The Outcome of the Legal Proceedings; A Bittersweet Deal
Boomer was ravaged to death by unleashed dogs while lying outside his front door.
Beloved Cat Killed
Tomball, TX - On January 21, two loose dogs viciously attacked a cat named Boomer as it lay sleeping on the front door welcome mat of its home. Ray Gravenstein rushed outside to stop the dogs. The attack was captured by a ring doorbell camera on the family's front door. "I tried to rush to the vet, but never made it out of the driveway," Gravenstein said back then. The owners of the dogs quickly claimed "victimhood" due to the "fallout" on social media and refused comment.
Gravenstein's daughter Megan, who arrived at the scene after the lethal attack, provided a longer narrative to DogsBite, including the legal proceedings that followed. Her Twitter account provides more videos and photographs of the dreadful behavior of the caretaker of the dogs -- a female teenager who was house-sitting the dogs at the time. Like many victims of dog attacks, the Gravensteins were shocked by the violence then faced the cruel behavior that followed.
Megan shares her story with DogsBite.org to raise awareness and hopefully to save another pet's life. "I'm sharing this painful story in hopes to raise awareness," Megan wrote. "It won't bring our beloved kitty back, but at least it can maybe save another pet, or heaven forbid a child. They must be held accountable for their irresponsible, illegal, heartless actions. I'm in shock that people can be so cruel. I am hoping that something positive can come from this pain. I miss you Boomer."
The sunny morning of January 21st faded into midnight clouds with a call from my mom. Her voice was breaking, so instantly I knew something was wrong. I never could have envisioned it was this. She cried out that our beloved Boomer was gone. I screamed, "NO, is this a joke?" It had to have been. This doesn't happen to our family. This is something we see on TV and on social media. I threw on some clothes and drove the longest 20 minutes to my parent's house calling the cops on my way.
"He was a handsome Maine Coon, who had soul piercing emerald-green eyes with shimmering flecks of gold. He was a special part of our family for 10 years..."Boomer was our family cat, but truthfully more so my dad's. He was a handsome Maine Coon, who had soul piercing emerald-green eyes with shimmering flecks of gold. He was a special part of our family for 10 years and came with an oversized personality. We would joke and say he was bipolar because one minute he was cuddling you, then in the next, looking at you as his second course. The stinker actually cornered me a few times growling and hissing. Luckily for me, he would eventually back off so I could execute my escape. However, those instances were seldom and when his PMS subsided, he was a huge furball of love. He was always an inside cat, but over the past few years had developed a love for being outside in the sunshine or captivated by the stars on a cool night. He was never allowed to stay out for very long, and our go-to method for luring him back in was his favorite treats. You just had to shake the container and shout "TUNA TREATS!" My parents battled with forcing him to stay in, which was a fight that wasn't always won. We just wanted him to be safe. Boomer never ventured far. We would find him either in the back behind our gate or right outside the front door. That's where he was when the tragedy took place. Innocently asleep on our front door welcome mat with his paws crossed.
My mom and dad heard a ruckus outside the front door and discovered a pit bull and boxer-mix attacking our cat. They were out LEASH-LESS with no owner. My dad began to shout and tried beating them off with his fists, a shoe, then my mom handed him one of those grab-it sticks that hardly fazed the persistent dogs. My parents didn't have anything substantial in reach to use in defense. They never imagined needing anything for this. My dad said whenever he got one dog off Boomer, the other dog would latch onto Boomer and the free dog would lunge at my dad. It was a tag-team attack. Those dogs were on a mission to do severe harm, and they weren't going to stop until they were satisfied. In the end, my dad sustained injuries to his hand, leaving it swollen and bruised.
"Both the mom and daughter were laughing about the situation! The girl gave me the finger, and while my dad was in the ambulance, she was clapping like it was all a joke."Finally, a teenage girl came out from the house across the street and dragged the dogs inside. My mom proceeded to wrap Boomer up in a blanket to rush him to the ER vet. Unfortunately, he didn't make it out of the driveway. Our beloved kitty passed away. The entire vicious attack was caught on my parent's ring doorbell camera.
I pulled up to my parent's house as they were on their way back from our vet. I waited in my own personal pain bubble, as sadness forced its way through me like an unrelenting tornado. The constable arrived right after my parents. He knocked on their door, but cowardly no one would answer, even though we both saw someone peeking through the blinds. The constable said that was illegal. Although, in the end, they weren't cited for it.
