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It has been nine years since the brutal slayings of Margarita Ruiz, 72, and her daughter Esperanza Wells, 42, in the small Sumter County community of Tarrytown, Florida.
The crime appeared to be a random act of violence — no one could think of a reason anyone would want to hurt Ruiz or Wells.
No one knew who could do such a thing.
Six years later, authorities connected the double homicide to a man in Wisconsin serving time in a mental-health hospital for cruelty to animals. Now, suspect Bill Marquardt finally will be making his way to Florida to stand trial for the killings of Ruiz and Wells.
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Showing posts with label animal cruelty. Show all posts
Showing posts with label animal cruelty. Show all posts
Saturday, April 25, 2009
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Man beheads his horse and feeds its head to his dogs, police say
Wow, this guy is a real winner! Authorities say, in the past, that he has been cited for inhumane living conditions for his animals. He has also faced multiple kennel violation charges and failing to get his animals vaccinated. This guy had at least 33 dogs, 8 puppies, 10 goats, peacocks and geese on his property as well.
The horse's remains have been taken to a state lab where a necropsy (autopsy for animals) will be done to see if decapitation was the cause of death or if it was alive when it was decapitated.
Read more...
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Cat critically ill after being fed cannabis
Fozzy the cat was rushed to Healthlands Veterinary Hospital after he stopped eating and collapsed. At first, the family thought that Fozzy had a virus. The vet somehow determined that the cat was possibly poisoned at contacted a vet who specializes in poisons. From the symptoms, they determined he had ingested cannabis.
The family believe someone in the Littlemoor area fed Fozzy the drugs as a prank while he was outside.
“The vet said it would take five days to get out of his system but he’s been having fits so we were asked to consider putting him down.”
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Man Accused Of Feeding Cats To Pit Bulls
A Georgia man has been charged with aggravated cruelty to animals for capturing neighborhood kittens and cats and feeding them to his pit bulls.
The warrant charges that Tye Hilmo “did give injured live cats and kittens to his pit bull dogs and let the pit bulls kill the already injured cats and kittens. Hilmo would capture and injure neighborhood cats for this purpose.”
Authorities acted after receiving an anonymous tip that Hilmo had been capturing cats for his dogs to kill. The tipster also said Hilmo was preparing his pit bulls for dog fighting. Investigators said they do not have enough evidence to charge Hilmo with dog fighting.
Investigators found the bodies of two kittens near Hilmo’s house. They also found evidence on his cell phone: a picture of one of his pit bulls and a dead kitten, and beneath the picture, a caption that says “Good Dog.”
Aggravated cruelty to animals is a felony, and if convicted, Hilmo can face one to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
Hilmo was already in jail on drug, firearm and probation violation charges.
Source:
www.postchronicle.com
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Soldier Stomps on and Kills Newly Adopted Dog and Breaks Puppy's Leg Before Bringing Him Back to Shelter
Pet Guardian Angel staff members says a Fort Bliss soldier was arrested for killing one dog and hurting another after just adopting them from the facility two weeks before.
"It's hard to believe people can do that to an animal," said Sheila Smith, an administrative assistant at PGA.
Staff members at the nonprofit animal shelter couldn't believe what they heard when a Fort Bliss official arrived at the facility.
"That's very upsetting. We trust these people. We try to screen them as best we can to see if they can be responsible pet owners," said Smith.
Smith, who helps get animals at PGA adopted, said a young military couple adopted two dogs from PGA two weeks ago. Now, they hear the one named Tinkerbelle is dead. And a puppy named Wrigley has a broken leg and was returned to PGA. PGA staff said Wrigley was taken to Eastwood Animal Clinic for a broken leg at the expense of their organization.
The staff said the Fort Bliss soldier, Frank Zimmerman, beat the dogs.
KFOX spoke to the soldier's wife over the phone and she said Zimmerman didn't mean to hurt the animals. She said when the dogs weren't listening he would take his anger out on them. She said, "Frank beat Tinkerbelle with a leash and he stomped on her until she died."
"Not all military people are like that. Again, it's the way they're raised," said Smith, who was active military for years.
It is unclear what charges, if any, were brought against Zimmerman, but PGA staff says animal cruelty needs to be prosecuted better in El Paso.
"They need to be more strict. If someone is willing to harm an animal he's willing to kill a person. That's our concept," said Smith said.
Click here for video.
Sources:
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/18962490/detail.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15353/TX/US/
"It's hard to believe people can do that to an animal," said Sheila Smith, an administrative assistant at PGA.
Staff members at the nonprofit animal shelter couldn't believe what they heard when a Fort Bliss official arrived at the facility.
"That's very upsetting. We trust these people. We try to screen them as best we can to see if they can be responsible pet owners," said Smith.
Smith, who helps get animals at PGA adopted, said a young military couple adopted two dogs from PGA two weeks ago. Now, they hear the one named Tinkerbelle is dead. And a puppy named Wrigley has a broken leg and was returned to PGA. PGA staff said Wrigley was taken to Eastwood Animal Clinic for a broken leg at the expense of their organization.
The staff said the Fort Bliss soldier, Frank Zimmerman, beat the dogs.
KFOX spoke to the soldier's wife over the phone and she said Zimmerman didn't mean to hurt the animals. She said when the dogs weren't listening he would take his anger out on them. She said, "Frank beat Tinkerbelle with a leash and he stomped on her until she died."
"Not all military people are like that. Again, it's the way they're raised," said Smith, who was active military for years.
It is unclear what charges, if any, were brought against Zimmerman, but PGA staff says animal cruelty needs to be prosecuted better in El Paso.
"They need to be more strict. If someone is willing to harm an animal he's willing to kill a person. That's our concept," said Smith said.
Click here for video.
