Yearly Archives: 2009

Pennsylvania Towns Seek Pit Bull Laws; Must Lift State Anti-BSL Measure

Ransom is Euthanized UPDATE 07/30/09: The owner of Ransom, Oliver Yawn, called the dog "vicious" and surrendered it to the state to be euthanized. Yawn said he "didn't want to deal with the BS" of obtaining thousands of dollars in liability insurance and appearing in court. He also blamed the attack on the sound of the landscaper's weed whacker. Yet a week earlier, the dog broke through the home's 6-foot wooden fence and chased 21-year old Amanda Gray, who was not utilizing any… [Read full blog post]

8-State Simultaneous Dogfighting Sting; 450 Dogs Seized

Middle Class Crime UPDATE 07/11/09: As noted in comments, dogfighting is organized crime -- gambling and racketeering -- primarily carried out by middle class citizens. Participants are often valued members of the community as well. The recent Associated Press article names a registered nurse, Cris Bottcher, and a physical education teacher, Rick Hihath, as part of those arrested this past week. Both are charged with felony dogfighting crimes that occurred at Bottche… [Read full blog post]

2009 Dog Bite Fatality: 3-Year Old Gabrial Mandrell-Sauerhage Killed by Family Dogs

Gabrial Mandrell-Sauerhage, 3-years old, was killed by up to three dogs. Dogs Euthanized UPDATE 06/30/09: The three dogs involved in Gabrial's death have been euthanized: two pit bull-mixes and a collie-mix. Police said in a previous statement it is believed the collie-mix was tied up during the incident while the pit bulls were loose. In a press release issued Tuesday by the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, it stated that "Gabrial suffered at least one bite that w… [Read full blog post]

Louisiana State Dog Attack Law (HB 155) Wins Final Legislative Approval

State Rep. Rickey Hardy's bill, HB 155, passes in a unanimous vote. Unanimous Vote Louisiana - In a bill that will broaden state laws on negligent homicide and make it easier to prosecute dog attacks that result in severe injury or death, House Bill 155 passed the Louisiana House 89-0. Earlier in the month, the Senate passed the proposal 31-0. The bill is dedicated to 83-year old Luna McDaniel of Ville Platte who was killed by three loose pit bulls in 2008 and to 4-year old Michael… [Read full blog post]