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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
Showing posts with label beaten. Show all posts
Showing posts with label beaten. Show all posts
Monday, March 23, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Man beat 5 Pomeranian puppies to death with hammer and is ACQUITTED!
Keith Barton
, 73, killed five Pomeranian puppies with a hammer because he did not want the SPCA officers to seize them. The SPCA went to his house to seize his thirteen dogs. He would rather these five be dead than held at the city shelter while he straightened things out? I mean, the city shelter might have killed them too but at least it would have been more humane than getting their head smashed in with a hammer!
Keith Barton had applied for a licence for Pet Me Kennel, said animal protection officer David Lynch, and a follow-up inspection was being conducted after he had been told to clean up the property. The SPCA officials and the animal control officer found that his property still did not meet kennel standards and proceeded to seize the dogs.
Judge Patricia Cumming must be mentally impaired because she said there was evidence that the the dog were "rendered unconscious" when they were hit and did not suffer when he was bashing their heads in with a hammer. What about the first strike that (supposedly) caused them to lose consciousness?
She did feel that one dog, Jake, who survived, did feel pain. She found him guilty of injuring the dog.
Barton told the court, in November, he thought he had the right to kill his dogs and he didn't want the SPCA to take his dogs. He testified that he couldn't let the seizure happen because he "loved the dogs so desperately."
When Barton also testified he described the day he killed his dogs as "the worst day of my life, when I had to do that to my babies."
Not only did he kill these puppies, he also neglected them while they were alive. He was charged with three counts of failing to give proper care to his thirteen Pomeranians. Why only three counts if there were thirteen Pomeranians? The Judge only fined him the minimum of about $120 on each case.
The judge gave him a conditional discharge, with the condition that he cannot own a dog or pet for the next 12 months.
This is an extremely violent act and at the end of this, we have five dead puppies, a $360 fine for not providing water to three of the thirteen dogs, the condition that he cannot own any animals for twelve months, and he was found guilty of injuring an animal (the one who survived). What about the ones he KILLED? Do they not deserve justice!?
Sources:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/11/28/nb-defence-dogs.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/03/07/dogs-killed.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/02/03/nb-dogs-barton.html?ref=rss
, 73, killed five Pomeranian puppies with a hammer because he did not want the SPCA officers to seize them. The SPCA went to his house to seize his thirteen dogs. He would rather these five be dead than held at the city shelter while he straightened things out? I mean, the city shelter might have killed them too but at least it would have been more humane than getting their head smashed in with a hammer!Keith Barton had applied for a licence for Pet Me Kennel, said animal protection officer David Lynch, and a follow-up inspection was being conducted after he had been told to clean up the property. The SPCA officials and the animal control officer found that his property still did not meet kennel standards and proceeded to seize the dogs.
Barton was playing with the dogs in the yard as the 11 Pomeranians began to be seized, Lynch said. The protection officer said he noticed Barton takings dogs into a shed and thought he was looking for privacy to say goodbye to the animals.
"When he came out of the shed, he put on a coat. He sat on a chair on his back step, and he never said a word ," Lynch said. "I went into the shed to take the animals, and that's when I discovered that … they were dead."
Five of the dogs inside the shed were dead and one was seriously injured, Lynch said.
Judge Patricia Cumming must be mentally impaired because she said there was evidence that the the dog were "rendered unconscious" when they were hit and did not suffer when he was bashing their heads in with a hammer. What about the first strike that (supposedly) caused them to lose consciousness?
She did feel that one dog, Jake, who survived, did feel pain. She found him guilty of injuring the dog.
Barton told the court, in November, he thought he had the right to kill his dogs and he didn't want the SPCA to take his dogs. He testified that he couldn't let the seizure happen because he "loved the dogs so desperately."
When Barton also testified he described the day he killed his dogs as "the worst day of my life, when I had to do that to my babies."
Barton said he would have killed all of the dogs if he had more time.
The Minto man said he thought he had a right to put his dogs down but a provincial veterinary pathologist said Barton's tactics were not an acceptable method of euthanasia for dogs.
