Ohio pit bull roundup, 5/22/2016. Pit bull advocates blame victims, pit bull owners attack police, pit bulls attack adults, babies and St. Bernards,

We have far too many Ohio attacks for one post so we will break this down into manageable sections.


4/22/1016
Maumee Ohio
Lucas County

Just when you think you have seen it  all from pit bull owners.

An elderly lady was walking her 12 year old, leashed Cockapoo in her own neighborhood.  She noted a pit bull mix approaching from the rear, dragging a small child who was holding the leash.

You know where this story is going.  The pit  mix attacked the sweet old dog, the sweet old dog's owner began hitting the pit mix on  the head, she was able to free her own dog.  Don't mess with  senior citizens.

The child grabbed the leash of her pit mix and ran home.  Here is where we hit a new standard for pittery. The child's mother called police and reported that the Cockapoo was the aggressor and had bitten her daughter.  The Cockapoo was quarantined for biting.  Upon investigation it was determined that the wound on the child's hand was a cut from her own leash, there was no bite.  Shocker, a pit bull owner lied about an attack, who would think?

Please click on  the link for video of an interview with the Cockapoo owner, watch the sweet old dog.
Were there charges for filing a false police report?

                                                         * * *

5/1/2016
Aurora Ohio
Portage County

More from the "you just can't underestimate pit bull owners" file.

Two Aurora police officers were dispatched for a call reporting a disturbance at a local residence, the resident had attacked a neighbor.  When police arrived 26 year old Brandon Bayless hit an officer in the head with a tire iron. Two officers also reported an aggressive pit bull at the residence. Who would have seen that coming?  Shots were fired but no gunshot injuries were reported.  Bayless was subdued with a Tazer. Bayless was treated and released from a local hospital and was booked into the Portage County jail.


Brandon Bayless, booking photo.

The two police officers were also treated and released from a local hospital.  Nobody knows what became of the pit bull. I hope the neighbors are carefully watching their children.




                                                                     * * *

5/2/2016
Greenwich Ohio
Huron County

A pit bull, family pet, bit a one month old baby on the face.  The baby was on the floor while the mother was in the shower. (?) The mother heard her baby crying and found that the pit mix had attacked.  The baby was transported to Mercy Willard Hospital via ambulance then on to an undisclosed Toledo hospital for treatment.

The pit mix was reported to be 7 or 8 years old, the family reported no previous problems with it but they do not want it back after the 10 day quarantine.  Smart choice.

Per the Norwalk Reflector "Dog warden Gary Ousley confirmed the dog has been quarantined and discussed its temperament.

“The dog was perfectly fine. We’ve had it here in the office and it’s been fine. It’s been friendly with (Officer) Josh (Jasinski) and me,” Ousley said. “I don’t see the temperament of this dog to be aggressive.”

The dog warden’s office is waiting for photos from police and feedback from the dog owner. Ousley said once his officers speak to the owner, they will know what the next step is after the mandatory quarantine."

Sounds like unless the family insists on euthanization their dog will be recycled right back in to the community with some unsuspecting family.

Bad choice.

Here is another bad choice, Included in the Norwalk Reflector story on this attack on a helpless baby is a video titled "From our partners: a blue 'pit bull' longs for a home and another joins a family"  promoting pit bull adoption as family pets.  Who thought this was appropriate?   What are you thinking???

                                                        * * *

5/16/2016
St. Marys Ohio
Auglaize County



 A pit bull attacked a St. Bernard, on the property of the St. Bernard's owner.  Police were called.  Per the Evening Leader "  “The St. Bernard was in its own yard and the pit bull was running loose,” St. Marys Police Chief Mark Ernst told The Evening Leader. “The officer tased the pit bull five times. The first few times, the pit bull went back after the St. Bernard. The last few times, the officer was tasing it to try and get control so they could get a dog pole but the dog was up and moving around. They were afraid the dog would break the leads and if so, they would have no control over the dog. With the kids and adults around, the officer was afraid it would attack a person.” It was at that time the officer shot the dog. Ernst said the pit bull’s owner eventually showed up at the scene. “He stated he understood why it happened,” Ernst said.


This comment was posted by the pit bull owner. Please remember, the pit bull was at large and attacking another dog on the property of the other dog's owner.

Brittany Bullock ·

Self Employed at Rci

Titan ran out of the house when the door was opened moving a bookshelf. There was three kids under 5 yrs of age at the house and he did not harm either one. 3 adults also not harmed. Ever thought Titan, "the vicious pit" was just protecting someone the St. Bernard was goin after. Considering the owed of the Saint said he was aggressive. He didn't tear that dog up severely.. It had two puncture wounds and some stitches in the face. He wasn't attacking him or he would've been way more injured. He was licking his jaws to keep him in place probably. And the owner also said they beat Titan with boards.. And this happened in 7-10 minutes then police arrived. No adults were outside during this so there's no witness to what exactly happened before the dog fight. Titan was a gentle obedient submissive dog. Never barked or growled.. Literally. And was super protective over every dog and human especially children and babies. There bits and pieces missing to this story.. That's for sure. Me and my ex got Titan together. And he was very well trained and babied with lots of love. We had him around people and other dogs before. Never a problem. He was bit before but never fought or attacked the dog back. He was an inside dog and slept in our bed every night. We eventually had a puppy after we got him and he loved that dog so much. That was his brother. So maybe if people would tell the rest of the story then we could understand the whole timeline. And what really happened.

There is a gofundme page for the St. Bernard's medical expenses, please click here .  He could use a few bucks.