About 20 minutes later, and after more police arrived, the teenage girl's mother drove up to discover they were house-sitting for the dogs' owners who were out of town. She stumbled over her "defense," accusing us of over exaggerating when she found out it was all caught on video. While showing her the footage, she announced something that shot a fire of anger through my veins. It was, "Well, It's just a cat!" she said. He was OUR cat!! They had zero remorse for what the dogs had done. Both the mom and daughter were laughing about the situation! The girl gave me the finger, and while my dad was in the ambulance, she was clapping like it was all a joke. We were not behaving in any threatening manner to deserve that heartless response.The sitters were not ticketed for anything because they were not the owners. Plus, they claimed they didn't know how the dogs got out. Who cares how? The point is they were responsible for the dogs at the time, and therefore deserve to be held accountable for their illegal, irresponsible actions. We were advised to take them to court and file under the Dangerous Dog Act, so that's what we did.
"The judge was nice but he didn't read into our case. He didn't even look at the ring doorbell video. I thought I was in the twilight zone!"The hearing for Boomer was on Valentine's Day, a celebration that will never be the same again. It's supposed to be a time of love and joy, instead it brought us pain and fear. The house-sitters were not present. Just the owners of the dogs, who brought an inconsiderate, cheeky lawyer. On our side, it was the three of us -- my mom, dad and myself -- and we brought our truth. With the judge's request, we discussed things privately to come up with an agreement. Of course, the dogs' owners were apologetic. Preaching it was out of the dogs' character, they're very sweet, trustworthy around kids, have never gotten out before and will not get loose again. They also apologized for the repulsive behavior the house-sitters inflicted, and said they would not be allowed to watch the dogs anymore. Their biggest concern was the dogs being declared dangerous. They would have to invest in some hefty extra fees and follow a lot of strict rules. For example, implanted microchips, having to be walked with a muzzle and a bright collar that says a "Dangerous Dog" on it. They must be on a leash at all times and be kept in an enclosed secure area preventing escape. In addition, they could not take the dogs to a public park.
The owners wanted to come up with a deal in exchange for my family to stop pursuing the case any further. This brings us into the final steps of justice for Boomer. My parents were contemplating moving from their home of 27 years, which was not their first choice. My mom just wants to feel safe and not have to worry when taking their dog Gizmo out. So they wanted to put up a wrought iron gated fence along their property. Their lawyer offered $1,500 the owners would pay towards a fence. I spoke up and said, "NO. That's pointless!" Suddenly, their lawyer was interested to know who I was!
My parents came back with a final offer, which also included paying for Boomer's cremation and the rabies shot my dad had to get. If they did not agree to take our final offer, my parents would move forward with the Dangerous Dog declaration. In conclusion, the dogs' owners took the deal. It wasn't much; Boomer is priceless. They got to bring their dogs home from a mandatory hold, while we went home to no Boom Boom. If you ask me, they got off incredibly lucky.
"I'm so furious that due to their careless actions of not properly containing the dogs, he will forever have that traumatic image in his head of this soul-crushing event."My heart literally breaks for my dad. He is devastated. Boomer meant so much to him, and they had an incredible bond. He would lounge on his chest, watch TV together and nap. Wherever my dad was, his partner in crime followed. He could always put the biggest smile on my dad's face, especially when he needed it the most while recovering from his cancer treatments. I'm so furious that due to their careless actions of not properly containing the dogs, he will forever have that traumatic image in his head of this soul-crushing event. He will always think, and wish, there was more he could have done to save his best friend. Painfully there just wasn't. The heart wrenching part is that this was easily preventable. Boomer's story may be over now legally, but emotionally it's just beginning. We will miss you, and love you to infinity. To make heaven the perfect resting place for loved ones we adore, God made sure those pearly gates contained a kitty door.
-Megan Gravenstein
Family fights for Justice for Boomer after beloved cat is brutally killed by two unleashed dogs.
Despite the dramatic video footage of the attack, the true trauma, panic and helplessness to save Boomer experienced by Megan's parents are only partially witnessed. You hear more of this depth in Linda Gravenstein's voice when she talks about being afraid to go out to her own car after the attack. As Megan states, the legal aspect of Boomer's attack is now over, but the emotional parts are just beginning. "To be mauled to death like that. It's just not right," Ray said about Boomer.
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Two words: Civil Lawsuit. Gravenstein family, I hope you file one. And win big.
Sadly I bet they signed that right away to get the pittance they mentioned in the article. I really wish they hadn’t settled. I wonder if they had not settled if the judge would have watched the video?
