Disturbing Horse Cruelty Case Lands Temecula Area Couple Work Release, Probation Terms

“This just pisses me off! Pitiful sentence; anyone who can neglect such a regal & loyal animal as a horse…does not deserve the right to own & abuse another one…PERIOD!!! The fly mask was probably put on to obscure the severe skin ailment. It wasn’t just the hair loss, the horse was very skinny too; this poor horse must have been going mad through itching! BUT NO EXCUSE FOR LACK OF FOOD, THAT’S JUST CRUEL & LAZY!!”

By Renee Schiavone (Patch Staff) – June 28, 2016 5:50 pm ET

“I could see her spine, hip bones and rib cage. Her entire body was covered with a severe skin ailment causing hair loss, crusty patches.”

Skinny horse –Temecula, CA

Temecula, CA – A local couple who didn’t properly care for their mare have been sentenced to work release custody and probation in Riverside County Superior Court, officials said Tuesday.

According to to John Hall of the Riverside County District Attorney’s Office, 56-year-old Charity Wilson was convicted of the more severe charges of the duo, including felony animal cruelty and a misdemeanor of keeping an animal without proper care. Daryl Willliams, 51, was convicted of the same misdemeanor charge, but the jury was hung on the felony charge against him.

The case goes back to August 2013, when Riverside County Animal Services got word of a “skinny horse with a skin condition” at a property in the 44000 block of De Portola Road in the unincorporated Temecula area, according to John Welsh of the Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

“I observed an emaciated chestnut-colored Arabian mare in a corral,” Riverside County Animal Services Sgt. Lesley Huennekens wrote in her declaration in support of an arrest warrant upon visiting the property. “I could see her spine, hip bones and rib cage. Her entire body was covered with a severe skin ailment causing hair loss, crusty patches of skin and stocking (swelling) up in her hind legs.”

Animal Services told the couple to get the horse examined by a veterinarian, but the woman told them she was treating the animal herself, Welsh said. ”

“Ultimately, the horse was relocated and proper veterinary records were never supplied to Riverside County,” he said. “The horse was later found in October 2013 at a Winchester property, and Riverside County seized the horse. The seizure was later ruled justified by a hearing officer.”

About a month later, on Oct. 24, 2013, the horse was euthanized and taken to a state lab for testing, according to Welsh. It was then that he was diagnosed with an autoimmune disease called pemphigus foliaceus.

This image shows the horse’s skin disorder. Courtesy: Riverside County Department of Animal Services.

“The horse was described as being in poor nutritional condition with a body score of 3.5 out of 9,” Welsh said. “The lab report indicated that her poor body condition was likely due to, at least in part, a consequence of the severe, often pruritic (itchy) and/or painful skin disease.”

“It was a shame that this horse went so long without medical care and deteriorated to the state where it needed to be euthanized,” Riverside County Chief Veterinarian Dr. Allan Drusys said.

According to the DA’s office, Wilson was sentenced to 120 days in a work release program and three years of formal probation. She is not allowed to own a horse for 10 years.

Williams was also sentenced to work release, for 90 days, the DA’s office said. He’s not allowed to own a horse for five years.

“We are pleased with the judge’s sentencing,” Huennekens said. “This couple never considered what was best for this poor horse. They tried to hide the horse from us – but we found her. Ending her suffering was a humane act, and seeing her abusers get convicted was a just conclusion to this sad case.”

News Link:–http://patch.com/california/temecula/disturbing-horse-cruelty-case-lands-temecula-area-couple-work-release-terms

Discovery of pit bull with ears cut off leads to arrest of mother and her son

Arrested Booking photos

A mother and her son have been arrested and charged with animal cruelty for allegedly cutting off the ears of a pit bull at a home in Williamsburg County, South Carolina, earlier this week, reported Thursday’s publication of Georgetown and Beyond. The suspects arrested this week have been identified as 57-year-old Myrtle McGee Daniels and her 37-year-old son Scotty Bruce Tyler.