                                                             * * *

5/19/2016
Youngstown Ohio
Mahoning County

This one is a stunner and in my mind I hear part of this blog in Judge Jeanine Pirro's voice.

We begin with the facts.  A Youngstown woman, 36 year old Billie Schweikart, was attacked by the family pit bull. The three year old pit bull was "being trained" as a "service dog" for Schweikart's small daughter.  Schweikart  was apparently in her yard with her children when she was attacked.  Her screams brought the neighbors who hit the dog with a baseball bat and ran it over with a van in attempts to terminate the attack.

Per Vindy.com "The interior of the victim's van was covered in blood as was a car seat in the van that witnesses were using to try and fend the dog off, speckled with chunks of flesh."  A neighbor was quoted "He had her on the ground dragging her. He was chewing her up." The same neighbor stated that the victim was somehow able to get into the van to drive away but the dog continued the attack.

 The children are in the car, screaming,  at this point. Picture this from their viewpoint.

The explanation for the attack (there is always an explanation for pit  bull attacks) was that friends had gone to the victim's home to take her out  to lunch and the dog got excited and "jealous" when the victim picked up a small child  SO THE PIT BULL ATTACKED THE OWNER. Makes perfect sense to me.

This pit bull was "adopted" and reportedly had a history of abuse.  This is a common excuse because these dogs are picked up as strays and nobody knows where they came from or what their background is.  The pit  bull is aggressive in the shelter or the rescue? Must have been abused, obviously.  What other excuse might there be?

It does not get better, the dog has a history of aggression "but not to this extent".  Jax the  pit bull has attacked a neighbor mowing his lawn. A trainer had been sought for the lawn mower aggression issues but apparently without any positive result.    They put up with this in Youngstown?

Yes, they have to put up with it in Youngstown. Youngstown dropped their pit bull ban last year at the urging of Boardman resident Jason Cooke.  Why?  God only knows. We will get back to this point.

Two days after the attack Schweikart has forgotten her pit bulls previous aggression and stated Jax
had "never shown aggression."  Per WFMJ "We love Jax he was like apart of the family but, to see him that day he wanted me dead," said Schweikart.

Mahoning County Dog Warden Deputy Dave Nelson tells 21 News the attack is one of the worst he has come across in 28 years on the job.

Schweikart is badly bruised, with more than 100 stitches, and an arm and leg bitten to the bone.

She says she can't believe "Jax," who had been so good with her daughter, would suddenly attack.

"It went on for about 20 minutes of him just attacking me until the neighbor came over and ended up hitting him on the head with a baseball bat just enough to get him off of me," said Schweikart.

Schweikart says she doesn't know what caused Jax to act out of character but, Thursday afternoon he bolted for her and didn't let up.

Even after she took refuge inside a family van.

"Jax went under the van and sat right under where I was at, like waiting for me to open the door so he could finish. Like he was dead set he was going to kill me," described Schweikart.

Medics who arrived on the scene were unable to get to Schweikart until Jax finally gave up his fight when the van tried to pull away."

 PICTURE IT!

Click here for a hospital bedside interview.    Photos within the video show that there is no fence around Schweikart's yard. Other photos show Schweikart's small daughter with Jax.  One may not ask why the child might require a service dog but one may legitimately ask what task this dog was being trained to provide for the child.  Since the dog did not benefit from training to reduce his lawn mower aggression it is hard to figure out how this dog, adopted a year ago with known previous aggression issues and the mythical abuse history, was an appropriate choice for a child's service dog. Possibly I'm too picky.




Jax the pit bull is expected to be euthanized.  Schweikart is concerned that pit bulls might get a "bad rap" from this attack and adds that this is not her first pit bull. She is an experienced pit bull owner. The reputation of pit bulls should be her last concern at this point. It is reported that Schweikart will be hospitalized for a month and has several surgeries to look forward to.

Taxpayer alert ! Guess who will foot the bill for this?

Now lets talk Youngstown.  This city had a breed ban until late last year.  Pit bull advocate, and hoarder Jason Cooke, from Boardman Ohio,  approached a city council too naive to realize they were being outrageously manipulated by a non local breed advocate with no interest in the safety of Youngstown residents. Per Vindy.com "Cooke, who owns eight pit bull terrier mixes, said he and numerous pit bull owners will have a celebratory rally  outside city hall at 4:45 Wednesday  with Council meeting at 5:30 p.m. that day."  They are celebrating the victory before the vote.  Here is a photo of the "numerous pit bull owners at the  "rally."  Please keep in mind that the the estimated population of Youngstown Ohio is 65,062 and you get 8 people (nobody knows where they came from) one out of town breed activist, and one dog and THIS is a "rally of numerous pit bull owners?"



The Youngstown city Council dumped a proactive law that, if enforced would have protected Schweikart, her daughter, and her neighbors from the outrageous Jax attack for THIS pitiful handful of pit bull owners?  I believe the grinning man with the "End Breed Prejudice" is Cooke.

Per the Barkpost " But now, after the Youngstown city council voted unanimously to end the ordinance, citizens of Youngstown can “own, keep, harbor, or possess” Pit Bulls to their heart’s content – without restriction."  I'm sure Schweikart's neighbors are thrilled.  

Cooke is flushed with his success "Cooke said he and his organization will also seek to eliminate bans in Struthers, Columbiana, and the village of Poland in the coming months."

