Showing posts with label South Euclid. Show all posts
Showing posts with label South Euclid. Show all posts

Tuesday, December 29, 2015

Year end roundup, part one. Schoolyard attacks, home invasion attacks, recidivist pit bull abusers/owners, "take this pit bull, PLEASE", and letter carriers deserve combat pay.

This is going to be a year end round up.  I will try to get to all the attacks that did not make a      roundup earlier in the year.  Get some coffee, this will be a long post.

  11/23/2015
Sandusky Ohio


Here is item off a police scanner.  A caller reported to Sandusky police that a pair of pit bulls were actively trying to rip through a door of the caller's home.

Picture it. 


                                                       * * *

11/30/2015
Painesville Ohio
Lake County  

An at-large pit bull mix entered a Painesville schoolyard while students were outside on the playground.  The animal circled the 60 students before targeting on one little girl, grabbing her by the arm.  A horrified volunteer aide rushed to the child, attempting to shield the little girl with her own body.  Per FoxNews8  Zalar rushed over to help, wrapped her arms around Leah and wedged her leg between the girl and the dog.
The little girl required 26 stitches in her arm to close her wounds.  The aide, Laura Zalar, was treated for multiple puncture woulds, deep muscle strain, and bruising.  

The three year old pit bull dog had escaped from the property of the owner who lived near the school.  The owner is being charged with dangerous dog at large.  The pit bull was held by the Lake County dog warden for a 10 day quarantine.

Interesting timing on this.  Just hours later and a few miles away Shaker Heights pit bull advocates returned to Shaker Heights City Council chambers with empty leashes in their hands to protest a pit bull ban being considered by that community. I bet a breed ban looks real good to the parents of Painesville schoolchildren.


I hope the Painesville City Council recognizes Laura Zalar for her courageous action to save a local child.  I also hope Shaker Heights City Council recognizes the danger of allowing unregulated pit bulls in the community.  

                                                           * * *

12/16/2015
Lebanon Ohio
Warren County

An 84 year old woman was attacked inside her own home, by a pit bull.  Two pit bulls followed the woman's caregiver, who had been walking the woman's Pekingese.  One of the pit bulls had already attacked the woman's caregiver and the woman's Pekingese on the front porch.  The 84 year old opened her door to assist the caregiver and the little dog when the pit bull entered the house, attacked the elderly home owner and killed the little dog.   Click here for video.  

The dogs were declared dangerous dogs, the neighbor/pit bull owner will have the opportunity to protest the designation.  Why would you? 

                                                               * * * 

12/4/2015
Dayton Ohio
Montgomery County

The Montgomery County Animal Resource Center gained custody of two more pit bulls, plus a dog of unspecified breed,  just what they needed.  A "responsible pit bull owner" left her four year old daughter alone in the care of the two "nanny dog" pups and another dog for an unspecified length of time.  The mother was arrested on a misdemeanor child endangering charge when she returned home, the child was turned over to Montgomery County Children Services.   

For video please click here and here.  

Mother arrested after 4-year-old daughter found home alone gallery


                                                              * * *

12/7/2015
Akron Ohio
Summit County

Markee Turner, recidivist pit bull abuser, was sentenced to 40 hours of community service at the Summit County animal shelter.  Turner was also sentenced to one year of probation and prohibited from owning or harboring animals for five years.  Turner has been found in possession of starving pit bulls twice this year. Interestingly, equipment used in conditioning dogs for the purpose of dog fighting was found in Turner's home in July.  Bet nobody suspected that.

 Markee Turner
Booking photo for Markee Turner. Another "responsible pit bull owner." Wouldn't mandatory neuter and spay for pit bulls, preventing the creation of dogs destined to suffer, be better than this?  

                                                             * * *

12/6/2015
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County  

The Toledo Blade rejoices that yet another test used to screen dogs for aggression prior to offering them to the public for placement has been scrapped.  Pit bull advocacy has been chipping away at any screning test that pit bulls can't pass, claiming that the test is not predictive of aggression in the home. Dogs that are food guarders (aggressive around food) have been sent to rescues for "rehabilitation" (at taxpayer expense) prior to placement but now even that safety precaution is gone.  Lucas County will continue to use the SAFER test, developed by the ASPCA, to screen dogs but it should be noted that the ASPCA will no longer certify those who administer the test.  With the number of attacks by recently re-homed shelter dogs this year the ASPCA may be responding to potential liability issues by dropping their certification process.  This quote from the announcement by the ASPCA "We have found that while individuals conduct the assessment and demonstrate they can score correctly for their certification, they are not consistently assessing in that manner throughout the year."     

The safety of the public is a very low priority here. This article comes from the Toledo Blade so we have the required quote from Jean Keating.

