Posted on September 11, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

Adopted Dog is a Serial Cat Killer, City Pound Allegedly Refuses to Take Dog Back, and Veterinarian Allegedly Refuses to Euthanize

The alleged serial cat-killing dog that the city pound won't take back.

Need Help ASAP
Corpus Christi, TX - On September 7, Crystal posted to a public Facebook group about her sister's unnamed serial cat-killing dog. The spayed American bulldog has "broken a window in the house to get out, she's torn up a door, she has ripped up the fence numerous times" to kill cats. Her sister has "redone the fence over 10 times even with metal barriers and the dog gets out each time." The dog even ripped off the bumper of a truck and bent the metal to reach a cat inside, Crystal alleges.

Crystal states the dog was adopted from Corpus Christi Animal Care a year ago, but the pound now refuses to take her back, and a veterinarian will not euthanize this 6-year old dog because "she's too young." She asks for any rescues "that can help her out." Many of the commenters are foolish and reckless, such as advising "calming treats" or "Trazodone" or "rubbing dead cat on the dog" and that "Cesar Millan has a video on dog preying on other animals." Just do not "surrender or euthanize!"

A sane commenter tells her: "Are you waiting until the dog kills a child, and you get arrested? You are so lucky you haven’t been sued or shot by an irate neighbor. Get the dog euthanized. There are vets that will do it ... you would never be able to trust this dog. Face reality." Another remarks, "You cannot train out an instinctive prey drive. This dog has broken out a window and fences? Genetics play an enormous role in this dog’s behavior ... The prey drive is off the charts and presents a huge liability."1

Crystal - September 7, 2024 - My sister is having a huge issue that needs help asap. She adopted a dog from the pound she was a sweet girl but her attraction to kill cats have turned into a disaster! She has broken a window in the house to get out, she's torn up a door She has ripped up the fence numerous times, got out and goes straight to kill neighborhood cats. She has redone the fence over 10 times even with metal barriers and the dog gets out each time and fast! She has tried only taking her out with a leash even though the yard is fenced but if a stray comes in the yard she charges at the cat (she's strong) ripping the leash out my sister's hands. It's gotten worst a cat went into the neighbors truck to hide and her dog ripped off the bumper and bend the metal of the car to get to the cat. Neighbor had to file a claim. My sister felt she needs to surrender the dog back to the pound before she attacks any more cats or worst people since she chases people on bikes but the pound said they can't take her back and suggested her get her euthanized but the vet said that she's too young so they probably won't do it and my sister is heartbroken because she doesn't want her put down. She's a sweet girl to people but very aggressive to other animals she doesn't aim to hurt she aims to kill. Is there any rescues that can help her out?!?

Crystal Reply 09/08/24: H.R. she was adopted a year ago at the Corpus Christi animal shelter. At first she was sweet and would just bark at the door when a cat would walk by at their apartment. Once they moved into a home and had a yard for her to be free to roam the yard that's when disaster hit and even keeping her in the house isn't an option because she broke through the window and through the door. My sister has to have someone watching rescue her while she's at work because God knows what she will do if she was left unattended.

Crystal Reply 09/08/24: J.A. yes she has, she has had 2 different trainers and neither one has been able to help.

Crystal Reply 09/08/24: K.D. corpus, 6 years old and yes she is fixed.

Crystal Reply 09/09/24: A.V. my sister has put in the work and a lot of repairs she fears for other animals and children since the behavior has gotten worse. She thought having a yard to run around in would be great for the dog but a little freedom turned into a nightmare. This isn't easy for her to try to find a rescue she loves the dog very much but she can't control her two trainers couldn't train her and she is having to battle neighbors who want to hurt the dog and sue my sister even though she tries every day to repair the fence over and over again, keep the dog on a leash keep her supervised ect. To assume she is just a lazy owner is completely wrong because she has literally done everything she can! She needs a rescue that will take her, not judgment from anyone who isn't willing to take the dog in.

Crystal Reply 09/09/24: M.M.F. it's not my dog it's my sister's dog she is looking for a rescue for the dog. Do you know any recur that can help? You aren't living this nightmare and you aren't the one who is liable for cats getting killed or someone getting hurt so your opinions mean nothing. My sister has done EVERYTHING and nothing works! Returning the dog was last resort but now they won't even take the dog back.

