UPDATED: Shocking Online Video Of Girl Throwing Live Puppies Into River Sparks Anger, Death Threats

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Endangerment, Law Enforcement, News

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UPDATE:

Here’s an Associated Press update about this story.

– Kenn

SARAJEVO, Bosnia-Herzegovina (AP) — An animal rights group in Bosnia called on authorities Wednesday to investigate a claim that a disturbing video of a young woman throwing six newborn puppies into a river was filmed in the Balkan country.

The video, which first appeared on YouTube, shows the hooded girl taking the puppies from a white bucket and throwing them, one by one, into a river.

Velimir Ivanisevic from the Association of Citizens for Prevention of Cruelty Against Animals SOS said his group received an e-mail that allegedly identifies her as a teenager from the central Bosnian town of Bugojno.

“We cannot say with 100 percent certainty that this is true…but we received some other information which leads us to believe that it is,” Ivanisevic said.

He added that the group has called on authorities to investigate the claim.

Bosnia recently adopted an animal protection law instituting fines of between €15 ($12) and €5,000 ($6,400) for private citizens, and between € 100,00 ($78,7) and €100,000 ($128,000) for institutions, for cruel treatment of animals, but Ivanisevic said authorities continue to ignore cases reported by his group.

Police in Bugojno said they were investigating the report, but refused to discuss details.

END UPDATE.

By MICHAEL SHERIDAN For NY DAILY NEWS

I will not be posting the video or linking to it. This is just another sad story of a human being showing no signs of empathy towards another living creature. It really just sickens me.

It’s hard enough to post this one image, but if anyone recognizes her please call the authorities.

– Kenn

Even Cruella De Vil would be disgusted.

A young woman has become the focus of death threats and hate messages after video of her throwing live puppies into a river was recently posted online.

Her identity is unknown, but some have suggested she may be from Bosnia.

The disturbing video shows the young, blonde woman smiling as she picks several puppies out of a dirty bucket and viciously tosses them into a rapidly flowing river.

At one point, as the woman lobs a black-and-white pup into the water, she can clearly be heard saying, “whee.”

Online “investigators” have posted links to a YouTube page, as well as several Facebook profiles, accusing those people of being the girl or the person who filmed the video. It is unclear if the witch hunt has actually found those responsible, however.

The video was originally featured on YouTube, but has since been pulled because of its content.

To read the rest click here.

Fireman Dog Killer Jailed On Probation Violation

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Endangerment, Law Enforcement, Legal News, News

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More proof that dog killers and abusers are already law breakers or will continue to break the law.

– Kenn

By John Futty for The Columbus Dispatch

A former Columbus firefighter who served a 90-day jail sentence last year for killing his dogs to avoid boarding them was sent back to jail yesterday for violating his probation.

David P. Santuomo, 44, of Fall Water Court on the Northwest Side, will spend 30 days in jail after Franklin County Municipal Judge Harland H. Hale found that he hasn’t complied with most of the terms of his probation.

“My intention is to get your attention,” Hale told Santuomo.

Santuomo pleaded guilty in June 2009 to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of a criminal tool for taping a 2-liter plastic bottle to a rifle as a makeshift silencer and shooting his two dogs in his basement. Investigators said he killed the dogs so that he didn’t have to pay to board them while he vacationed with his girlfriend.

Hale sentenced Santuomo to 18 months in jail and suspended all but 90 days if he complied with his probation.

Assistant County Prosecutor Heather Robinson said Santuomo has yet to make a payment toward the $4,500 in restitution that Hale ordered and has performed only eight of the 200 hours of community service imposed by the judge.

She said he also hasn’t sought treatment ordered for emotional and alcohol-abuse problems. Although he was ordered by the judge not to drink, Santuomo was charged Aug. 6 with drunken driving, Municipal Court records show.

Santuomo said he has been unemployed since he was fired from his firefighting job after the conviction and is behind on rent and child-support payments.

“It feels like I’ve gone from crisis to crisis,” he told the judge.

Defense attorney Sam Shamansky conceded that his client “has been less than an ideal probationer” and has “some serious psychiatric issues.”

Hale warned Santuomo that future probation violations could send him to jail for the remainder of the 18-month sentence.

“There is a point at which you can push me past the brink,” Hale told him. “This is your last chance with me.”

Two Surrender In Theft Of Dogs From Hernando Shelter

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Animal Control, Endangerment, Law Enforcement, News

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By Logan Neill for Tampabay.com

Brooksville, Florida — Two Brooksville men thought to be suspects in the theft last week of five dogs from the Humane Society of the Nature Coast were arrested over the weekend.

According to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office, Juan Claudio, 26, surrendered to the Pasco County Sheriff’s Office on Saturday. The other suspect, Jose Navarro, 20, turned himself in to the Hernando County Sheriff’s Office on Sunday. Both are charged with commercial burglary.

According to a Sheriff’s Office report, deputies following up on a tip discovered two of the puppies in the 16000 block of Fullington Road and then began a neighborhood search looking for the other stolen dogs.

