Friday
afternoon for cruelty to animals after he deliberately placed his shar pei dog into a neighbor's backyard on Grandview and ordered it to fight with the neighbor's dog.
There-were no injuries, police said.
The neighbor, a 30-year-old woman, told police the man had repeatedly taunted her and threatened to send his dog after her dog, a doberman shepherd mixed breed.
The woman told police the man appeared intoxicated when he lifted his dog over her fence and into her yard.
(Westland Observer - May 11, 1989)
afternoon for cruelty to animals after he deliberately placed his shar pei dog into a neighbor's backyard on Grandview and ordered it to fight with the neighbor's dog.
There-were no injuries, police said.
The neighbor, a 30-year-old woman, told police the man had repeatedly taunted her and threatened to send his dog after her dog, a doberman shepherd mixed breed.
The woman told police the man appeared intoxicated when he lifted his dog over her fence and into her yard.
Friday, March 3, 1989
Florida: Jimmy Finklin, 20, and Rodney Wiggins, 21, Arrested For Beating Pit Bull To Death After It Lost Fight
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)
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)
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)
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