Daniels and Tyler allegedly used scissors to lop off the dog’s ears inside of a home on Seaboard Road in Andrews – an investigation was launched after photos of the bloodied dog were posted to Facebook on June 4, and subsequently shared countless times by outraged individuals.

The original investigation was started by the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Department, but later was transferred to the Williamsburg County Environmental Services Department when it was discovered that the alleged abuse took place in Williamsburg County.

The injured dog, named “Brick,” was found on Wednesday and he is receiving veterinary care. According to ABC 15 News, donations for Brick’s veterinary expenses can be mailed to: Valiant Animal Rescue & Relief at PO Box 13477,Charleston S.C. 29422

Mother and son were taken to the Williamsburg County Detention Center – the case remains under investigation

News Link:–http://www.examiner.com/article/discovery-of-pit-bull-with-ears-cut-off-leads-to-arrest-of-mother-and-her-son?CID=examiner_alerts_article

Horses Hooves Not Trimmed For 15 years – Grow to 3 Feet Long

“OMG…can you believe the picture below?? I’ve only seen hooves like that once before; on a dead horse!! How can the owner have let them get into such a state they could barely move? It’s not like their so skinny they haven’t been fed, ok not a lot of food, but somebody had to have been giving them something; they couldn’t have lived to their ages without any food or water!! I just can’t understand how anyone, even someone with no knowledge of horses at all, is that dumb, to think it’s ok to just leave them! The poor horses must have been agony, any horsey person knows to keep a horse fit & pain free, a farrier is God; horses hooves need trimming between 6-8 weeks it varies; even if they don’t have shoes on, they still need to be trimmed!!

“I just pray whoever owns these horses, get what they deserve; in this instance prison without probation, along with having to pay in full, all vet & farrier bills. It’s going to take a lot of work from a very good farrier to get their hooves back into shape….but even if they do, the horses may be unfit to ride; due to irreversible damage to the structure of their hooves. I’m just in shock & have nothing but utter disgust at the owner’s blatant abuse & disregard for the health & welfare of these poor innocent horses!! R.I.P little one. Many thanks to (http://www.defhr.org/)USA for taking care of these equine!”

By Charlotte Ricca-Smith on 25th-Aug-2015

‘Critical condition’

The emaciated animals were discovered standing knee-deep in muck and with hooves more than three feet long. 

A miniature mare had to be euthanised at the scene due, because ruptured ligaments had caused the fetlocks to dislocate. The two others – one a full-sized stallion and one a miniature stallion ­– were in a ‘critical condition’.

“It’s the worst we’ve seen in our 26-year history,” Caroline Robertson, the development director of Days End Farm Horse Rescue told Caroll County Times. “They could barely move without being at risk of getting tangled in their own hooves.”

Three neglected horses have been found, with feet so overgrown it is believed they were locked up for at least 15 years.

Hooves removed

Before the horses could be removed from the scene, they had to be sedated so they could lie down and have the excess hoof removed. They were then taken to Days End Farm Horse Rescue (DEFHR) in Maryland, (http://www.defhr.org/)USA for rehabilitation.

The horses were discovered when a member of the public called the Humane Society of Washington County with concerns about pet pigeons kept there. It was during the welfare inspection that the equines were found.

‘Long road’

Both horses have been aged at around 18. The horse has been called Quest, while the surviving pony has been named Rio. Both have received further treatment from a farrier and vet and are now on the “long road” to rehabilitation.

An investigation into the case is on-going and cruelty charges could be brought.“Never mind could be…they definitely should be!!”

Days End Farm Horse Rescue is a non-profit organisation which currently provides rehabilitation and ongoing care for 78 rescue horses

News Link:–http://www.horseandcountry.tv/news/2015/08/25/horses-hooves-not-trimmed-15-years

 

Like if you think an “Animal Abuse Register” will stop people like this from getting another dog from a shelter: FL WOMAN ACCUSED OF STARVING PIT BULL SAY’S “she’ll just adopt another”

A complaint made in July to the Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control about a dog tied up out in the rain led to the arrest of Yolanda Williams of West Palm Beach on September 25, 2014, according to the Sun Sentinel. The six year old pit bull, Diamond, was found emaciated, tied up in the backyard.

