After reading another story about an abused pit bull I’m beginning to think the real bully breed are humans.

This is a rather bizarre and twisted story. Here are the details from The Orange County Register.

MISSION VIEJO – A pit bull puppy stabbed seven times by one of its owners and then saved by a Mission Viejo rescue group earlier this year is for sale on Craigslist.

The ad put up at 10:49 p.m. on Tuesday advertises a bluenose pit bull that is 14 months old.

“Azure is a very lovable Pit Bull,” the ad says. “Unfortunately, my living situation is not working for a big dog like her. She is very loving and playful around people, however, I am still working on socializing her with other dogs. She weighs about 70Ibs and is very healthy and needs lots of exercise. I am asking $300 which includes her brand new dog house we just built, leash, harness, chain, whatever food I have left, treats, toys she hasn’t chewed up yet, certificates, medicines, ect. She is also spayed and up to date on all of her shots.”

The contact person for the ad is listed as “Erin.”

Erin Lup of Costa Mesa owns the dog and is the former girlfriend of Justin Carrafield, who is serving time for the stabbing earlier this year.

“I would like to come and visit her every so often and stay updated on her progression,” the ad said.

Azure was stabbed at a Mission Viejo apartment that Lup and her former boyfriend shared.

In late January Lup’s then-boyfriend, Justin Carrafield, 26, came off a Xanax binge, downed a bottle of alcohol and started fighting with Lup, she said at the time. He choked her and then directed his anger at Azure, stabbing the 8-month-old puppy seven times with a martial arts-style sword, authorities said.

Carrafield is serving a one-year sentence after pleading guilty to felony charges of animal cruelty and cultivating marijuana.

Though Lup had no money for the surgeries, Dr. Matthew Wheaton gave his staff instructions to do everything needed to save Azure. The puppy underwent surgery for the seven stab wounds, including one between its eyes.

Funds for the more than $5,000 in treatment came from Wheaton’s Pet Rescue Center – a Mission Viejo nonprofit dedicated to saving strays that would otherwise be euthanized.

Wheaton said he was shocked when a phone call came about the ad on Wednesday from a person who knew the clinic had donated money and time to save the dog.

He called Lup and offered to help find Azure a home through the Pet Rescue Center. He said he told her that if she made it a requirement to see the dog, it would be more difficult to find a stable home.

“I don’t think selling the dog on Craigslist is the right way to do it,” he said. “She needs to be OK with cutting ties and put the dog in a permanent home. We’ve had lots of pit bulls come through the Pet Rescue Center and they’re always adopted by someone who knows the breed and can provide them a stable and nurturing environment.”

The ad has been pulled from Craigslist. Let’s just hope that Azure is taken to a safe environment until she gets the loving home she deserves.

* Pic courtesy MICHAEL GOULDING, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

This story could easily have ended tragically,  but thanks to Sunny’s disposition and one very special young woman it didn’t. Kelsey Westbrook is a senior at The University of Louisville and part-time server at Joe’s Crab Shack.

On Sunday while working Kelsey and few of her co-workers heard the dog hit the water after someone had thrown her over a bridge near the restaurant. While some may have figured there was nothing they could do for the dog Kelsey and her friends jumped into action. Here are the details from the Courier Journal.

A white Chevy Malibu had stopped on the bridge in the southbound lanes, moments before Sunny’s plunge, said Kelsey Westbrook, the Joe’s Crab Shack server who took in the pooch and named her.

Sunny’s enlarged belly and protuberant nipples suggest she recently gave birth, she added.

“A person threw her over,” the University of Louisville senior said, “I guess somebody used her to breed and didn’t want to take care of her anymore.”

Westbrook and two other servers raced to the riverside to shout encouragement to the dog as it swam in circles a half mile way. At the sound of their voices, she said, the dog paddled toward them on the Kentucky side of the river. Louisville firefighters preparing for dive team training went out with their boat to get her some 20 feet from shore.

“I wanted to give her some hope, to let her know somebody was waiting for her,” Westbrook said. “I was afraid she would give up and drown.”