When a woman answered the door at 16161 Fullington Road, a deputy noticed a small brown dachshund that matched the description of one of the stolen dogs. Deputies learned from the woman, identified as Jennifer Kores, that her husband, Juan Claudio, and his cousin, Jose Navarro, brought four dogs home late Wednesday, but did not tell her where they had gotten them from.

To read the rest click here.

No Parole For Alabama Dog Torturer; Victim Wags Tail

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Endangerment, Law Enforcement, Legal News, News

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By Bob Johnson for The Associated Press

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — A scarred but friendly pit bull named “Louis Vuitton” was the star witness Tuesday as an Alabama state board denied parole for the man convicted of spraying him with lighter fluid, setting him on fire and beating him with a shovel.

After the 8-year-old dog was led into the packed hearing room, the Alabama Board of Pardons and Paroles voted 3-0 to deny early release to 23-year-old Juan Daniels of Montgomery, who was sentenced in 2009 to nine years and six months in prison, a record in Alabama in an animal cruelty case.

Daniels, whose supporters said he had been sentenced far more harshly than criminals who harm human beings, will be eligible for parole again in July 2012.

The dog stuck his head forward for everyone who wanted to pet him as he entered. He bears burn scars from his head to his wagging tail, including white lines on his brown body where the burning lighter fluid seared his skin.

To read the rest click here.

New Illinois Law To Require History Of Dogs, Cats Before They Are Sold

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Law Enforcement, Legal News, News

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Gov. Pat Quinn on Sunday signed a bill into law that will require pet stores, animal shelters and control facilities to disclose important information, including health history and name of breeder, before selling dogs or cats.

“This new law will make sure consumers have all the necessary information before buying a pet,” Quinn said. “Pet owners have a right to know where an animal was bred and if there are any past medical issues to help them make an informed decision.”

House Bill 5772 requires pet stores, animal shelters and control facilities to disclose certain consumer information on or near the animal’s cage, according to a release from the governor’s office. Consumers must also receive a copy of the information prior to purchase.

Pet shops, animal shelters and controls will be required to disclose the following information prior to sale: retail price, including adoption fees or other charges; breed, age, date of birth, sex and color of the dog or cat; details of vaccinations and health history; name, address and identification number of the breeder; and any known diseases or other health conditions (applies to animal shelters and controls only).

Currently, pet stores are required to disclose this information when it is requested by the consumer. However, the law does not specify when the information must be disclosed. As a result, many pet stores do not disclose information until after the sale is final.

The legislation was sponsored by Sen. Jeff Schoenberg, D-9th, of Evanston, and Rep. Susana Mendoza, D-1st of Chicago, and takes effect Jan. 1, 2011.

“There are too many stories of Illinois consumers buying a puppy from a pet store only to find out that the dog came from a puppy mill and it has substantial physical and emotional issues. This bill is about giving consumers information about a pet before they buy a dog or cat,” Mendoza said. “Consumers … will no longer have to guess about where the puppy in the window came from, or what medical issues the puppy has.”

— STM

Uncle Sam Wants Some Good Dogs

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Law Enforcement, Military, News, Working Dogs

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By Ken Dilanian for Tribune Washington bureau

WASHINGTON — Wanted, to serve their country: A few (thousand) good dogs.

As it guards the borders and hunts for terrorists, the Department of Homeland Security relies on an elite squad of about 2,000 canines to sniff for bombs, drugs and smuggled cash.

Now the department is moving to expand its four-legged force by 3,000 — about 600 dogs a year over the next five years — according to a recent bid solicitation aimed at small breeders across the country.

Males and females are eligible, ages 12 to 36 months. DHS is looking for Labrador retrievers, golden retrievers, German shepherds, Dutch shepherds, Belgian Malinois “or other working, herding or sporting breeds with prior approval.”

DHS says no training is necessary — their experts will handle that. But the candidates must be “alert, active, outgoing, confident” and “extremely tolerant of people,” according to the solicitation, which sets a July 23 deadline.

To read the rest click here.

Owner: Dog Was ‘My Hero’ During Knife Attack

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Heroics, Law Enforcement, News

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By Laura Crimaldi for Boston Herald

A Southbridge woman is hailing her 5-year-old pit bull as a hero after the dog was stabbed multiple times while protecting her from an enraged boyfriend wielding a 12-inch serrated knife.

“She’s my hero,” Marie Wells, 31, said of Princess, who is hospitalized on the grounds of the Tufts University Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine. “I was not injured thanks to Princess.”

Wells said Princess sustained three major stab wounds, including a six-inch laceration and others that nearly went down to the bone. She said Princess began nipping at her boyfriend, Eric Reyes, 30, while the couple were arguing at 1 a.m. Wednesday in their apartment.

“She did not attack him,” Wells said. “She was in front of me trying to protect me.”

Reyes is being held without bail pending a dangerousness hearing Monday in Dudley District Court, said Timothy Connolly, a spokesman for Worcester District Attorney Joseph D. Early Jr.

To read the rest click here.

23 Arrested In Dog Fighting Ring, 9 Dogs Rescued

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Endangerment, Law Enforcement, Legal News, News

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By Kent Erdahl for Fox59.com

Indianapolis, Ind. — Indianapolis police say they’ve busted the biggest dog fighting operation they’ve ever seen. Nearly two dozen people were arrested and nine dogs rescued in the 3000 block of West 60th Street just after 10:30 on Friday night.