The vet said it would have taken three to five minutes for the dogs to die.
Not only did he kill these puppies, he also neglected them while they were alive. He was charged with three counts of failing to give proper care to his thirteen Pomeranians. Why only three counts if there were thirteen Pomeranians? The Judge only fined him the minimum of about $120 on each case.
The judge gave him a conditional discharge, with the condition that he cannot own a dog or pet for the next 12 months.
This is an extremely violent act and at the end of this, we have five dead puppies, a $360 fine for not providing water to three of the thirteen dogs, the condition that he cannot own any animals for twelve months, and he was found guilty of injuring an animal (the one who survived). What about the ones he KILLED? Do they not deserve justice!?
Sources:
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/11/28/nb-defence-dogs.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2008/03/07/dogs-killed.html
http://www.cbc.ca/canada/new-brunswick/story/2009/02/03/nb-dogs-barton.html?ref=rss
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
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Man who brutally beat puppy gets slap on the wrist!
A San Rafael man charged with beating his Chihuahua puppy pleaded guilty after a judge said she would reduce his charge to a misdemeanor and limit his sentence to 44 days in jail.
Jose Misael Cardenas, 20, will be sentenced March 11 by Judge Kelly Simmons, who offered the deal. Cardenas pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty count that prosecutors charged as a felony, but the judge has the discretion to make it a misdemeanor.
The investigation began on Aug. 27, when authorities received an anonymous tip from a resident on North San Pedro Road about someone beating a Chihuahua, according to the Marin Humane Society.
An animal control officer arrived to find the 6-month-old dog, Scooby, needing emergency treatment; it had bruises, was limping and lethargic. Cardenas, who said he owned the dog, denied any wrongdoing.
The dog was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with hemorrhaging to the left eye, bruising to its legs, chest and right ear, and fluid in its lungs, authorities said.
Prosecutors filed charges of animal cruelty, dissuading a witness and failure to take care of an animal. After a preliminary examination of the evidence in September, Judge Simmons ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold a trial on the animal cruelty charge, but she dismissed the two other charges.
Scooby, who was taken from Cardenas by the Marin Humane Society, has since been adopted, said Deputy District Attorney Aicha Mievis.
Cardenas told investigators he bought the dog at a flea market in Vallejo.
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009: Report and Judgment
Here is his case number: SC160895A, Jose Misael Cardenas
Judge Kelly V. Simmons, appointed to the bench in 2005, received her bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and law degree from Pepperdine Law School.
http://www.marincourt.org/bios_judge.htm
To contact the court locally:
Phone: (415) 473-6225
Location: Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C-10
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Jose Misael Cardenas, 20, will be sentenced March 11 by Judge Kelly Simmons, who offered the deal. Cardenas pleaded guilty to an animal cruelty count that prosecutors charged as a felony, but the judge has the discretion to make it a misdemeanor.
The investigation began on Aug. 27, when authorities received an anonymous tip from a resident on North San Pedro Road about someone beating a Chihuahua, according to the Marin Humane Society.
An animal control officer arrived to find the 6-month-old dog, Scooby, needing emergency treatment; it had bruises, was limping and lethargic. Cardenas, who said he owned the dog, denied any wrongdoing.
The dog was taken to the hospital and was diagnosed with hemorrhaging to the left eye, bruising to its legs, chest and right ear, and fluid in its lungs, authorities said.
Prosecutors filed charges of animal cruelty, dissuading a witness and failure to take care of an animal. After a preliminary examination of the evidence in September, Judge Simmons ruled there was sufficient evidence to hold a trial on the animal cruelty charge, but she dismissed the two other charges.
Scooby, who was taken from Cardenas by the Marin Humane Society, has since been adopted, said Deputy District Attorney Aicha Mievis.
Cardenas told investigators he bought the dog at a flea market in Vallejo.