                                                                          * * *

12/4/2015
Columbus Ohio
Franklin County

A known aggressive pit bull held at the Franklin county shelter has received the classic Facebook "please find someone to take this creature" plea.  King is reported to be just a sweetheart with people but is admittedly animal aggressive.  The warning from shelter staff is that King is NOT safe to take to the park but they hope that just the right rescue or new owner will step up for King.  Want a known aggressive dog?  Who wouldn't?    
KING 2

King could be just what you are looking for, the neighbors will love him.  

                                                                   * * *

11/26/2015
Cincinnati Ohio

The good people of Cincinnati have not forgotten Zainabou Drame and her family.  The Drame Family was treated to an elegant Thanksgiving dinner at Boi Na Braza Brazilian Steakhouse.  The family won a 7.5 million dollar settlement but do not expect to see any of it.  Zainabou's medical bills are over a million dollars and growing.  


Zainabou Drame is incredibly brave, and surrounded by the positive energy of her loving family.  

                                                                 * * *

10/9/2015
Batavia Ohio
Clermont County

A newly adopted pit bull attacked the special needs daughter of the new owner.  Bruno the pit bull was euthanized but the owner has concerns about the safety of her neighbors.  While Bruno is no longer a problem, Bruno's  parents are still in the community and presumably still pumping out puppies, they are said to be just as aggressive as Bruno.  Neighbors state that they have witnessed multiple attacks in the area in the last year. Part of the problem is the Clermont County shelter which is under new management.  Dog attacks prior to 2015 are no longer part of their records.

Mandatory neuter and spay would be very helpful here.

                                                              * * *

10/23/2015
Dayton Ohio
Montgomery County

"Responsible pit bull owners" Ronald and Mary Kincer called in a stray dog complaint on a dog called Lazarus.  The dog died of severe malnutrition and dehydration a few days after pick up by animal control.  An investigation revealed that the Kincers were not concerned about a stray, they were calling in on their OWN DOG.  The Kincers have been charged with, among other charges, knowingly committing an act of cruelty against a companion animal.

There is video at this link, take a good look at this poor dog.  Wouldn't mandatory neuter and spay be better than this?  Dogs not conceived do not suffer.  The neuter and spay surgery would be free to pit bull owners.  PetSmart Charities, Best Friends, the Animal Farm Foundation, or the Petco Foundation will make grants for this purpose.  Oh, I forgot, pit bull owners turn this screaming deal down because it is a breed specific offer.     


                                                                      * * *

10/16/2015
Toldeo Ohio
Lucas County

As if Toledo needed any more pit bull promotion, a parking lot party to raise awareness for pit bulls was scheduled during Pit Bull Awareness Month.  Those attending the event were encouraged to bring their own dogs along to meet pit bulls.  Good idea?

The event sponsor, the Pet Bull project has 11 pit bulls available at this time.  Lucas County Animal Care and Control has a total of 28 available dogs,  despite the whimsical breed IDs given, at least 26 of these dogs are pit bulls or pit mixes.  The Lucas County Pit Crew has 28 pit bulls available for adoption.   Does anybody see any lack of awareness for pit bulls in Lucas County?   Toledo


                                                              * * *

9/17/2015
Avon Lake Ohio
Lorain County

Pit bull owner David Golas took the easy way out and pleaded no contest in Avon Lake Municipal Court to two charges of allowing his pit bulls to run at large.  Golas's pit bulls killed a Shih Tzu and bit the owner of the Shih Tzu as he attempted to protect his pet.   Perry Pascarella described the August 10th attack "These two large dogs came out of nowhere and attacked Bella," he said in a recent interview. "It was horrible. I kicked them and kicked them, but they would not let her go. Each dog had part of Bella in its mouth. I dropped to my knees and started punching the dogs as hard as I could, but they ignored me. I grabbed one around the throat, but it was like wrapping my hands around a steel pipe.
Golas was fined the maximum $300.  Per Cleveland.com Golas' lawyer, Timothy Fitzgerald, said the no contest plea was made to put and end to the "isolated incident." He said Golas has no problem living up to the rules pertaining to dangerous dogs.
"Golas has been following those rules all along, like responsible pet owners," he said.

bella.jpg
Bella

Here are my  thoughts on this.  The death of someone else's pet and the injury to his neighbor was not an "isolated incident" that Golas should just put behind him.  If Golas had been living up to the rules, as other actually responsible dog owners do, Bella would be alive and her owner would be uninjured.  Avon Lake would not have passed a new law to deal with irresponsible dog owners and vicious dogs.  