TAKE A GOOD LOOK….

KEEP YOUR EYE’S OPEN FOR THIS BXXXH, IF YOU SEE HER WITH ANOTHER DOG, REPORT HER…SHE IS NOT FIT TO TAKE CARE OF JACK SHIT!!!!

Williams, 43, claims she never hurt her dog and that Diamond was just sick. According to officials, Williams moved to the area last year and Diamond proceeded to get sick, but she was not able to afford a veterinary visit. She claims to have tried to get the dog healthy but the dog just kept losing weight.

Authorities reported that Diamond’s bones were visible through her skin and the dog was constantly left outside without shelter. Diamond was removed from the property and placed in the care of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control. According to a representative of Friends of Palm Beach County Animal Care and Control, Diamond recovered and has since been adopted out.

Though Williams said she misses Diamond and cries whenever she goes in the backyard, she stated she would just get another dog after officials took Diamond. Thankfully, she never did.” She may not have then, but how do you know she won’t get another dog, unless you visit every week??”

Williams has been charged with animal cruelty but insists she is a good person who should not be charged. Authorities reported Williams appeared to have no remorse over her sick and emaciated dog. She was released on bond.

“SHE WILL GET ANOTHER DOG, IT’S CASES LIKE THIS WHERE ANIMALS ARE ADOPTED AGAIN…ONLY TO BE ABUSED…BECAUSE THERE IS NOTHING FOR SHELTER STAFF, TO CONFIRM THE PERSON IS GENUINE; OR HAS ABUSED BEFORE!   THIS COUNTRY NEEDS AN “ANIMAL ABUSE REGISTER” JUST LIKE THE “REGISTER FOR HUMAN PEADOPHILES!!!”

News Link:-http://www.examiner.com/article/fl-woman-accused-of-starving-pit-bull-says-she-ll-just-adopt-another

Alsu Ivanchenko, woman accused of abusing puppy, throwing it away in a plastic bag, then buying another for daughter….makes next court appearance Monday

“Sorry, still not up to my usual fighting spirit, but just got hold of this story, my apologies if it is not in time/date order: Can’t stay on PC long enough due to pain, to establish all facts, but hopefully enough here for people to check out! Perhaps I’m missing something here, but how the hell did that little puppy sustain those injuries???How does a tiny puppy suffer a fractured skull, a fractured femur and brain trauma resulting from blunt force; just from being tossed from a car??? Something is clearly very wrong here, I just hope this women, is never allowed to own dogs of any size, ever again…I feel sorry for the daughter having such a heartless person as a mother! I believe there is a facebook page where you can follow the progress of this innocent sentient baby! A Facebook page titled “Justice for Charlotte! A Rally to Strengthen Animal Abuse Laws” https://www.facebook.com/pages/Charlottes-Place-A-Journey-of-Hope/725691657502254?sk=timeline.

By Maura Grunlund | grunlund@siadvance.com 

Email the author | Follow on Twitter on September 19, 2014 at 2:34 PM

Puppy found in shopping bag with severe injuries Charlotte, a 6-month-old Maltese Shih Tzu, is in critical condition at South Shore Animal Hospital after a group of people found the dog tied up in a shopping bag on South Railroad Avenue in Bay Terrace Friday night. (Photo courtesy of witness) Ryan Lavis | lavis@siadvance.com

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A dog fight between a rescue group and the ASPCA is looming over the care of Charlotte the puppy who was battered, stuffed in a plastic bag and tossed near the railroad tracks in Bay Terrace.

Special Needs Animal Rescue and Rehabilitation Northeast (SNARR) is bearing its fangs by hiring an attorney to fight the ASPCA for the custody of Charlotte the 15-week-old puppy who is being treated at an undisclosed medical facility.