Here is the question, and this is the part that I hear in Judge Jeanine's voice.  Will Cooke and his organization accept responsibility for what they have done? Until  Cooke's meddling in the affairs of Youngstown resulted in the loss of a proactive law that would have allowed Schweikart's neighbors to complain about a known aggressive pit bull harbored in a home with a small child, and an unfenced yard, they had legal recourse.  Now anything goes.  Who will mop up the blood and pay the medical bills?

Who is Jason Cooke?  Here is a photo of Jason and one of his eight pit mixes posted on his public Facebook page. He has labeled this photo "share away" so we will.



You can't make this stuff up.


The icing on the cake here?  Jax was reportedly obtained from a dog training center in Girard Ohio. Girard Ohio has a pit bull ban that would not allow Jax to be placed with a local resident.  Pit bull advocates put the same pressure on Girard that they put on Youngstown but Mayor Melfi of Girard,  stated "I have done some investigating and the fact that most insurance companies won't insure home owners if they have a Pit bull is one reason we are not interested in lifting the ban,” said Melfi. “That means if a Pit bull harms someone or somebody else’s dog they are not insured to pay the victim any damages incurred by that particular dog." "“That this not breed discrimination,” said Melfi. “You really don't see in the news where they say, someone was killed by a Beagle, or a Golden Retriever, or a Schnauzer so there is plenty of evidence speaking to this result. The bottom line is that elected leaders must protect people.”

Smart man, Jax was trafficked out of his city and the mauled pit bull owner is not his responsibility.

Smart man.  Elected leaders must protect people.

Another Ohio pit bull owner found guilty of involuntary manslaughter.

Justice is a poor substitute for the life of seven month old Jonathan Quarles Jr. but Kimiko Hardy was found guilty today for Jonathan's mauling death in her home, by her pit bull in 2014.
Per WDTNnews "Hardy was found guilty Friday of:

• Involuntary Manslaughter (Endangering children)
• Endangering Children
• Involuntary Manslaughter (Failure to Confine or Restrain Vicious Dog)
• Failure to Confine or Restrain Vicious Dog
• Involuntary Manslaughter (Failure to Control Dog)
• Involuntary Manslaughter (Violation of City of Dayton Ordinance for controlling dogs)

Hardy's pit bull previously attacked a letter carrier, and a leashed dog being walked down the street. Hardy was charged for these offences and was "educated" by the Montgomery County Animal Resource Center prior to the fatal attack.  This "education" was obviously less than effective. Jonathan's death was the second fatal dog mauling within a 6 month time span Dayton Ohio located in Montgomery County. A new world record for Montgomery County dog warden Mark Kumpf.


Hardy is seated in the center.

Hardy will be sentenced June 9th at 9:30 am.  She faces up to 11 years in prison.


Looks like things just real for Ms. Hardy.

Pit bull roundup 4/29/2016 The Toledo Blade reports pit bull attacks, pit bulls attack their owners, pit bull owners stay in jail, pit bulls attack goats, breeding accidents, a child recovers, a pit bull attacks a police K9 and it does not end well for the pit bull.

We have taken a few weeks off for a short sanity break but are back to work. Lots of material to work with.  Pit bulls make sure of that.

3/10/2016
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County

Two pit bulls attacked a smaller dog.  The pit bulls were shot by a neighbor of the pit bull owner.  The Toledo Blade does not make it clear if the shooter was the owner of the small dog.  Police were called to the scene and noted two pit bulls,  let me correct that because the news story comes from the Toldeo Blade, "pit bulls"covered with blood on the porch of a house on Wyman Street.  A police spokesman stated at least one of the pit bulls appeared to have been shot.

The Lucas County Care and Control sent staff to pick up the two pit bulls.  The injured small dog had already been rushed to a local animal hospital.  Per Lucas County Dog warden Julie Lyle, the owner of the pit bulls picked up her female pit bull but surrendered the male.  The male pit bull has "a serious injury to the left shoulder" (AKA gunshot wound) and has been medicated for pain but shelter staff is unable to render further treatment to the pit bull because it growls and bares his teeth to staff.  

Dog Warden Lyle plans to euthanize the aggressive male pit bull stating "we are not going to put a lot of resources into medical care for a dog who is aggressive."  How refreshingly sensible!

Ms Lyle states she believes that the pit bull owner was cited but could not verify this.  

3/11/2016
Toledo Ohio

More details on this attack.  The injured dog was a Parson Russel Terrier, the little dog lost a leg in the attack that occurred in his own, securely fenced  backyard  The pit bull was shot by a neighbor.  Both pit bulls were reclaimed by their owners on Thursday.

This is not likely to end well for the neighborhood, the male pit bull was declared a nuisance for menacing  a neighbor of the owners at a previous residence.  A change of address does not actually change the dog despite the assurances of pit bull advocacy.  Lucas County Canine Control officers have called on the pit bull owners home twice in 2015 and once in 2013.  How many chances will these two maulers get?

The pit bull owners were cited for unconfined dogs and one citation for failure to vaccinate for the male pit bull.  Wow...  Why is state law not being enforced?

Here is a surprise, the pit bull owners were unavailable for comment, and the Toledo Blade continues to call these dogs "pit bulls." Some things never change. .

                                                             * * *  

March 14, 2016
Piqua Ohio
Miami County

A woman reported being bitten, while on her own property, by two pit bulls. The pit bull owner, Michael Sowers, age 44, was cited for minor misdemeanor dogs running at large and minor misdemeanor permitting dogs to bite.  The woman was bitten in her own yard and two minor misdemeanor charges?  Has anyone in Miami County actually read the Ohio Revised Code?