The Pascarellas have filed a lawsuit against Golas and his wife.  Per the Morning Journal "The lawsuit stated that Melinda Golas had signed a contract that gave her a notice that Sandy was a dangerous dog. The lawsuit also stated that Sandy cannot roam or be alone with children younger than 10. On a date prior to Aug. 10, the Golas family knew that their gate did not close or lock properly, the lawsuit claims."

This was not the first incident involving the Golas pit bulls. It was reported that in early 2014 Golas was walking his dogs when they bowled over a 5 year old boy, causing him to cry.  The little boy's own dog ran to the child to protect him.  Golas released his pit bulls, allowing them to attack the child's dog, pinning it to the ground, biting its neck and drawing blood.  At this point Mr. Golas attempted to restrain his pit bulls.

Mr. Golas's pit bulls have been declared dangerous and must be confined per Ohio law.

Save us all from "responsible pit bull owners."

                                                              * * *

10/12/2015
New Philadelphia Ohio
Tuscarawas County

Vivian VanCamp reported that she got up early, hearing her own dog barking.  She looked out her window and saw what appeared to be a pit bull and a dead kitten.  She tried to shoo the dog away but it came up to her house and slammed into her storm door in an attempt to get at her own dog, still in the house.  She reported that she saw a second dog, it looked similar to the first.  Later she saw the dogs kill another one of her two month old kittens.  Ms. VanCamp was afraid to step out of her own home and was unable to allow her own dog out in her yard.  By the time the county dog warden arrived to investigate the pit bulls were gone.  Six kittens were killed and two more are missing.  

Ms. VanCamp wants to know who owns these dogs, she wants that owner to be aware of exactly what the dogs did.  Very reasonable.  Mark Rogo, an apparent pit bull apologist, following the comment pattern of Bob Cronk, commented on this story.  Spelling and grammar are foreign to pit bull activists.



  • Mark Rogo




  • Rank 635
  • Mark Rogo
    You can keep trying but your finally losing the battle. How many other breeds have done the same thing don't hear about those you hipakrets."


    Mr. Rogo, boldly,  has no sympathy for the kittens or the owner but acknowledges that the peaceful public is at a disadvantage.  He apparently sees this as a good thing.  "hipakrets"?  Spell check, it is on your computer.

                                                          * * *

    9/12/2015
    Marysville Ohio
    Union County

    We have dealt with this particular pit bull in the past.  The name is Zach, he was at the Franklin County Shelter as a rescue only.  The back story, Zach hit the lottery and was adopted but returned in less than an hour after biting the new owner. Zach also lunged at the shelter veterinarian, two strikes, no longer available to the general public, the liability was too great.  Steffen Baldwin of ACT Ohio and OABD stepped up to take Zach.  The plan was to rehabilitate Zach and adopt him out to the public.  As of 9/12/2015 Zach was still available (wonder why?) but anyone who might have been interested should have acted sooner.  Just recently Baldwin announced to his Facebook followers that he would keep this gem of a pit bull himself.

                                                                     * * *

    9/2/2015
    Brunswick Ohio
    Medina Ohio

    A Brunswick home owner reported that her Husky had been attacked and seriously injured  by a pit bull. The Husky owner had to hit the pit bull with a baseball bat to get it to release her dog.  The pit bull was harbored by a neighbor living two doors down.  Nice neighbor.
    brunswickpolicecar.jpg

                                                                      * * *

    8/28/2015
    South Euclid Ohio
    Cuyahoga County

    A letter carrier was bitten by a pit bull as he was walking his route.  The letter carrier was bitten on his wrist and inner thigh but was able to grab the pit bull's collar and pin the thing to the ground until the owner could come out and drag his mauler back in the house.  Records show that the same pit bull bit another letter carrier last summer.  Has it be declared a dangerous dog yet?  How many letter carriers is this pit bull allowed to bite before the Cuyahoga County dog warden takes action?
    south euclid police car.jpg

                                                             * * *

    9/9/2015
    Dayton Ohio
    Montgomery County

    Speaking of pit bull attacks on mailmen,  Dayton letter carrier Robert Mays was attacked as he approached a Drury street home. A pit bull named Kali jumped out a window to bite Mays on the hand and upper arm.  The pit bull owner stated she was sleeping in the house with the windows open. The pit bull owner was cited and will have to appear in court.

                                                                 * * *

    6/18/2015
    Oregon Ohio
    Lucas County

    And more attacks on letter carriers.  A postal worker was hospitalized after being bitten on the hand and on the leg by a pit bull mix.  



                                                               * * *



    8/31/2015
    Piqua Ohio
    Miami County

    Piqua police responded to call reporting pit bulls chasing a pedestrian. The pedestrian attempted to chase the pit bulls away by throwing rocks at them. By the time police arrived the pit bulls were back inside the home of the owner.  As the officer  tried to speak with the pit bull owner through the screen door a white pit bull ran at the door "growling and snarling" causing the officer to believe the dog would come through the screen.  The officer backed away from the residence but the genius pit bull owner opened the door allowing the pit bull to escape.  Per the Daily Call "“Unfortunately, the dog did not stop,”  The officer fired one shot at the dog when it was approximately two feet away from him.
    Who could see that one coming?