“SNARR met with an attorney yesterday and we are actively trying to get Charlotte back to our rescue for the remainder of her care, treatment and rehabilitation,” said a post on the SNARR Facebook Charlotte’s Place–A Journey of Hope” page.

Alsu Ivanchenko, 34, of the 3400 block of Hylan Boulevard is scheduled to appear at Stapleton Criminal Court on Monday in connection with the incident.

SNAAR maintains that since the NYPD has collected evidence and arrested a suspect “there is no need for the city to continue retaining custody of Charlotte. Unfortunately, the city and the ASPCA do not share the same opinion.”

ASPCA employees brought the dog under their care just as doctors on Staten Island prepared for her transfer to SNARR’s animal care facility based in White Plains, N.Y.

Ms. Ivanchenko made her $3,500 bail on Thursday after being  arraigned on Wednesday on one felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals and misdemeanor counts of torturing and injuring animals and abandonment.

Charlotte has a fractured skull, a fractured femur and brain trauma resulting from blunt force impact because of her ordeal. Ms. Ivancheko allegedly admitted in court documents that she couldn’t afford medical treatment for the Maltese-Shih Tzu mix, who she named Snowflake, so she put the little dog in a bag and threw the injured animal from her car onto the side of the road in Bay Terrace on Sept. 12..

Good Samaritans on the night of Sept. 12 found Charlotte clinging to life in a black plastic bag in weeds near the fence outside the Staten Island Railway tracks.

News Link:–http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/dog_fight_looming_over_the_car.html#incart_related_stories

By Eddie DAnna | danna@siadvance.com  Email the author | Follow on Twitter on September 19, 2014 at 12:32 PM, updated September 19, 2014 at 12:37 PM

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The next step in the legal odyssey facing the Bay Terrace woman accused of leaving a critically injured puppy for dead in a plastic bag by the train tracks takes place on Monday.

Alsu Ivanchenko, 34, of the 3400 block of Hylan Boulevard, is due to appear at Stapleton Criminal Court.

She obviously likes to look nice…but doesn’t give a shit about another sentient being who is only months old! How did that puppy sustain those injuries???? Picture by

http://www.silive.com/southshore/index.ssf/2014/09/alsu_ivanchenko_woman_accused.html#incart_story_package

Barring a last-minute resolution to the case — which seems extraordinarily unlikely at this juncture — prosecutors and her attorneys will have a conference with the judge and the case will be adjourned until a later date.

The court opens at 9:30 a.m., but it is not known what time her proceeding will take place.

Prosecutors charged Ms. Ivanchenko with a felony count of aggravated cruelty to animals during her arraignment on Wednesday, after she allegedly disposed of her puppy, Snowflake, in a plastic bag in the weeds near the railroad in Bay Terrace, then bought a new dog to replace the pet. She also faces two misdemeanor charges.

Snowflake continues to fight for her life with myriad injuries after good Samaritans happened upon her.

If prosecutors intend to proceed with the felony charge against her, they will present the case to a grand jury.

News Link:-http://www.silive.com/southshore/index.ssf/2014/09/alsu_ivanchenko_woman_accused.html#incart_story_package

Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com
Email the author | Follow on Twitter  on September 18, 2014 at 4:49 PM, updated September 18, 2014 at 7:06 PM

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A few neighbors in the quiet Bay Terrace community said they didn’t even know Alsu Ivanchenko owned a dog, and were shocked to learn of the horrific accusations against the Russian-born woman.

And now, they don’t want anything to do with her. “I just said ‘hi and bye.’ But I don’t plan on talking to her either,” one neighbor said. “I didn’t even know she had a dog. It’s terrible, disgusting. I love animals. I can’t believe anyone would do anything like that.”

Some residents said the 34-year-old Bay Terrace resident was friendly, but didn’t know her too well. They paint a woman who’s had a rough few months after splitting with her husband, having her home go into foreclosure and now having to fight animal cruelty charges.