Major Liability Dog

According to Crystal, a neighbor has already filed a claim, and other neighbors "want to hurt the dog and sue my sister." So, she has some grasp of the term "legal liability." She also states, "God knows what [the dog] will do if she was left unattended." This major liability dog, has already allegedly had two trainers. But Crystal seeks a "miraculous" rescue that will "take her, not judgment from anyone who isn't willing to take the dog in." You know what they say readers, "Good luck winning the Lottery."

Social media is littered with stories about dogs like this one and owners like Crystal's unidentified sister. But how much of the story is true? A similar female dog, "Big Bertha," owned by her sister had a "cyst that keeps bleeding" back in January 2023. Funds were raised by her sister here and here. Crystal also raised funds for the procedure and stated that due to her "sister's living situation," she "volunteered to take Bertha in." Thus, Crystal became the new owner of 8-year old Big Bertha.

The fuzzy, muddy story of who owns either dog and where the dogs came from begin to make the cat-killing claims, and her sister having to reinforce "the fence over 10 times even with metal barriers and the dog gets out each time" seem exaggerated. But who really knows? Crystal is indeed trying to get rid of a dangerous dog. She also tells the story of a dog that she has no way to manage, has become a major liability and is "very aggressive to other animals; she doesn't aim to hurt she aims to kill."

At 6 or 8-years old, either dog is not "too young" to put down, and a serial cat-killing dog is never too young to put down. But she wants the serial cat killer to become someone else's problem, even after painting this appalling "unrehabilitatable" story of the dog's dangerous behavior. The dog has such a poor prognosis, according to Crystal's story, that no rescue would ever want the dog. Yet, she persists, as if she is seeking "permission" from 20 or more commenters that euthanasia is the only route.

The "Sickness" of No-Kill

The story of the cat killer -- whether true or not -- is the bi-product of "no-kill," which refuses behavior euthanasia unless the dog exhibits "offensive aggression to humans" or "unpredictable aggression to humans" or "uninterruptible drive." Crystal's story checks the last box. "Uninterruptible drive is when a dog has an uncontrollable/unstoppable drive to seek out conflict with other animals." If a human can't interrupt the predatory behavior, the dog qualifies for the no-kill behavior euthanasia protocol.

The "sickness" of no-kill is that people like Crystal may feel forced to "invent" extreme aggression stories because it is the only way to get "permission" from social media fans to euthanize for behavior. Many people do not have the financial resources for trainers. Many types of dog aggression -- far less extreme than the no-kill euthanasia protocol -- are unsafe in neighborhoods and cannot be properly managed by their owners. Euthanasia may be the only realistic form of owner management.

Managed Intake Shelter

Corpus Christi Animal Care Services (CCACS) is a "managed intake" shelter -- not true open admission. When surrendering pets, they "only accept owned pets when kennel space exists and by appointment only." Their website also states, "owned animals brought to CCACS can be immediately humanely euthanized if inadequate space exists, if the animal is not highly adoptable, or if the animal appears to be ill or injured." The cat killer is unadoptable. But euthanasia would not have been denied.

The problem with surrendering the cat killing dog to CCACS is that there is a $50 surrender fee, and it is $100 for a "bite" animal, states their website.

According to the city ordinance (Sec. 6-39), the cat killer should be a designated Level 2 Aggressive Dog (the highest), due to being unrestrained and killing cats. There should have been an Aggressive Dog investigation, impoundment, affidavits, a hearing, testimony by witnesses and more (Sec. 6-40). The owner also would have been required to obtain a $100,000 insurance policy. It was easier to claim CCACS "refused to take her back" than to face any consequences CCACS might have presented.

Cat Killer "Still" Unmanageable

Whatever grifting may be occurring is moot. What we are concerned about are the untruths, emotional manipulations, and virtue signaling used to pawn off a hazardous dog to a third party, all because (1) the dangerous behaviors cannot be managed (2) there is a refusal to euthanize through a proper channel, and to lie about this too, and (3) the possible invention of extreme aggression stories because it is the only way to get "permission" from social media fans to euthanize for dangerous behavior.

We are concerned about the unhealthy avenues fanatical no-kill advocacy leads people down when they are facing the only community safe option.

There is no debate that dogs are an emotional subject, and that people love their dogs. But when a dog exhibits what Crystal describes as an uninterruptible drive to kill animals, cats specifically, and the owner has "exhausted" all means of management, the conversation on social media should be an honest one. "We've made the compassionate decision to put down our dog because her drive to escape reinforced restraints to kill our neighbors cats is something we can no longer manage." 😢💔

The fuzzy, muddy story of who owns Big Bertha and where the dog was rehomed from.