                                                          * * *

    4/19/2015
    Dayton Ohio
    Montgomery County

    A Dayton woman with a CCW permit shot a pit bull attacking her dog.  The family had gone out for a late evening walk taking the baby and the dog when a stray pit bull approached and attacked Ashley Busby's dog.  Busby did what she needed to do to protect her family then she called police to report the shooting. When police arrived the pit bull was found dead in the middle of the street.  Per ABC22  Busby said she feels guilty she had to shoot a dog because she is an animal lover, "I'm a dog person. Like, I love dogs. I grew up around dogs."

    I can't find fault with this story at all.  Correct priorities. Well done.  Nothing for Mark Kumpf to clean up.
    WKEF-TV ABC 22 News :: News - Top Stories - Woman Shoots Dog After Attack


                                                           * * *

    4/16/2015
    Mansfield Ohio
    Richland County

    The Richland County shelter is full of pit bulls but Mansfield, the largest city in the county, has a breed ban so pit bulls may not be placed in that city.  The kennel supervisor Monique Hypes was quoted as saying "the shelter has difficulty finding adopters for pit bulls because of their violent reputation." 
    but also went on to say “They’re wonderful dogs. That’s not to say that all our dogs are perfect. There are some that have issues, but most are okay,” said Hypes. What? 

    Hypes pulled out the pit bull advocates "big guns" a Facebook post begging for adopters.
     The post said, “Our shelter is maxed out on space for larger breed dogs and pitties!! We NEED your HELP!!”

    It is not the fault of the public that the shelter is full of pit bulls, it is not the fault of the law that the shelter is full of pit bulls.  If pit bull activists want to fix the problem they need to stop breeding pit bulls with no prospects of a permanent home.   Problem solved,

    Bruno and Monique Hypes
    Hypes with pit bull Bruno.

                                                              * * *

    2/27/2015
    Lancaster Ohio
    Fairfield County

    .A seven year old boy was attacked by a pit bull that belonged to a family member.  Cole Robinson was flown to Nationwide Children's Hospital for surgery and treatment, he was listed in fair condition.  The attack was unprovoked and the pit bull had no reported history of aggression. The dog was taken to the Fairfield County shelter.
    Embedded image permalink
    Cole Robinson

    The dog was euthanized by request of the owner.

                                                                  * * *

    5/16/2015
    Dayton Ohio
    Montgomery County

    A positive pit bull story.  An armed intruder was stopped by the family pit bull and an armed and angry mother.  Per WOIO " Police arrived as the suspect, identified as 48-year-old David Allen Polk, was leaving. They found him bloody and bruised. He was handcuffed, when police said they found a knife in his front pants pocket, and then was taken to Grandview Hospital, the report stated.
    Polk, who stands 6 feet, 4 inches and weighs 225 pounds, was booked into the Montgomery County Jail on suspicion of aggravated burglary, a first-degree felony. He is being held without bond awaiting arraignment on Monday, online jail records show.

    Give credit where credit is due.  This is a scary looking dude.
    Armed intruder fights with family’s pit bull photo
    Booking photo for David Allen Polk.

                                                                           * * *

    6/2/2015
    DAYTON Ohio
    Montgomery County

    A woman suffered a severe injury when a pit bull owned by a friend bit her face.  The 23 year old victim states she was petting the dog and it was licking her face. She turned to look at the television and the dog attacked.

    Thomas Hine, the pit bull owner admitted that this was the pit bulls second attack.  The same pit bull bit a neighbor in April and the dog had just come off quarantine.  Hine told police he gave the dog away but the person who took the dog gave it back.  Shocking, I know.

    What will Mark Kumpf do with this two time biter?  Here is the answer. the owner was given a quarantine form.  Classic.

                                                                        * * *

    6/5/2015
    Cincinnati Ohio
    Hamilton County

    Cincinnati police were called out to an apartment building for complaint of two pit bulls fighting in a hallway. When police arrived they carried a shotgun into the building, smart.  The pit bulls lost interest in fighting each other, one turned on police so they shot it.  BOOM, done, dust off your hands and go home.  Good work!

                                                                        * * *

    Enough for this post but we will be back later today or tomorrow with more Ohio pit bull insanity.  I have searched the internet for a blog featuring attacks by Ohio Yorkies, or Ohio Poodles, or Ohio Beagles and found zip.  I will continue the search.









