Fireman Dog Killer Jailed On Probation Violation

Admin: Melody Chen

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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.”

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.

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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

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.

Pennsylvania’s Dog Law Threatened By Puppy Provision

Admin: Melody Chen

Categories: Legal News, News

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By Amy Worden for philly.com

HARRISBURG – In 2008, Gov. Rendell signed the state’s new dog law, proclaiming it the toughest in the country governing commercial breeding kennels, which sell thousands of puppies to pet shops each year.
Now a standoff between the Rendell administration and animal welfare advocates over the use of wire flooring in cages is threatening final approval of the law’s regulations for the 100 commercial kennels that remain in Pennsylvania.

The Independent Regulatory Review Commission will hear public testimony Thursday before approving or rejecting the law’s 873 pages on conditions in commercial kennels.

Rendell administration officials will be defending what they call “a gap” in the law involving cage flooring. The law requires adult dogs to have solid flooring in cages, but allows puppies under 12 weeks to stand on wire flooring.

That means adults bred twice a year could end up living on wire through pregnancy and nursing for up to six or eight months a year, which opponents argue violates the spirit and letter of the law.

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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!

UPDATED: Trial Over Miami-Dade Police Dog’s Death Begins

Admin: Kenn Bell

Categories: Dog Safety, Endangerment, Inhumane Practices, Law Enforcement, Legal News, News

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UPDATE: Miami-Dade officer accused of killing K-9 gets misdemeanor charge

Read more: http://www.miamiherald.com/2010/07/30/1752997/miami-dade-officer-accused-of.html#ixzz0vALLDlyT

By David Ovalle For The Miamiherald.com

A judge on Thursday tossed out a felony charge against a former Miami-Dade police sergeant on trial for allegedly killing his police dog, but allowed a misdemeanor animal cruelty charge to go forward.

Allen Cockfield is accused of viciously kicking his K-9 partner, Duke, during a training session in June 2006, killing the Belgian Malinois.

He was charged with a felony count of killing a police dog, and a misdemeanor charge of animal cruelty.

Prosecutors rested their case Thursday, after presenting two days of testimony from eyewitnesses and medical experts who said that Duke died from a disruption to the heart caused by the kick.

But Cockfield’s defense lawyer, Douglas Hartman, argued Thursday afternoon for an acquittal on the felony charge because the state did not prove that the longtime canine handler intended to kill the dog.

He said the charge required proof of intent.

“This was a training accident,” said Hartman, who contends that Cockfield was trying to protect himself from Duke’s attacks.

Miami-Dade prosecutor Isis Perez, after researching the issue, agreed, and Circuit Judge Antonio Arzola threw out the charge.

But Arzola declined to issue an acquittal on the misdemeanor charge, meaning jurors will decide Cockfield’s fate.

Cockfield is charged with a first-degree misdemeanor.

The charge is punishable by up to one year in jail.

The trial will likely finish late Thursday or Friday.

Trial Over Miami-Dade Police Dog’s Death Begins

By David Ovalle For The Miamiherald.com

Duke was a young, rambunctious Miami-Dade police K-9 felled by a series of vicious kicks from his frustrated human partner during an ill-fated training session, according to prosecutors.

“Duke was unjustly killed,” Miami-Dade prosecutor Isis Perez told jurors Tuesday. “And that kick is what caused his death.”

But the defense painted Duke, a Belgian Malinois, as a troubled and aggressive 70-pound canine who attacked police Sgt. Allen Cockfield, an experienced handler who felt threatened.

“He was simply trying to save himself,” defense attorney Douglas Hartman said.
The lawyers offered their versions of events in the opening of Cockfield’s trial for the June 2006 death of Duke, a 2 ½-year-old rookie police dog.

Charged with misdemeanor animal cruelty and a felony count of killing a police dog, Cockfield could face jail or prison time, plus the loss of his state police certification, if he is convicted.

To read the rest click here.

U.S. House Votes To Crack Down On Animal Crush Videos

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This a letter from Wayne Pacelle, Chief Executive Officer of the Humane Society of the United States.

– Kenn Bell

By Humane Society of the United States

Animal crush videos are back and, next week, The HSUS will release details about their resurgence on the Web. By all appearances, this lurid and sickening commercial activity re-emerged from the shadows after two federal courts, most recently the U.S. Supreme Court in April, struck down as unconstitutional the 1999 federal law criminalizing the sale of these videos.