If you can’t see the video click here.

Diners erupted into applause as the dog, tail wagging, emerged from the skiff on a leash fashioned from nautical line, Cooper said.

“I was crying so hard, it was crazy,” Westbrook said. “I was ready to jump in the water and go after her.”

At riverside, Sunny scarfed down three hamburgers and lapped water from a crab bucket before going home to Westbrook’s Old Louisville apartment. There, the dog wolfed down five cups of Pedigree dog food.

Sunny appears less than two years old, Westbrook said. The red pit bull with a white chest quickly befriended Nala, the two-year-old German Shepherd mix Westbrook said she adopted from a private shelter.

Without a backyard for Sunny to play in, Westbrook added she would like to help her find another home.

“I took the dog because I just wanted to help her,” the English literature major said. “I don’t ever want her to feel pain again.”

The world could definitely use some more people like Kelsey Westbrook. We give her four big paws up and the good Samaritan award of the day.

* Pic of Sunny and Kelsey courtesy Scott Utterback, The Courier-Journal

The firefighter who shot his dogs because he didn’t want to pay to board them has been fired. The pressure on the city from dog lovers around the country helped make sure these dogs did not die in vain.

Disgraced Columbus firefighter David Santuomo, who executed his family pets and lied about it to investigators, was fired today by Safety Director Mitchell Brown.

The Dispatch and WBNS-TV (Channel 10) have learned that Santuomo sent a text message to a fellow firefighter threatening a Columbus police officer because he thought the officer had turned him in to the Capital Area Humane Society.

The message said, “You realize that there is a funeral in CPD’s future,” according to the internal-affairs investigative report.

That information was forwarded to prosecutors and the safety director, sources said.

Last week, Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. recommended that Santuomo be fired. Only the safety director can fire firefighters under the city charter.

Brown did so today.

“After careful consideration of the relevant facts … it is my decision to uphold the recommendation of Fire Chief Ned Pettus Jr. and terminate Firefighter David Santuomo from the position of firefighter for the City of Columbus,” Brown said in a statement. “As in all personnel matters, no further comment will be made at this time.”

Thousands of people have called for Santuomo’s firing through e-mails, letters and phone calls to The Dispatch and the city.

Santuomo has had other issues while working for the fire department, several reprimands for tardiness as well as for two improper remarks made on fire dispatching radios. He is a divorced father with two sons. What a role model.

Not much left to say about this, except good riddance to Santuomo.

* Photo courtesy Tom Dodge/DISPATCH, Santuomo is on the right.

I just found an update on the firefighter who shot his dogs so he wouldn’t have to pay to board them.  Santuomo’s job is now on the line,  Chief Pettus Jr.  wants him fired.

Here’s the exclusive story from WBNS 10TV.

Pettus Jr. recommended Thursday that a firefighter who shot his two dogs to death before going on vacation be terminated.

In December, an anonymous tip brought officers from the Capital Area Humane Society to the Dumpster behind Fire Station 27 where they found two bloody bags containing the dogs’ bodies.

Santuomo, 43, allegedly bragged to fellow firefighters that he shot his dogs because he was leaving on vacation.

The Division of Fire office said that several complaints and concerns were received after Santuomo’s conviction.

Pettus’ recommendation will be reviewed next week by the Director of Public Safety, fire officials said.

Santuomo has been a firefighter since 1996, 10TV News reported.

Stay with 10TV News and refresh 10TV.com for continuing coverage.

Go to the WBNS site where they’re taking a poll to see what the public thinks about Santuomo losing or keeping his job. Cast your vote and let it be known that what he did is a disgrace to the fire department and he is not fit to serve the public.

Obviously the pressure from the public has had a huge effect on this case, the fact that his job is up for review proves it. Way to go dog lovers of America!

* Photo courtesy Tom Dodge/DISPATCH, Santuomo is on the right.

I want to thank Debbie for sending me this story and helping to expose another animal abuser, let’s hope Clayton gets what he deserves.

WEBSTER - A Missouri man who delivers animals to pet stores was arraigned Thursday on animal cruelty charges after police rescued what they said were weak, limp and sick puppies from his van.