Ms. Ivanchenko, according to a person who is friendly with her, separated from her husband, Rusian (Russell) Ivanchenko, a few months ago, and the two had an altercation on July 4th weekend.

The husband, according to court records, has a pending criminal case in Stapleton Criminal Court. He was charged with misdemeanor counts of assault and criminal obstruction of breathing and a lesser count of harassment in connection with a July 4 incident. Ivanchenko is accused of throwing his wife to the ground, kicking her in the the ribs and choking her, according to allegations in court documents.

Ms. Ivanchenko took out a temporary order of protection against her husband, which is in effect until the case is resolved, a criminal court spokesman said.

He is due back in court Oct. 2. He lives in Brooklyn and Ms. Ivanchenko has lived at the home on Hylan Boulevard for nine years and is unemployed, the person who knew her said. The couple shares one daughter, who attends grammar school and is about 8 or 9 years old, the neighbor said.

“I feel bad for the kid,” one neighbor said. “She has a beautiful little child that’s going to suffer.”

Ms. Ivanchenko is accused of severely injuring the 3-month old Maltese Shih Tzu, Charlotte, stuffing her body in a black shopping bag and dumping it by the Bay Terrace railway Friday, police said.

A source with knowledge of the case said she told investigators a different story. Ms. Ivanchenko said she went to Florida for a few days at the end of August, and left the dog with a friend, the source said. When she came back from her trip, she noticed the puppy was acting differently, not eating and wasn’t playful.

She took the dog to Animal Health Veterinary Group in New Dorp where she was told it needs a lot more treatment, the source said. Ms. Ivanchenko paid for the office visit and then got three more opinions on the dog’s condition, but all were too expensive.

“What do you want, my daughter to starve so I can take care of my dog?” the source said Ms. Ivanchenko told police.

She was arrested Tuesday and arraigned on Wednesday evening. Her boyfriend posted the $3,500 bail and she was released early Thursday morning.

“I never really saw the dog. I know her daughter would talk about it,” said one person who knew her but wished to remain anonymous. “I recognized the dog from the pink bow on her head when I saw it online. I couldn’t believe it. I’ve seen her brushing the dog on the porch.”

Ms. Ivanchenko allegedly bought a new dog for her daughter after she disposed of Charlotte’s body Friday, police said. One witness said they saw detectives remove the new puppy from the home. The animal was surrendered to the NYPD and is in the care of ASPCA, a law enforcement source said.

Ms. Ivanchenko declined comment when reached at her home Thursday afternoon.

Email the author | Follow on Twitter on September 17, 2014 at 7:25 PM, updated September 18, 2014 at 8:00 PM

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The Bay Terrace woman accused of maliciously harming and disposing of her helpless puppy later bought a new dog for her daughter, police said.

Puppy thrown out like trash after being abused!!

“She tossed Snowflake like garbage and threw [the dog] out the window, then went out and bought a new puppy,” the prosecution alleged during Alsu Ivanchenko’s arraignment in Criminal Court in Stapleton Wednesday evening. “The defendant has no remorse and no respect for that dog.”

According to the criminal complaint, Ms. Ivanchenko told police, “Just give me my misdemeanor so I can get out of here. It’s just a dog.”

Ms. Ivancheko, 34, allegedly admitted in court documents that she couldn’t afford medical treatment for the 3-month-old Maltese-Shih Tzu mix, who she named Snowflake, so she put the little dog in a bag and threw the injured animal from her car onto the side of the road in Bay Terrace on Friday. “But how did the puppy sustain those injuries??”

The dog was renamed Charlotte after being rescued Friday.

“I was afraid for my daughter to get upset, so I got her a new dog,” Ms. Ivanchenko says in the criminal complaint.

But during court proceedings Wednesday, Ms. Ivanchenko’s lawyer told the judge that the defendant denies she purchased a new puppy.

“She does feel remorse,” the defense attorney told the court.

Ms. Ivanchenko, police said, intentionally injured the animal and abandoned its body beside Bay Terrace Boulevard, at the corner of Hopkins Avenue and South Railroad Avenue.