Wednesday, Mar 11, 2009: Report and Judgment
Here is his case number: SC160895A, Jose Misael Cardenas
Judge Kelly V. Simmons, appointed to the bench in 2005, received her bachelor's degree from San Diego State University and law degree from Pepperdine Law School.
http://www.marincourt.org/bios_judge.htm
To contact the court locally:
Phone: (415) 473-6225
Location: Civic Center, Hall of Justice, Room C-10
Office Hours: 8:00am - 4:00pm
Email the judge:
Email: criminal@marincourt.org
Mailing address:
Thursday, January 8, 2009
13 year old sexually assaults 11 year old and kills her cat goes to pretrial hearing January 21.
A 13-year-old Livingston County boy has been charged with sexually assaulting a neighborhood girl on her 11th birthday, killing her cat, assaulting her younger brother, harassing her mother on the telephone and kicking and punching another boy at a school bus stop.
The incidents occurred over several months, starting in April, but were not reported to police until mid-October, Pinckney Police Chief Denis Aseltine said. Criminal charges were filed Nov. 3.
Pinckney Community Schools Superintendent Dan Danosky and Pathfinder School officials could not be reached this morning for comment on whether the 13-year-old remains in school.
Aseltine said the incidents began on the girl's 11th birthday, as she and the boy sat on a couch at her home watching a movie in their Putnam Township neighborhood.
He said the girl told police the boy sexually assaulted her, causing her to flee, frightened and crying, to her mother's room and locked the door. He said the boy's mother later apologized to the girl's mother, so the incident was not reported, even though the girl said she remained in pain for several days after the assault.
In July, Aseltine said, the boy admitted to stepping on and killing the girl's cat, but claimed it was an accident. The girl's mother told police the cat was never allowed outside. She took the cat to Michigan State University for a necropsy, which listed multiple liver fractures, hemorrhaging in the lungs and kidney, as causes of death, Aseltine said.
Aseltine said the boy has admitted he shoved the girl's 8-year-old brother off his bike in July. The 8-year-old told police the older boy lifted him, while on his bike, threw him to the ground, then threw a scooter at him.
The girl's mother also said the 13-year-old called her on the telephone and cursed her, and posted obscene comments on the girl's MySpace page.
The incidents were finally reported, Aseltine said, after an 11-year-old neighbor boy told police that the 13-year-old knocked him down at the school bus stop in mid-October, then kicked him in the stomach and repeatedly punched him in the head.
Livingston County prosecutors said the charges against the 13-year-old include second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony for an adult; animal cruelty or torture, a four-year felony; malicious use of a telephone, a six-month misdemeanor; and two counts of assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor.
Read more about this case.
The incidents occurred over several months, starting in April, but were not reported to police until mid-October, Pinckney Police Chief Denis Aseltine said. Criminal charges were filed Nov. 3.
Pinckney Community Schools Superintendent Dan Danosky and Pathfinder School officials could not be reached this morning for comment on whether the 13-year-old remains in school.
Aseltine said the incidents began on the girl's 11th birthday, as she and the boy sat on a couch at her home watching a movie in their Putnam Township neighborhood.
He said the girl told police the boy sexually assaulted her, causing her to flee, frightened and crying, to her mother's room and locked the door. He said the boy's mother later apologized to the girl's mother, so the incident was not reported, even though the girl said she remained in pain for several days after the assault.
In July, Aseltine said, the boy admitted to stepping on and killing the girl's cat, but claimed it was an accident. The girl's mother told police the cat was never allowed outside. She took the cat to Michigan State University for a necropsy, which listed multiple liver fractures, hemorrhaging in the lungs and kidney, as causes of death, Aseltine said.
Aseltine said the boy has admitted he shoved the girl's 8-year-old brother off his bike in July. The 8-year-old told police the older boy lifted him, while on his bike, threw him to the ground, then threw a scooter at him.
The girl's mother also said the 13-year-old called her on the telephone and cursed her, and posted obscene comments on the girl's MySpace page.