Sources:
http://www.kfoxtv.com/news/18962490/detail.html
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15353/TX/US/
Man Killed His Dog and Five-Month-Old Daughter Because Dog Defecated on Floor
Police say a Pennsylvania man, irate because the family dog defecated on the floor, kicked the animal to death, then killed his five-month-old daughter by shaking her when she cried.
Twenty-four-year-old Vincent Davis of Erie has been charged with homicide in the death of Savonnia Davis. He's also charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child and cruelty to animals.
Police say Davis initially told them the girl slipped from his hands as he was changing her diaper, but later admitted shaking her.
The bady died at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Thursday, two days after the incident. Doctors say she also had broken ribs, fluid on the brain, and cuts and bruises.
Police found the dog's body in a trash bag on Davis' girlfriend's porch.
Davis is being held without bail.
Source:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15289/PA/US/
http://www.wkrg.com/crime/article/mad_man_kills_dog_and_then_child/24036/
Twenty-four-year-old Vincent Davis of Erie has been charged with homicide in the death of Savonnia Davis. He's also charged with aggravated assault, reckless endangerment, endangering the welfare of a child and cruelty to animals.
Police say Davis initially told them the girl slipped from his hands as he was changing her diaper, but later admitted shaking her.
The bady died at Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh Thursday, two days after the incident. Doctors say she also had broken ribs, fluid on the brain, and cuts and bruises.
Police found the dog's body in a trash bag on Davis' girlfriend's porch.
Davis is being held without bail.
Source:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15289/PA/US/
http://www.wkrg.com/crime/article/mad_man_kills_dog_and_then_child/24036/
Monday, March 30, 2009
Couple who left 64 animals to die inside their foreclosed home will not go to jail!
In April of 2008, police charged Matthew, 29, and Amanda Teymant, owners of the house at 21 Potomac Court, Barnegat, NJ, where the bodies of 64 dead animal were found, with animal cruelty.SPCA Sgt. Thomas Yanisko reported that 64 animals were found dead throughout the home, in different stages of decomposition, according to Barnegat police.
Cats, dogs, ferrets, turtles and guinea pigs were among the dead animals found when the Fannie Mae mortgage company came to foreclose on the vacant house said Barnegat Police Chief Arthur Drexler.
"It was a disturbing scene in there," said Drexler, "anywhere from 50 to 100 animals" were found inside "in varying degrees of composition."
"Some were in cages. Some weren't," Drexler said.
The explanation from Teymant as to why 64 dead animals were found in his home was that he was running a rescue operation, authorities said.
"During an interrogation, Matthew Teymant basically said they were ...(rescuing) ... and adopting them out," Stanton said. "This is your typical case of a person who thinks they are a rescue operation and tries to do the right thing and goes crazy."
Stanton said police raised the question to Matthew Teymant that if he thought things were getting out of control, why did he not ask for help.
"He said he was scared," Stanton said.
Perhaps he was scared of his father who is a retired K-9 police officer, Stanton said.
Matthew Teymant was sentenced to five years' probation and 250 hours of community service. Amanda Teymant was admitted into a pre-trial intervention program that will drop the charges against her in 18 months. She must perform 100 hours of community service.
Their attorney says the couple became overwhelmed caring for the animals once their two young children were born.
Source:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/case_images/13574/
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
DNA Links Teens to Fatally Burning Cat
NEW YORK -- Two Brooklyn teenagers could spend up to 25 years in jail for setting a cat aflame in October, causing the severely injured tabby to eventually be euthanized.
Angelo Monderoy, 18, and Mathew Cooper, 17, were indicted last week by the King's County District's Attorney's Office; they now face multiple charges, including arson in the second degree, burglary in the second degree, aggravated animal cruelty and animal cruelty. In New York, aggravated animal cruelty is classified as a felony.The 5-month-old case may well have remained unsolved had the New York ASPCA not utilized advanced forensics, one of its investigators says.
It's the first time the New York City cruelty investigative team relied on DNA testing, which is commonly used in human cases, but not animal-related incidents.
"This type of testing is becoming more and more accessible for our field," said Joseph Pentangelo, a special agent for humane law enforcement at the ASPCA. "In this case, what was done to the cat certainly cried out for a resolution. We figured that it was certainly an appropriate case to try it on."
Cooper and Monderoy are being charged for stalking Scruffy, a young male tabby, inside one of the men's Crown Heights apartment building. The cat was technically a stray, but had befriended some of the building's tenants, who would regularly supply him with food and care.
After catching the cat, the pair allegedly broke into a vacant apartment unit on Oct. 7, 2008, doused him with a flammable liquid and set him on fire. One person appeared to hold the cat down on his left side, as the right portion ofScruffy's body showed the most severe burns.
Later that morning, according to the King County's District Attorney's Office, "the cat was found outside crying, unable to move, but still alive. It was taken to an animal hospital, where it was euthanized, due to the severe burns it had suffered."
Identifying a culprit in an animal abuse case is frequently challenging, according to Deputy District Attorney Carol Moran, since "animals, much like a victim in a young child abuse case, cannot identify the attacker."
"Even if this cat had lived, it couldn't identify its attacker, even if it did know who did it," Moran said. "That means that we are always going to rely on some combination of investigative work, and in this case, forensics."
Elements of the crime were sloppy, Pentangelo said, and revealed several clues.
"The flames not only damaged the cat, but the floor and part of the walls of the apartment as well," he said. "This was a reckless act, which could have resulted in people being harmed, as well."
Investigators' survey of the area led them to the defendants, "who made some admissions to their involvement in burning a cat," Moran said.
Yet questions of Scruffy being the actual cat who was burned remained unanswered. Hoping to connect the pieces, the ASPCA investigative team looked to DNA testing as a viable option.
