Pit bull roundup 5/24/2020 Repeat offenders, pit attacks upon shelter workers and volunteers, police shoot attacking pits, children and political candidates attacked by pit bulls, police bitten by pit bulls they were trying to help

12/9/2019
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County
A girl was bitten in the face by a pit bull mix reportedly "let out accidentally" by the pit bull owner's son.  The pit owner, responsibly, put the dog in the house and called 911 while providing first aid until first responders arrived. 

The dog owner reported that her dog has bitten other dogs in the past but never a human.  The child was transported to Mercy Health for treatment.

How does this happen?  Why are known biters allowed to remain in communities?  Nobody could see this coming?

Per the Morning Journal "Police issued a summons to the owner and that the dog would need to be on a 10-day quarantine in her home.

She said she contacted a veterinarian to discuss euthanasia at the end of the quarantine period, the report said.

This is the third incident in the last two years involving the dog. Though in the two prior incidents, no significant injuries occurred and no apparent aggression was demonstrated by the dog.

It is unknown what provoked the attack in this incident, as the dog has not been reported to have displayed any previous aggression, the report said."

But... but... but... this is the THIRD incident involving the dog in the last two years, "the dog has not been reported to have displayed any previous aggression"?  What?  

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12/11/2019
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A dog was euthanized after attacking a shelter worker AND a volunteer.  No breed was mentioned but as of 12/12/2019 the Cleveland Kennel offered 86 dogs for adoption and 83 of them are pit bulls so we can make a guess that the offending dog was a pit bull.

The volunteer suffered minor injuries, the shelter worker lost a finger which was recovered.  Cleveland.com did not indicate that the finger was reattached. Both the shelter worker and the volunteer were transported to Metrohealth for treatment.  The kennel was closed for the remainder of the day on Thursday while authorities investigated the attack.

The Cleveland Kennel

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12/16/2019
Heath Ohio
Licking County

A 9-year-old child and two adults were critically injured after being attacked by 2 pit bulls inside a Heath Ohio residence.  Police received a call on a "dog bite" and found one of the two pit bulls still attached to a victim.  Lethal force was used. 

All three critically injured victims were hospitalized.  Six puppies and the two dead pit bulls were taken by local animal control.  Two uninjured children found in the home were taken to a local hospital for evaluation.

"In a 911 call recording, a woman who identified herself as Cathy Singledecker, told a dispatcher her two pitbulls had attacked "everybody in the house." The woman asked the dispatcher to send someone to come put the dogs down."  
"Heath Police Chief Dave Haren said officials found 'unlivable' conditions inside the home.

"The animals were not let outside, maybe at all. But definitely not regularly," Haren said. "The conditions in all areas of the house were unacceptable related to health and sanitary issues."

Heath police reports three children, including a 9-year-old with critical injuries, were barricaded inside the home to prevent further attacks. Police said lethal force was used against both dogs."

How does this even happen?  This is not normal.

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12/9/2019
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County

If you have some extra money here is a great place to send it.  A Lorain Ohio child was with both her sisters and her mother.  They were walking to their car when the 8-year-old was mauled by the neighbor's pit bull.  I will not include a photo out of respect for the child's privacy but send some cash, please.  Click here for the gofundme page.

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2/27/2020
New Marshfield
Athens County

This is not a first in our state.  A judicial candidate hs been attacked by pit bulls while canvassing door-to-door.  Several years ago Virginia Conlan Whitman was similarly attacked while posting signs for her husband's re-election.  Mrs. Whitman was seriously injured, required hospitalization, surgery and rehabilitation. 

Candidate Rusty Rittenhouse was attacked by two pit bulls that escaped from a secluded home through a doggie door.  Mr. Rittenhouse required stitches in his leg and in his hand. 

  

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2/27/2020
Willoughby Ohio
Lake County

Two Willoughby police officers were bitten by a male pit bull mix they were trying to help.  The pit bull was running at large in very cold weather.  Officers were attempting to get the animal into the back seat of the police cruiser.  Both officers were treated for minor hand injuries at Lake West Medical Center.
Never approach a pit bull even if you think he might be cold.  No good will come of it. 


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3/28/2020
Rocky River Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A resident of the peaceful community of Rocky River reported that she was out walking her dog and it was attacked by a neighbor's pit bull.  Her dog required surgery and Rocky River Animal Control is following up. In other news, no resident or pet was injured by an attacking Irish Setter or Pug.

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4/23/2020
Galion Ohio
Crawford County 

Per Crawford County Now.com.  Moral of the story, take them off the streets when they bite someone the first time.

1:52 p.m.-A report of two pit bulls running loose in the 100 block of First Avenue. The dogs were picked up by the Crawford County Dog Warden as they bit someone last week.

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5/2/2020
Mayfield Heights Ohio
Cuyahoga County

Per Cleveland.com, Animals: West Miner Road

A pit-bull attacked a leashed dog on a sidewalk May 2. The owner of the pit-bull came from the home and was able to stop the attack. He returned to his home without exchanging any information with the other dog’s owner. The victimized dog was injured, and officers subsequently spoke to the owner of the pit-bull, a 40-year-old man, about the incident, which was forwarded to the animal warden for review.

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5/22/2020
Ohio Pit Bull Rescue Network
Location shown as simply "Ohio"

The Ohio Pit Bull Rescue Network has posted a request from a Florence Kentucky pit bull owner.
"I'm looking for any help/suggestions please! This is my male Pitt Rambo. I rescued him about 6 months ago. He turned a year in March. He was my snuggie buddy, he was very protective of me and loved me.. until last Friday evening. We were playing fetch in my backyard. After about the 3rd throw. He just stopped I seen something come over him.

The next thing I know. I'm in the fight of my life. He attacked me and seriously could have killed me. But I know how he was before this happened. He's at the shelter for 10 days. 5 days in already to see if rabies develop. Then they will put him down.

I'm so torn with emotions all I do is cry. And I know he can't come home. But as crazy as it sounds. I don't want him to die. I'm not sure if a professional trainer can help him. I'm a mess! Sorry for the long post and typos."

While we may be sympathetic to the plight of this pit bull owner, it is not difficult to see where this went wrong.  The woman did what she thought would be a good deed and "rescued" a 6-month old-pit bull.  Why did a 6-month-old pit bull require rescue?  The most obvious guess would be aggression. This dog has turned on at just over a year of age, not unusual.  The owner was attacked without provocation and acknowledges the danger here.  The dog can't come home.