John T. Clayton, 44, of Missouri told authorities he left Missouri Monday night, and the puppies had not been walked since then, police said.

Police said 27 puppies were crammed into small cages, surrounded by animal waste, filth and flies, in a locked box truck parked in front of a Main Street pet store Wednesday afternoon.

In Dudley District Court Thursday, Mr. Clayton pleaded not guilty to the cruelty charges. Bail was set at $1,000.

Before his arrest, Mr. Clayton had just delivered 10 puppies to Elite Puppies, 172 Main St., and had delivered nine puppies to Laughlin Kennel in Oxford, according to police. He may have dropped off puppies at other New England locations as well.

The case unfolded after two people drove by the delivery box truck when it was parked in front of Elite Puppies on Main Street about 2:45 p.m. They heard barking dogs and feared the dogs might be distressed. They flagged down a police cruiser and called an animal rescue organization.

Police Sgt. Michaela N. Kelley went to Elite Puppies and spoke with employees.

“From there, it went downhill for Mr. Clayton,” Sgt. Thomas V. Ralph said in an interview Thursday. Swarms of flies surrounded cages filled with puppies in poor health, according to police reports, and there was animal waste in and around the small cages.

Some puppies appeared to limp, and one puppy was completely unresponsive, according to police.

There appeared to be about five puppies in each cage. When she saw the condition of the puppies, Sgt. Kelley contacted the Animal Rescue League of Boston and the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals to assist in her investigation. She also called Webster EMS and paramedics to check on the puppies.

About half of the puppies were initially taken to the Cummings School of Veterinary Medicine at Tufts University in Grafton, and the others were taken to Webster Lake Veterinary Hospital on Thompson Road. The 10 puppies delivered to Elite Puppies remained in quarantine in the back of the store, according to police.

The puppies were being delivered via Puppy Ship, a Missouri-based company.

Puppy Ship is a USDA-licensed company, according to Mr. Davis. He said there are strict guidelines for providing animals with adequate water, food, ventilation, adequately sized cages, and clean conditions. He said Mr. Clayton is a longtime driver for Puppy Ship.

“All these things we followed and we try to go above and beyond,” Mr. Davis said. “We are inspected on a regular basis, and we have never had an issue.”

According to authorities the puppies appeared to be about five weeks old. I could not believe dogs that young are being driven across the country to be delivered to pet stores.  I personally don’t believe that pet stores should sell puppies and find it appalling that they accept dogs so young. As for Laughlin Kennel’s, all you need to do is search online to read about the controversy surrounding them.  Not only are they breeders they also broker 30 different kinds of dogs, which may explain the puppies they were buying.

It sounds like the authorities should be investigating more than just Mr. Clayton.

* Pic courtesy WEBSTER HEALTH BOARD

Here’s some updated information pertaining to yesterday’s breaking news. It appears the dog fighting rings were not connected but it is still the largest coordinated rescue in U.S. history.

ST. LOUIS - The authorities seized more than 400 dogs on Wednesday and charged 26 people from seven states in what officials called one of the largest crackdowns on dogfighting in the United States.

State and federal agents staged raids in several states, picking up individuals in Arkansas, Illinois, Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, Oklahoma and Texas.

In Missouri, prosecutors said members of a multistate ring routinely destroyed injured dogs by shooting them “in the head, throwing the dogs into the river or burning the dogs in a barrel.”

The arrests stem from the same investigation, but officials said the rings were not necessarily connected, and United States attorneys in four districts – the Eastern District of Missouri, the Western District of Missouri, the Southern District of Illinois and the Eastern District of Texas – will try the cases separately.

“The allegation is not that this was one concentrated, organized conspiracy,” said Don Ledford, a spokesman for the acting United States attorney for the Western District of Missouri, Matt Whitworth. “This was not one big ring.”

In Missouri, the authorities charged 12 people; in Texas federal prosecutors charged nine men; and in Illinois the authorities charged five men with, among other things, buying, selling and breeding animals for dogfighting.

