Posted on April 25, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Four Pit Bulls Maul New Mexico Woman to Death

Margaret Salcedo, 48-years old, was brutally killed by four pit bulls on Easter Sunday

Dog Owners Jailed
UPDATE 10/19/11: In a sudden turn of events, the couple whose pit bulls mauled Margaret Salcedo to death Easter Sunday were jailed yesterday after two persons from Child Protective Services came forward with new information about the dogs. Joseph Hardiman, 40-years old, and his wife Maria Angelica "Angie" Hardiman, 32-years old, face charges of conspiracy and four felony counts of violating the New Mexico Dangerous Dog Act, according to court documents.

The news comes a few weeks after District Attorney Clint Wellborn announced that charges would not be filed, unless credible sources came forward with information showing that the dogs' owners "knew of the propensity of a dog to inflict serious injury." The new information was provided to Wellborn a day after his announcement. Both employees had seen the pit bulls and heard about their upbringing during supervised visits between Angie Hardiman and her daughter.

During two supervised visits in 2010, Angie Hardiman allegedly told one of the employees she and her husband "were going to train the puppies to be attack dogs and that they were going to sell them as guard dogs," according to Tuesday's filing. At a subsequent meeting, Angie Hardiman reportedly brought one of the dogs - Diesel - into the CYFD office, where it lunged at an employee, repeatedly growling and snapping at her until she retreated.

Angie Hardiman was not allowed to bring the pit bulls to subsequent meetings.

However, at another meeting, Angie Hardiman reportedly mentioned that she had had to euthanize her dogs' mother "because she hurt another dog ... crush(ing) all the bones in the other dog's head," court documents state. (Ashley Meeks, Silver City-Sun News)

The victim's brother, Gary Salcedo, and a group of local residents had pressured Wellborn to charge the Hardimans under the state's Dangerous Dog Act for months. Speaking to the ABQ Journal, Gary Salcedo said, "Has this been a very emotional, draining task? Yes. Has it been financially draining? Yes, but it’s something that had to be done. And that makes it worthwhile. That’s the key fact, that somehow, somewhere, she (Margaret Salcedo) will get justice."

09/29/11: DA Will Not File Charges
Last week, the Las Cruces Sun News reported a foretelling update in the mauling death of Margaret Salcedo. The paper wrote that more than four months after she was savaged to death by four loose pit bulls while walking along a public road, the local district attorney is "prepared to announce" if criminal charges will be filed in the case. A telltale sign that no charges would be brought was included in the second paragraph about the dogs' owner:

...former Truth or Consequences police Officer John Hardiman, a certified dog handler and trainer.

As expected, District Attorney Clint Wellborn announced yesterday that charges would not be filed. Wellborn's reasoning mainly relies upon the absurdity of state law. Like Texas, New Mexico is governed by a "one bite" rule. In 2005, the family of Emma-Leigh Chambers-Allen helped pass a state felony law,1 but the law is moot unless the owner knew or should have known that his dogs were vicious. Wellborn said that investigators were unable to uncover such evidence.2

Wellborn also said that Hardiman had worked with a variety of police departments, including one month for the Truth or Consequences police in 2008 and had two certificates showing advanced training with guard dogs. The investigation found that both of the certificates were falsified. "But even if the certificates were authentic," Wellborn said, "it does not prove that Mr. Hardiman had knowledge that the dogs had the propensity to inflict serious injury or were vicious."3

04/26/11: Neighbor's Respond to Attack
KVIA.com reports that the victim, Margaret Salcedo, was the mother of two with one grandchild and another on the way. Arriving officer James Harrington said, "The first thing I saw was the female subject lying on the roadway with four of these dogs surrounding her, literally on top of her, ripping chunks of flesh from her." Neighbor (and Maul Talker) Linda Roth said in one breath, it was a "blood curdling scream" and in the next breath, "It's not the dog, it's the owner."

This deflection of blame away from the pit bulls, who violently killed an innocent woman, is shameful and pathetic. Truly Ms. Roth, it was not the dogs' owners, John and Maria Hardiman, out on the pavement Easter Sunday "ripping chunks of flesh" from Salcedo. It was their four pit bulls, who reportedly had no prior incidents of aggression. The Hardimans are responsible for all criminal and civil penalties. But let's be clear on who did the actual ripping and killing.

