Entire Dog Blog

Court dates have been set for the two Plainville (Connecticut) brothers allegedly involved in the January 13 drilling death of a a Pit Bull named Baby.

Enrique Cruz was watching Saverino Cruz' son when the son was allegedly bitten by Baby, one of Cruz' two Pit Bulls, prompting the alleged drill attack that resulted in Baby's death. When investigating the incident, police also found Coffee, a younger Pit Bull, at the scene. Police allege that the two dogs lived in deplorable conditions in Enrique Cruz' basement and that the dogs were "malnourished, unlicensed and not vaccinated." Coffee was later adopted into a caring home.

Enrique Cruz will appear in court to answer a Misdemeanor charge of Cruelty to Animals and two Infraction charges (No Vaccinations, Failure to Comply with Dog Ownership Requirements) on February 5, 2008 at 10AM. He is currently out on $10,000 bail.

Saverino Cruz (called Severino Cruz in court documents) allegedly drilled "several holes" into Baby's head, resulting in her death, after learning that Baby had bitten his son. The son was treated and released from the hospital.

Saverino Cruz (Severino Cruz) will appear in court to answer Misdemeanor charges of Disorderly Conduct and Cruelty to Animals on February 14, 2008 at 10AM. He has been released on $25,000 bail.

Derick Phanord cried, "I am an animal lover" as he was sentenced to two years in prison for soaking his pit bull with gasoline and setting him on fire in 2007.

According to the Brentwood, Long Island (New York) dog killer's lawyer, Phanord tied the dog to a tree and set it on fire, killing it, because it had bitten Phanord's younger Pit Bull, Red. The dog became known as Maximus after being discovered. Maximus was treated for the severe, painful burn wounds, but later died.

A prosecutor said Phanord's 2-year sentence was the maximum penalty for the animal cruelty charge.

A Suffolk SPCA investigator, Robert Aversano, was leery of Phanord's courtroom display of remorse and his statement that he prayed for the dog after he set it on fire.

"If someone were to douse you with gasoline, light you on fire and then say a prayer afterward it wouldn't go over well in court," said Robert Aversano, the SPCA official.

"My personal opinion is that Mr. Phanord should not be able to own a dog ever again," Aversano said.

Veterinary surgeons named the abandoned, badly-burned dog Maximus during its final hours as they tried to save its life. The dog endeared itself to SPCA and veterinarian rescuers with its gentle manner, licking their hands in apparent gratitude as they comforted and soothed its burned body.

Phanord named the dog Spike, but the dog became publicly known as Maximus before Suffolk police tracked down and arrested the dog's owner.

Red (below), the younger pit bull allegedly bitten by Maximus, was found starving locked in an unvenilated shed and rescued. Red was adopted last September.

A 14-year old Utah boy is being charged with lewdness and bestiality for allegedly raping a dog.

In Utah, as in many places in the US, cruelty to animals is a misdemeanor offense. The maximum penalty for the offense, even an offense as disgusting and demented as this, is "up to one year in jail and a fine of $2,500."

It is widely believed that animal cruelty is a stepping-stone to other vicious crimes. Minimal penalties do little to discourage this unacceptable behavior.

FOX 13 spoke with Cheryl Smith, executive director of the Utah Animal Adoption Center, about the case. She urged lawmakers to pass stricter laws against people who intentionally harm animals.

"These crimes are getting more and more common. And it’s very disturbing," she said.

Smith said the dog had been molested in "unspeakable ways," but that it was in good care now and adjusting well to its new surroundings, according to FOX 13.

She said she learned of the case after a concerned neighbor called to report a dog was being abused. The owners then released the dog to authorities.

One of the two dogs thrown from a Missouri over pass last Wednesday, a pit bull with two broken legs, has been euthanized. The second dog, believed to be a Retriever or Akita mix, ran away from the scene.

Humane Society veterinarians made the decision Thursday night after consultation and examination, veterinarian Melinda Fleming said.

"This dog was in severe, nearly uncontrollable pain and it was questionable whether he would be able to walk again," she said. "That someone would allow a pet to be abused in this way is unthinkable and heartbreaking."

The Humane Society of Missouri is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to an arrest and conviction in the case. They can be reached via telephone at (314) 647-4317.

The Humane Society is offering a $2,500 reward for information that leads to the arrest and conviction of the person who threw two dogs from a St. Louis Missouri over pass on Wednesday.

One dog, a pit bull, is being treated for two broken legs sustained in the 30-foot fall. The second, "a large golden retriever or Akita mix," ran away from the scene.

The Humane Society of Missouri can be reached via telephone at (314) 647-4317.

FOLLOW-UP: Missouri Overpass Dog Euthanized