    Tuesday, July 29, 2014

    Pit bull Roundup 7/29/2014 Maulings, dead pets, attacks upon garden statuary, and mailmen carrying machetes.

    This will be a long post.  I apologise in advance. Dayton Ohio is again over represented but Cincinnati is making a serious challenge.   Get comfy...

    6/5/2014
    DAYTON Ohio

    A pit bull that was rescued from a dog fighting operation was stolen from the automobile of the new owner at 2 AM  while the car was parked in front of a bar.  The new owner had possession of Ryder the pit bull for just one day.
    Ryder the dog is missing photo
    Anyone seeing this dog is asked to call Dayton police at 333-2677.  Just what Dayton needs, a game bred pit fighter in the community.

                                                                                         * * *

    6/6/2014
    DAYTON Ohio
    A 13 year old babysitter was attacked by a "family dog."  Per WHIO "Police said the teen and two girls, ages 5 and 7, were in the backyard on a swing set when one of the girls accidentally hit the mixed-breed dog. The dog became aggressive toward the girls, when the babysitter stepped in and tried to push the dog back. -

    Neighbors, and workers at a nearby home heard the children's screams and were able to beat the dog back. Montgomery County ARC workers removed the dog.  The babysitter was transported to a hospital for treatment.

    The breed of the dog is not mentioned but a photo was provided.
     Teen bitten by dog photo
    This is a pit bull.

    This is the result of a pit bull attack.
    Dog bite photo

                                                                        * * *

    6/5/2014
    Rossford Ohio

    A Rossford woman has been charged after her pit bull killed a cat.  A witness stated that he saw the pit bull kill the cat while it was hiding under a car and drag the body into the road.  Police followed the dog home where it jumped a fence and was let into the house by owner Danielle Madden.  Madden will be charged for the dog being loose, and unregistered.  Madden will also be charged with disorderly conduct.  


                                                                           * * *

    6/8/2014
    Cincinnati Ohio

    A pit bull was shot and killed by police after it lunged at them.  The pit bull was running loose in the street, police first used a stun gun twice in attempts to control the animal with no success.    The pit bull's owner was charged with failure to control.

    This report, also out of Cincinnati,  deals with the difficulties in actually charging the owners of vicious dogs.  

                                                                    * * *

    6/7/2014
    Cincinnati Ohio

    Angel Galen was being held on $20,000 bond at the Hamilton County Detention Center charged with inducing panic and failure to confine a dangerous dog.  According to the charges, Galen was arguing with other people when he let his pit bull out in order to "scare others and cause alarm."  Galen directed his pit bull to attack a 57 year old man who was bitten in the hand.  Police arrived and shot the pit bull.

    png
    Galen's mug shot.  It appears that the "argument" was lively.

    Angel Galen in court. (FOX19)
    Angel Galen in court

    Additional Cincinnati area pit bull news, Per WCPO News "The number of pit bull attacks reported so far this year in Hamilton County (Cincinnati is located in Hamilton County)  is  on pace to top the total reported in 2013, according to a WCPO analysis.
    Hamilton County Health Department data show 38 bite incidents involving pit bulls or pit bull mix breeds as of May 11, 2014. The data show 74 total pit bull bite incidents reported in 2013."
                                                                                  * * *

    6/11/2014
    Wadsworth Ohio

    The city is considering changes to local animal control laws.  The proposed changes would allow police officers to shoot dogs attacking dogs or cats. Per WadsworthPost.com "Law Director Norman Brague explained that the city’s current ordinance states that it is legal to shoot a dog if that dog is attacking another animal other than a dog or a cat.

    “This is right out of the Ohio Revised Code,” Brague said at a recent committee of the whole meeting. “The intent of the statute really is to protect livestock.”
    The proposed amendment would allow for a dog to be shot if it is attacking another dog or a cat, but only a law enforcement officer would be allowed to shoot the dog as discharging a firearm is illegal within city limits. Hiscock explained that an officer would not shoot at a dog if the dog was trying to attack a wild animal such as a squirrel or a rabbit.
    The changes were proposed after an April 29th incident where two dogs of an unspecified breed attacked other dogs, including a leashed dog, that dog's owner fell and suffered serious injuries. There were other reports of attacks by the same two dogs that evening, including one that was being held in the arms of his owner, and an attack upon a concrete statue of a dog.  Let that last part sink in.  