The bust comes after an extensive investigation by both local police and federal officials with the Department of Agriculture. Undercover agents infiltrated the dog fighting arena built inside the garage of the home. Once the fighting began, they signaled SWAT officers.

What they found inside was an underground world of dog abuse and betting that few people could imagine happening here.

“Surprised, honestly,” said Thomas Arvin, who lives across the street from the house. “I did not see it coming.”

To read the rest click here.

UPDATE: Officer Who Shot Dog At Park To Be Charged

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Law Enforcement, Legal News, News

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From The Associated Press

Anne Arundel County prosecutors plan to charge a civilian Army police officer with two misdemeanors in the fatal shooting of a Siberian husky in a Severn dog park.

The shooting of the dog, known as Bear-Bear, prompted widespread outrage, and County Executive John Leopold pressed county police for a full investigation.

Prosecutors say 32-year-old Keith Shepherd of Severn will be charged with animal cruelty and discharging a firearm within 100 feet of an occupied structure. The firearm charge carries a maximum of six months in jail, and there’s a maximum 90-day term on the animal cruelty charge. Both could also result in a $1,000 fine.

Shepherd’s attorney has said Bear-Bear attacked Shepherd’s dog and that his client fired his gun to defend his dog, himself and his wife.

Dogfighting Kingpin Up For Parole: Help Keep Him In Jail

Admin: Melody Chen

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From aldf.org

From The Animal Legal Defense Fund

Charleston County, South Carolina – David Tant was reportedly considered by the underground dogfighting community to be one of the top breeders of fighting pit bulls in the country. In April 2004, a land surveyor wandered onto his property and was injured by a destructive device (a booby trapped shotgun) allegedly created by Tant. Authorities searched the property and seized 47 pit bulls, many with injuries consistent with dogfighting. They found dogfighting equipment: caged treadmills, a “rape box” (designed to restrain female dogs that so that they can be forcibly bred), cattle prods, harnesses, a bear trap, homemade gun silencers, dogfighting magazines and remnants of a dogfighting ring. The newly formed South Carolina dogfighting task force, the Attorney General’s office, the State Law Enforcement Division, and the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms were involved with the investigation.

In November 2004, after two days of a jury trial, the defendant pleaded guilty to four counts of animal fighting and one count of assault and battery of a high and aggravated nature. He was sentenced to 20 years in prison for animal fighting, 10 years in prison for creating the booby trap, and restitution of about $150,000.

On July 21, 2010, six years into his 30 year sentence, Tant was granted his first parole hearing in front of three members of the seven-member parole board. He was not required to go in front of the full parole board because, shockingly, his is considered a non-violent offense. The vote was split 2-1 in favor of parole. Because the partial board did not reach a unanimous decision, Tant will go in front of the full board on September 8.

Take Action!
Write a polite letter right here to the South Carolina Department of Probation, Parole and Pardon Services to oppose parole for this dogfighter, who is responsible for the suffering of many innocent animals in this violent bloodsport. Use SC PPP’s online comment form to oppose parole for David Tant, SC Department of Corrections inmate # 306170.

Thank you for joining ALDF in our push to make sure authorities get tough on dogfighters!

Dog Surprises Officer By Giving Birth In Arizona Squad Car

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Law Enforcement, News

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From The Associated Press

PRESCOTT VALLEY, ARIZONA. — A pit bull delivered quite a surprise in the back of a Prescott Valley patrol car. Prescott Valley police said Tuesday that an officer picked up the pit bull on Friday from an area woman who had been watching the dog.

The officer noticed the dog appeared quite pregnant, but the woman told him she was not. She told the officers she was only supposed to watch the dog for a short time and that its owners never picked her up.

The officer put the dog in the back of his patrol car to be impounded, but when he got to the station, he found more than one dog in the back.

Dutchess had given birth to a male puppy during the ride. The officer took the dog to a kennel and brought the puppy to her. Soon after, she gave birth to a second puppy.

Dutchess was taken to the Yavapai Humane Society and is believed to have given birth to more puppies but it’s unclear how many.

Authorities are looking for her owners.

Good Samaritans Come To Aid Of Dog Found Zip-Tied

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Dog Safety, Endangerment, Law Enforcement, News

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By Drew Mikkelsen for KING 5 News

PORT ORCHARD, Wash. – Thousands of dollars have been donated to help cover the veterinarian bill for a dog abused in Port Orchard, Washington.

“Blazer” disappeared last week, and when 10-year-old Daniel Roller found his dog Tuesday near a Port Orchard elementary school, the dog was in pain.

“It was all puffed out, his paws were spread out, it was all like purple,” said Daniel.

The seven-year-old Border Collie had zip-ties tightly tied around both of his left legs. The front paw was OK, but the hind leg could not be saved. The amputation cost $3,000 that the Roller family didn’t have.

Fearing the family might have to give up Blazer, Daniel tried selling his video games to the neighbors.

To read the rest click here.