I understand they had been through so much at that point and didn’t want the owners to get off Scott free, a real possibility. I still wish they had gone for it and got the dogs declared dangerous. The owner could have put them down if that was too expensive after all “They are just dogs”.
This just highlights the lack of respect, courtesy, and empathy in the general population. Whether it’s trying to walk through Walmart and having someone stand in your way and talk while making eye contact with you but refusing to move, or having two dogs kill your innocent cat and then the caretaker laughing like it’s a joke. This is where we are at, people. We’re all going to hell in a handbasket because we’ve forgotten how to treat each other with basic respect and dignity. The fact that they didn’t even show remorse or concern is downright scary to me.
Yet another example of psychopaths who own dangerous dogs.
Very strange mindset – a dog needs to kill someone, in order to be declared dangerous. How about some common sense: if a dog is big enough and has strong enough jaws, it’s dangerous, period. Realistically, something can click, any minute, in it’s animal brain, and it can attack. In a sane world, it would be obvious that every dog should only be outside with leash and muzzle, without any declarations. I shouldn’t have to carry a bear maze going for a walk with my child, because some sick person chooses to own a dangerous dog and treat it like a “friend” instead of an animal, which it is.
Sometimes I think people are in strangely codependent relationships with their dogs. I see bumper stickers declaring their love for their dogs, etc. You have to wonder if they parade their dogs around for attention or if they just can’t stand to be alone for a moment? Dog owners often blur the line between animal and human. If a dog gets hit by a car, it may be temporarily devastating, but the pain will not permeate and last the way a child being mauled to death by a dog would. I really think these crazy people have a very hard time differentiating the two.
I agree, Mama Bear. When I meet someone who’s that “into” dogs, I can’t help wondering what’s gone wrong in their lives.
And I’m also wary of them. Because no matter how hard I’d try to have any sort of relationship, I’d always be playing second fiddle to the dog.
Dogs that attack cats are also unreasonably dangerous. Despite what one will see on Looney Tunes, it is not natural for a dog to attack a cat. Dogs chase cats and anything else that moves, but do not normally catch them, kill them or eat them. When the cat stops running, turns around and hisses at the dog, the fun is over. A non-deranged dog will not commence fighting this fast, agile and determined creature with its 16 stilettoes and needle-sharp teeth. https://dogbitelaw.com/vicious-dogs/a-propensity-to-attack-other-dogs-means-a-dog-is-dangerous-to-people
I agree. I have a large (normal breed) dog and four cats. The dog has never once made a single aggressive move toward the cats. Aside from the occasional touching of noses, my dog and cats ignore one another. Same thing with outdoor cats we see on our walks. My dog barely glances at them.
A dog slaughtering cats, especially cats who are doing nothing but peacefully napping on a porch, is NEVER ok. This story makes me sick inside.
It’s true. My dogs and my parent’s dog will chase squirrels all day long. (Like the dog in Up, if you’ve ever seen that movie.) But those dogs know who the boss is when the cat walks in the room. They’re not buddies, but they have never chased her or acted aggressively toward a cat in the house. Running toward or messing with, sure. But no trying to kill. One of my bonehead dogs even tried to make friends with a skunk one early morning. It was all wagging tails and curious interest until he got blasted in the face. That was a fun time!
A “pet lover” acquaintance just sent me an email forward from the ASPCA yesterday, urging support of federal legislation that would abolish “holding times” for pit bulls confiscated from dogfighting rings. Instead, they want the dogs to be adopted or put in foster homes right away. Grimly, this proposed legislation is being called the “HEART” Act.
Wouldn’t you like to see bred, conditioned, and experienced fighting dogs adopted into your neighborhood? As usual, the ASPCA is being truly “heart”-less toward all other pets who may end up in the jaws of aggressive dogs.
We don’t have the money of these big lobby groups, but we all have our stories, and voices, to talk to our legislators about what’s going on.
Those big lobby groups get money from people. And, truth be told, I used to donate money to my local humane society. I no longer do. Reason: Their relentless pushing of pit bulls.
I’m just one person, but I don’t think I’m the only one.
No, you’re not the only one. I consistently use money as my voice.
I just made my first donation to dogsbite.org!!! Colleen, thank you for the excellent research, content, and fighting this battle!
I just made my second donation (and am commenting because I know seeing other people say so has been the spur I needed in the past!)
Seconding the thanks for the website.
This is why a part of me cheers every time one of these pit bull owners gets taken out by their own ‘pet’. They have a totally sociopathic disregard for all other lives, from the cat lounging peacefully in its own yard (“just a cat!”) to the child down the street (count down ‘til we hear them saying “just a kid!”).