"To make sure we could prove that the animal, whose horrible injuries had caused this death, was the same animal these young men set on fire, the ASPCA really did something unique here," Moran said. "They used the scrapings of charred flesh from the apartment and then samples from the cat's body and sent it away."
The DNA matched.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Police officer charged with beating his two dogs-judge returns dogs to him!
A Newport News police officer has been charged with two counts of animal cruelty following complaints that he beat his two dogs.
According to a criminal complaint filed at General District Court, Rashad I. Brown, 32, a Newport News police officer since June 2005, admitted that he beat his dogs — a black Labrador retriever and a Boston terrier — with a hard plastic stick.
"He stated ... that it is not against the law to beat your dogs or kids in Virginia, (and that) he knows this because he is a cop," said the complaint, filed by Newport News Animal Control Officer Angie Gromlich.
William S. Wise, the superintendent of animal services, said in a statement that a call came into the city's animal control division on March 8. The caller said he or she witnessed a man kicking one of his dogs and heard him beating another at his apartment on St. Thomas Drive, in the Oyster Point area.
Upon responding to the scene, Brown encouraged his Lab, "Lilly," to act aggressively toward her, Gromlich wrote in the complaint.
First, she said, he commanded his dog in Spanish to come out of the apartment and get near the animal control officer. The dog obeyed, growling aggressively, the complaint said.
The animal control officer said she then asked Brown "several times" to confine the dog inside.
Instead, with the dog's nose only two or three inches from the animal control officer, Brown "was laughing and reinforced (the dog's) aggressive behavior" by telling her 'Good girl, good girl," in English, the complaint said.
"Mr. Brown stated that she was doing what she was supposed to do, that he had trained her to be aggressive, and this is what he wanted her to do," Gromlich wrote.
The animal control officer said in the complaint that she felt cornered and feared the dog would attack her.
Brown finally placed the dog inside, the complaint said. Gromlich and another animal control officer seized both animals from the property, and took them to a veterinarian.
Fresh abrasions and bruises on the dogs were "consistent with being struck by an object and kicked," Gromlich wrote.
Brown, who is a patrol officer for the Newport News Police Department, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He is scheduled to appear in General District Court on March 26.
A woman living in the apartment, Crystal Brown, was charged with one count each of having no license for a dog and no rabies vaccination, Wise said. Police spokesman Lou Thurston said that Brown, who patrols in the city's north precinct, is still on duty.
Brown now faces two counts of animal cruelty, according to court records. Those are Class 1 misdemeanors, carrying a maximum of 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500.
In addition to those penalties, the court might require someone convicted of animal cruelty to "attend an anger management or other appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling," according to state code.
Brown was at Thursday's General District Court hearing, during which Judge Alfred O. Masters, Jr. determined to return the dogs.
"The law requires a hearing after a short period of time after the seizure (of the dogs)," Chief Deputy City Attorney Allen Jackson said. "The judge made the decision."
The charges are state code violations but could become city code violations, instead.
"We expect we will become involved," Jackson said.
After the incident, the two dogs were removed and taken to a veterinarian, who found "fresh abrasions and bruising consistent with being struck with an object and kicked," according to the complaint.
Brown, who's been with the Police Department since 2005, is scheduled to appear in General District Court on March 26. He's the sixth Newport News police officer since August to face criminal charges.
Sources:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15346/VA/US/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/dp-local_nnanimal
According to a criminal complaint filed at General District Court, Rashad I. Brown, 32, a Newport News police officer since June 2005, admitted that he beat his dogs — a black Labrador retriever and a Boston terrier — with a hard plastic stick.
"He stated ... that it is not against the law to beat your dogs or kids in Virginia, (and that) he knows this because he is a cop," said the complaint, filed by Newport News Animal Control Officer Angie Gromlich.
William S. Wise, the superintendent of animal services, said in a statement that a call came into the city's animal control division on March 8. The caller said he or she witnessed a man kicking one of his dogs and heard him beating another at his apartment on St. Thomas Drive, in the Oyster Point area.
Upon responding to the scene, Brown encouraged his Lab, "Lilly," to act aggressively toward her, Gromlich wrote in the complaint.
First, she said, he commanded his dog in Spanish to come out of the apartment and get near the animal control officer. The dog obeyed, growling aggressively, the complaint said.
The animal control officer said she then asked Brown "several times" to confine the dog inside.
Instead, with the dog's nose only two or three inches from the animal control officer, Brown "was laughing and reinforced (the dog's) aggressive behavior" by telling her 'Good girl, good girl," in English, the complaint said.
"Mr. Brown stated that she was doing what she was supposed to do, that he had trained her to be aggressive, and this is what he wanted her to do," Gromlich wrote.
The animal control officer said in the complaint that she felt cornered and feared the dog would attack her.
Brown finally placed the dog inside, the complaint said. Gromlich and another animal control officer seized both animals from the property, and took them to a veterinarian.
Fresh abrasions and bruises on the dogs were "consistent with being struck by an object and kicked," Gromlich wrote.
Brown, who is a patrol officer for the Newport News Police Department, has been charged with two misdemeanor counts of animal cruelty. He is scheduled to appear in General District Court on March 26.
A woman living in the apartment, Crystal Brown, was charged with one count each of having no license for a dog and no rabies vaccination, Wise said. Police spokesman Lou Thurston said that Brown, who patrols in the city's north precinct, is still on duty.
Brown now faces two counts of animal cruelty, according to court records. Those are Class 1 misdemeanors, carrying a maximum of 12 months in jail and a fine up to $2,500.
In addition to those penalties, the court might require someone convicted of animal cruelty to "attend an anger management or other appropriate treatment program or obtain psychiatric or psychological counseling," according to state code.