The incidents were finally reported, Aseltine said, after an 11-year-old neighbor boy told police that the 13-year-old knocked him down at the school bus stop in mid-October, then kicked him in the stomach and repeatedly punched him in the head.
Livingston County prosecutors said the charges against the 13-year-old include second-degree criminal sexual conduct, a 15-year felony for an adult; animal cruelty or torture, a four-year felony; malicious use of a telephone, a six-month misdemeanor; and two counts of assault and battery, a 93-day misdemeanor.
Read more about this case.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
California man bought dog at flea market and severely beat him.
A 20-year-old San Rafael man was arraigned Wednesday on charges he severely beat his 6-month-old Chihuahua puppy, authorities said.
Jose Misael Cardenas could face up to three years and eight months in prison if convicted of animal cruelty and other counts, said Deputy District Attorney Linda Witong.
A plea hearing is pending. Cardenas was being held at the Marin County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.
The investigation began on Aug. 27, when authorities received an anonymous tip from a resident on North San Pedro Road about someone beating a Chihuahua, said Carrie Harrington, spokeswoman for the Marin Humane Society.
An animal control officer arrived to find the Chihuahua, whose name is Scooby, needing emergency treatment for bruises, limping and lethargy. The dog's owner, Cardenas, denied any wrongdoing. The dog's injuries Aug. 27 included hemorrhaging to the left eye and bruising to his lower legs, chest and right ear, said Dave Stapp, an officer with the Marin Humane Society.
The Humane Society seized Scooby and took the dog to the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in San Rafael. After further investigation, authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Cardenas, and he surrendered to the jail Wednesday morning.
Scooby remained at the pet hospital and will be released Thursday, Harrington said. The Humane Society is arranging for a foster home for the dog pending the outcome of the criminal case.
Cardenas told investigators he bought the dog at a flea market in Vallejo.
Alleged: Jose Misael Cardenas
Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
County: Marin
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Jury trial: Friday, Jan 16, 2009
Prosecutor(s): Linda Witong
Judge(s): Kelly Simmons
Jury trial to be held at:
Marin County Superior Court
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, California 94903
Click here for more information on the case.
Jose Misael Cardenas could face up to three years and eight months in prison if convicted of animal cruelty and other counts, said Deputy District Attorney Linda Witong.
A plea hearing is pending. Cardenas was being held at the Marin County Jail in lieu of $150,000 bail.
The investigation began on Aug. 27, when authorities received an anonymous tip from a resident on North San Pedro Road about someone beating a Chihuahua, said Carrie Harrington, spokeswoman for the Marin Humane Society.
An animal control officer arrived to find the Chihuahua, whose name is Scooby, needing emergency treatment for bruises, limping and lethargy. The dog's owner, Cardenas, denied any wrongdoing. The dog's injuries Aug. 27 included hemorrhaging to the left eye and bruising to his lower legs, chest and right ear, said Dave Stapp, an officer with the Marin Humane Society.
The Humane Society seized Scooby and took the dog to the Pet Emergency and Specialty Center in San Rafael. After further investigation, authorities obtained an arrest warrant for Cardenas, and he surrendered to the jail Wednesday morning.
Scooby remained at the pet hospital and will be released Thursday, Harrington said. The Humane Society is arranging for a foster home for the dog pending the outcome of the criminal case.
Cardenas told investigators he bought the dog at a flea market in Vallejo.
Alleged: Jose Misael Cardenas
Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 27, 2008
County: Marin
Charges: Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Jury trial: Friday, Jan 16, 2009
Jury trial to be held at:
Marin County Superior Court
3501 Civic Center Drive
San Rafael, California 94903
Click here for more information on the case.
Monday, December 29, 2008
Prince Edward Accused of Beating Black Lab
Prince Edward, 44, caused international outrage when he was photographed brandishing a 4-foot long walking stick over a pair of black Labradors.
The incident occurred over the holidays while royal family members--including Prince William; the queen's husband Prince Philip; and second son, Prince Andrew--were hunting for pheasant on the Queen's private estate in eastern England.