Dr. Robert Reisman of the ASPCA said he examined Charlotte and determined she had a fractured skull, a fractured femur and brain trauma resulting from blunt force impact, according to court documents.

The prosecution asked for $20,000 bail, and said Ms. Ivanchenko is unemployed and her house is in foreclosure.

Judge Alan J. Meyer set bail at $3,500. A man who identified himself as Ms. Ivanchenko’s friend was attempting to get the cash to bail her out, but it was not clear if she made bail. He declined comment for the story. Ms. Ivanchenko’s attorney also declined comment.

She is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony, and misdemeanor counts of torturing and injuring animals and abandonment. If convicted on the top count, she faces a maximum sentence of two years in prison.

Ms. Ivanchenko is scheduled to return to court Sept. 22.

News Link:-http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/bay_terrace_woman_bought_a_new.html#incart_big-photo

 

• Complaints and arrests increase since NYPD took over animal cruelty cases, police say
• Animal activists attempting to organize ‘Justice for Charlotte’ rally when woman who allegedly abused puppy makes court appearance
• Dog fight looming over the care of Charlotte the puppy allegedly abused by Staten Island woman
• Alsu Ivanchenko, woman accused of abusing puppy, makes next court appearance Monday
• Bay Terrace residents paint tough few months for alleged dog abuser Alsu Ivanchenko
• http://www.examiner.com/article/puppy-found-garbage-bag-staten-island-still-critical-condition

By Mira Wassef | mwassef@siadvance.com

By Maura Grunlund | grunlund@siadvance.com 

Email the author | Follow on Twitter
on September 17, 2014 at 12:38 PM, updated September 18, 2014 at 9:57 AM Bay Terrace residents paint tough few months for alleged dog abuser Alsu Ivanchenko

 STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — A tip to police from the Animal Health Veterinary Group on Staten Island led to the arrest of the owner of Charlotte, the puppy who was found  battered and clinging to life near the railroad tracks in Bay Terrace.

The medical team at the Animal Health Veterinary Group recognized Charlotte from previous visits after seeing a picture of the puppy wearing a pink bow that has been making the rounds on the Internet, according to a source with knowledge of the case.

Staff then contacted the NYPD and provided information about the owner and the puppy.

The owner, Alsu Ivanchenko, 34, of Bay Terrace, is scheduled to be arraigned in Stapleton Criminal Court on Wednesday on animal cruelty charges.

The pet, then called Snowflake, was brought to the animal clinic location at 2300 Hylan Boulevard in New Dorp by Ms. Ivanchenko in the mid-afternoon last Friday, the source said.

Charlotte was lying down and unable to stand or walk when seen at the clinic last Friday, the source said. Ms. Ivanchenko offered no explanation to clinic staff about what happened to Charlotte other than to say that the dog was fine before it lied down in that manner three days earlier.

The owner refused medical advice — which was either diagnostics and treatment or humane euthanasia — and left the office, according to the source.

Charlotte was found — battered and barely alive and in a black shopping bag — by Good Samaritans at about 9 p.m. on Friday.

The source added that Charlotte, currently 15 weeks old, was fine when she received her first set of puppy vaccines over the summer.

After Good Samaritans rescued Charlotte, the puppy was initially taken to South Shore Animal Hospital in New Dorp. Charlotte has since been transferred to another undisclosed hospital where she remains in critical condition — but is improving — from injuries that include skull and leg fractures.

News link:-http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2014/09/charlottes_protectors_animal_h.html#incart_most-read

Related articles

• Staten Island woman who threw puppy away as trash bought new dog for daughter (examiner.com)
• Puppy found in garbage bag in Staten Island still in critical condition (examiner.com)
• Injured puppy discovered in tied up shopping bag fights for life (pix11.com)

Police: Man dragged dogs with car, rope tied around their necks

“Sorry, don’t buy it, owner “William Wilkinson” said he put a rope around necks of dogs; but didn’t realise it would strangle them?? WTF…the word thick, stupid & irresponsible, come to hand! The guy shouldn’t be allowed to own such sentient beings, if he doesn’t realise rope, when pulled tight, around a neck; strangles!!!”