                                                                             * * *                                                                                6/11/2014
    Lima Ohio
    Lima Ohio Police will again be enforcing Lima's pit bull ordinance after a yearlong suspension to re-write the law to comply Ohio law.  
                                                                         * * *                                                                                    
    6/13/2014
    DAYTON Ohio

    A Dayton man is wanted on possible felony assault charges after he was said to have set his two pit bulls on his roommate.  The victim was waiting for police on the front porch when they arrived.   
    Indianola Avenue dog bite incident, Dayton, June 13, 2014 photo

    Police reported that the two pit bulls were very aggressive, appearing to be full blooded pits with one weighing approximately 120 pounds, the other closer to 100 pounds.  The owner of the pit bulls fled as police entered the home, attempting to control the pit bulls with a catch pole.  Other officers waited on the porch with their service weapons drawn.   Montgomery County ARC staff removed the pit bulls from the premises.  It is not known if they will be returned to the owner.  Per WHIO " the dogs have been the subject of four recent citations -- including for "dogs at large" and "dogs without tags." Neighbors have called police constantly, he said, lodging complaints about the dogs just hanging around in the street and running loose."

    Indianola Avenue dog bite incident, Dayton, June 13, 2014 photo
    One of the pit bulls prior to removal from the house.

                                                              * * *

    6/14/2014
    DAYTON Ohio

    Police shot a pit bull, said to be a puppy, as it was reportedly charging police officers.  Police answered a call that two pit bulls and a bullmastiff were at large, aggressive, charging at Dayton residents and taxpayers, and trying to attack other dogs.  This batch of dangerous dogs was rounded up but one of them was able to run into an alley where two more pit bulls charged out of a fenced yard and charged at police.  A police officer fired a shotgun at the pit bulls, hitting the smaller of the two.  Things went all downhill from there.  Per WHIO "Following the incident, a large crowd of neighbors gathered, some becoming unruly, which resulted in one arrest for disorderly conduct.
    The owner of the dog that was shot, 30-year-old Curtis Gifford, was issued a summons for failure to control dogs.
    Curtis, who owns a licensed kennel, disputes that his show dogs charged police. He said he thinks his dog was shot while inside his fenced-in yard.
    "I show my dogs. This is a show dog. This is a dog that will never be able to be shown again. I paid $5,000 for this dog," he said.
    The dog was taken by Animal Resource Center officers to an emergency veterinary clinic.
    Tim Chesnut / Staff
    The pit bull owners claim that police shot the wrong dog.  They claim that their 4 month old puppy was "trained to stay in the yard" and estimate the value of the puppy at $5000.   The pit bull owners deny the police version of the incident although they did not witness it.  "“I heard my neighbor screaming, ‘They shot your dog, they shot your dog’ and then when I went out there I found my puppy laying in a pool of blood,” said Gifford."

    Dayton police deserve hazardous duty pay.    

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    6/15/2014
    Reynoldsburg Ohio

    A local pit bull owner complains that she has been targeted by police.  The pit bull owner appeared on a local television news segment a week earlier to speak about the Reynoldsburg pit bull ban controversy.   Ms. Ingmire lives in Reynoldsburg, a community with a breed ban, and proudly showed her pit bull to reporters. After the video aired Ingmire was visited by Reynoldsburg police and ticked, three times.  Reynoldsburg city council is expected to vote July 28th on whether to keep or drop the pit bull ban. Per WBNS10 "In the meantime, Ingmire says she's preparing herself for the worst.  "I may have to move, you know I can't continue to pay citations every two weeks,"  

    Update - The Reynoldsburg City Council has voted to retain the community's breed ban.  More on this in another post.  THANK YOU REYNOLDSBURG CITY COUNCIL AND THANK YOU TO REYNOLDSBURG RESIDENTS WHO WORKED HARD TO SAVE THIS LAW!
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    6/9/2014
    Sandusky Ohio

    A local pit bull owner writes to the Sandusky Register "Why wasn't my pit bull allowed within Ohio Bike Week's Block Party?  I would like to know why every time I take my pit bull down to Ohio Bike Week, I get told to leave.  I walk past several police officers who just smile and wave, then one comes up to me and says, 'Due to health department regulations, dogs are not allowed down here.'  Then, they have four officers escort me out.  So I take my dog home and return downtown only to see dogs all over the place.  I am getting tired of being treated this way.  It is not fair to judge my dog by the breed.  Jess from Sandusky."            

    My first thought is that Jess might have learned from having the same experience several times.  Here is the response from police.  "The Sandusky Police Department and event organizers determined after the first year or two of (Ohio) Bike Week that any animal, other than service dogs, wouldn't be permitted in the event venue.  
    Dogs were barking, growling or attempting to attack each other the first years of the event.  The volume of children, adults and very congested walking areas isn't safe to have animals in the event areas.  
    Although the writer has a pit bull, we don't have breed-specific enforcement. It is all animals — dogs, snakes, or other animals.  Although some dogs might be nice, others could not be if mixed in an environment that is very loud, extremely congested or attacked by another dog, stepped on, fallen on or any other scenario that can be probable with this venue.
    All of our officers have been instructed to have dogs or other animals removed from the venue. Have some slipped by, yes probably but at some point an officer most likely will have advised the owners to remove their animals from the venue.  There are signs posted on the barricades that are blocking access into the venue to advise of the restrictions.  
    The decision to not allow animals is for the safety of the animals and all of those children and adults that are coming to enjoy this venue."