A professional trainer cannot train away DNA.  Shamefully, shelters and rescues promote dogs with known aggression or an unknown history as pets to those who will suffer when DNA kicks in. 

Stop promoting dangerous dogs.  Do the right thing for public safety as painful as that might be.


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5/6/2020
Mayfield Heights Ohio
Cuyahoga County

Two loose pit bulls chased after several people in the area near Oakville Road.  The pit bulls bit a woman who required transport to a medical facility for treatment. A man was bitten but uninjured.  The pit bulls also chased police officers, one officer was forced to fire his gun at them, striking the pit bull twice.  The pit bull ran to its home (should make writing the citations easier).  The other pit bull ran off.  Those who live in the area should be VERY careful.



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11/19/2019
Westlake Ohio
Cuyahoga County

How long do we think Lester will remain in the "sanctuary" before he is placed with someone who has no knowledge of the dog's history?  Reported in the West Life News.

Owners fined; agree to move dog from Westlake neighborhood

• By JEFF GALLATIN
• Nov 19, 2019

Lester the dog, who had bitten other dogs in his Westlake neighborhood, is headed to a pet sanctuary in Lorain County as part of an agreement reached in Rocky River Municipal Court.

The pitbull mix’s owners, Edward and Amy Salim of Westlake, were fined $250 and placed on one year of probation as part of the agreement with Magistrate Marisa A. Marniella on Nov. 12.
The Salims entered into a plea agreement for having a dog at large and not keeping Lester under reasonable control. They are required to notify the local animal warden of Lester’s location and comply with the state’s dangerous-dog laws.
The Salims were in court because Lester had bitten Chelsea, a golden retriever, while she was walking with one of her owners near her home in the Riviera Lane neighborhood Sept. 11 and because of other biting incidents dating to the spring, police said.
Todd Rambasek, one of Chelsea’s owners, said he is satisfied with the decision.
“I’m happy that he is out of the neighborhood,” Rambasek said. “I’m happy that the dog wasn’t put down and I’m happy that the dog’s owners can go visit their dog if they choose.”
Rambasek said he knows most people care about their pets and that people in the neighborhood are happy with the outcome.
“Now people will have the chance to heal from all of this,” Rambasek said.
Chelsea is recovering from her wounds as well, he said.
Edward Salim said Thursday he understands the rationale behind the decision.
“People want their homes and families safe, including their pets,” he said.
Salim said he doesn’t think he’ll visit Lester in Lorain County.
“He’ll have a new home and family around him there,” Salim said. “It should be good for all the people involved.”
Salim said he was going to find a new home for Lester even before the court decision because of the tension the biting problems had caused.
Westlake Law Director Michael Maloney said the decision allows people to move on.
“I am glad we were able to reach some closure,” Maloney said in a statement. “It was a dangerous situation. The case created tension in the neighborhood, which no one wants or needs, but the matter had to be addressed. The city was not going to wait for something even worse to happen. There are young children on the defendant’s street. I do not have to explain what can happen with an aggressive dog this size running on the loose.”

This was not Lester's first offense and he was not alone.  Lester's owners had two pit bulls and they were both involved in the attack upon Chelsea.   Here is the photo featured with this article.


This was not "discrimination" it was stone cold experience.  Here is a link to a response by the owner of the Golden.  She is much more tolerant than I would be but she makes a strong point for enforcement of dangerous dog laws.  

Pit bull roundup, short form 4/26/2019 Pit bulls on the roof, repeat offender pit bulls back with owners who can't contain them, pit attacks with multiple victims by pits with a multiple bite history, dog fighters harboring pitbulls (surprise) and interesting out of state rulings.

It has been far too long since the last Pit Bull Roundup, this is not due to lack of material but rather to the futility of reporting what does not change.  We are so far behind in reporting Ohio pit bull attacks that we will never catch up. Today we share a few recent attacks with many more to follow.

We will begin.

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12/24/2018
Lorain Ohio
Lorain County

4/2/2019
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

The Lorain County Dog Warden was called to remove a pit bull from a roof.  This is not unusual with pit bulls but unheard of with Irish Setters or Beagles.




Cleveland Police were called for a similar scenario.  A dog had been tied up on a second story porch, jumped the railing and was found dangling off the front of the house.  Police were able to rescue the dog, a pit bull.  Video is available by clicking here.  The pit bull was uninjured and ran off after his rescue.  Bet the neighbors were thrilled.



Have police ever been called for a Pug on the roof?






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3/13/2019
Greenville Ohio
Darke County

A couple was joyfully reunited with a pit bull that they had lost two different times.  The couple, Jason Hunt and Hillary Frech, live outside New Madison. Their 6-year-old red-nose pitbull terrier, Kiara, had run off once before, prompting a man who worked nearby to threaten to kill the animal if it strayed back onto his property. When Kiara vanished again in September of last year, they feared that was just what had happened.


The threat was not enough to convince the pit bull owners to improve containment and supervision of their pit bull.  Kiara vanished again, gone for months until they saw a posting from the Darke County Shelter.  There she was, held in a shelter that does not adopt pit bulls directly to the public.  In order to reclaim the pit bull that the owners clearly can't contain or control, Hunt and Frech had to rely on a rescue as an intermediary 501c3 rescue to avoid liability for the County shelter.

Now that they have their repeat runaway pit bull back will containment improve?  Not likely.  It's a revolving door for pit bulls.




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3/5/2019
Akron Ohio
Summit County

This story is hard to follow.  Please hang in there.  Three people were hospitalized and a mail carrier was injured in multiple dog attacks by the same dogs on the same day.

A woman, peacefully walking in her own community was attacked by three "dogs".  Three men driving by noted the attack in progress and stopped to help the woman.  These courageous men were unable to pull the dogs off their victim so they changed tactics and beat them off.  The victim was transported to a local hospital with extensive injuries.

Prior to the attack upon the woman reported above, three other people reported attacks by three "dogs."  A second woman reported being attacked as she attempted to get out of her own van.  Hearing the victim's screams, a man came to help her.  The man was attacked as well.  Both of these two victims were transported to a local hospital with extensive injuries.

The "dogs" ran away and attacked a mail carrier.  The mail carrier sprayed the "dogs" with mace but was bitten on the thigh. The "dogs" were picked up by animal control.