Brown was at Thursday's General District Court hearing, during which Judge Alfred O. Masters, Jr. determined to return the dogs.
"The law requires a hearing after a short period of time after the seizure (of the dogs)," Chief Deputy City Attorney Allen Jackson said. "The judge made the decision."
The charges are state code violations but could become city code violations, instead.
"We expect we will become involved," Jackson said.
After the incident, the two dogs were removed and taken to a veterinarian, who found "fresh abrasions and bruising consistent with being struck with an object and kicked," according to the complaint.
Brown, who's been with the Police Department since 2005, is scheduled to appear in General District Court on March 26. He's the sixth Newport News police officer since August to face criminal charges.
Sources:
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15346/VA/US/
http://www.chicagotribune.com/topic/dp-local_nnanimal
Puppy mill raided - some dead, dismembered, skulls hanging from trees
Animal Service officers confiscated 38 dogs and puppies Saturday afternoon in Boulder Creek, CA after finding "more dead dogs than we could count" and dog heads hanging from trees.
Inside the residence, officers found dead dogs at the foot of the bed and "feces everywhere."
Geisreiter said most of the dogs were in "pretty bad condition" and were scared and not friendly.
Officers found 38 dogs who were alive and an unknown number of dead dogs and decomposing carcasses. Only one full carcass was found, the rest were body parts, including skulls hanging from trees, Geisreiter said.
"There were decapitated dogs heads all over the property, hanging from trees," she said. "We don't know how the dogs died or why their heads were cut off. We are investigating him for crimes against animals."
Robert Brunette will reportedly be representing himself at his trial which is scheduled to begin on March 23, 2009.
Court dates are subject to change. To check the status of a court date, call:
Clerk of the Court, Criminal Division
Superior Court of Santa Cruz County
Phone: 831-420-2200
Case # F-16961
Additionally, you may mail or fax polite letters to:
Bob Lee, District Attorney
Santa Cruz County
701 Ocean Street, Room 200
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Fax: 831-454-2227
Read more...
Inside the residence, officers found dead dogs at the foot of the bed and "feces everywhere."
Geisreiter said most of the dogs were in "pretty bad condition" and were scared and not friendly.
Officers found 38 dogs who were alive and an unknown number of dead dogs and decomposing carcasses. Only one full carcass was found, the rest were body parts, including skulls hanging from trees, Geisreiter said."There were decapitated dogs heads all over the property, hanging from trees," she said. "We don't know how the dogs died or why their heads were cut off. We are investigating him for crimes against animals."
Robert Brunette will reportedly be representing himself at his trial which is scheduled to begin on March 23, 2009.
Court dates are subject to change. To check the status of a court date, call:
Clerk of the Court, Criminal Division
Superior Court of Santa Cruz County
Phone: 831-420-2200
Case # F-16961
Additionally, you may mail or fax polite letters to:
Bob Lee, District Attorney
Santa Cruz County
701 Ocean Street, Room 200
Santa Cruz, CA 95060
Fax: 831-454-2227
Read more...
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
All Charges Dropped in Case of Animal Control Officer Shooting Mother Cat and Two Kittens (He claimed self defense!)
An animal control officer who shot and killed three cats will soon be back on the job.
All charges against Fred Grasso have been dropped.
Grasso faced two unclassified misdemeanor charges for allegedly violating the state’s Agriculture and Markets Law. The first count charged him with cruelty to animals and the other alleged he euthanized a dog or cat by gunshot. How was this last one dropped?! It is undeniable that he euthanized killed the cat and kittens by gunshot.
The judge pointed out that for Grasso to be convicted of the cruelty charge, he would have to have acted “unjustifiably” in the shooting of the cats.
Town Justice Richard Scott ruled that Fred Grasso didn't actually commit a crime when he shot and killed three cats last June.Grasso said the reason he shot the animals was because they were rabid (don't you have to kill the animal to test brain tissue to make a diagnosis of Rabies?!) and a danger. The judge agreed and cleared him of any wrongdoing.
The judge said because the officer thought the animals were wild and dangerous, he broke no law by shooting them.
Animal advocates expressed their disappointment. "I know of no case ever where kittens have killed or harmed a human being to the point where deadly force needs to be used," said Barbara Carr of the SPCA.
Grasso's attorney Arcangelo Petricca said, "He does not destroy animals unfairly or unjustly. He felt that he was in danger and that the tenants and residents of that building were in danger, and he had to act quickly and swiftly in order to save them." He had to save the residents from a mother cat and two kittens?! Are you kidding me? This is ridiculous!Petricca called his client “an animal lover himself” who is also a cat owner and who “doesn’t destroy animals unfairly or unjustly.” An animal lover who has no problem shooting a cat and her kittens. He saw them hiss and went to get his rifle. He didn't close the door (which would have enclosed them in the basement, thus, protecting the residents from these big bad kitties!) and wait for someone to help him, he didn't close the door and stop to think...
“[Grasso] felt strongly from the beginning he acted justifiably,” Petricca said. “All I know is he’s tremendously relieved.”
New York State does not have any requirements in place for someone who wants to be an animal control officer.
Assemblyman Sam Hoyt tells News 4 legislation is currently being drafted to change that.
Here is the Judge's Information: (I urge you to contact him! Tell him the TNR was the best option for these kitties-not a gun shot to the head! Click here and here for information to include in your letter. Use this opportunity to show your disappointment and EDUCATE this judge. Being rude or impolite truly hurts our cause!)
