Man Found Guilty of Having Dog Kill Coral Springs Family’s Cat

An 81 year old man who allowed his dog to maul a cat and was caught on video doing so, was found guilty by a jury today.

After only a day of testimony, the jury returned their verdict and found Hume Hamilton, 81, guilty of animal cruelty charges, a third degree felony.

Hume Hamilton was walking his pit bull when it attacked a cat belonging to Coral Springs resident Tia Spath.

Spath, who lives in Ridgeview, was shocked to find out that their cat named “Mama” had been killed at her family business, Brandy Bail Bonds, in Fort Lauderdale.   She says that Mama had been their pet for almost 12 years and was a fixture at the business

“Mama” the cat savaged by Pit bull

In the shocking surveillance video, the owner of a pit bull is seen walking on the property of Brandy Bail Bonds while following his dog’s lead to get closer to the cat, when the pit bull viciously attacks.  

The dog’s strong jaws grab the cat and the owner cannot get him to release.

The man even tries to pull the cat out of the dog’s mouth, even stepping on the cat’s stomach. He finally he pulls the dog away, runs away, and  leaves the cat for dead.

Mama later died of her injuries and is buried at the business.

Hamilton had been held in jail since July without bond because he is facing charges for aggravated battery with a deadly weapon. He was already on probation, so the judge held him without bond pending this trial.

He could face jail time for this crime when he is sentenced next month

PIT BULL ATTACKS AND KILLS PET CAT IN FORT LAUDERDALE 1st Video – HELP NAB OWNER

 “I’m posting the writing below as it was attached to the video, although I’m not sure accurate the details are having watched the video. In the video, I saw a man dressed in black top & shorts, try to help get the cat out of the dogs jaws, he did, finally, then walked away trailing the cat, seconds later the Pit Bull is seen chasing after the cat again…behind the dog walks his owner, with empty leash in hand. Just find it odd the other man wasn’t to mentioned in court!!”

UPDATE!!!!! MAN HAS BEEN ARRESTED ON JULY 9TH FROM ANGRY VIEWERS WHO SAW HIM IN FORT LAUDERDALE:http://coralspringstalk.com/fort-lauderdale-man-arrested-in-pitbull-attack-on…

FROM http://www.CoralSpringsTalk.com : Coral Springs resident Tia Spath wants to find the man whose pitbull killed their family cat.

Spath, who lives in Ridgeview was shocked to find out that their cat named Mama had been killed at her family business, Brandy Bail Bonds, in Fort Lauderdale. She says that Mama had been their pet for almost 12 years and was a fixture at the business.

In this shocking surveillance video, the owner of a pit bull is seen walking on the property of Brandy Bail Bonds while following his dog’s lead to get closer to the cat, when the pit bull viciously attacks. The dog’s strong jaws become locked around the cat and won’t release. The man then tries to pull the cat out of the dog’s mouth, even stepping on the cat’s stomach. He finally he pulls the dog away, runs away, and leaves the cat for dead.

Mama later died of her injuries and is buried at the business.

The Spath family is heartbroken, her children grew up with Mama and they want to find the pitbull’s owner and sue him. They have hired a private investigator but are also asking for the public’s help in finding him. Please call Brandy Bail Bonds at (954) 463-4333 if you know anything.

News Link:-http://coralspringstalk.com/man-found-guilty-of-having-dog-kill-coral-springs-owners-cat-3926

 

Family of dog killed by a cop to win “Animal Hero” award

Cameron Jones comforts his dog Baxter after the dog was shot by a Pembroke Pines cop in February. Baxter died three weeks later. (Cindy Jones, courtesy / August 7, 2012)

FORT LAUDERDALE —The story of Baxter, the Australian shepherd shot and killed earlier this year by a Pembroke Pines officer, caught the attention of an activist who gives out “Animal Hero” awards.

Susan Hargreaves plans to honor 13-year-old Cameron Jones, who was with Baxter when he was shot, and his two older sisters, Bella and Allie.

The ceremony is set for 12:30 p.m. Sunday at the Animal Adoption Fair at War Memorial Auditorium in Fort Lauderdale.

“They’re very excited,” said Frank Jones, the children’s father.

His daughters started an animal rights club at their high school before Baxter was shot on Feb. 24 outside his home. He died three weeks later.

The Pembroke Pines Police Department said the shooting was justified because Baxter charged the officer and his partner as they stood outside the family’s open front door.

In an effort to foster change, the Jones family set up a Facebook page for Baxter and helped organize a protest outside Pembroke Pines City Hall to bring awareness to cop-on-canine shootings.

In July, the Jones family rescued an Australian shepherd named Dundee that bears a striking resemblance to Baxter.

“As soon as they saw him, they fell in love with him,” Jones said of his kids. “He’s just a constant reminder of Baxter, in a good way.”

Hargreaves has recognized dozens of “Animal Heroes” who have come to the rescue of dogs, ducks, chickens, foxes, cows, coyotes, pigs, sea turtles, orcas and elephants.

“The Animal Hero Award recipients sometimes brave ridicule from peers to do the right thing and offer a helping hand to the defenseless,” Hargreaves said. “Animal Heroes are often the voice for the voiceless, speaking out against their abuse.

“They deserve to be recognized for being compassionate and courageous.”

News Link:–http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fl-animal-heroes-award-20120807,0,374897.story

Related Story:–http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/2012-04-06/news/pines-cop-kills-dog-20120406_1_loose-dog-baxter-officers

Fort Lauderdale man arrested in dog-on-cat attack

FORT LAUDERDALE— An 81-year-old Fort Lauderdaleman has been arrested in connection with a dog-on-cat attack last month, officials say.

Hume Hamilton was taken into custody Monday on charges of animal cruelty and trespassing, court records show.

At a court hearing Tuesday, Judge Michael Orlando ordered Hamilton held without bond because Hamilton allegedly violated the conditions of his release from jail in an unrelated aggravated battery case.

The alleged animal cruelty incident occurred last month near the front lawn of a business in the 900 block of S. Andrews Avenue, when surveillance video recorded a dog getting into a fight with a cat while the dog was leashed and being walked by a man, according to WSVN-Ch. 7.

After the attack, the man and the dog left the cat behind, and the cat ultimately died from its injuries, the station reported.

Hamilton’s lawyer, Julie Young, told the judge her client should be medically evaluated. “I do believe that he has some health issues that need to be investigated,” she said. Orlando replied medical staff would evaluate Hamilton while he is in jail.

Video & News Link:-http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/broward/fort-lauderdale/fl-fort-lauderdale-animal-cruelty-20120710,0,4319190.story