My heart breaks for Boomer and the terror this poor gentle creature had to experience in his last moments. I hope the Gravensteins can heal from this and feel — and be — safe again.
Following on your “just a cat” or “just a kid” comment, they very well would think that, but not all would say it. This is because the sociopaths that own dangerous dogs all have something in common. They are narcissistic and manipulative. All sociopaths share these traits, along with a lack of empathy. They manipulate facts in order to diminish any wrongdoing. This ties into their narcissistic “I am perfect and can do no wrong” trait. They may fake empathy, but none truly have the capacity for it. They will think “it’s just a cat/kid” but most wouldn’t say it in order to save face, because they are narcissistic.
This is just something I’ve learned from years of research and close observation of a family member.
By the way, all serial killers are also sociopaths. This has to make you wonder if all of these maulings are truly accidental.
Pit bull owners seem to fall into one of two categories. The sociopathic, unstable, mentally ill group, or the ones who believe the lie that pit bulls are no different than Golden Retrievers and believe they’re committing some altruistic act by “saving a poor misunderstood pibble.”
Both are dangerous to the general public, but for very different reasons. The level of depravity I’ve seen from pit bull owners will make your blood run cold. The sick, inhuman things they say is unfathomable to normal people. The key word is normal. If I had a bunch of money and a degree in neurology, I would study the brains of pit bull owners (even though it’s not confirmed they actually have brains). I would bet there is a deficiency in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex, just like in sociopaths and psychopaths.
Unfortunately I haven’t a bunch of money or a degree in neuroscience. What I do have is 2 beautiful kids and a S&W to protect them with, because those depraved people live among us. The one benefit of pit bulls is that they help us identify many of those people in society we should most likely avoid! Like a modern day scarlet letter.
This is so true!
Although I personally don’t know any pitbull owners without that hint of sociopath in them (usually manifests as narcissism) I suppose dumb people also exist.
We have a beautiful Maine Coon as well. Poppy is her name, and she is about the sweetest cat I’ve ever had the pleasure to meet. My 8 year old daughter is extremely attached to her. Even my tough guy veteran husband enjoys her company, gently kneading and purring on our laps in bed at night.
Boomer and Poppy might be “just a cat” but we love them. They’re part of our daily routines. They’re our buddies and can make our day. When I think of all the ways Poppy is a part of our life, I can only imagine how awful it must be to suddenly lose that in a violent, disgusting way, the way Boomer was lost. I know what it would do to me emotionally, but I can’t imagine my daughter’s reaction.
My heart goes out to the Gravensteins. They and Boomer didn’t deserve to go through such a horrific ordeal, all because some fool couldn’t do the most basic form of responsibility and contain those dogs. And then to act like demented sub-human trash on top of it. Sickening.
I’ll give Poppy and extra scratch under the chin tonight, in Boomer’s memory.
I do feel this way about my 12 year old Siamese kitties. Although they are strictly indoor. I had them before I had real children. Naturally when the real children came along, my priorities changed, but I still love them just the same and I don’t believe they deserve any type of cruel fate like this poor cat.
Does anyone know their twitter site? I’d love to express my sorrow at their loss and wish them well.
To the moderator … I didn’t think about you being on twitter. Following you now with my nonpolitical account and I will follow with my political one which will reach more people (10 vs 8,000+ followers).
God bless boomer xxx
Want to extend my sympathies to you and your family for the loss of such a loving family member!! I can certainly relate having my little 5 pound yorkie killed by my neighbors Rottweiler over 20 years ago. To this day I’m am still haunted by that horrific experience. 2 other of my dogs disappeared the previous year from my backyard and we have long suspected they met the same fate but weren’t able to prove it. As you , we also were disgusted with the lack of basic humanity from our irresponsible neighbors who wasted no time telling the other neighbors We were responsible for the attack for lacking a suitable fence for a large dog( we didn’t have a large dog!) after that experience I’ve paid much closer attention to the attitudes of people with large potentially dangerous dogs and have noticed the complete disregard for the most basic of responsibility relating to their dogs. Not having any truly enforced laws that protect us from these slobs leaves you feeling rather helpless! I am interested in knowing how people feel about tough, gritty and enforced regulations in regard to dogs over a certain weight limit. I believe it could be considered discriminatory to target a certain breed but by separating them into a weight class would present a good argument. After all we don’t see 15 lb cats or dogs mauling someone to death! So please share your opinion with me on this matter!