Today, the U.S. House voted 416-3 in favor of a new, more narrowly tailored law to crack down on the commercial trade in these videos. The bill, H.R. 5566 and known as the Prevention of Interstate Commerce in Animal Crush Videos Act, was introduced by Reps. Elton Gallegly (R-Calif.) and Gary Peters (D-Mich.). Gallegly was the author of the original 1999 law and has been an especially tenacious foe of animal cruelty and the crush video industry. The House Judiciary Committee conducted a hearing on the topic, taking testimony from scholars on the First Amendment who argued that a more carefully crafted measure could survive a legal challenge and suggested what the contours of such legislation should be. Gallegly and Peters introduced a bill that took the witnesses’ recommendations into account, and it quickly gained 263 cosponsors, including Democratic and Republican leaders. House Judiciary Committee Chairman John Conyers (D-Mich.), Crime Subcommittee Chairman Bobby Scott (D-Va.), and the full committee’s Ranking Member Lamar Smith (R-Texas) worked with all parties to produce a strong bill, which responds to the concerns expressed by the court.

The House action today is a reminder of the near universal view among the American people that individuals who commit malicious and obscene acts of cruelty for commercial gain should not have license to peddle and profit from videos showing these acts. By banning the sale of the videos, the federal government can deter these people from making the videos in the first place. Because it is so hard to catch people in the act of making them, the only practical way to crack down on the activity is to stop the sale of these obscene videos.

To read the rest click here.

New Massachusetts Law Will Give Dogs, Cats Right To Bark, Meow

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By L. Finch, Globe Correspondent

Call it a right to free speech — for dogs and cats.

Beginning Wednesday, dogs and cats across Massachusetts will be protected by a new law banning surgical devocalization, the cutting of the animals’ vocal cords, animal welfare activists said.

Governor Deval Patrick signed the bill into law April 22.

“This is so remarkable, the passage of this legislation,” said Beth Birnbaum, a member of the Coalition to Protect and Rescue Pets, the organization that originally filed the bill. “Beacon Hill should be congratulated.”

The law bans devocalization of dogs and cats except in cases of medical necessity. Before, breeders and pet owners weary of annoying barks and mews could have their animals’ vocal cords cut by a veterinarian.

But after Wednesday, devocalization could carry up to five years in prison and a fine of up to $2,500.

Nearly 60 state representatives and senators co-sponsored the bill. The Massachusetts Veterinary Medical Association and the Massachusetts Federation of Dog Clubs and Responsible Dog Owners opposed the legislation.

So-called debarking procedures can be dangerous for pets, Birnbaum said. Scar tissue in the throat can make it difficult to breathe, leading to a lifetime of wheezing, coughing and choking for some animals, she said. In fact, the law, known as “Logan’s Law,” gets its name from one such pet, the adopted dog of one of the organization’s members, she said.

The law is a victory for animals like Logan, Birnbaum said.

“It’s going to protect animals from a very cruel and unnecessary, painful, and risky procedure,” she said.

Dog Sitters “Doggie Love” Sued For $1M By Owners Of French Bulldog

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By Stacey Doyle for Examiner.com

A New York couple recently filed at $1 million lawsuit against Doggie Love, a pet sitting agency in Queens, after finding their dog dead on their apartment floor.

Laura Garner and Robert Hardon of West End Avenue left their dog under the care of Doggie Love for one July night in 2009. CBS News reports the couple adored their 5-year-old French bulldog.

The lawsuit indicates an employee of Doggie Love drove Percy home to the couple’s NYC apartment in an overheated van. The doorman and a neighbor offered the dog water or medical attention but the employee declined and left the dog in the couple’s apartment.

Just a few hours later, the couple found Percy dead in front of an air conditioner in the apartment. The post reports the couple stated, “The emptiness that has been left by Percy’s death and the anguish we suffered has not and will never be filled or go away.”

The lawsuit also states owner of Doggie Love, Nilo Mathais, said to the couple, “sometimes, dogs just die.” Marla Abrams, another owner, asked the couple, “What do you want from us?”

To read the rest click here.

Woman Who Taped Dog To Fridge Gets 30 Days In Jail

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From The Associated Press

BOULDER, Colo. — A Colorado woman convicted of taping her boyfriend’s dog to a refrigerator has been sentenced to 30 days in jail and three years’ probation.

Twenty-one-year-old Abby Toll was sentenced Friday after she was convicted of felony animal cruelty in April. She could have faced up to 18 months in prison.

Prosecutors say Toll used hair ties and packing tape to bind the snout and legs of her boyfriend’s 2-year-old Shiba Inu (SHEE’-bah EE’-noo) named Rex, then taped the dog upside-down to the refrigerator.

Police say Toll told them she was getting back at her boyfriend, Brian Beck, for paying more attention to the dog than to her.

Beck pleaded guilty to misdemeanor attempted animal cruelty and was given a one-year deferred sentence.
Another family has adopted the dog.