                                                             * * *

4/18/2016
Bellefontaine Ohio
Logan County

A pit bull owner had to be rescued, by police, from his own pit bulls. Terry L. Tevis, age 58, tried to break up a fight between his own dogs when his own pit bull turned on him. Per the Bellefontaine Examiner "A neighbor told police the most aggressive dog scaled a fence separating the animals and attacked one of the two dogs in that kennel.

Mr. Tevis tried to break up the fight and was attacked by the pit bull.

It is not clear whether all the dogs were pit bulls but the attacking dog was noted to be a pit bull.  

Tevis was transported via squad to Mary Rutan Hospital for treatment. He had extensive cuts and wounds to his torso, arms, hands, and neck.

The attacking dog was transported to Top of Ohio Shelter.  As I recall, Steffen Baldwin is associated with this shelter but that is another topic.  Police spoke with Tevis at the hospital, asking if the pit bull could be moved to the Logan County Dog Warden so that it could be euthanized.  Tevis agreed three times, and also said the other two could go as well.

A quote from the FAQ page for the City of Bellefontaine's website "If you own a pit bull please contact city hall for additional requirements."   Click here for the dangerous animals ordinance in Bellefontaine.




                                              * * *

3/17/2016
DAYTON Ohio
Montgomery County

Now for some good news, a three year old boy named Trent is recovering from a pit bull attack in January.  Family members expect many more surgeries until Trent is in is twenties.  

Trent is the third generation of his family to be attacked by pit bulls.  Per ABC22now.com ""I got my grandson attacked in the face, my son attacked in the face, my son over here attacked in the leg, me attacked in the arm -- all pit bull dogs. None of them was our dog, all somebody else's dog," said Michael Carrico Jr, Trent's grandfather." 
                                                                    
The dog that attacked Trent was euthanized.



Trent just after the attack.


Trent as he recovers.

Click here for video.  THREE GENERATIONS of the same family attacked by pit bulls in Dayton. What will it take for Montgomery County to hire a real dog warden?

                                                    * * *

4/26/2016
Elyria Ohio
Lorain County

A 50 pound pit bull mix dog attacked a 59 year old woman, Barbara Kane, on her hands as she peacefully walked down Middle Avenue in Elyria.  The 60 year old owner of the pit bull mix, Sharon Cain, was arrested.  The victim was transported to University Hospital's Elyria Medical Center for treatment.  Pit bull owner Cain stated her dog escaped from a fenced area that she considered secure.  Another "somehow" attack.  Cain was charged with dog at large, that should be easy to prove.

 


                                                        * * *

4/28/2016
Columbus Ohio
Franklin County

A pit bull was shot by police as it attacked a police K9 in front of the Franklin County Courthouse.  The attack happened during a community event designed to allow the public to see what law enforcement officers do during their working days.  This crowd got the full effect.

The K9, named Vando, was being petted by Joe Micham when an unleashed pit bull attacked.  Vando's handler fired upon the pit bull and it is reported that a SWAT team member also opened fire.  The attacking pit bull was owned by 31 year old Aaron Slate.  Slate was charged with assaulting a police dog, and on an unrelated criminal trespassing charge.  

  
Vando, the police K9 was not seriously hurt.  The pit bull is dead.
 

Video is available here.  Raw video of the actual shooting is available here.  Three shots are heard on the video, the officers appear to be shooting straight down. A female voice is heard asking "where is the owner"?  A man appears about 45 seconds into the video, he appears to be the owner but exhibits no particular distress over the shooting of his pit bull.

A witness appears in two different TV station videos of this event.  He is shocked and upset that police shot the pit bull, in his opinion the dog should have been Tazed.  Tazers are not effective on red zone pit bulls and redirection of aggression is common.

Always remember, police K9s are police officers, they are handled by police officers who are armed. Pittie picked the wrong target.

                                                       * * *

4/29/2016
Toledo Ohio
Lucas County

Write this date on your calendar, the Toledo Blade covered a pit bull attack and named the breed, this is the second time the Blade has done this since early March.

Two pit bulls, owned by 43 year old Anthony Allen, attacked and killed a third dog and pit a person.  An "unidentified person," one would expect this was a concealed carry permit holder, shot and killed the female pit bull and wounded the male pit bull before police arrived on the scene.  By the way, this attack happened very near a public school just to make it more outrageous.  Two security units were called by the school as children arrived this morning.  A school spokesperson stated they will continue to monitor the situation and may have the security units on site this evening as well.

The Blade article stated "Mr. Allen refused to take responsibility for his animals."  Exactly what that means is not known but the refusal to be responsible for pit bulls is common to pit  bull owners.

Why the Toledo Blade decided to cover this story is also unknown. As is the Bade's normal practice pit bulls became "pit bulls" because there is no such thing as a pit bull.  Must be a very slow news day in Toledo.

Click here for news video on  this story.  As the story is reported, one of the pit bulls ran to a property after being shot, apparently the home of its owner.Take a look at the property, classic.

                                                                  * * *

4/26/2016
Dayton Ohio/Columbus Ohio
Montgomery County/Franklin County

A hearing was held in the Ohio Senate Agriculture Committee on the Klonda Richey Act, named after Dayton dog mauling victim Klonda Richey who was killed by her neighbor's dogs in February of 2014.  Testimony was heard from proponents, and those not so thrilled with the bill. Having read the testimony of those with reservations on SB 151, it appears that they have not actually read the bill. The universal complaint from these speakers was on the euthanization of vicious dogs. They want vicious dogs returned to the community?   Those who have actually read the bill are aware that due process for dog owners is preserved.