Richard B. Scott (D)
West Seneca Town Hall
1250 Union Road
West Seneca, New York 14224
phone - 1-716-558-3246
West Seneca Town Hall
1250 Union Road
West Seneca, New York 14224
phone - 1-716-558-3246
Sources:
Sunday, February 22, 2009
People living in house with 13 dead cats and 2 dogs
Police continue to investigate cases of animal cruelty at an Arvada home, a suburb of Denver. The carcasses of 13 cats and two dogs were removed from a house at 54th & Cody on Tuesday.
Two dogs were rescued and are now awaiting adoption at the Table Mountain Animal Center .
Police say they've been to the home repeatedly since last summer on complaints of loose animals and trash in the yard.
"There were some calls that we came out and addressed those issues with the homeowners regarding dogs in the yard and such but there was nothing ever to lead us to believe what was happening inside the house and the number of dead animals that were inside the house," said Susan Medina, Arvada Police spokesperson.
One woman who noticed an underfed dog in the front yard last August wonders why more wasn't done.
"Because if they would have done something six months ago, they probably wouldn't have found 15 dead animals," said Carol, who didn't want her last name used. "Maybe four or five, but for 15 dead animals in six months, that's a little hard to believe."
Two dogs were rescued and are now awaiting adoption at the Table Mountain Animal Center .
Police say they've been to the home repeatedly since last summer on complaints of loose animals and trash in the yard.
"There were some calls that we came out and addressed those issues with the homeowners regarding dogs in the yard and such but there was nothing ever to lead us to believe what was happening inside the house and the number of dead animals that were inside the house," said Susan Medina, Arvada Police spokesperson.
One woman who noticed an underfed dog in the front yard last August wonders why more wasn't done.
"Because if they would have done something six months ago, they probably wouldn't have found 15 dead animals," said Carol, who didn't want her last name used. "Maybe four or five, but for 15 dead animals in six months, that's a little hard to believe."
Sources:
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Update on Oklahoma teens who beat their two pet cats and posted video on youtube
Two Lawton area teens accused of beating a cat and posting it on YouTube over the weekend will be going through the juvenile justice process in Oklahoma. The 14 and 16-year-old brothers each face two charges of animal cruelty after law enforcement was directed to two videos on Sunday that showed the beating and torture of the grey cat named Dusty, and each video carries separate charges.
During their investigation, the Comanche County Sheriff's Department discovered a third abuse video that shows the beating of a black and white cat - also at a teens' home. The sheriff's department rescued that cat today.
The videos uploaded to YouTube show two separate incidents of animal abuse involving the same cat, and the teens face separate charges for each video. "We filed two counts of animal cruelty on each of the two teenagers today," said Comanche County District Attorney Robert Schulte. "They will be referred to the juvenile court system. We'll expect them to make their appearance early this week before the juvenile judge."
The teenagers have a right to a jury trial, and if they waive that, a judge will decide their fate. Until the two suspects are 18-years-old they are considered juveniles and the court records will be sealed. However, Schulte says he knows there is a lot of public concern over the case, and the court is taking it seriously. "I can tell you that our juvenile judge is a long-standing judge, very conservative, very well thought of, very well respected judge," he said. "He will do what he believes is necessary, and feels best in this case as it goes through the system."
The courts have ensured that the pets will not be abused again. Dusty was removed from the home on Sunday, and the second cat was removed Tuesday. "They have been treated by local veterinarians, they are doing well," said Schulte. "They will not go back into the home, and they are expected to be adopted out into a good home in the next few days."
Schulte says he did not know what punishment the boys may face if found guilty, but said the penalties for a juvenile conviction could include psychological counseling, court monitoring until they turn 18, community service to provide restitution for treatment of animals, and/or placement in court custody.
pet-abuse.com
During their investigation, the Comanche County Sheriff's Department discovered a third abuse video that shows the beating of a black and white cat - also at a teens' home. The sheriff's department rescued that cat today.
The videos uploaded to YouTube show two separate incidents of animal abuse involving the same cat, and the teens face separate charges for each video. "We filed two counts of animal cruelty on each of the two teenagers today," said Comanche County District Attorney Robert Schulte. "They will be referred to the juvenile court system. We'll expect them to make their appearance early this week before the juvenile judge."
The teenagers have a right to a jury trial, and if they waive that, a judge will decide their fate. Until the two suspects are 18-years-old they are considered juveniles and the court records will be sealed. However, Schulte says he knows there is a lot of public concern over the case, and the court is taking it seriously. "I can tell you that our juvenile judge is a long-standing judge, very conservative, very well thought of, very well respected judge," he said. "He will do what he believes is necessary, and feels best in this case as it goes through the system."
The courts have ensured that the pets will not be abused again. Dusty was removed from the home on Sunday, and the second cat was removed Tuesday. "They have been treated by local veterinarians, they are doing well," said Schulte. "They will not go back into the home, and they are expected to be adopted out into a good home in the next few days."
Schulte says he did not know what punishment the boys may face if found guilty, but said the penalties for a juvenile conviction could include psychological counseling, court monitoring until they turn 18, community service to provide restitution for treatment of animals, and/or placement in court custody.
pet-abuse.com
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Teenagers in Oklahoma video taped themselves beating a cat and posted it on Youtube
An animal abuse story that has sparked outrage across the country has Comanche County Sheriff Kenny Stradley saying that two local boys are responsible. The teen was filmed beating and torturing a cat, and uploaded it to YouTube over the weekend. It was viewed about 30,000 times.
Internet observers along with information from popular websites such as YouTube, Reddit, Digg, Facebook and Myspace, came up with pictures posted by a teen in Lawton that related to parts of the video. That's when 7News and local authorities began receiving calls. "At this time, it appears that it is here in Lawton. We re just at the beginning of this, but it s looking like it is from Comanche County," said Stradley.