Photos of the three dogs are found on this link.  They are all pit bulls but we already knew that.

Update 4/9/2019

The pit bull owner, Diane Yanke, had a pre-trial hearing in Akron, she has been charged with 21 misdemeanors, including five counts of having vicious dogs, t hr ee counts of physical harm, not having insurance and not having her pit bulls confined.  Per ABC News 5, Cleveland "  Criminal charges, related to controlling pit bulls, have been filed against Yanke three others times since September. In one case, a 62-year-old man was bitten, suffering a puncture wound on his right arm.

One case was dismissed. In the second case, Yanke was found guilty of having a vicious dog and for not securing a pit bull. She was given 180 days in jail, but the time was suspended. She was also fined $500.

In the third case, Yanke was convicted of not securing a pit bull. Her 60-day jail sentence was suspended and she was fined $50.

Diane Yanke in court.                                                            

Update 4/26/2019
Pretrial is scheduled for 4/26/2019.  Pit bull owner Diane Yanke still harbors pit bulls and the first victim in the March 4th Akron attack, Social Worker Sarah Friddle refuses to back down.  This will play out in court.

Yanke's dogs were put down but she still has another dog.  Bet her neighbors are thrilled.

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These are not Ohio stories but one out of Iowa has a lot to do with the Reynoldsburg ruling so we are throwing it out there for your consideration.  The other is a change in law in Citrus County Florida that indicates a long overdue change in direction with the treatment of vicious dogs.  We begin with Citrus County.  Citrus County has had far too many violent dog attacks and has changed shelter procedures in an effort to better protect public safety. Per the Citrus County Chronicle " commissioners gave unanimous approval Tuesday to a set of procedures designed to provide closer care of dogs and cats, preparing them for adoption.

In doing so, the board removed the rule giving rescue organizations five days to retrieve dogs considered dangerous or too aggressive for adoption.

The five-day hold was eliminated, but also the county will no longer provide dogs to rescue groups that it would not allow for adoption."   

If a dog is too vicious to adopt out directly to the public it is inappropriate for handing over to a rescue that will adopt it out into a peaceful community.  Logic is a beautiful thing.  

On to Iowa.  The Iowa Supreme Court backed the rights of a community to declare a dog dangerous.  Pinky (a pit bull) attacked a cat and was declared a dangerous dog.

After the attack, Des Moines animal control declared Pinky a vicious dog/high risk based on her breed, and a dangerous dog based upon her conduct.  Local law required insurance and proof of vaccination from her original owner, Charles Brickell.  Brickell did not challenge the high-risk designation of his dog at the time he obtained Pinky but let insurance and vaccination lapse for six years until Pinky's attack upon Rebel the neighbor's cat.  When Pinky was seized by animal control, Brickell sold Pinky to Diana Helmers, the owner of an animal rescue located outside the city of Des Moines. This began a three-year slog through the courts.  The end result was an evenly divided Supreme Court ruling.  The evenly divided ruling deferred to the lower court ruling that declared the Des Moines high-risk dog law constitutional.  Here is a link to the final brief from the City of Des Moines.  Bottom line, the constitutionality of Des Moines proactive law was upheld.

Can it be hoped that these rulings might indicate a change for the better in protecting the peaceful public from violent dogs?



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4/4/2019
Columbus Ohio
Franklin County

Twenty dogs were "rescued" from the property of German Sanchez, in addition, a dead dog was found.  Sanchez was charged with one count of dog fighting and one count of possession of crack cocaine.  Sanchez was found during an investigation into drug trafficking and his connection to dog fighting became clear.
Thirteen of the dogs were mature pit bulls, one was a Yorkie, six puppies of an unspecified breed were "rescued" per Mark Gofstein, a spokesman for the Franklin County sheriff's office.  The dogs are in the custody of the Columbus Humane Society.   “To be able to get all of these dogs away from a horrible situation is a good days work,” Gofstein said."
At least 13 of these dogs are game bred, pit tested fighting dogs. Their situation was horrible but the peaceful public is not responsible for this and should not be put at risk by any foolish, reckless attempt to turn at least 13 pit tested fighting dogs into pets.   The Yorkie should be a safe placement.    German Sanchez, booking photo.

                                                     

October pit bull roundup. Journalism without thought is nothing more than breed advocacy with a byline. Dog fighters in Cleveland, pit bulls attack pit bulls, pit bulls kill tiny pets,

Here are examples of journalism without thought.  We begin and end this post with on same topic, reporters who don't think before the present a story.

WHIO writes about the glut of pit bulls in shelters as the result of overbreeding.  So far, we are on the same page.  Pit bull advocates admit that yes, pit bulls are overbred.  So far we are on the same page. However, history tells us that pit bull owners have no interest in neuter and spay, even when the surgery is free.  Any community can apply for grants for the purpose of neuter and spay for pit bulls only, breed specific, those with Chihuahuas or Labs are out of luck.  These grants fail to make any difference because pit bull owners breed pit bull puppies as a tax-free income source.  As an example, Several years ago Kansas City got a $100,000 grant for breed specific neuter and spay and a year later returned almost $87,000 because they could not find pit bull owners with any interest in neuter and spay.

The  Pit bull advocates interviewed by WHIO admit that pit bull owners need to be more responsible.  Again, we are on the same page.  The cure, per WHIO is "Heather Concannon, the Humane Agent for Montgomery County... says the public needs to change their perceptions of pit bulls to show people raising one responsibly takes work."  Yes, it does but pit bull advocacy fails miserably here.

No, the public does not need to change their perception of pit bulls.  The peaceful public is tired of reading about innocent people being mauled or killed.  The peaceful public is tired of burying beloved pets killed by pit bulls.  The peaceful public is tired of supporting shelters full of unplaceable pit bulls.  

Pit bull advocates and pit bull owners are the only ones capable of changing the public perception of pit bulls.  Stop breeding dogs destined to suffer and die because no one wants to bring a dangerous animal into their home. Pit bull advocates and owners need to figure out how to confine their dogs in order to protect the safety of the neighbors and their pets.  Pit bull advocates and owners need to carry insurance to cover the medical expenses of potential victims.  If pit bulls were responsibly confined to the property of the owner, not bred in wildly unsustainable numbers, and the public was assured that bankruptcy for the victim was not the natural result of a thoughtless mistake by the pit bull owner then there would be no public interest in regulating pit bulls.