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    6/6/2014
    South Euclid Ohio
    A local woman was cited by police for keeping her pit bull under "deplorable conditions"  up to and including when the chained dog jumped over a fence, while still chained, choking it.  At the time of this incident the dog was reportedly "covered in dog feces and it had no water.  This was the third incident involving this pit bull, described as "skinny, lethargic, and not combative."  The owner, Carla Wilkerson, has been charged with five first-degree misdemeanor charges of neglecting animals and one first-degree misdemeanor charge for failing to obtain dog tags.  The pit bull has been returned to the owner because the local dog warden has no place to house it.    

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    6/20/2014
    Conneaut Ohio
    Another case from the "a pit bull's worst nightmare may well be his owner" files.  Gary Ratliff pleaded guilty to cruelty to companion animals after being charged for killing a dog with a hammer because he did not want it any longer and could not find a buyer for it.  Ratliff will spend a month in jail, pay fines, and be prohibited from owning animals for life. Ratliff's brother brought the dead pit bull mix to the police station in April and told police his brother had killed it.  

                                                                      * * *
    6/20/2014
    Cincinnati Ohio
    Cincinnati police shot and killed a pit bull that menaced a man who was mowing his lawn, and helped catch another pit bull involved in the same incident.  A neighbor saw the pit bulls menacing the man and called police.  The pit bulls were aggressive to police as well.  Animal Control picked up the surviving pit bull.  
      

                                                                    * * * 
    6/23/2014
    Columbus Ohio
    Fran Benson's 13 week old puppy was attacked by the neighbor's pit bulls twice in one week.  The most recent attack required emergency veterinary treatment for deep wounds on his neck and his groin.   Benson's neighbors have SEVEN pit bulls. The pit bull's owners told reporters that her pit bulls don't like the neighbors (Benson) and that it was a simple mistake.  * eye roll * The pit bull that attacked the puppy was euthanized and the pit bull owner was cited for having five unlicensed dogs in her home.  
                                                       
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    6/24/2014
    Campbell Ohio
    After attacks on three small dogs, one of them was was killed, neighbors are circulating a petition to have the attacking pit bull removed from the neighborhood.  The pit bull's owner declined to comment to The Vindicator's reporters.  The neighbors should not have to circulate a petition to have a three time offender removed from the community. 

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    7/4/2014
    Hamilton Ohio

    A pit bull, with injuries that might indicate dog fighting, was found dead in a local park.  The dog was found in the Great Miami River.  Per WHIO " HPD and the Butler County Sheriff’s Office Deputy Dog Warden are investigating the circumstances surrounding the dog’s death.
    The agencies are asking for help in determining who the owner of the dog is and any information of possible criminal activity involving the illegal fighting of dogs.
    A $500 cash reward is being offered for information leading to criminal charges.
    Anyone with information is asked to contact the Hamilton Police Public Affairs Section via Facebook or by phone at 513-868-5811, ext. 2007.


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     7/12/2014
    DAYTON Ohio  

    A Dayton neighborhood is being terrorized loose dogs, many of them pit bulls.  Residents are afraid to hang out their laundry or take out the garbage, the mailman carries mace AND A MACHETE because he is attacked WEEKLY.  A  neighborhood  association meeting is being held to discuss ways to regain a quality of life in the community ""They are very aggressive. On leashes, without leashes. And they're everywhere. and its better that we all come together to find out how we can help each other," Weaver St. resident Patricia Rickman said."

    This quote comes from Mayor Nan Whaley "Mayor Nan Whaley says the city has to start at the root of the issue. Change how dogs are treated and housed and in turn change their behavior.
    "It's complaint driven like all housing issues in our city, so you can now and it's enforced," Mayor Whaley expelled. "We have to set community standards. We have to count on our neighborhoods and people in our neighborhoods to help enforce those."
    To report a loose dog or any dog chained up for extended periods of time call the city at 898-4457.
    It is not the job of residents of the community to enforce the law, that is the job of Montgomery County ARC.  So far that enforcement has been almost non existent.

                                                                        * * *

    7/15/2014
    DAYTON Ohio

    A Chow mix dog was attacked and killed by two loose pit bulls.  The Chow mix was tied in the yard of his owner when the stray pit bulls attacked and killed him, the attack was witnessed by neighbors and described as "playing tug of war" with the body.  The attacking dogs were identified as pit bulls by Montgomery ARC staff.  They were not aggressive toward animal control officers and were taken to the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center.  Just what Mark Kumpf needs, two more pit bulls.  
    A chow mix named Bear was tied up in this Wesleyan Road yard when he was attacked by two loose dogs July 15, 2014. photo
    The residence where the attack occurred.