The horrifying day may be over for the cat, but it is just getting started for its abusers. "We'll put it together and take it to the D.A. It will be up to the D.A. whether or not he files charges or not. Our job is to put the investigation together as a case and take it to the DA and that's what we'll do," said Stradley.
Sheriff Kenny Stradley says the cat has been taken to a local veterinarian and that investigators have questioned two boys.
The abusers names are not being released because they are minors.
What I want to know is who are the sick people, all 30,000 of them who would watch this video!?!?! This is just disgusting!
Contact Sheriff Kenny Stradley:
Comanche County Sheriff's Department
Comanche County Courthouse
315 SW 5th Street
Room 102
Lawton, Oklahoma 73501
580.353.4280
(I cannot find an email address for the Sheriff)
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=9852277
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15258/OK/US/
Internet observers along with information from popular websites such as YouTube, Reddit, Digg, Facebook and Myspace, came up with pictures posted by a teen in Lawton that related to parts of the video. That's when 7News and local authorities began receiving calls. "At this time, it appears that it is here in Lawton. We re just at the beginning of this, but it s looking like it is from Comanche County," said Stradley.
The horrifying day may be over for the cat, but it is just getting started for its abusers. "We'll put it together and take it to the D.A. It will be up to the D.A. whether or not he files charges or not. Our job is to put the investigation together as a case and take it to the DA and that's what we'll do," said Stradley.
Sheriff Kenny Stradley says the cat has been taken to a local veterinarian and that investigators have questioned two boys.
The abusers names are not being released because they are minors.
What I want to know is who are the sick people, all 30,000 of them who would watch this video!?!?! This is just disgusting!
Contact Sheriff Kenny Stradley:
Comanche County Sheriff's Department
Comanche County Courthouse
315 SW 5th Street
Room 102
Lawton, Oklahoma 73501
580.353.4280
(I cannot find an email address for the Sheriff)
http://www.kswo.com/Global/story.asp?S=9852277
http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/15258/OK/US/
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
Dog found frozen to death in New Jersey
A man was arrested and charged with animal cruelty after he allowed a dog to freeze to death Saturday, officials said.
Robert Dunbar, 25, of Sixth Avenue was charged Tuesday night with three counts of animal cruelty after Sgt. Matty Juliano of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was sent to investigate the death of a female pit bull-mix.
Juliano was accompanied by township police, SPCA Police Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato said.
Dunbar faces up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $3,000 if he is convicted of the charges in Municipal Court, Amato said.
Read more...
Robert Dunbar, 25, of Sixth Avenue was charged Tuesday night with three counts of animal cruelty after Sgt. Matty Juliano of the Monmouth County Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was sent to investigate the death of a female pit bull-mix.
Juliano was accompanied by township police, SPCA Police Chief Victor "Buddy" Amato said.
Dunbar faces up to six months in jail and a fine of up to $3,000 if he is convicted of the charges in Municipal Court, Amato said.
Read more...
Wednesday, February 11, 2009
Animal control officer shot mother cat and her two kittens-claiming self defense!
Lackawanna animal-control officer Frederick S. Grasso finally got his day in court Monday, testifying that he shot and killed three cats last June only after they had hissed and spat at him from the basement of a Lackawanna apartment complex."I opened the door, I took two steps downstairs, and three cats - the mother and two kittens - came at me," Grasso testified at his daylong trial on two misdemeanor charges. "They were all hissing and spitting at me."
Grasso then went back to his vehicle and grabbed his rifle.
"At that point, the safest means to dispose of those cats was to shoot them," Grasso told West Seneca Town Justice Richard B. Scott.
The case was transferred to West Seneca because it had generated so much comment and publicity in Lackawanna.
Asked later by defense attorney Arcangelo J. Petricca whether he had any alternative to shooting the cats, Grasso replied: "No, I don't believe there was any alternative. There was no safe way to remove those cats."
The nonjury trial also heard testimony from six prosecution witnesses and three defense witnesses. After the daylong proceeding, Scott reserved decision until Feb. 20.
The conflicting testimony presented two widely varying accounts of the three cats that were shot June 10 on Eagan Drive.
Prosecution witnesses, including neighbors and officials of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, portrayed the slain cats and four surviving kittens from the same family as docile, friendly animals that purred and even jumped onto neighbors' laps.
Barbara S. Carr, executive director of the Erie County SPCA, examined the four surviving kittens about two weeks after the shootings.
"They were perfectly normal kittens," Carr told the court. "They were friendly, purring, liked to be touched and didn't struggle to get away."
Michael P. Felicetta, an Erie County assistant district attorney, asked Patricia Murtha, a neighbor from Eagan Drive in Lackawanna, whether the mother cat was aggressive.
"No way, no way," she replied. "Any time she came over, she craved attention."
Several other witnesses provided similar descriptions of the cats' behavior.
"[Grasso] would have you believe that the mother and her two kittens turned evil, turned nasty [that day]," Felicetta said in his closing statement.
During the trial, Scott viewed a DVD shot by SPCA Peace Officer Charles Braun about two weeks after the shootings and depicting the four surviving kittens as very playful.
"This has absolutely nothing to do with June 10," Petricca objected. "It doesn't help evaluate the situation on June 10. . . . It's irrelevant."
Much of the prosecution testimony earlier in the day focused on witnesses who had heard Grasso admit the shootings. But that testimony became moot later in the trial, when Grasso admitted to having fired the three fatal shots.
Earlier, defense witness Vera Bink, the rental manager for the Eagan Drive apartment complex, told the court about the phone call she made to Grasso after having been confronted by the mother cat in the basement.
"I told him on the phone, 'Be careful. Take caution. . . . The female cat hissed at me, and she was ready to charge the stairs,' " Bink said.
"She was afraid to enter her basement, and she feared for the safety of her tenants," Grasso testified about Bink.