Click here to read the testimony.  The link will take you to the main page for the Agriculture committee. Click on Committee Documents, you go to a list of hearing dates, click on April 26, 2016. SB 151 was the third bill heard.  I'm sorry for  the extra work but this is a government website. Nothing is easy.  

                          
Senator Bill Beagle, sponsor of SB 151.



Klonda Richey, killed by her neighbor's dogs in 2014.  Ms. Richey made dozens of calls to police and Montgomery County Animal Control about these dogs. No action was taken other than sternly worded post it notes attached to the dog owner's front door.

For more information please click here.

                                                                       * * *

3/24/2016
Cincinnati Ohio
Hamilton County

Per Cincinnati.com "Prince Charming, a goat brought to Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum as part of a program to see if grazing animals can control invasive plant species, died Wednesday afternoon after he and five other goats were attacked by a dog

Images of the dog, a pit bull, were captured on video surveillance.

Six goats – Pixie, Dixie, Prince Charming, Curley, Shirley and Della – were injured in the Monday night attack. The five surviving goats were initially in critical condition but are now in stable condition.

Seven goats were brought to preserve area near the center of the cemetery in February to see if grazing could eradicate Winter Creeper, English Ivy and other invasive species that choke out native plants. Spring Grove Cemetery and Arboretum suspended the program after the attack. The goats are being kept at an undisclosed, safe location.

Prince Charming had severe punctures and lacerations on both hind legs and could not nurse on Pixie due to her injuries, according to a post  Tuesday morning on Permaculture's  Facebook page. Woeste said it seems the goat died of an embolism resulting from injuries incurred in the attack.

"Curley has a broken back, and cannot stand, but she is eating and drinking," Permaculture posted. "... Shirley has a broken scapula, but is eating and drinking. Pixie, Dixie and Della have puncture wounds, lacerations and bruising."

Curley is not able to stand and is in a sling but she wags her tail when she is petted, Woeste said. Permaculture is irrigating the goats' wounds and giving them antibiotic shots. It will take months for the goats to heal completely.

The video at this link was done prior to the attack.

                                               * * *  

4/18/2016
California's 2nd District Court of Appeals

This is not an Ohio story but it may serve as a warning to pit bull owners.  The appeals court upheld a lower court's ruling in the case of the fatal mauling of Pamela Devitt.  Per myLAnews.com "The three-justice panel from California’s 2nd District Court of Appeal rejected the defense’s challenge to the sufficiency of the evidence in the case of Alex Donald Jackson.

“Appellant knew his dogs were jumping his fence and attacking passersby,” the appellate court panel found in a 14-page ruling. “As an owner of animals with dangerous propensities, appellant had a duty to exercise reasonable care in keeping his dogs from jumping the fence, and his failure to do so caused the death of another person.”

Jackson was sentenced in October 2014 to 15 years to life in state prison after being convicted for the May 9, 2013, dog attack on Pamela Devitt, a 63-year-old Palmdale grandmother who was walking in the area as part of an exercise routine."                                           

Fifteen years to life in prison.  Is it worth it? 



                                                             * * *  

2/18/2016
Mt Orab
Brown County Ohio

A man and a woman were both hospitalized after being attacked by their own pit bulls. They were reportedly attempting to break up a fight between their own pit bulls, inside their own home, when one pit bull redirected upon them.  An alternative account of the attack appeared in the Ledger Independent " An attempt to introduce two pit-bull dogs who did not like each-other for a breeding session went horribly wrong on Thursday, after the dogs began to fight."

Responsible, thoughtful dog owners do not breed pit bulls.  Shelters across the United States report the dogs they harbor are 60% to 80% or more pit bulls. The percentage of pits in shelters will not change until pit bull owners accept the wisdom, and humanity of neuter and spay.  Why produce more dogs destined to suffer and die?  

Both pit bull owners were airlifted to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.  The woman was the most seriously injured with wounds to her face. The man was injured on his arm. The attacking dog was removed to the Brown County Animal Shelter BUT the couple has the right to reclaim their mauler.

What?  Who would want the thing back?  There is no record of the decision made by the victims.

Neighbors stated the dogs did not appear vicious while they were outside.

 

                             
One does not read about airlifts of victims of redirected Beagle attacks.   Or Poodles.   Or Pugs.

                                                                      * * *

4/19/2016
Springfield Ohio
Clark County  

Here is a shocker, a pit bull owner states "my dogs are not vicious" after they jumped a fence and attacked a woman staying at the owner's house.  Pit bull owner Krystal Williams was not at home at the time of the attack.  Even though the victim was a guest in the home, Williams stated "There should have been no reason why she was in my yard" and claimed that she had told the victim, Keisha Baker to stay out of the yard.  Williams theorized her pit bull attacked her guest because the pit bulls were "protecting their puppies."  Golden retrievers do not send household guests to the hospital for treatment because puppies are on the property.  Per WHIO " Officers said the woman suffered injuries to her legs and hands and was transported to Springfield Regional Medical Center for treatment. Her condition was not available.

Witnesses described the scene as full of blood and screaming from the victim. “She was just laying on the ground crying and screaming,” Annie Patrick said, who witnessed the attack from inside a nearby home. “When I came out she was yelling for me to help.”

Patrick said the dogs were known to neighbors to escape the yard and would often tear up trash set out by homeowners.

Police said seven dogs, including three puppies, were located in the yard of the home and were removed by animal control officers. The breeds of the dogs is unknown, but two were believed to be pit bulls, according to police.

