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Monday, June 1, 2009


Judge Returns Vicious Dogs to Firestone Man After Multiple Attacks

Judge Fails Victims
Firestone, CO - So that readers better understand the way many existing dog laws operate -- to protect the dog owner and the dog, not to protect future victims -- we post this story. Despite five attacks, as well as a vicious dog conviction for each owner, the existing law allowed Judge Charles Unfug to return these dogs to their owners. The sixth attack inflicted severe injury to 54-year old Myma Lee, the dog owner's aunt. She is currently still hospitalized.
"In September, 2004, after three of the Riley dogs attacked the couple, David Riley was convicted of owning a dangerous dog. The dogs were returned to the family on the condition they would send them to the Coal Ridge Animal Hospital near Firestone. The order came from Judge Unfug.
Just a few days after they were boarded at Coal Ridge, the three dogs attacked and severely injured one of the shelter's employees. The court gave David Riley permission to transfer the dogs to another shelter.
According to the Weld County Humane Society records, both of the Rileys have been uncooperative with the judge's and other orders. In one case, David refused to have his dogs neutered, and in another Jackie Riley came to claim the dogs and did not have the proper equipment.
In that case, in May 2008, "Scout" attacked an 8-year-old boy at the Riley house, causing minor cuts and scrapes. The dog was taken to the humane society shelter for the 10-day quarantine. But later, Judge Unfug stated: "The court finds that reasonable precautions can be made so that the dog can safely be returned to its home while this case is pending."
Judge Unfug did not return calls Friday.
The judge ordered that Jackie Riley could pick up the dog from the humane society, but she had to muzzle and leash the dog, and when at home, keep it locked in the yard or house.
But records from the Humane Society of Weld County show that when Jackie Riley arrived to pick up "Scout," she did not have a muzzle or leash, so the humane society loaned them to her. But the humane society report also stated: "It should also be noted that ‘Scout' pinned Ms. Riley against the wall and knocked her down on the floor twice, drawing blood while she attempted to leash him."
While Firestone police have requested the dogs be taken away from the Rileys after last week's attack [that caused severe injury to Myma Lee], there are still dogs at the house, and "Scout" is at the humane society shelter in Evans."
Riley was charged last Friday with two misdemeanors, ownership of a dangerous dog and obstruction of a police officer. The charges come after a history of owning multiple dogs that have attacked, including the recent attack that severely injured Lee, and after a former conviction of owning a vicious dog. While the new Nebraska law is peanuts in a pale, it at least would have pegged Riley with a Class IV felony due to the multiple vicious dog ownership aspect.

Related articles:
05/19/09: New Nebraska Law Focuses on Repeat Owners of Dangerous Dogs
12/16/08: After 5 Bites, Pit Bull Named Rocky Ordered Destroyed
10/18/08: Rottweiler Inflicts 3,000 Stitches on Victim; Judge Frees Dog

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posted by bitbypit  |  permalink  |  8 comments  |iconemail  |iconsubscribe 
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8 comments:

Anonymous Anonymous  |  6/01/2009 12:16 PM  |  Flag  
Additional info on Judge Unfug

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20070419/NEWS/104190120

Anonymous Trigger  |  6/01/2009 12:56 PM  |  Flag  
Feds charge judge's son in child pornography case
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Thursday, April 19, 2007 -- "The son of a Weld County Court judge faces 20 years in a federal prison in a case involving more than 1,000 pieces of pornography of underage boys. Charles "Andy" Unfug, 25, of Fort Collins surrendered to authorities Wednesday when he was charged with transportation and possession of child pornography. He is the son of Weld County Judge Charles Unfug. According to sources who spoke only on the condition of anonymity, this isn't the first time Unfug has faced such trouble. As a teenager, he was convicted of sexual assault, sources said."

http://www.greeleytribune.com/article/20070419/NEWS/104190120

Anonymous annod  |  6/01/2009 1:10 PM  |  Flag  
A judge enabling dysfunctional children and dysfunctional defendants.
He must be dysfunctional himself. The state needs to investigate Unfrug and remove him from the bench so he can spend the rest of his legal career advocating for pit bulls with the rest of the dysfunctional pit nutter lawyers.

Blogger P.  |  6/01/2009 3:06 PM  |  Flag  
Look for this one back in the news and let's hope the attack stays in the family. Karma, baby.

Anonymous FoolMeOnce  |  6/01/2009 8:54 PM  |  Flag  
I can't understand why anyone would want a dog that attacks them! Crazy == and that judge must be drinking the Koolaid! There is no other plausible explanation...

Anonymous Trigger  |  6/01/2009 9:50 PM  |  Flag  
You ought to read the Diane Whipple book. Marjorie Knoller acted in the exact same manner and worse. It's a page turner, and very relevant to this issue.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/0060537825

The only SHOCK with the Riley dogs is that a person is NOT dead. Lifelong, deforming facial injuries will have to do.

Anonymous Anonymous  |  7/18/2009 12:02 AM  |  Flag  
The horrible saga continues:
--
JULY 17, 2009 -- GREELEY — Weld County authorities are pressing fresh “dangerous dog” charges against David Riley and are also accusing him of threatening a Firestone woman not to complain about the animals.

The Weld County District Attorney’s Office announced the charges Wednesday. Prosecutors say the charges are based on a March 22 incident, but the the victim didn’t come forward until July 3 out of fear.

“(She) stated she did not originally report the incident immediately because of the threats the defendant ... had made towards her and her children,” read an affidavit issued Tuesday. “(The victim) stated today was the last straw when the defendant did it again today. (She) stated she is tired of being in fear for herself and her children’s lives.”

http://www.timescall.com/news_story.asp?ID=17082

Anonymous Anonymous  |  8/28/2009 2:37 PM  |  Flag  
Owner of dangerous dog found guilty
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August 27, 2009 - "A Firestone man is headed to 14 months in jail after a jury found him guilty today of owning a dangerous dog that attacked his aunt. And while the judge ordered that the dog be euthanized, the order will be stayed for 30 days, which is the time allowed for an appeal.

The conviction — for owning a dangerous dog and obstructing a peace officer — comes three months after David Riley, 41, was arrested after his dog, Scout, attacked his Myrna Lee.

Lee was on the ground screaming with wounds to her face and neck when officers arrived on May 23, according to a release from the Weld District Attorney's Office. The injuries have left her permanently scarred, according to the release..."

http://tinyurl.com/npbc3y

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