“This is the largest coordinated rescue in U.S. history,” said Kathy Warnick, president of the Humane Society of Missouri, whose organization is caring for more than 300 of the dogs. “This is going to send a vehement message that dogfighting will not be tolerated in the civilized society.”

Let’s hope all the perpetrators involved will be punished to the fullest extent of the law. It’s time to let the individuals who participate in this barbaric sport know that it will no longer be tolerated, they will be caught and punished.

In 2007 George W. Bush signed into law the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act, making dog fighting a felony. Each count is now punishable with a fine up to $250,000 and a maximum of five years imprisonment.

*ADOPTABLE: You’ll find Sterling on Dogster’s adoption pages, she’s a beautiful 1-year-old in MO. looking for a forever home.

Just when I think I’ve read every horrific thing possible another story comes to light. A firefighter in Ohio killed his dogs to avoid the cost of having to board them. No, I didn’t mistype.

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — A judge has given a 90-day jail sentence to an Ohio firefighter who prosecutors say killed his dogs to avoid boarding them during a vacation with a girlfriend.

Forty-three-year-old David Santuomo of Columbus pleaded guilty Wednesday to two counts of animal cruelty and one count of possession of a criminal tool. That charge concerned a plastic bottle that authorities said was used as a rifle silencer.

Assistant Franklin County Prosecutor Heather Robinson said Santuomo shot his two mixed-breed dogs Sloopy and Skeeter multiple times on Dec. 3 after tying them to a pipe in his basement. She says he dumped the remains in a trash bin behind his firehouse.

Defense attorney Sam Shamansky called the crime an isolated event “totally out of character” for his client.

Well, I’m glad this was an “isolated event” and he only killed two dogs. What kind of ridiculous defense is that?  So only doing this once makes shooting your dogs alright?  Do you get some kind of “get out of jail free” card for the first offense?

As appalled as I am at the sentence I’m even more disgusted he still has a job.  This man is a firefighter, a public servant, he deserves to be fired from his job. Is this a man you would trust to save your life, or someone that should be working for the public?

Santuomo may not have wanted to pay to board his dogs but I would be more than happy to put out a few dollars to extend his boarding time at the local jail.

* Photo courtesy Tom Dodge/DISPATCH, Santuomo is on the right.

Here’s another story which shows how little value the justice system places on the life of a dog, or in this case dogs.

In Greenville, SC. the worth of 5 dogs who died after being left in a hot SUV comes down to 19 hours of community service per dog for the offenders.

A mother and her son have been sentenced to 96 hours of community service after five dogs were found dead in their sport utility vehicle. Another dog in the SUV is in poor health.

Multiple media outlets reported that 44-year-old Tanya Dunlap and 20-year-old Chris Dunlap of Hoquiam, Wash., were convicted Tuesday of ill treatment of animals after waiving their right to an attorney and a jury trial.

Authorities say the dogs were in the Dunlap’s SUV, which was parked Monday at a state Employment Security office.

Tanya Dunlap told the judge she was trying to solve a problem with the employment office in Washington, while her son was supposed to watch the dogs.

South Carolina Human Society spokeswoman Kelly Graham called the punishment a slap on the wrist.

Convicted of  ‘ill treatment’ of an animal? Five dogs died, that is not ill treatment, it’s murder. I am just astounded that you can kill five dogs and walk away with community service.

* Bo loves to go for rides.

There is an organization, Karma Dogs, that is made up primarily of rescued dogs who have been given a second chance and now, with the help of their owners, help others by saving dogs and serving people. Their primary functions include improving literacy skills among elementary school students and working with children and adults with developmental disabilities to improve communication and socialization skills.

Due to the horrific act of animal cruelty that happened in Baltimore to Phoenix, the dog set on fire, Karma Dogs has instituted a new program.

The nonprofit organization founded to teach kids to appreciate and respect animals just announced its Oath of Kindness program.

The OK program is a way for children and teens to pledge to be kind to animals, to tell their friends to be kind, too, and to promise to tell an adult if they see animal cruelty.