For video of the pit bull owner's statement click here.  For news video click here.

This story continues to evolve.  The pit bull owner stated to WDTNnews that the victim was a stranger attempting to enter the home through the back door but told WHIO that the victim was staying at her home but was told to stay our of the yard.  Pick a story and stick with it.

                                                          * * *

4/18/2016
Mansfield Ohio
Richland County

While Ohio pit bull advocates lobby the city of Mansfield to drop their pit bull regulations the Richland County Health Department is looking for a white pit bull involved in a biting incident.

Per the Richland Source "The dog is described as an all-white pit bull. It was last seen in the Wood Street area in Mansfield on Sunday.

Anyone with information about this dog should immediately call Richland Public Health. Authorities advise individuals not to attempt to restrain the dog.

However, anyone with information about a canine fitting this description should call 419-774-4500."

One seldom sees warnings like this for Irish Setters or Chihuahuas, but take from this what you will.  

We have LOTS more pittery to catch up on but enough is enough for the evening.

                      

The owners of the pit bull that killed Annie Williams are sentenced.

Leon Morton and Bobbie Green were sentenced in Cuyahoga County Court yesterday for the Shaker Heights pit bull mauling that killed Annie Williams in July of last year.  The importance of this case was underscored by the live streaming of the entire hearing.  Cuyahoga County seldom sees coverage of this type.

Before sentencing Green and Morton the judge stated to the defendants "I don't think you fully appreciated the danger, at the same time you knew it was a pit bull."  A profound and sobering statement. Mr. Morton was sentenced to 30 months in prison with credit for the 106 days he has already served since his arrest. After he is released from prison he will still have three years of post release supervision.  Mrs. Green was sentenced to 6 months in jail, suspended, with two years probation.  During the period of her probation she is not allowed to own or harbor a dog of any kind.

Watching the whole hearing live was a valuable experience.  We saw the demeanor of both defendants, Green sat with her head in her hands. Morton, head hanging,  in his prison orange jumpsuit and handcuffs was unable to wipe away his own tears.  These may have been proud and defiant pit bull owners at one time but they clearly realize the seriousness of their situation. Watch the video of the defendants addressing the court, click here.   For the statement of Mr. Morton, with subtitles for clarity please click here. He acknowledges the pain of his own children at witnessing the violent death of their beloved great grandmother.  Those images will never leave them.

A great deal of the sound on the courtroom video was poor but we can clearly hear Morton's attorney stating his client had made "poor choices."

During her statement to the judge the Prosecutor presented photos of the fence that was supposed to contain the pit bull.  It clearly had holes covered over with boards, one hole was blocked by a parked car.  The Prosecutor stated that the dog had been at large in the neighborhood prior to the death of Annie Green. Residents were captive in their own homes to avoid a dog they considered dangerous. Green and Morton knew the dog was dangerous  This dog was not new to the household, Morton and Green raised it after it had been brought to the home as a puppy by another son who promptly left the state and later became incarcerated.  Only Morton and Green were allowed in the yard with the dog, only Morton and Green fed and cared for the dog.

At the time of the attack upon Annie Williams, on the property to pick up her great granddaughters, neither Green or Morton was at home, the pit bull had escaped from the backyard.and a young female relative yelled a warning to Mrs. Williams from the porch that the pit bull was at large.  She had no time to return to the safety of her car.

Family members spoke with love of Annie Williams.  This good woman not only raised her own family but stepped up and raised the children of other family members as well. The statements of family members can be seen by clicking here

Sentence has been passed but nothing will bring Annie Williams back.  She is greatly missed by her loving family and by the community.




Annie Williams


Morton and Green made "bad choices" leading to the death of a fine woman, loved by her family and by the community as well.  They made mistakes.

Pit bulls are zero margin of error dogs.  A recent Barkpost article written by a high profile Ohio pit bull advocate discussed his own injuries, caused by pit bulls in his own home.  He admits he made a mistake.  Pit bull advocates must realize they are just one "mistake" away from the orange jumpsuit and handcuffs worn by Leon Morton.  As the judge told Morton and Green "you knew it was a pit bull."

Newark Update - or a man in a three piece suit, silk tie, two tone wing tips, and a fedora makes an "offer you can't refuse"

I promised to re-post on Newark.  Here is more.  This was posted April 11, 2015.   


I was sure that I was done talking about Newark's pit bull advocates but new developments bring me right back here.

When we left Steffen Baldwin, of Marysville Ohio he was negotiating with Best Friends Animal Society of Kanab Utah, looking for hints from a Best Friends lawyer living Massachusetts on how to change law in Newark Ohio.  You may wonder why individuals and organizations with such divergent addresses might trouble themselves about a lawful and thoughtful decision by elected Newark City Council members.  Good question.  Newark Ohio has a population of 47,573 per the last census making it the 20th largest city in the state of Ohio. This is not a huge metropolis, why the hysteria surrounding Newark Ohio?  Mr. Baldwin, as we saw in the last post, has also lobbied in St Marys Ohio (population 8332) after the St Marys City Council voted for a breed ban. Why the hysteria over small towns in Ohio?   Here is my suspicion, dealing with pit bull advocacy is very much like dealing with organized crime. Saying "no" is simply unacceptable.  The man in the three piece suit and fedora turns up with the "offer you can't refuse."  Best Friends is unable to let it go and has posted this Action Alert.  Best Friends wants pit bull advocates from all over the world to send messages of complaint to the Newark City Council.  "Now it's time to let our voices be heard and to send a clear message to these council members that discrimination is wrong for Newark, and it's wrong for Ohio."
Best Friends has made it easy, the system is fully automated for ease in attempted intimidation .