04/26/11: Imagery of Dogs Captured
Imagery of three of the four pit bulls has been captured by KOB.com. Witness Laura Russell was also interviewed. Russell won't be forgetting anytime soon what she saw, specifically the horrific condition of Margaret Salcedo after being ripped apart by four pit bulls. One pit bull can and will brutally attack and kill an adult. Four pit bulls? Salcedo, who is described as a loving person without a mean bone in her body, did not stand a whisper of a chance against these dogs.

Our hearts go out to the Salcedo family.

04/25/11: Victim: Margaret Salcedo
Truth or Consequences, NM - In a developing story, a woman was killed Easter Sunday by four pit bulls in a New Mexico town. Margaret Salcedo, 48-years old, was walking alone when the four dogs, who had escaped from a private residence, viciously attacked Salcedo. Police Chief Patrick Gallagher said the victim was "bitten on all her extremities and lost a lot of blood." She died within hours of reaching the hospital. The dogs belonged to John and Maria Hardiman.

1The wording of the felony penalty law (77-1A-6) re-emphasizes the state's "one bite" rule: "Prosecution pursuant to this section requires a showing that: (1) an owner knew of the propensity of a dog to inflict serious injury."
2Truth or consequences?
3Owning four pit bulls ought to be evidence enough. More details about the DA's findings is located in an ABQ Journal article, unfortunately, the paper has a pay wall.

Photos: KOB.com

Posted on April 24, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Ardmore Man Mauled to Death by Chained Pit Bull

Virgil Cantrell, 50-years old, was killed by a pit bull that was tethered to a porch.

Dog Owners Convicted
UPDATE 09/28/11: A Carter County jury took just three hours to convict a couple of charges in connection to the dog mauling death of Virgil Cantrell. Rickey Lynn Grant and his wife, Lisa Kay Bloxham-Grant, were convicted with ownership of a dangerous dog causing the death of a person. The jury's sentencing recommendation was that each pay a $5,000 fine. This is a far lower punishment than the statute allows. Formal sentencing will be conducted next month.

05/08/11: Felony Charges Brought
The Daily Ardmoreite reports that felony charges have been filed against the owners of the "white in color pit bull" that brutally mauled an Ardmore man to death in April. Assistant District Attorney Tim Burson filed "ownership of a dangerous dog causing death of a person" Friday against Ricky Lynn Grant, 40, and Lisa Kay Bloxham-Grant, 40. Court documents show that the dog inflicted "massive sharp force injuries" in the attack, including fracturing Cantrell's right jaw.1

If convicted, the couple faces possible prison sentences of five years and fines up to $25,000.

04/25/11: New Images of Scene Released
News9.com reports an important clarification: Authorities removed the remaining dogs from Grant's property. This is good news for the community and for the seized pit bulls. The group also reports that the victim, Virgil Cantrell, was on good terms with the offending pit bull, named Ike. After many previous porch sittings with the dog, the animal "suddenly attacked" and killed him Friday. The video also shows imagery of the dog after being shot to death by police.

Imagine if the video had shown images of Virgil with his face torn off?

04/25/11: Dogs Disappear from Property
KXII brings us footage of Rick Grant's property on Petty Road. The imagery shows at least two breeding bitches with docked tails -- the latter being uncommon -- as well as what appears to be the blood spattered porch where one pit bull was chained while it fatally attacked Virgil Cantrell. Neighbor Lindsey Crook talks about two prior yard accidents involving the offending pit bull, one concerning a bite inflicted upon her son that required stitches about a month ago.

Once again disproving the myth that biting pit bulls are "culled" by dogfighters2 or pit bull owners in general.

According to neighbors, "someone removed" the breeding bitches from Grant's property after the fatal incident. No doubt to recreate more biters and pit bulls most likely used for the illegal purposes of dogfighting. The offending pit bull, probably a male, was shot and killed on the scene by Carter County Sheriff's Deputies. Finally, and as the article points out, biting incidents that occur on private property (50-70% of all dog bites), don't always count for much.

04/24/11: Dog a Previous Two-Time Biter
Ardmore, OK - In a developing story, a 50-year old man was killed by a pit bull Friday night that was chained to the porch of a rural Ardmore home. Carter County Undersheriff Milton Anthony said Virgil A. Cantrell died en route to a Dallas hospital following the attack at the Petty Road residence of Rick Grant, the owner of the dog. Anthony said the victim sustained severe facial, head and throat injuries. When deputies arrived, the animal was still chained to the porch.