1More sane comments: "Get her some professional help or put her down. This is ridiculous. She can’t be trusted without help. I’d shoot her myself if she killed one of my cats." And, "My father was a veterinarian. This dog needs to be euthanized. There is no way to change the prey drive."

Posted on September 6, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Child Killed by Family Pit Bull in Visalia, 'Thoughts and Prayers' from Police Department

"Thoughts and prayers" after Zoey Hawkins was killed by a family pit bull in Visalia.

Family Pit Bull Kills Child
Visalia, CA - A 4-year child is dead after being attacked by a family pit bull. Just after 8:00 pm on September 4, Visalia police were called to a residence in the 2300 block of West Monte Vista for a report a child had been attacked by the family's pit bull. The child was inside the home when the attack occurred. Despite immediate medical attention and being transported to a hospital, the young girl died of her injuries. "Our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this incredibly difficult time."

Tragic Incident Claims Life of Young Girl

Just after 8 p.m. on Wednesday, September 4, 2024, Visalia PD officers were called to a home in the 2300 block of West Monte Vista after a report that a child had been attacked by the family’s pit bull.

The 4-year-old girl had just finished swimming and was inside the home when the incident occurred. Despite immediate medical attention and being transported to the hospital, she sadly passed away from her injuries.

An investigation by Violent Crimes Detectives revealed no signs of neglect or criminal wrongdoing. This heart-wrenching event is a tragedy, and our thoughts and prayers are with the family during this incredibly difficult time. - Visalia Police Department

Last year, a man was killed by a dog in Visalia while on a business property in the 2300 block of South Santa Fe Street. The California Division of Occupational Safety and Health also responded to the scene. The victim's name and age were not released by police nor was the breed of dog involved. In May of 2024, we received a response to our FOIA request. The male victim was 47-years old and the dog involved was a female pit bull. Dog ownership information was not disclosed per 964 PC.

Fundraiser for Family

A GoFundMe has been started to support the family. "We are heartbroken to share that Zoey, a vibrant and loving 4-year-old, tragically lost her life due to a devastating dog attack," the organizer states. "In this time of unimaginable grief, we are coming together to support the family." The funds will be used to cover funeral expenses. "Please consider contributing to this fund if able to help ease the hardship for Zoey's family and honor the memory of our precious little girl who touched so many lives."

By Saturday, the GoFundMe organized by Pearl Vargas had raised over $10,000. Vargas adds that after funeral costs are satisfied, "any remaining funds will go directly to her parents to help alleviate the financial burden they are facing during this incredibly difficult time." Vargas has since become a spokesperson for the family. Multiple media outlets have identified the full name of the young girl as Zoey Hawkins. One meme from a relative, the child's aunt, also identifies her as Zoey Bennett.

Child Attacked "Outside"

The father of Zoey, who has long been a pit bull addict, says police got it wrong. Zoey was not attacked inside the home. She was attacked outside just after getting out of a kiddie pool. The father went inside to get her towel, and when he turned around, "that's when the dog had already got her," Pearl Vargas, Zoey's cousin said. "She's been around this dog for two plus years," Vargas said. "Her and the dog would always play with each other ... so we have no clue on what the reason was."

Despite the father's addiction to pit bulls in the past, along with this Facebook Profile and Cover photos still displaying pit bulls, the parents are now saying they won't consider getting another dog because they have two other infant children. "So, no dogs whatsoever anymore," Vargas said. According to the parents, the pit bull latched onto her armpit. She was transported to a hospital, where she died of her injuries. The parents are still in disbelief the family pit bull "attacked her seemingly for no reason."