Updated: 3:52 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014 | Posted: 1:23 p.m. Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014

WAYNE TOWNSHIP, Pa. —

A 59-year-old man is accused of tying rope around the necks of two dogs and dragging them by the hitch of his car last month in Wayne Township.

According to police, officers were called to the area of Dewey Avenue on July 27 for the report of a man dragging dogs with a rope using his vehicle.

A responding officer reported that he found the two dogs badly injured with multiple gashes. The ropes were still around both dogs’ necks.

According to an affidavit of probable cause, the dogs’ owner, William Wilkinson, told police the dogs got out of his yard while he was at the doctors.

The affidavit said Wilkinson said he couldn’t find anyone to help him when he located the dogs, so he tied the rope around the dogs and traveled about 2 mph with them tied to the hitch.

At one point, according to affidavit, Wilkinson said he stopped to give one of the dogs mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.

Police talked with a witness who said he saw the dogs being dragged so he raced in to help. The witness told police he noticed one of the dogs was not breathing so he got a knife from his truck to cut the rope.

According to the affidavit, the witness told police he couldn’t get his fingers under the rope because it was so tight. The witness said Wilkinson eventually resuscitated the dog.

The witness then called police, who came to the scene. The affidavit said Wilkinson told officers dragging the dogs was an accident, and he didn’t know the rope would strangle them.

The dogs were taken to a veterinarian and are currently in an unspecified safe location.

Copy of Video link File:-http://www.wpxi.com/videos/news/police-say-man-tied-rope-around-dogs-neck-dragged/vCpx3f/

Channel 11’s Jennifer Tomazic is working on uncovering more information about this story. Look for her full report later tonight on Channel 11 News at 5.

News Link:-http://www.wpxi.com/news/news/police-man-dragged-dogs-car-rope-tied-around-their/ng9m2/

Related articles

• Woman accused of dragging dog with truck arrested after missing court (kens5.com)

Baby Girl Is Mauled To Death By Pitbull: Neighbours Say They Warned Police Of The Danger As Couple Are Arrested

“How many times do we have to go over this; it’s the bloody owners that give this breed a bad rap! Irresponsible owner’s are one of the major causes for all the problems the breed faces today.  Pitbulls have long been selectively bred, over the years to be fighting machines, they are sturdy & strong with a powerful bite force; genetics & training play an important role in how the dog will respond to other dogs or humans. Pitbulls are not inherently aggressive to people; unless taught to be! 

 Some owners (Perhaps the boyfriend) just want a pitbull to use as a power status or for intimidating others; which is just an accident waiting to happen; and it did!  This tragedy could have been avoided had the owner been a responsible one & kept the dog under control; instead of it being allowed to roam freely around the house, whilst they watched TV? The mother must have been aware of the dogs temperamentt; why didn’t she insist the dog be put in a crate or a locked room; whenever the baby was around? No dog should be left unattended with children; especially babies!  The owner would have known, without doubt, what his dog was capable of doing; for that reason, I think they should both be held responsible for this terrible tragedy! R.I.P little one x 

By JAYA NARAIN and ROSIE TAYLOR and JAMES TOZER –PUBLISHED: 07:10, 11 February 2014 | UPDATED: 09:09, 12 February 2014

• 11-month-old Ava-Jayne Corless attacked by pet late last night
• Neighbours report seeing ‘vicious and terrifying’ pit bull type dog
• Victim’s mother and stepfather arrested on suspicion of manslaughter and bailed this morning
  
• Baby’s father pays tribute to ‘the most beautiful and adorable little girl’
• Lancashire Police say dog involved in the attack was a banned breed

A baby girl was mauled to death by a dog that neighbours had allegedly warned was dangerous.