It appears no one was home during the deadly mauling, though Grant and his wife were scarce Friday night. The two reappeared Saturday and voluntarily submitted to interviews. Records show that authorities have answered two previous calls at the Grant residence for dog bites. On Monday, charges of harboring a vicious animal will be sought. After the investigation is completed, and the district attorney reviews the information, upgraded charges may be sought.

1As well as fracturing the right side of his carvical vertabra. It sounds like the pit bull broke the man's neck.
2Biting pit bulls were not culled in 1909 and they are certainly not culled today.

Posted on April 21, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

Fabian's Law Passes in Arizona; Increases Penalties for Owners of Aggressive Dogs

Inspires State Law
Phoenix, AZ - In September, we published a post (Craven Desires: Weekly Frankenmauler Round Up Collection) about the many beloved pets who are savaged by pit bulls. The post also wrote of a dog named Fabian, who was killed by a pit bull in 2009, and how its owners, Richard and Sally Andrade, were working to change state law. Today, Fabian's Law became a reality. One can see in the video that this was no minor undertaking by the Andrades.

The new law (HB 2137) increases penalties for owners of aggressive dogs involved in attacks upon pets and humans. Prior to Fabian's Law, there were no civil or criminal penalties in Arizona for pet-on-pet attacks. As Sally states in the video, "This is going to save lives." Readers must understand that an aggressive dog who maims or kills other pets -- not "bites," but maims or kills -- often advances to inflicting similar attacks upon humans, usually children.1

Congratulations Richard and Sally Andrade!

1The pit bull that scalped and nearly killed Shaylee Crosson had previously killed two other dogs. This is very often the "norm" in cities and counties where violent pet-on-pet attacks are regarded as dust under the rug.

Posted on April 13, 2011 by Colleen Lynn

2011 Dog Bite Fatality: Frankfort Girl Mauled to Death by Pet Rottweiler

Katrina Mitchell was charged with endangerment after her rottweiler killed her baby.

Under the Influence
UPDATE 07/16/11: New details emerged in the criminal case against Katrina Mitchell. A police affidavit filed in court Friday stated that Mitchell began drinking beer about 3 pm that afternoon. Tests done later that night showed her blood alcohol level to be about .30, over three times the legal driving limit in Maine. Mitchell also tested positive for THC (marijuana). Two hours later, she passed out on the couch. At 7 pm, she awoke to her dead, clawed up child.

"The number of claw marks on Annabelle Mitchell's body were extensive and could not be the result of one or two brief contacts between the dog and Annabelle," wrote Deputy Chief Medical Examiner Michael Ferenc, who conducted the autopsy. He said the wounds showed the baby was "alive for at least part of the mauling, and she would have been capable of crying and/or screaming due to pain."

Endangering the welfare of a child is a Class D misdemeanor crime in the State of Maine, punishable by up to one year in jail and a $2,000 fine. In a similar, but California scenario, Valerie Carlson was arrested and charged in April with five felony counts of cruelty to a child with possible injury or death after allegedly being "passed out drunk" on the couch when the family dog, Zeus, killed her 2-year old son. Carlson faced up to 19 years in prison afterward.

07/14/11: Mother Arrested and Charged
Bangor Daily News reports that three months after a family rottweiler mauled a 7-month old girl to death, authorities arrested the child's mother. Maine State Police arrested 29-year old Katrina Mitchell at her home on Wednesday and charged her with endangering the welfare of a child. Mitchell was taken to Waldo County Jail and held in lieu of $1,060 bail. Criminal charges were filed after discussions between the police and district attorney's office.

Annabelle was killed on April 12 in the living room of her home by the family rottweiler, named Hannibal. At the time of the incident, Annabelle's mother was asleep on the couch and her two-and-a-half-year old brother was in the home. Mitchell called 911 just before 7 pm to report the attack, but the toddler was dead when emergency responders arrived. The child's father, John Mitchelle, was not at home during the attack and later asked a deputy to shoot the dog.

04/13/11: Victim: Annabelle Mitchell
Bangor Daily News reports that a family rottweiler killed a 7-month old girl yesterday. Katrina Mitchell found her daughter in the living room of their home. Stephen McCausland, a spokesman for the Maine Department of Public Safety, said the child's mother called 911 after the incident. A Waldo County Sheriff’s Department deputy shot the animal dead at the request of the child's father. An autopsy of Annabelle Mitchell is scheduled to take place today.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: U.S. Fatal Rottweiler Attacks By State

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