Grasso faces two unclassified misdemeanor charges under the state Agriculture and Markets Law, one for cruelty to animals, the other for euthanizing a dog or cat by gunshot.
The law on which the second charge is based states that no one may euthanize a dog or cat by gunshot, except as an emergency procedure for a "dangerous dog" or a severely injured dog or cat.
As Felicetta pointed out, the statute doesn't talk about a "dangerous cat," and there's no evidence or testimony that any of the cats here were severely injured.
But Petricca, in his opening statement, argued that the euthanasia charge should be dismissed.
"This is not a euthanasia case, your honor," he said. "This is not a Kevorkian-type killing."
BuffaloNews.com Feb. 10, 2009
I want to know why this ACO didn't just trap them? If he was going to kill them anyway, wouldn't the more humane act be trapping them and "humanely" euthanizing them? I very rarely agree that euthanasia is the best choice (and I don't agree in this case) but generally cats who hiss once are deemed "aggressive" and are killed by people like this.
Also, isn't there a protocol for this sort of thing? They were enclosed in a basement and were not an immediate threat to anyone or any animal outside the basement. They need to have someone KNOWLEDGEABLE about cat behavior working with animals. A cat hissing, especially a mother cat, is just trying to protect themselves and their kittens. It is completely normal for a cat to hiss at a strange person coming into their area. Just because she hissed doesn't mean she is aggressive. Also, if she did end up being feral, he should have trapped her and gotten her and her kittens (if they were old enough) spayed or neutered.
It's ridiculous that he just took it upon himself to discharge a shotgun in a residential area and shoot these kittens after a FIVE MINUTE interaction with them-not even 5 minutes, he said himself that he took two steps into the basement, then went to get his rifle.
There are a lot of people in the case claiming that the kittens and mother were/are friendly. 4 kittens survived and were not shot. The temperament of the cats doesn't really matter to me that much. The point is that they were living beings and the ACO took it upon himself to judge their temperament and decided they were dangerous and shot and killed them in a minute or two.
This guy needs to be fired and convicted of animal cruelty.
If you write to the judge (which I hope you will), feel free to use anything I wrote above.
He is in court Feb. 20, 2009.
Judge Richard B. Scott
West Seneca Town Court
1250 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
West Seneca Town Court
1250 Union Road
West Seneca, NY 14224
Phone: 716.558.3247
Fax: 716.674.0518
Fax: 716.674.0518
(Grasso's Attorney) City Attorney, Arc Petricca cityattorney@ci.lackawanna.ny.us
716.827.6479
716.827.6479
Read more on pet-abuse.com.
Please sign the petition regarding this case.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Man who dumped 5 puppies in roadside outhouse will face NO jail time!
A British Columbia man will no face jail time for a disturbing animal abuse case.
Frederick Hoath, 57, is sentenced to a fine of one thousand dollars for each of five counts of animal cruelty. He also received two years probation and 100 hours of community service. Hoath must pay close to 750 dollars for the cost of the rescue. He is allowed to keep his own dog but is banned from owning any new pets for a period of two years.
Five puppies were dumped in a roadside outhouse and left to die in the Crowsnest Pass in January 2008.
The animals were discovered, rescued, and eventually tracked to litter of puppies owned by a Crowsnest Pass woman.
Samantha Rieberger, 42, is also charged with animal cruelty. She will stand trial in February.
In passing down his sentence, the Pincher Creek judge called Hoath a good person who did a cruel thing. At his trial, witnesses testified that Hoath was a helpful and caring neighbour who organized a community toy drive.
Animals rights groups say they are disappointed with the sentence.
The maximum sentence on cruelty to animal charges is a fine up to five thousand dollars, six months in jail, or both.
Read more...
Frederick Hoath, 57, is sentenced to a fine of one thousand dollars for each of five counts of animal cruelty. He also received two years probation and 100 hours of community service. Hoath must pay close to 750 dollars for the cost of the rescue. He is allowed to keep his own dog but is banned from owning any new pets for a period of two years.
Five puppies were dumped in a roadside outhouse and left to die in the Crowsnest Pass in January 2008.
The animals were discovered, rescued, and eventually tracked to litter of puppies owned by a Crowsnest Pass woman.
Samantha Rieberger, 42, is also charged with animal cruelty. She will stand trial in February.
In passing down his sentence, the Pincher Creek judge called Hoath a good person who did a cruel thing. At his trial, witnesses testified that Hoath was a helpful and caring neighbour who organized a community toy drive.
Animals rights groups say they are disappointed with the sentence.
The maximum sentence on cruelty to animal charges is a fine up to five thousand dollars, six months in jail, or both.
Read more...
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
17 year old arrested in case of kittens set on fire and killed by fireworks, one with broken legs.
Brooks County Sheriff Mike Dewey announced today the arrest of Cory Ward, 17, of Brooks County for Aggravated Cruelty to Animals in the death of two cats and the disfiguration of a third cat in the area of Eagle Run Trailer Park. Ward was taken into custody at approximately 12:30 p.m. today and is to appear before Brooks County Magistrate Judge Joyce Miskiel this afternoon for arraignment.
On December 20, 2008, Jim Ragan found two cats that were severely burned. Both cats were taken to Baytree Animal Hospital. On December 22, 2008, Mr. Ragan found a third cat that had also been burned and had two broken legs.
Two of the cats – "Fluffy" and "Little Jim" were taken to the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital where they later died. Blackie continues to improve at home with surgery scheduled in the next few weeks.
"After extensive investigation and follow-up on leads provided to us by concerned citizens we were able to solve this case," stated Sheriff Mike Dewey. "We appreciate the many individuals who came forward with information and offers to help with the medical costs and the reward money," the Sheriff continued.