The incident occurred over the holidays while royal family members--including Prince William; the queen's husband Prince Philip; and second son, Prince Andrew--were hunting for pheasant on the Queen's private estate in eastern England.
There's no denying these pictures. It looks like he was targeting one dog. He hit the dog with a stick, even while he was cowering. I hope he has charges brought against him.
Source:
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Update! Los Angeles County assistant fire chief arrested for the beating of a puppy who had to be euthanized
A Los Angeles County assistant fire chief was arrested and charged today with animal cruelty for allegedly beating a puppy so badly it had to be euthanized.
Glynn Demon Johnson, who also faces a deadly weapon allegation for allegedly using a 12-pound rock to strike the six-month-old puppy in the unincorporated community of Woodcrest, faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
The shepherd mix, Karley, apparently got loose Nov. 3 in the 17000 block of Armentrout Lane. Karley wandered into the yard of neighbor Travis Staggs, who was on his way to return the pup when Johnson approached him and offered to carry the dog over himself, according to sheriff's officials.
In a television interview, Staggs said Johnson, 54, started beating the puppy without provocation, trying to break the dog's jaws by prying them apart, then hit Karley in the head with a big rock.
The puppy's skull was crushed and it suffered brain damage, officials said.
``The dog's injuries were so severe that the animal had to be euthanized,'' according to Michael Jeandron, with the District Attorney's Office.
Johnson told investigators that the dog bit him and he struck the puppy in self-defense. He was treated at a hospital for wrist and thumb injuries.
Johnson was expected to be booked into the county jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, but no records of his booking had been posted as of 5 p.m.
An arraignment date had not yet been set.
The fatal beating sparked multiple protests and telephone calls to the District Attorney's Office urging prosecutors to file charges against Johnson.
Click here for more information on this case
Glynn Demon Johnson, who also faces a deadly weapon allegation for allegedly using a 12-pound rock to strike the six-month-old puppy in the unincorporated community of Woodcrest, faces up to four years in prison if convicted.
The shepherd mix, Karley, apparently got loose Nov. 3 in the 17000 block of Armentrout Lane. Karley wandered into the yard of neighbor Travis Staggs, who was on his way to return the pup when Johnson approached him and offered to carry the dog over himself, according to sheriff's officials.
In a television interview, Staggs said Johnson, 54, started beating the puppy without provocation, trying to break the dog's jaws by prying them apart, then hit Karley in the head with a big rock.
The puppy's skull was crushed and it suffered brain damage, officials said.
``The dog's injuries were so severe that the animal had to be euthanized,'' according to Michael Jeandron, with the District Attorney's Office.
Johnson told investigators that the dog bit him and he struck the puppy in self-defense. He was treated at a hospital for wrist and thumb injuries.
Johnson was expected to be booked into the county jail in lieu of $10,000 bail, but no records of his booking had been posted as of 5 p.m.
An arraignment date had not yet been set.
The fatal beating sparked multiple protests and telephone calls to the District Attorney's Office urging prosecutors to file charges against Johnson.
Click here for more information on this case
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Breeder neglect - 30 dogs beaten and starved Fort Pierce, FL Court case March 4
Fourteen pitbulls belonging to a man accused of animal cruelty will not be euthanized, but instead will be heading to a no-kill animal shelter in Georgia.
"Whether he gets them or not, we don’t want them killed," said defense attorney Juan Torres, who represents Nahume Belvilus, the dogs' owner. Belvilus is charged with 18 counts of unlawful confinement of animals and five counts of cruelty to animals and is expected to go to trial in March or April, Torres said.
Belvilus was arrested in July 2007 after a Fort Pierce officer witnessed him beating three dogs with a broken fishing pole. Belvilus told police he was raising the dogs for sale as part of a business he was running and they were not used for fighting; Torres confirmed Belvilus had a license to run a kennel.
There has been no evidence that the animals were used for fighting. Four of the dogs seized were adopted and 11 have been euthanized by the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, where the animals have been housed.