Pit bull advocacy needs to clean up its own mess. 

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August 9 and August 11, 2018
Brookpark 
Cuyahoga County

Two pit bull dog bites were reported in Brookpark.  On August 9th a Lockhaven Ave resident reported that a neighbor's pit bull pushed its owner out of the way and escaped from the house.  The victim was bitten on the arm.  The victim was treated at Southwest General Hospital.  The attack was referred to Animal Control.

On August 11th a woman walking her dog on Sylvia Ave.  She and her dog walked past a pit bull, also being walked.  The victim was bitten on the leg.  The case was referred to Brookpark Animal Control.   

Brookpark regulates pit bulls. 

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8/5/2018
North Olmsted
Cuyahoga County

A North Olmsted couple was out walking their 22 pound Cocker Spaniel mix when a pit bull broke away from its handler, a SEVEN-YEAR-OLD GIRL   The pit attacked and killed the small dog.  The adult owner of the pit bull stated that the child was only holding the leash until he could come outside to walk his dog and that the pit bull "had never done anything like this before."  The pit bull owner stated that he was new in the community and was unaware that North Olmsted regulates pit bulls.  How many times do we hear this excuse?

More information was included in an article in the West Life, a neighborhood newspaper, but this is behind a paywall.  I have a copy of the article sent to me by a reader.  West Life Reporter Jeff Gallatin states that the Cocker Spaniel mix's name was Angel and she was 13 years old.  She was owned and walked by her owner, David Ostroske, a Cleveland State University police officer, and his wife Doreen.  Angel was adopted from a shelter six years ago.

The pit bull, Jax, weighed 80 pounds and was adopted from a shelter five years ago by Michael Cowan, a Marine recruiter, and his family while he was stationed in North Carolina.    The Cowans moved to North Olmsted in April.  Per the West Life "The Cowans didn't know about North Olmsted's requirements for pit bulls."   Pit bulls are banned from military housing.  How could Cowan be completely unaware that his dog might be regulated in North Olmsted?

Jax the pit bull was euthanized.  Brooke Cowan told the reporter "We're not getting another pit bull, not after something like this." "It was terrible.  We feel terrible for what happened to that dog and its family."

David and Doreen Ostroske are grieving for Angel and have no immediate plans to get another dog.
Doreen Ostroske told the reporter "We know that the dog's owner's didn't mean for this to happen, but people have to be aware of the high risks and responsibilities of owning a pit bull.  I honestly don't understand why someone would own one in a family neighborhood."  We share her thoughts and are sorry for her loss.

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8/7/2018
Cleveland
Cuyahoga County

A Cleveland man, Robert Cook has been indicted for dogfighting.  Thirteen dogs were "rescued" from Cook's property.  We fully expect to find these bred for bloodsport, pit trained and tested pit bulls now housed at the City of Cleveland Kennels will be offered for adoption to the public through the City Dogs program.   As of 8/27/2018, the City of Cleveland has 92 dogs available for placement, of the 92, only 12 are not pit bulls.

Watch the video on the news link.  Classy.

Cook's mug shot.

Watch for new pit bulls in your neighborhood. Consider self-protection. Seriously.


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Sandusky Ohio
9/18/2018
Erie County

A Sandusky woman, working in her yard was forced to stab a neighbor's pit bull after it entered her yard'  "  “My neighbor’s dog got loose out of her yard. It attacked my two dogs and it attacked me!” screamed Julia Parsley into the phone on Sunday evening.

It happened in the backyard of Parsley's Sandusky home.

“The dog that got out and attacked my dogs came between these, went through there, and came out right there,” Parsley said as she pointed to a wobbly fence separating her yard from her neighbor’s."

The neighbor pit bull entered her yard menacing Parsley's pit bulls then attacked her.  She stabbed it to death.  She received hospital treatment for her injuries and has a serious infection. Charges are pending against the owner of the attacking/dead pit bull.  


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8/17/2018
Twinsburg Ohio
Summit County
A woman and her dog were attacked by a pit bull in a local dog park.  Twinsburg police are looking for the dog, named Daisy, described as a pit bull weighing 40 to 60 pounds.  Anyone with knowledge of the owner please call Twinsburg police officer Caporuscio at 330-425-1234.


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10/7/2018
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

Two adults suffered what were called "significant" injuries while protecting children from a pit bull attack.  The attack was described as an "hour long rampage" by News Chanel 5.  Becky Barker and Jay Anderson responded to the screams of the children who were trapped on top of a car by the three pit bulls.  Barker was attacked immediately as she left her house to help the children.  "Barker told News 5 the pit bulls had children trapped on top of a car that was parked in front of her home, and when she stepped out to help, the pit bulls bit her multiple times in three areas of her body.

"They could have killed me, they really could have, if they would kept ripping me open like they did," Barker said.

Jay Anderson also responded. He had a screwdriver in his hand that he attempted to use as a weapon. One of the pit bulls took the screwdriver. Mr. Anderson was bitten on his legs and his back.   

EMS, the fire department and the Cleveland Dog Warden responded to the call. The dog warden seized one of the pit bulls but allowed the owner to keep two of them.  Why?

                                                        

Given that EMS, the fire department and the dog warden were called to this dumpster fire, how much did this cost the city of Cleveland taxpayers?  

Late update - Video has been posted of the rampage by these two pit bulls. PLEASE take a moment to watch it.   How will the breed advocates pressuring Parma City Council to drop that city's breed ban explain this?     

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9/18/2018
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A Cleveland woman lost her beloved pet, Tyson, a tiny Lhasa Apso in front of her horrified eyes, in front of her own home.  Laura Lehmann was with her dog at the time of the attack, caught on film. The pit bull is still in the home across the street.  It has been ordered out of the city but the owner has 30 days to comply.  Where will this pit bull go?  It will most likely be relocated to another city where the history is unknown.  Will a change of address change the actual dog?  Nope, just spreading the misery around.   Is this the best we can do?  

The usual excuses have been made, the owner should be held responsible, not the breed. The prosecutor is "looking into " this situation.  Channel 19 has a reporter who owns a pit bull and has chosen to challenge a pediatrician's statements that pit bulls pose an unreasonable danger in our communities. We will see this very reporter in the next entry.