"Individuals who commit such heinous acts as the burning of these innocent animals, if not caught and held accountable for these acts may go on to commit more serious crimes in the future." Dewey further stated.
Aggravated Animal Cruelty is a felony and carries a penalty of 1 – 5 years and a maximum fine of $15,000 plus restitution. Currently medical costs for the treatment of "Fluffy", "Little Jim" and "Blackie" is approximately $16,000.
Read more here...
On December 20, 2008, Jim Ragan found two cats that were severely burned. Both cats were taken to Baytree Animal Hospital. On December 22, 2008, Mr. Ragan found a third cat that had also been burned and had two broken legs.
Two of the cats – "Fluffy" and "Little Jim" were taken to the University of Florida Veterinary Hospital where they later died. Blackie continues to improve at home with surgery scheduled in the next few weeks.
"After extensive investigation and follow-up on leads provided to us by concerned citizens we were able to solve this case," stated Sheriff Mike Dewey. "We appreciate the many individuals who came forward with information and offers to help with the medical costs and the reward money," the Sheriff continued.
"Individuals who commit such heinous acts as the burning of these innocent animals, if not caught and held accountable for these acts may go on to commit more serious crimes in the future." Dewey further stated.
Aggravated Animal Cruelty is a felony and carries a penalty of 1 – 5 years and a maximum fine of $15,000 plus restitution. Currently medical costs for the treatment of "Fluffy", "Little Jim" and "Blackie" is approximately $16,000.
Read more here...
Saturday, January 31, 2009
DMX Sentenced for animal cruelty and other charges.
Rapper DMX was sentenced to 90 days in jail Friday for convictions on theft, drug-possession and animal-cruelty charges. DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons, also was placed on at least 18 months' supervised probation by Maricopa County Superior Court Commissioner Phemonia Miller.
Simmons pleaded guilty Dec. 30 to three felony counts — theft, possession or use of marijuana, and possession or use of narcotic drugs — and one misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Dog returned to dog fighting suspect, per his request!
Johnson was reportedly the owner of “Shakedown Kennels .”
At the time of his arrest, law enforcement officers, Humane Society officials and a forensic veterinarian from the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) reportedly found barrels scattered around Johnson’s backyard, logging chains attached to stakes in the ground near each barrel, along with other evidence. Each dog was attached to a chain by a heavy collar.
The sheriff’s office said in a press release at the time that information regarding Shake Down Kennels was first provided to the HSUS via their tip line earlier in the year. An investigation was launched at that time, but authorities waited to make an arrest until after the new law took effect July 1.
The animal fighting tip line was established as a pro-bono venture by the Atlanta-based security firm, Norred and Associates, in the wake of the Michael Vick case so that Georgia residents can easily report illegal animal fighting to authorities, officials said. The HSUS offers up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of anyone involved in animal fighting.
The new law makes it a felony to own, possess, train, transport or sell a dog for the purpose of dogfighting.
If convicted, Johnson could serve up to five years in prison, a minimum fine of $5,000, or both, according to the sheriff’s office.
Madison County’s Animal Control Board voted 3-2 last month to return temporary custody of a male pit bull dog to his owner, a man who was the first person in the state arrested under Georgia’s new felony dogfighting law, which took effect July 1, 2008.
The animal control board released the dog to Johnny Stewart Johnson, 28, of Danielsville, per his request, until his court date, which is tentatively scheduled for next May. The custody of six other dogs seized at the time of his arrest were not under consideration.
In return, Johnson agreed to provide adequate care for the dog and to allow animal control officers to conduct regular visits to his home in order to ensure that adequate care is provided, according to the animal control board minutes.
The decision was made during an animal control hearing on Nov. 12, where members of the animal control board heard testimony from assistant district attorney Jimmy Webb, animal control officer Andy McLendon and Johnson.
“The purpose of the hearing was not to determine innocence or guilt related to dog fighting but whether it was in the dog’s best interest to be held by the state, or returned to the dog owner while the trial was pending,” hearing minutes stated.
The board heard information from Webb regarding the dogfighting arrest; from McLendon, who spoke of his experience with dogs and answered questions from the board; and from Johnson, who maintained that the dog in question, as well as the other dogs, were kept for personal enjoyment and not for fighting.
“A question of whether the animal should be neutered prior to release to the owner was discussed, however the motion/second was unaltered and a vote followed,” according to hearing minutes.
Board members Barbara Freeman, Decator Dunugan and Nina Grass voted to return the dog to Johnson under monitored foster care until his trial. Chairman Greg Bleakley and board secretary Phil Munro voted “no.”
In return, Johnson agreed to provide adequate care for the dog and to allow animal control officers to conduct regular visits to his home in order to ensure that adequate care is provided, according to the animal control board minutes.
The decision was made during an animal control hearing on Nov. 12, where members of the animal control board heard testimony from assistant district attorney Jimmy Webb, animal control officer Andy McLendon and Johnson.
“The purpose of the hearing was not to determine innocence or guilt related to dog fighting but whether it was in the dog’s best interest to be held by the state, or returned to the dog owner while the trial was pending,” hearing minutes stated.
The board heard information from Webb regarding the dogfighting arrest; from McLendon, who spoke of his experience with dogs and answered questions from the board; and from Johnson, who maintained that the dog in question, as well as the other dogs, were kept for personal enjoyment and not for fighting.
“A question of whether the animal should be neutered prior to release to the owner was discussed, however the motion/second was unaltered and a vote followed,” according to hearing minutes.
Board members Barbara Freeman, Decator Dunugan and Nina Grass voted to return the dog to Johnson under monitored foster care until his trial. Chairman Greg Bleakley and board secretary Phil Munro voted “no.”
Shakedown Kennels
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