Pit Bulls Are Unpredictable

The Pit Bull bites to kill without signal. Starkey v. Township of Chester (1986) ... the American Pit Bull Terrier breed possesses inherent characteristics of aggression, strength, viciousness and unpredictability not found in any other breeds of dog ... pit bulls are especially dangerous due to their unpredictability ... American Pit Bull Terriers have been known to be friendly and docile at one moment, willing to sit on your lap and lick your face, and at the next moment to attack in a frenzied rage ... Such frenzies can occur at any time and for no apparent reason. Garcia v. Village of Tijeras (1988) ... to increase its effectiveness as a fighter, certain pit bull traits have been selected and maximized by controlled breeding, including ... an extraordinary directness in their method of attack that does not include the common warning signs such as barking or growling displayed by other breeds; American Dog Owners Ass'n v. Dade County (1989) ... Pit Bulls have the following distinctive behavioral characteristics ... undying tenacity and courage and they are highly unpredictable. Vanater v. Village of South Point (1989) ... Pit bull dogs possess a strongly developed "kill instinct" not shared by other breeds of dogs. This testimony indicated that pit bull dogs are unique in their "savageness and unpredictability." Hearn v. City of Overland (1989) ... At the hearing regarding the ordinance's constitutionality, the trial court was presented with evidence which established that the specific breeds targeted by the ordinance possess inherent characteristics of aggression, strength, viciousness and unpredictability not found in other dog breeds. Singer v. Cincinnati (1990) ... The trial court also found that pit bulls tend to be stronger than other dogs, often give no warning signals before attacking Colorado Dog Fanciers v. Denver (1991) ... The referee found that the qualities of a pit bull as depicted by the logo are loyalty, persistence, tenacity, and aggressiveness. We consider this as a charitable set of associations that ignores the darker side of the qualities often also associated with pit bulls: malevolence, viciousness, and unpredictability The Florida Bar v. Pape (2005) ... The Majority of jurisdictions have accepted the proposition that dogs of this type have a propensity to be aggressive and attack without provocation Hardwick v. Town of Ceredo (2013)

thoughts and prayers after family pit bull kills child

The father's Facebook page shows multiple pit bulls. The most recent photos (2022), show there are at least three adult pit bulls in the home, and at least one is a female.

The parents had a dedicated Facebook page for their female pit bull, "Tara Lynn Hawkins." A month before the attack, the mother tried to rehome 3 male pit bull puppies.

The father's Facebook page also shows multiple pit bull propaganda memes. The most recent (2023), shows a man "ditching" a female counterpart and "replacing" her with a pit bull.

View the DogsBite.org Google Map: California Fatal Pit Bull Maulings.

Related articles:
09/05/24: Children Killed by Pit Bulls Since 1980 - Fatal Pit Bull Attack Archives

Baseline reporting requirements:
Law enforcement departments across the United States should release consistent "baseline" information to the media and the public after each fatal dog mauling, including these items.

Posted on September 5, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Owner Charged with Felony After His Three 'Mastiff Breeds' Kill Man in Oakland, California

Multiple media are now reporting the death Robert Holguin, killed by three "mastiff breeds" in Oakland.

Dog Owner Charged
Oakland, CA - On September 1, a 53-year old man was killed by three loose dogs. On September 5, Brendan Thomas Burke, 57, was charged with a felony under the California statute for failing to secure his dogs resulting in death. Burke is being held at the Santa Rita Jail in Dublin. He was arraigned this morning. The victim, whose name had been withheld pending family notification, was a friend of Burke. The attack occurred in the 1600 block of 36th Avenue, where Burke's home is located.

Burke was running an errand when his three "mastiff breeds" got loose from his property and killed the man, who had attempted to hide under a vehicle, authorities said. All three dogs were turned over to animal control. There were no media reports about this vicious attack when it occurred. A 53-year old man trying to escape three large "mastiff breeds" by trying to hide under a vehicle on a residential street in the Fruitvale area only to not succeed and be mauled to death by three terrifying dogs.

The California statute -- and the subsequent speedy charges filed after the attack -- indicate at least one of the dogs had a previous bite record, and the owner failed to properly secure the dog(s). At least one of the dogs may have already had a legal designation too, such as being declared "potentially dangerous" or "dangerous" after a previous attack. Meaning, there will be considerable ease for prosecutors to "prove beyond a reasonable doubt" the owner knew the dog's dangerous propensities.

"(a) If any person owning or having custody or control of a mischievous animal, knowing its propensities, willfully suffers it to go at large, or keeps it without ordinary care, and the animal, while so at large, or while not kept with ordinary care, kills any human being who has taken all the precautions that the circumstances permitted, or which a reasonable person would ordinarily take in the same situation, is guilty of a felony."

Victim's Identity Released

The victim has been identified as Robert Holguin, 53. Around 12:20 pm Sunday, while Burke was running an errand, his three "mastiff breeds" got through a hole in his fence and attacked Holguin, who tried to hide under a vehicle. Holguin had been working on a car in a nearby driveway when the dogs attacked him, mauling his legs, arms and head, according to court documents. A person who witnessed the attack grabbed a pipe and started beating the dogs, but Holguin died at the scene.