Ava-Jayne Corless, who was just 11 months old, suffered horrific injuries when the American pitbull terrier attacked her while she slept.

Her mother, Chloe King, 20, and  boyfriend Lee Wright, 26, heard the commotion and rushed upstairs to rescue her from the jaws of the beast.

Paramedics were called and took Ava-Jayne to hospital where doctors were unable to save her life.

Victim: Ava-Jayne Corless, aged 11 months, has been mauled to death by a pet dog

Miss King and Mr Wright were questioned on suspicion of manslaughter and child neglect, and were today released on bail.

Lancashire Police said: ‘The two people arrested in connection with the death of Ava-Jayne Corless at Blackburn have both been released on bail pending further inquiries.’

Parents: Ava-Jayne pictured with her father Dean and mother Chloe, who are no longer together

A police spokesman said last night that the animal was banned under the Dangerous Dogs Act of 1991.

Senior officers have launched an investigation into reports that neighbours had called Lancashire Constabulary to complain about dangerous animals at the property in Blackburn.

Faisal Shahzad, 35, fled after two dogs broke through his garden fence. ‘I had to run quickly into the house and barricade the door because they were tearing after me,’ said the taxi driver.

‘I’ve got three children and they were all in the house absolutely terrified. The two dogs were scary. I called the police and they said something would be done and my neighbour also called the RSPCA.’ 

Another neighbour, 80-year-old Brian Harrison, said: ‘That dog was a nightmare for neighbours and people were worried about approaching it.

‘It’s an absolute tragedy that should never have happened. ‘Only last year it mauled to death a neighbour’s cat and nothing was done about it.’

Kyle Perry, 19, was chased down the street by the dog. ‘It was a big dog and it used to just bark and bark,’ he said. ‘I have been chased by it down the street. It was terrifying.’

Blackburn MP Jack Straw said: ‘What will it take to convince people not to keep dogs like this – and to get across to all dog-owners, of every breed of dog, that no dog should ever be left unsupervised with a baby?’

The incident happened at around 11pm on Monday while Miss King was visiting Mr Wright at his home 40 yards from hers.

The pair are understood to have put the baby to sleep in a bedroom and were watching television downstairs when they heard the attack begin. By the time they reached Ava-Jayne she had suffered catastrophic injuries. The dog was destroyed.

Chief Superintendent Chris Bithell said previous contact with neighbours would form part of the police investigation.

Last night,  police said the dog had been identified by experts as a pitbull. 
Owners cannot be prosecuted for dog attacks on private property until new legislation comes into force this spring.

Arrest: The victim’s stepfather Lee Wright is being questioned by police on suspicion of manslaughter

Tougher sentences will be introduced under the Anti-Social Behaviour, Crime and Policing Bill.

Rachel Cunningham, of the Blue Cross animal charity, said: ‘We can only hope the Government’s planned changes to the bill will allow authorities to step in at the first sign of a dangerous dog and help prevent terrible events like this.’

Jennie Rudd, of animal welfare campaign group Naturewatch Foundation, said dog attacks were caused by irresponsible owners.

Danger: The dog was described as a ‘menace’ before the attack and previously killed a neighbour’s cat

She added: ‘If it has aggressive tendencies it is the owner’s responsibility to make sure it never gets near a child, and that it isn’t forced into situations where it feels it has to attack – because there is always a reason for a dog to bite.’

Last night Ava-Jayne’s father, Dean Corless, 24, said he was devastated by the tragedy: ‘I rushed to the hospital to see her straight away.

‘She was the most beautiful and adorable little girl, she was just the best. She was my  whole world. Her mum and I aren’t together any more, but I saw Ava-Jayne all the time. I will miss her every single day, I just don’t know what to do now.

‘It is just so tragic. I have my family around me now, but we are all devastated.’ The RSPCA confirmed the charity had been contacted after a dog at the address killed a neighbour’s cat. The death was treated as an accident with no action taken.

News Link:-http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2556514/Baby-girl-dies-attacked-mauled-dog.html