                                                                     * * *


    7/17/2014
    Cincinnati Ohio  

    A ten year old girl was bitten in the face by a pit bull as she was playing outside in her neighborhood.  A neighbor saw the attack, called the child's father, then called 911. Per Cincinnati.com ""A neighborhood child was just bit by a pit bull. I would like to have a cruiser come over because I want to report it. That dog should not have been loose," the woman told dispatchers, according to a recording of the call.
    The child was treated at the scene for a minor cut to her ankle and expected to make a full recovery, he said.
    The dog's owner is a neighbor of the child's. Deborah Anderson, 61, was cited for having a dog at large and the animal bite, Smith said."
                                                                * * *

    7/20/2014
    Batavia Township Ohio

    An eight year old girl was bitten on the face by a pit bull/ boxer mix   as she was visiting a friend.  She required hundreds of stitches to her face.  Raelynn Liming was at a sleepover at a friend's house when the dog attacked her without provocation.  Neighbors are stunned, neighborhood children play with this dog and have never seen any hint of violent behavior.  Per WLWT " Deputies said Raelynn was sitting on the floor watching TV when a family dog approached and bit her on the face, near the lower lip area, causing an open wound.
    “Her whole lip, jaw, everything was just hanging down,” said Kathy Liming, the victim’s grandmother.
    Raelynn was taken to a local hospital and then flown to Cincinnati Children's Hospital by helicopter for surgery.  Reminder - Zainabou Drame is still at Cincinnati Children's Hospital nearly two months after her near fatal mauling.  Did Cinnamon Dixon DO treat Raelynn in the Emergency Room?
     
     Raelynn Liming after surgery.

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    7/22/2014
    DAYTON Ohio

    A man looking for work was attacked by a pit bull that got out of a homeowner's yard as the victim, a tree trimmer, was speaking with the home owner.  The victim was bitten on the wrist and thumb, he was treated at the scene.  The dog owner was cited for misdemeanor charges of having an unlicensed dog and failure to control.  The dog owner will also be liable for any medical bills incurred by the victim.  Dayton police Sgt. Mark Spiers stated that while he is no dog breeder and expert on pit bulls, "I just know that they appear to be more aggressive than other dogs."  Clear thinking.
    Haller Avenue pit bull bite victim, Dayton, July 22, 2014 photo

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    7/21/2014
    Bedford Heights Ohio

    A Yorkie was mauled to death by a pit bull as the little dog played in the backyard of his owner. According to police reports the pit bull broke free of a chain held by a seven year old boy.   Janiene Jennings, the owner of the Yorkie named Stax  stated"The dog snatched my baby and ran over there and killed him," "He was just flailing my dog like a chew toy."

    The child was under the supervision of someone other than the pit bull's owner.  The child will not face charges, no decision has been made on charges for the pit bull owner or the adult present at the time of the attack.
    Stax
    Stax

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    7/25/2014
    Sandusky Ohio

    Rebecca Hush has pleaded no contest to a vicious dog violation.  The charges stemmed from an April 2013 attack attack by her two pit bulls upon retired auto worker Paul Aviles and his Jack Russell Terrier Scooter.   Aviles was walking Scooter when the two pit bulls ran up behind him and attacked the little dog. Aviles was injured when he tried to protect his pet. Aviles told reporters that he bit one of the pit bulls in the leg "I bit him as long and as hard as I could."  "They were like demons."  Witnesses called police, who also battled the pit bulls.   One of the pit bulls died after being tasered, the other was eventually returned to Hush after she satisfied requirements for containment of the animal.

    Scooter eventually recovered, Aviles suffered hand injuries and lost his wedding ring during the attack.   Per the Sandusky Register "Aviles said the city prosecutor's office has given him little information and said he's unsure how hard the city will press to make Hush pay restitution to cover Scooter's vet bills and Aviles' medical bills, which Aviles said come to a considerable sum of money.
    "I was left in the dark about what they were going to do about the charges," he said. "I was mainly concerned about my situation. They said they were going to negotiate that."
    "They're doing all of this negotiation without me," he said.
    The city prosecutor, Lynne Gast-King, and Hush's lawyer, public defender's office attorney Darrell Steltenpohl could not be reached for comment after calls were placed to their offices this week. 
    Hush pleaded guilty in 2000 to a dog at large charge and paid $55 in court costs, records show."


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    We will  end with some good news.  Zainabou Drame is expected to go home from the hospital in August.