On Thursday, authorities said the three dogs involved in the fatal attack -- two females and one male -- had been euthanized.

The three dogs are described as "half-cane corso" and half-Neapolitan mastiff; each weighing 100 pounds. Court documents state the dogs did not listen to commands and had a history of "discipline issues." Animal control officers also said the dogs had a history of escaping from Burke's yard, including one day before the fatal attack. In that instance, Burke was able to corral them back into his yard before they could harm anyone. He then blocked the hole with a dog fence and cinder blocks.

Victim was Homeless

KTVU spoke to the victim's brother, Alex Holguin, who said he visited him just three weeks ago. He said he never imagined his brother would die this way. Alex lives out of state. He said his brother was homeless and living out of his car. There were six dogs on the property. At least three were cane corso-Neapolitan mastiff mixes that broke through the fence and killed his brother. Those three dogs have been euthanized and the other three dogs were confiscated by Oakland Animal Services.

Alex said his brother suffered from mental illness, which led to drug addiction. He had served time in prison for drug-related offenses, and ultimately began experiencing homelessness. He also called his brother a "street preacher." Alex offered a message to the owner of the dogs. "You're now serving, being held accountable like anybody should be that breaks the rules." He added, "We don't know you. We are merciful. We are forgiving. We are Christian." Burke is being held at the Santa Rita Jail.

The dogs got through the rickety fence, pinned Robert Holguin under a car and killed him.

Front of dog owner's home and a mastiff breed on the property after the fatal dog attack.

Posted on September 4, 2024 by Colleen Lynn

2024 Dog Bite Fatality: Pit Bull Kills Toddler While Being Babysat by Teen in Newark, New Jersey

An 18-month old toddler was mauled to death by a pit bull while being babysat at a Newark home.

Pit Bull Kills Toddler
Newark, NJ - An 18-month old girl is dead after being attacked by at least one pit bull. The attack occurred Tuesday in the 100 block of 2nd Avenue near Wakeman Avenue around 9:30 pm, reports RLS Media. The dog was actively attacking the girl when Newark police arrived. She was transported to University Hospital, where she was pronounced dead. The attack comes just days after East Orange police, 4 miles away, shot and killed a "family" pit bull after it attacked three children and an adult.

The Essex County Chief Assistant Prosecutor, Thomas Fennelly, confirmed the girl's death was likely the result of a "canine attack" and that an autopsy will determine the cause and manner of death. Fennelly did not disclose the location or circumstances of the attack, the owner of the dog, or the breed of dog involved. Back in March, a pit bull killed an infant and critically injured his mother in a multi-victim "family" dog attack in Woodbridge, New Jersey, about 20 miles south of Newark.

Both CBS New York and WABC report the toddler was being babysat by a teenager at the time. The deadly attack occurred inside the first floor apartment. A "Beware of Dog" sign hung on the fence of the home. The front door of the apartment was open while WABC was filming. Apparently, the toddler "wandered away" and encountered the dog, reports WABC. Detectives are trying to obtain more information from family members, but they are so "distraught" they can't be interviewed yet.

Kawhon Jahnye, who lives nearby, told WABC he was stunned at the number of responders at the scene. "When I seen that amount of agencies and police enforcement and ambulances, I thought, 'My God, what's going on?'" Jahnye was later told by responders, "An 18-month old baby has been ripped apart by a pit bull, or a ferocious dog." Jahnye added, "That's the most horrific thing that can happen to anybody." A man exiting the home told a WABC reporter, "The dogs belong to my brother."

Finally, there are several discrepancies. WABC reports the attack occurred in the afternoon and the toddler was pronounced dead at 7:00 pm. Other outlets report that attack occurred at 9:30 pm. It's also unclear what "wandered away" actually means (Did the toddler wander away into a shared hallway or upstairs into a different apartment unit?). One pit bull was inside the apartment apparently, and 1-3 other pit bulls were "in the building." Newark Animal Control confiscated all of the dogs.

Clarifications: The fatal dog attack occurred in the late afternoon or evening, according to media sources who went to the location and spoke to neighbors. The 18-month old child, who was being watched by a teenage babysitter at the time, was pronounced dead at University Hospital around 7:00 pm. Four pit bulls were seized from the family's home, according to investigators, but it was unclear which of the dogs were involved. Authorities believe all four dogs belonged to a family member.

Pit bull kills newark toddler being babysat

The home on 2nd Avenue in Newark's Central Ward where a pit bull killed a toddler.

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