The 14 remaining pitbulls can't be adopted because they are too aggressive and have attacked employees, according to the Humane Society. Belvilus disputed this during the court hearing, making allegations that the Humane Society wasn't properly taking care of them.
The State Attorney's Office did not take a position on the euthanasia issue. Assistant State Attorney Jason Berger said his office has all the evidence it needs related to the dogs and does not require access to them anymore for the court case.
The dogs will be sent to a shelter run by the Atlanta-based Homeless Pet Foundation, a nonprofit group that operates no-kill animal shelters. The dogs are expected to leave for Georgia by Monday afternoon.
"Whether he gets them or not, we don’t want them killed," said defense attorney Juan Torres, who represents Nahume Belvilus, the dogs' owner. Belvilus is charged with 18 counts of unlawful confinement of animals and five counts of cruelty to animals and is expected to go to trial in March or April, Torres said.
Belvilus was arrested in July 2007 after a Fort Pierce officer witnessed him beating three dogs with a broken fishing pole. Belvilus told police he was raising the dogs for sale as part of a business he was running and they were not used for fighting; Torres confirmed Belvilus had a license to run a kennel.
There has been no evidence that the animals were used for fighting. Four of the dogs seized were adopted and 11 have been euthanized by the Humane Society of St. Lucie County, where the animals have been housed.
The 14 remaining pitbulls can't be adopted because they are too aggressive and have attacked employees, according to the Humane Society. Belvilus disputed this during the court hearing, making allegations that the Humane Society wasn't properly taking care of them.
The State Attorney's Office did not take a position on the euthanasia issue. Assistant State Attorney Jason Berger said his office has all the evidence it needs related to the dogs and does not require access to them anymore for the court case.
The dogs will be sent to a shelter run by the Atlanta-based Homeless Pet Foundation, a nonprofit group that operates no-kill animal shelters. The dogs are expected to leave for Georgia by Monday afternoon.
Cat beaten to death-man, actor on Sex and the City, claims self defense!
Letters have been pouring into the judge's chambers and the Manhattan DA's Office, all caterwauling against athlete-turned-TV actor Joseph Petcka and his "cat attacked me" defense.
The 36-year-old Brooklyn man who has appeared in "Sex and the City" was in court on Dec 14, turning down an offer of three months in jail on charges he beat his ex-girlfriend's cat, Norman, to death in her Greenwich Street apartment in March.
The hulking, 6-foot-3, 205-pound Petcka - a former Mets minor leaguer - is claiming self-defense.
"The cat attacked me when my hand was dangling," he told cops of the fluffy, 7 1/2-pound furball.
"I had to get him off me," he explained. "I swiped it away."
The blame-the-cat defense has infuriated animal lovers, who have been steadily calling and writing the trial judge - now Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus.
If you wish to contact the trial judge in this case, write to:
The Honorable Michael J. Obus
Supreme Court, New York County
100 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 374-4784
Court Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (or later if court sessions are protracted - doors to the courtrooms are opened at 9:15 a.m.)
The 36-year-old Brooklyn man who has appeared in "Sex and the City" was in court on Dec 14, turning down an offer of three months in jail on charges he beat his ex-girlfriend's cat, Norman, to death in her Greenwich Street apartment in March.
The hulking, 6-foot-3, 205-pound Petcka - a former Mets minor leaguer - is claiming self-defense.
"The cat attacked me when my hand was dangling," he told cops of the fluffy, 7 1/2-pound furball.
"I had to get him off me," he explained. "I swiped it away."
The blame-the-cat defense has infuriated animal lovers, who have been steadily calling and writing the trial judge - now Manhattan Supreme Court Justice Michael Obus.
If you wish to contact the trial judge in this case, write to:
The Honorable Michael J. Obus
Supreme Court, New York County
100 Centre Street
New York, NY 10013
Phone: (212) 374-4784
Court Hours: 9 a.m.-5 p.m. (or later if court sessions are protracted - doors to the courtrooms are opened at 9:15 a.m.)
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