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10/1/2018
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A Cleveland woman's dogs have been attacked, in her own fenced yard,  THREE times by a pit bull owned by a woman living two streets away.  The first attack, on Bear, occurred on September 23rd.  The owner of the pit bull apologized and promised to pay the vet bills.  Bet she didn't.  Five days later the same pit bull came back and attacked Missy, the home owner's other dog.  As soon as Missy returned home from the vet she was attacked again.  Missy was still in a cone and was defenseless. Brenda Nichols, the owner of Bear and Missy is afraid to leave her home.

News station WOIO is "talking to the city" about why it took three attacks by the same pit bull to get the dog picked up.  The reporter, Victor Williams does fall back on the talking point that "the owner is responsible" even though the owner is obviously NOT responsible.  Reporter Williams appears to be rightly distressed by the attacks he is reporting on but in this case, he does not reveal his advocacy for the breed.  Reporter and pit bull owner Williams contacted a pediatrician who is outspoken about the dangers of pit bulls to the peaceful public and especially to children.  Williams requested a dialog with Dr. Marusinec and got it.  Dr. Marusinec states in  Williams report "“The medical studies in the last 10 years really overwhelmingly conclude that pit bulls are especially dangerous to children,” said Pediatrician, Laura Marusinec." Marusinec by way of facetime says they’re just too much of a risk.

“Not only do they cause the most frequent injuries but they also cause the most severe injuries,” added Marusinec."

Has this information changed the way Williams thinks on the pit bull issue?  Suspect not. There is a very long list of medical studies supporting Dr. Marusinec's statements. Has this information reached the pit bull advocates harassing the Parma City Council?  Likely yes, but conveniently ignored.

                                                          

Milestone post, pit bulls on sale in Cleveland, pit bull kills pleasant little dog inciting rabid pit bull advocates to demand release of the pit bull, concealed carry permit holder shoots attacking pit bull, pit bulls attack each other prompting Dayton police to just shoot them

This post marks a milestone here at Scorched Earth.  The blog surged right on by 200,000 page views.  Thanks for reading this.  The blog was only supposed to record how a bad bill in the Ohio Legislature (HB 14) became a bad law.  We have gone in many directions and you have come along for the ride.  Thanks!  The ride is not over, lots more to come.

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You can get at a drastic reduction in the adoption price from the City of Cleveland Shelter for a limited time only. Fifty of the longest held dogs will be available for $21, marked down from $61.  Here is the problem, they are all pit bulls.  I looked at this shelter a few days ago.  They had 68 dogs available, 63 of them are pit bulls.  Thanks, but I think I will stay home.


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6/13/2018
Kettering Ohio
Montgomery County

A Kettering pit bull has been euthanized for killing a Dachshund last month.  The person fostering the pit bull, I refuse to call her the dog's "foster mom" stated that Stormy the pit bull handled an interaction with the Dachshund "naturally" by grabbing the little dog by the neck and killing it.

Per the Dayton Daily news " Stormy was walking on a leash, held by a 16-year-old, on May 14 when Cooper’s owner let the smaller dog loose outside in the common area behind townhomes on Windsor Park Drive in Washington Twp. Cooper moved close to Stormy, when the larger dog lunged and grabbed the smaller dog by the throat and shook until he went limp, according to a Montgomery County Sheriff’s Office report."

 Stormy was not licensed because the foster, Robin Pack, was in the process of "adopting" (read purchasing a used pit bull).  Title to this particular pit bull was held by the Cincinnati SPCA. There is little demand for pit bulls in Cincinnati apparently, the shelter is overwhelmed with them.  Failure to register and dog at large charges against Pack were dropped.  Stormy was euthanized at the Montgomery Animal Resource Center.  Pack, in the process of purchasing Stormy at the time of the fatal attack, was irate that she had not been given the right to agree to the euthanization nor had the Cincinnati SPCA.

The Animal Justice League of America held a protest at the Montgomery County ARC that had no impact on the final decision to euthanize Stormy.  Dayton is knee deep in violent pit bulls and has no need to import them from downstate.  Mark Kumpf, Montgomery County Dog Warden got this one right.


RIP Cooper

But wait, there is more information.  The Animal Justice League of America lobbied hard on behalf of Stormy without any actual knowledge of the actual circumstances.

Here is are the texts of two emails sent to Dog Warden Mark Kumpf.
"Hi Mark,  This is Shane Rudman, founder of the Animal Justice League of America.  I truly appreciate the difficulty of the job you do.  I'd like to help you with a good public relations for you. We are willing to take Stormy out of state to Kansas City.  I'll make sure to get you and your local media and national media to appreciate your situation.  I'm meeting with KCMO's mayor. (redacted material) ...will make time for this.  If you or your top assistant cam text me at your earliest convenience today, I think you'll be happy we connect.  Our people are in contact with (redacted)... guessing we'll make a very positive announcement in a few months (redacted name) makes his decision on next contact.  Again, Thx for all you do.  In far too many cases it's a thankless job."

Here is another email from the same individual.  "Hi Mark, trying to give you some help with the dog Stormy. I know we are both extremely busy.  When you get a chance just shoot me a quick text so e can connect.  I know time is running out.  I've left multiple messages on your vm, the person that reports direct to you, and one other person.  I was afraid maybe the phn system wasn't getting msgs straight so I had a volunteer drive over to deliver a message in person.  Hopefully, we can connect before it's too late.  Again, thx for your hard work."   These texts were posted on the Animal Justice League of America's Facebook page in hopes of stirring the pot in Dayton.  Here is what Rudman had to say.  "Animal Justice League of America

Yesterday at 12:44am · 

This is Shane Rudman. My team of Admin normally post here but several investigative reporters asked for these texts message to be posted tonight. These are two of the text messages I sent to Mark Kumpf of the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center. None were returned. He and his staff refused to return any of the other half dozen voice mails that I personally left. Part of the first text is redacted due to NDA’s.

.

Feel free to review this material on The Animal Justice League of America's Facebook page.  You will also have the opportunity to watch an endless video of Rudman's self-important statements, offers to "help" law enforcement, and threats if these "offers" are not accepted.  Life is short, I could not bring myself to watch the whole thing.  Background information- Rudman lives in Kansas City and drove to Ohio to interfere in local law enforcement matters.  