Here are some interesting facts.  In addition to Newark Ohio, Wauseon Ohio and St Marys Ohio have said no to pit bull advocates this year. Reynoldsburg Ohio, Bexley Ohio and Parma Ohio said no in 2014. Cincinnati pit bull advocates crossed state lines in 2014 to bully Ft. Thomas Kentucky.  Ft. Thomas said no to them.   So far in 2015 Best Friends has pushed anti BSL bills in Arizona, Washington State (foreshadowing here with Washington State), Montana, Kentucky and Georgia and lost in every one of these states.  State lawmakers are hearing from their actual constituents concerned about loss of home rule rights.  Despite the brags from professional pit bull advocates their recent legal record is poor. 

Here are some interesting facts.  In addition to Newark Ohio, Wauseon Ohio and St Marys Ohio have said no to pit bull advocates this year. Reynoldsburg Ohio, Bexley Ohio and Parma Ohio said no in 2014. Cincinnati pit bull advocates crossed state lines in 2014 to bully Ft. Thomas Kentucky.  Ft. Thomas said no to them.   So far in 2015 Best Friends has pushed anti BSL bills in Arizona, Washington State (foreshadowing here with Washington State), Montana, Kentucky and Georgia and lost in every one of these states.  State lawmakers are hearing from their actual constituents concerned about loss of home rule rights.  Despite the brags from professional pit bull advocates their recent legal record is poor.

The phenomenon of out-of-state interference in local control of dangerous dogs is not limited to Ohio.  A recent article from the Idaho Press-Tribune tells us that a pit bull centric lawyer from Washington state has written warning letters to Fruitland Idaho (population 4684), Payette Idaho (population 7433), and Payette County Idaho (population 22,836).  Per the Press-Tribune " Friday’s letters from the Animal Law Offices of Adam P. Karp request the municipalities change their definition of a “dangerous” dog as well as their definition of the dog’s breed. The letters claim the laws do not accurately define the “visual identification” of the dog’s breed, which could lead to unlawful detaining. Further claims say they are “targeting dogs based on speculation and scientifically-indefensible grounds” and the municipality “fails to accommodate those who assist disabled citizens as service animals under the Americans with Disabilities Act.  Karp said in an email Saturday the letters were not official tort claims. “No notices of claim have been (or need be) filed in this instance,” he wrote. “Rather, the letters provide each municipality an opportunity to make a much belated, and vital course correction before suit is filed. The (letter) correspondence serves as a courtesy warning.”

Well how courteous of Mr. Karp to warn these small towns that from his office in Washington State he demands changes to laws in Idaho.  I find his arrogance absolutely stunning.  Surely Mr. Karp is aware that courts do not find BSL unconstitutional. 


Adam Karp and friend.

Please review the ruling of the Ohio Supreme Court  Ohio v Anderson
Ohio Supreme Court Toledo Ohio v. Paul Tellings
Colorado Supreme Court Colorado Dog Fanciers v the City and County of Denver
West Virginia Supreme Court of Appeals Steve Hardwick and Sharon Nally v. the Town of Cerido
The United States District Court N.D.  Ohio Eastern Division Tarquinio v. the City of Lakewood
United States District Court District of Colorado Colorado American Canine Foundation: and Florence Vianzon v. the City of Aurora Colorado  
United States District Court District of Colorado Sonya Dias et al v the City and County of Denver
United States District Court N.D. California American Canine Foundation v Sun
The list goes on and on but you get the drift here. 

Here is another example of lawyer interference in local law, in this case the lawyer does have an office in the community.   Aurora Colorado has a breed ban and is very satisfied with how well it is working.  Pit bull advocates have challenged the ordinance so many times the city council got fed up and put it on the ballot.  Aurora voters supported their breed ban by better than a two to one margin. Done deal, the voters have been heard right?  Nope. Can pit bull advocacy admit defeat and move on?  Of course not. Lawyer Juliet Piccone wants the state legislature to step in and change law for her.  Please note that the Colorado courts (above) have ruled in favor of communities with breed bans. 

  

Juliet Piccone with client Zona, a pit bull mix implicated in an attack upon a small dog, with a history of running at large, and hints of previous "incidents."  You can get Ms. Piccone's version of how Zona got in trouble with the law by clicking here.   Ms. Piccone raises funds relentlessly for her "pro bono work."   I'm not even going to get into that. 

I find the arrogance of pit bull advocates in general stunning.  Local law is local business. 

                                                           * * *

But yet again, I digress.  Back to Mr. Baldwin.  In a thread on his personal Facebook page he posts on a recent incident in Lakewood Ohio and he again calls on the Best Friends lawyer Lee Greenwood residing in Mattapan Massachusetts and the Huffington Post Animal Welfare Editor Arin Greenwood living in Gulfport Florida for assistance. The Greenwoods are brother and sister.  

Please google the Huffington Post articles and blogs about pit bulls.  A pit bull puff piece is published after every fatal pit bull attack and after pit bull attacks making national news. Over-the-top does not begin to cover it, the Huffington Post has a whole separate division for pit bull news but not for Pugs or Poodles, or Beagles.  I wonder why?  Possibly because no other breed requires this insane level of advocacy, but back to the central point.  Local business is local and pot stirring by professional pit bull advocates should be considered attempts at intimidation of local officials. 