In any case, Rudman was apparently not aware that during the attack Stormy also bit the owner of the Dachshund and bit a neighbor as well. Here is a description of the attack from WDTN News. ""People started screaming," Lawson said. "And crying and punching stormy to get her to let go. I was hitting her too. I didn't know what else to do."

 Lawson is the daughter of Robin Pack, she was walking Stormy at the time all hell broke loose.

Here is a statement from the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center "The dog was property of the Cincinnati SPCA," a spokesperson for the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center said in a statement Wednesday. "And it was signed over for euthanasia to the ARC.  Stormy was euthanized on June 5. This is a public safety issue.  One of our mandates is public safety. Montgomery County will not put the community at risk by releasing any animal that has shown aggressive behavior."

The Cincinnati SPCA confirmed Wednesday it was their decision to have the dog euthanized, not the ARC's decision.

"After Stormy attacked & killed another dog, in addition to biting a person," a spokesperson for the Cincinnati SPCA said in a statement released Wednesday. "Stormy was deemed vicious and dangerous. SPCA signed an affidavit to release Stormy to Montgomery County where the incident took place, so that the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center could take necessary actions in the case."

You can't make this stuff up.  

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6/26/2018
College Hill Ohio
Hamilton County

A concealed carry permit holder shot and killed a pit bull after the pit bull charged the man, his wife, and their dogs as they were out for a peaceful walk.  The permit holder did not shoot the pit bull until after he was bitten TWICE in the leg.  The pit bull owner came out of his house in response to the attack but was unable to control his own pit bull.  At this point, the permit holder shot the pit bull in the head.  Remarkable self-control.  The permit holder required treatment at a local hospital.  The SPCA cited the pit bull owner.  College Hill is located just 10 miles from Cincinnati, a pit bull hell.  The Cincinnati SPCA is infested with pit bulls.

Why is the pit bull owner always the last person to arrive at the scene of a pit bull attack?

 


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6/27/2018
DAYTON Ohio
Montgomery County

Yet another pit bull attack in Mark Kumpf's county.  Dayton police shot three dogs attacking another dog in a Dayton home.  The story has changed several times over the course of the day but it appears that one dog is dead, one in critical condition and one still at the vet with no condition report.  Neighbors report hearing Alexis Keeton screaming that she was being attacked but the dog owner denies this, stating that she was just trying to break up the dogfight.  She has five dogs, the three accounted for here are two American Bullies (pit bulls) and one pit bull  Dayton is a pit bull hell.  This story ends with the standard reassurances from the pit bull owner.   " Keeton said although her dogs have fought each other, once before - it's never been this extreme.

"My boyfriend's had all of them his whole life - they're four years old. They've never shown aggression to humans, other dogs. They're protective over the house, well behaved, obedient dogs."

Keeton says she's thankful neither she or the police were injured. She said the situation could have been a lot worse. 

I bet Keeton's neighbors just love her.

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April 2nd Pit bull Roundup. Pit bulls shot by law enforcement, injured by their owners, attack small dogs, kill mini horses, run at large and attack, get a huge break in Lakewood, and attack children.

1/10/2018

Mansfield Ohio

Richland County

This comes from the "a pit bull's worst nightmare is frequently his owner" file, in a city that dropped its breed ban in 2017.  Anyone reading the linked material should be aware that there is an error in the reporting.  There is no requirement by Ohio law that communities must lift breed bans.  Google Ohio Revised Code and read state law for yourself.  In any case, I digress.

Christopher Vandenberg, age 40, was sentenced to more than three years in prison for slitting the throats of four pit bull puppies.  He cut the puppies after an argument with his wife.  All the puppies recovered and have been adopted out.   This leaves a thoughtful person wondering.  There is no question that the puppies were injured, slightly, but they all recovered.  Owners of pit bulls that maul and kill other people's pets and livestock pay a small fine and prance free.  Why?  

Here is a photo of one of the puppies. This is not a life threatening injury.

  

Here is a photo of Mr. Vandenberg.  

This is Bella, she was killed and partially eaten by pit bulls in Ohio, shortly before Christmas.

This is Pablo, he was killed in the same attack.

In addition to the deaths of the two mini horses, the same three pit bulls also killed a mini horse on another property on the same day. 
The horse in the foreground is Simon, the the third mini horse killed by Terry Foister's pit bulls.

The owner of the pit bulls that killed Pablo, Bella and Simon got a fine of $150 plus court costs.  Why three years in prison for cuts to puppies and a misdemeanor charge and $150 fine for the deaths of three mini horses?

What are we doing in Ohio?  There are bills in both the Ohio Senate an Ohio House that toughen state law regarding vicious dogs.  The Senate Bill, introduced by Senator Bill Beagle, is called the Klonda Richey Act, named after a Dayton woman mauled to death by her neighbor's dogs in 2014.  There is a companion bill, HB 352,  in the Ohio house, they are exactly the same.  These companion bills are poking along in the Ohio Legislature over four years after Klonda Richey's death.  An Alabama woman, Emily Colvin, was mauled to death by pit bulls on Christmas Eve of 2017.  The Alabama Legislature has already written and  passed Emily's Law,  legislation to hold owners of vicious dogs accountable.

The Ohio bills are well written and deserve passage.  Why can Alabama accomplish something in two months that Ohio still struggles with four years after a mauling death?  What are we doing in Ohio? 

While we are on the topic of the Klonda Richey Bill, there is this interesting story.  Andrew Nason, owner of the dogs that killed Klonda Richey after menacing her for years, has been spending his time in prison, on unrelated charges, by training dogs with the intent to become a journeyman animal trainer.  Per the Dayton Daily News. "  Nason, who is serving a five-year sentence at London Correctional for unrelated felonious assault and endangering children counts, wrote in a motion to a Montgomery County Common Pleas Court judge that he has participated in hundreds of hours in the Pets Uniting People Program (PUPP). 

Nason asked Judge Steven Dankof in a fall 2017 pro se (without an attorney) motion to credit his prison community work service toward his court costs. As of Sept. 25, 2017, Nason wrote he had performed 744 hours with PUPP.

A flyer about A-1 PUPP provided by the ODRC said it was a two-year apprentice program that offers a certificate of from the Ohio Dept. of Labor that certifies the graduate as a journeyman animal trainer.

The flyer says the program is for rescue dogs that may have been neglected, abused, surrendered, removed from bad living conditions including puppy mills. The ODRC said the program trains and socializes the dogs for adoption.

Nason wrote that he makes just $18 per month from which he must pay for utilities, health care fees, hygiene purchases and other miscellaneous expenses.

“I think this is absolutely ridiculous,” Montgomery County Prosecutor Mat Heck Jr. said. “What is the Ohio Department of Corrections thinking? Which then begs the question, do they have any clue about his past?

“If he is enrolled in such a program, maybe he can learn what it means to be a responsible dog owner, and how to properly care for and control a dog.”

An Ohio Department of Rehabilitation and Correction spokeswoman said Nason has not been active with the program since October. No reason was provided why Nason was allowed to enroll or why his participation ended.

Dankof denied the motion."

Andrew Nason.  What are we doing in Ohio? 

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3/18/2018

Toledo Ohio

Lucas County

Here is a story that was not reported in the media but was reported on Facebook.  A pit bull attacked a small dog owned by a woman appearing to be in her 60s.  A neighbor ran to the scene and helped the woman, her small dog, and another woman escape to safety.  The small dog owner was bitten and bleeding.  Police and an ambulance were called to the scene.  The Toledo Blade did not report this attack.  Not surprising.  Thank you Mr. Louden!

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3/22/2018

Forest Park Ohio

Hamilton County

A Forest Park pit bull owner has finally been arrested for allowing his pit bulls to run free in his neighborhood.  Investigators have been called to the home of Wade Hill Jr. 62 times since January of 2017.  A child has been bitten by the pit bulls requiring 29 stitches to his face. The mail carrier is on high alert, the FedEx driver has been menaced, peaceful neighbors and local police have also been menaced.  The pit bulls have been taken to the SPCA but have been returned to the owner.  Police are attempting to get a court order to remove the dogs.  After 62 calls in a year, this should not be a problem.  What are we  doing in Ohio?   

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3/8/2018

Colerain Ohio

Belmont County  

Colerain residents are in the same situation as those in Forest Park, they are prisoners in their own homes while a neighborhood pit bulls runs free.  This dog has bitten and menaced residents.  Per Fox 19 News " "It just runs around terrorizing the neighborhood. It keeps people from getting in their houses. It actually bit my husband's leg," said Kim Thompson, who lives next to the dog owner.

She says the dog cornered her child as well. "It's so scary my son. He has little toys that he rides out front, motorbikes, and things and he got stuck down there in a circle and the dog went right for him," she said.

Another neighbor who didn't want to be identified tells FOX19 NOW the police were called to his home a few weeks ago after the dog bit him.

"He's standing there at the end of my driveway. I say get out of here, get out of here and he comes up to me like he's going to bite me and I back up then he nipped me on the back of my leg," said the resident.

Luckily he wasn't hurt but he fears it will get worse if the issue isn't addressed."

Local authorities state that they are unable to act on complaints because the dog is already gone by the time they get there.  Residents are encouraged to take photographs of the dog at large.  What?  Authorities have a great many of these photographs.  Write the citations!  Get this dog off the street so peaceful people can go on about their lives.  

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2/11/2018

Westerville Ohio

Delaware and Franklin Counties  

Two Westerville Ohio police officers were shot to death, ambushed by a local resident with a history of domestic abuse, animal abuse, and parking tickets.  In their coverage of the deaths of these two police officers  nbc4i.com notes " Smith was charged with animal cruelty in 2016 as neighbors called to report he had beaten a brindle pit bull puppy that was then put outside at the Crosswind Drive location. A judge was able to sign a search warrant for the Humane Society to take the puppy."  

A study was done, in Ohio, linking ownership of high-risk dogs and criminal behavior in the owner.   The study begins with this quote. 

This study examined the association between ownership of high-risk(“vicious”) dogs and the presence of deviant behaviors in the owners as indicated by court convictions. We also explored whether two characteristics of dog ownership (abiding licensing laws and choice of breed) could be useful areas of inquiry when assessing risk status in settings where children are present.Our matched sample consisted of 355 owners of either licensed or cited dogs that represented high or low-risk breeds. Categories of criminal convictions examined were aggressive crimes, drugs, alcohol, domestic violence,crimes involving children, firearm convictions, and major and minor traffic citations. Owners of cited high-risk (“vicious”) dogs had significantly more criminal convictions than owners of licensed low-risk dogs. Findings suggest that the ownership of a high-risk (“vicious”) dog can be a significant marker for general deviance and should be an element considered when assessing risk for child endangerment."

 Draw your own conclusions.

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3/26/2018
Cleveland Ohio
Cuyahoga County

City Dogs, a pit bull placement organization at the Cleveland City Shelter is looking for anyone willing to adopt their pit bulls.  More than 100 dogs are available, and they are pit bulls.  Look out Lakewood, many of these dogs are likely to find their way into your city.   Lakewood recently dropped their breed ban in response to complaints from a Lakewood woman who owned a pit bull (yes the proud owner of a pit bull in a city where the breed was banned).  This pit bull owner failed to keep her banned breed dog confined and it was picked up by animal control and ordered out of town.  She demanded that the city change local law to suit her particular form of irresponsibility.  This seemed logical in Lakewood and the law has been changed.  The chances that pit bull owners in Lakewood will contain and insure their pit bulls is just about zero as has be demonstrated in communities across the United States. 

The reason the City of Cleveland shelter is full of pit bulls?  Aggression and irresponsibility.  Lakewood City Council, say hello to you newest residents.     

This City Dogs pit bull is looking for a new home.  

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3/29/2018
Fort Dodge Iowa/Ohio

Well, here is good news for residents of Ohio.  A pit bull declared vicious by the Ft. Dodge Iowa Board of Animal Appeals will be given another chance - in Ohio.  Wow, lucky us.

In November of 2017 a pit bull owned by Nash Wheaton and Mariah Hocking jumped a fence and killed a cat in the cat owner's yard.  The cat owner was injured while trying, unsuccessfully,  to rescue her pet.  The pit bull also entered the home of the cat owner, apparently unsatisfied by merely killing the cat.

What is a pit bull owner to do in this circumstance?  Pack the pit bull up and run is the usual answer and Ms. Hocking did exactly this.  She brought the pit bull to Ohio.

Per the Messenger, Hocking " brought the dog back to Fort Dodge for the hearing in the second floor conference room of the Municipal Building Wednesday afternoon.

Hocking said the dog does well around people and has never hurt anyone.