Mr. Baldwin proudly announces on 4/9/2015 that he has made the big time.  He not only confers with Best Friends(motto - Bullying City Councils and State Legislatures in Order to Deny Home Rule Rights for Self Determination and Public Safety Everywhere) lawyers and Huffington Post editors he has been accepted as an intern at the Animal Farm Foundation (mission statement - Securing equal treatment and opportunity for "pit bull" dogs) but there is no concern for the victims of pit bull dogs, both human and animal.  Steffen has won the trifecta.



For those who may not be familiar with the Animal Farm Foundation, this is where the money starts. The New York heiress Jane Berkey spends her fortune to promote pit bulls.  Lots of wealthy folks might build a children's hospital, or fund a cancer research project, give a couple of million to their Alma mater.   Not Jane, it's pit bulls, she is the primary donor to the AFF.  If you like to read tax forms here is the 2013 Animal Farm Foundation 990. Ms. Berkey contributed $2,850,000 in 2013, $1,500,000 in 2012, and $1,500,000 in 2011. 

Please page through to the section covering gifts and contributions made by  AFF.  Lots of entries for neuter and spay surgeries. This is a very good thing and I support it fully.  You will also see multiple entries for AKC CGC testing,  AFF pays $150 PER DOG for pit bulls passing the test. You will also see payments made to shelters for placement of pit bulls. Nothing for Beagles though. 

Here is an interesting section from the AFF website Best Practices Adoption Policies and Procedures.  Keep in mind that pit bulls kill more Americans than all other breeds combined by a long shot.  The AFF feels that it is wrong to require experience with the breed, or a fenced yard, or adult adopters, or home ownership.  Insurance? Never mentioned.  Got children, other pets?  Should not be a consideration.  Background checks?  Mandatory training classes?  Good heavens, no.

Do not miss the Policy and Procedure section's glowing review on Longmont Humane Society. Longmont partners with  AFF, we discussed this particular shelter in our last post.  Here is a quote from the AFF Best Practices material "Sarah (Clusman, Training and Behavior Coordinator for Longmont) explains that the staff and volunteers are well aware of breed discrimination, and they hope to educate the public that dogs should not be judged by their breed, but rather by their individual personality."   Here is what happens in the real world, in 2012 16% of dog bites in Longmont were from dogs adopted out of the Longmont Humane Society.  

Congratulations Steffen.  Enjoy your four days at the Animal Farm Foundation intern program.  The grounds are lovely.  You will learn a lot.  Look what the proper Animal Farm Foundation training of dog wardens and animal control officers did for Montgomery County Ohio dog warden Mark Kumpf.


Mark Kumpf and Jane Berkey at one of Ms. Berkey's pit bull centric events.

Mr. Kumpf was all in for changes to Ohio law written by Best Friends but under the new law Ohio saw nine fatal dog attacks by dogs of several breeds in just the first two years.  Montgomery County, Mr. Kumpf's district, had TWO fatal dog attacks within six months.  At this point I should restate the connections between the Animal Farm Foundation and Best Friends Animal Society.

Best Friends Animal Society is outrageously committed to pit bull advocacy.  Best Friends employs Ledy Vankavage Esq to head their legal department.  Ms. Vankavage is a lifelong pit bull owner and registered lobbyist.  She has her fingers in every state.  Just google the Best Friends Pit Bull Initiatives or anything pit bull related on the Best Friends website.  This is too well documented to even bother with linking anything.  Ms. Vankavage is a close associate of Jane Berkey and serves on the board of directors of the Animal Farm Foundation (see tax records linked above).  Ms. Berkey supports Best Friends efforts to push laws that benefit pit bulls,  Berkey pays for faux Tobacco Institute style "research" proving the safety of pit bulls through the National Canine Research Council, a subsidiary of the Animal Farm Foundation (both owned by Jane Berkey), which is then given to Best Friends for use in campaigns to change law.  This incestuous and circular connection keeps the money moving and the pit bull propaganda machine humming.

Show of hands, does anyone still doubt the connection between smoking and cancer?  The federal government finally saw through the tobacco industry lies and regulated the stuff.  The same has come to pass with chemical industry trade groups.  Possibly the tide will turn against professional pit bull advocacy as well.   



You are in good hands Steffen. 

                                                                       * * *

One last update.  Remember the four year old child attacked by a pit bull recently adopted by the family?  We talked about this in the last post. The boy is off the vent and back home. Per The Olympian "On April 1, Gavin was mauled by Smash, the family’s newly adopted pit bull, while they were in the backyard. The boy has several broken bones, including his jaw, cheekbone and the bridge of his nose. He underwent two surgeries at Harborview Medical Center in Seattle before he was able to come home.

“They had to take a piece of his rib and fix his eye sockets,” said his mom, Alissa Evans, 29. “But you can’t tell. The plastic surgeons up there are miracle workers.”

Read more here: http://www.theolympian.com/2015/04/09/3670106_four-year-old-mauling-victim-returns.html?rh=1#storylink=cpy

Gavin's mother has covered the mirrors in her apartment with towels so Gavin can't see the damage to his face.  In addition to the eye socket injuries, broken jaws, and broken nose, Gavin lost five baby teeth and four permanent tooth buds.  He has only two teeth on top now, he can eat only soft foods until his permanent teeth come in. This will be a long process.  Gavin will require extensive dental work in the future, likely implants.   For breed advocates who might like to make a contribution, there is a gofundme page.   Somebody please ask Jane Berkey for a donation.

Gavin's mother has made it abundantly clear that the dog is a "blue nose pit." 



Gavin Tobeck returns home.