Jacob Naatz, the Fort Dodge police officer who handled the case, said in his experience with the animal it was not aggressive towards people.

Naatz said he has dealt with the dog on more than one occasion. He said each time, the dog harmed or attempted to harm another animal.

According to city code, a dog is considered vicious when it kills another domesticated animal without provocation.

“There is no question the dog killed another animal and did it without provocation,” Fort Dodge City Attorney Mark Crimmins said.

Board members Dr. Michael Bottorff and Bob Martin were the only board members in attendance, so the decision on the dog had to be unanimous.

Bottorff is a veterinarian in Fort Dodge.

The board determined the dog vicious, but is allowing Wheaton and Hocking to pick the animal up from the Almost Home Humane Society of North Central Iowa today.

Hocking is to take the dog back to Ohio, where it is to remain.

According to Bottorff, if the dog is seen or heard from in Webster County again, it will be put down.

“We’re all animal lovers here,” Bottorff said. “We don’t want to see the dog destroyed.”

Newsflash for Dr. Bottorff, we are animal lovers here in Ohio and we would rather see your vicious pit bull destroyed in Iowa than have it kill peaceful pets here.  If this pit bull is too vicious to remain in your city it is too vicious to ship across state lines.  The Ohio city is unnamed but local animal control should be notified that a vicious dog is about to be shipped into town.  The county dog warden should be notified as well.

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3/8/2018
Chillicothe Ohio
Ross County

A Chillicothe police officer was charged by a pit bull and shot it.  Per the Chillicothe Gazette "  According to Chillicothe police chief Keith Washburn, officers went to a home on North Sugar Street around 5 p.m. Wednesday. The chief said a child opened the door and a large pit bull charged at one of the officers, growling. The officer retreated and when the dog continued to charge at him, Washburn said the officer fired two shots at the dog."

The dog was only slightly injured and made a full recovery.  Local residents were urged to control their dogs.  * eye roll *



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2/15/2018
Willoughby Hills Ohio
Lake County Ohio
This is as good a time as any for another law enforcement shooting of a pit bull story.  This time is was a Deputy U.S. Marshall who shot a pit bull while that Marshall was attempting to arrest a sex offender on a federal warrant.  Per Cleveland.com "Patrick Denning, 57, was hiding in a back bedroom of the home and was arrested, Elliott said. He was wanted on a warrant for failing to register as a sex offender, after his conviction in Nevada for lewdness with a child under 14 years old."

The pit bull survived.   Why are pit bulls so often found in the company of felons?

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7/11/2017
Mansfield Ohio
Richland County

More from Mansfield in this long overlooked story.  Richland County Commissioners deny responsibility for any decision on euthanization of two pit bulls that killed a tiny and peaceful pet.  Per the Mansfield News Journal. "Commissioners discussed the issue Tuesday for over 30 minutes with Hettie Rohwer, whose Maltese/Chihuahua mix was mauled and killed in one of the attacks on March 1 in the area of West Third Street and Penn Avenue in Mansfield.  Rohwer asked why county Dog Warden Dave Jordan has not taken the offending animals to a veterinarian to be euthanized.  “I checked with the (Mansfield) law director and his assistant and those dogs do not have to be held any more.  They can be put down at any time,” she said.  “I was told by the law director that the dog warden would have to transport the dogs to be put down.”  Commissioners’ chairwoman Marilyn John said the euthanasia issue was something that is between Mansfield Municipal Court, the city law director’s office and the dog owners’ attorney. “This is not something to bring to this meeting to negotiate,” she said.  “What the law director does is up to his office.”  Commissioner Darrell Banks pointed out that the dog warden is under court order to hold the dogs and that is all he can do."

The caption under this photo states that this woman is speaking to Richland County dog warden Dave Jordan after a dog escaped from this home and killed other dogs.

Stop the dithering and put these dogs down. Protect the peaceful public.

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1/22/2018
Hillsboro Ohio/Peebles Ohio
Highland County/Adams County

This is a complicated story.  A former Hillsboro woman,  who had been ordered by the courts to NOT own dogs due to prior abuse and irresponsible behavior, was found in possession of sixteen dogs, at least one of them stolen.  Olivia Gale Youst, 27, and Molly Elizabeth Salser, 26, were charged with petty theft and tampering with evidence after the sixteen dogs were confiscated.  Please read this story yourself, how do people get away with this stuff for so long?  Yost's history includes charges that her pit bull constantly ran at large in Hillsboro and killed a German Shepherd within an hour of being caught by the county dog warden and returned to Yost.
Per the Times Gazette.  " The dog warden said Yost seems to prefer pit bulls and chihuahuas and that there is some question of whether or not she owns all the dogs that were in the Peebles home.
The Adams County Sheriff’s Office has pictures of the dogs on its Facebook page with the following message: “These dogs were recovered from a residence located in the area of Jones Rd in Peebles, OH. If you recognize any of these dogs and they belong to you or know the owners please contact the Adams County Dog Pound at 937-544-2431. If your dog is recovered and want to pursue theft charges please contact the Adams County Sheriff Office at 937-544-2314.”

Confiscated dog, not looking too good.

Two more, also not looking too good.

Yost

Salzer                           I have nothing further to say about this one. 

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1/23/2018
Brooklyn Ohio
Cuyahoga County

A 13-year-old boy was attacked by a pit bull while he was walking home from school.  A classic pin-and-run attack.  The pit bull owner, a female, had been talking on her phone with the pit bull's leash under her foot.  The pit bull lunged at the boy, biting him on the bicep. Per News 5 Cleveland "The bite was bad enough, but Timothy and his parents got really fired up when the woman left without calling for help or giving him contact information, so she could show proof the dog was up-to-date on his rabies shots.

Timothy said the dog that bit him was a white pit bull.

He knows pit bulls because he has one at home.

But it’s what the woman told him that also upset his parents.

“Go home and put a band-aid on it, it will be fine,”  Timothy said she told him.

But it wasn’t fine.

He waved down a police officer who took him to get help.

Timothy needed stitches and five rabies shots. He has to go back for more shots three more times."

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In a huge computer glitch, about a year's links to Ohio pit bull maulings has just disappeared.  Makes my life easier but a sad loss.

Ohio pit bulls will do their very best to keep me busy.  I remember a few of these items, will write about them and try to stay current in the future.