“We hope the Oath of Kindness program helps stimulate conversation between children and their parents regarding the treatment of household pets and other animals,” said Kelly Gould, executive director of Karma Dogs. “We work primarily with rescued dogs and it has been our goal at Karma Dogs to teach adults and children that animals have an intrinsic value.”

Karma Dogs will be “swear in” kids who will also get a “pawtographed” certificate and a ribbon they can wear. Karma Dogs will also launch an e-newsletter with positive stories about children being kind to animals, as they say, “whether scaly or slimy, feathered or blue, dog or cat, furry or fat.” Children are encouraged to submit their own stories via OK@karmadogs.org.

On Saturday, June 20 at the Towson Public Library from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m., children attending a H.E.A.R.T.S. (Help Encourage All Readers to Succeed) program will be able to take the Karma Dogs Oath of Kindness.

Gould felt like her organization could do something in light of the Phoenix case.

“We have hundreds of kids who participate in our reading programs. If each of those children stop to think about the importance of being kind and make a promise to the dog they have been working with, then I hope in the future they will remember that promise when faced with someone mistreating an animal,” she told Unleashed. “From not laughing at cruel jokes to stopping someone from abusing an animal, kids need to know how important it is to be kind. Sometimes, I think we just have to stop and remind people of that.

I want to thank Jill Rosen of the Baltimore Sun for getting the word out about Karma Dogs new program.  Teaching children when they’re young is the best way to stop animal cruelty. Programs like this which teach empathy and sympathy for animals can make all the difference in the world when a child is confronted with an animal abuse situation, it gives them the skills to make the right choice.

* Pic courtesy Karma Dogs, check out their site.

Phoenix was the victim of horrible animal cruelty, it happened on May 27th. I didn’t originally post the story because I try to keep a balance on the blog so it doesn’t become too depressing. However, when there is a chance that we can do something to help find the perpetrators or make the difference when it comes to getting justice I feel it’s important to get the word out.

In Baltimore, MD. a pit bull was set on fire and left to die. A Baltimore police officer came to her rescue but unfortunately the dog, despite medical treatment, didn’t make it. Two brothers were later arrested, due to their age they were charged as juveniles with animal abuse and cruelty.

The dog had burns on 98 percent of her body.

“This was one of the most cruel things I’ve ever seen. It hurt me to my heart,” said Baltimore city police Officer Syreeta Teel, who used her sweatshirt to put the fire out.

Denise Griffin said her boys were taken in for questioning on Friday night. She said her sons could never do something like that and thinks it’s all about money.

“I know they didn’t do it. I keep hearing different things around the neighborhood about the dog ran up to there. The dog — nobody said the dog was right there. So, I feel as though I know my boys didn’t do it. It’s a reward out and then wasn’t nobody picked up around there until they said something about a reward,” Griffin said.

The reward grew to $24,500 by the end of last week.

“They didn’t do it. I would put my life on the line that they didn’t do it,” said the boys’ father, Charles Johnson. “If you’re on fire or anybody else is on fire, you’re going to take off running. That’s probably what the dog (did). Who knows where it was set on fire at.”

“You know, 17-year-olds, they’re going to get into a little something. But they wouldn’t set a dog on fire. I think one of them is afraid of a dog,” Charles Johnson said.

Can you say denial?

Martin Mersereau, director of the cruelty casework division of the People for Ethical Treatment of Animals, said he hopes the juveniles receive maximum penalties for the incident if convicted.

“We’re thrilled to hear [of the arrests],” Mersereau told FOXNews.com. “People who abuse animals rarely do it once and almost never stop there.”

Mersereau said abuse of animals is common among serial killers and that FBI officials frequently use such crimes to gauge the potential threat of suspected and known criminals.

“The biggest mistake here is that people call this a ‘boys being boys’ thing,” Mersereau said. “I do hope they’re charged with felonies for malicious torture.”

Penalties for felony animal abuse in Maryland include up to $5,000 in fines and three years imprisonment, he said.

This is not a ‘boys being boys’ thing, it is a callous and cowardly act committed on an innocent animal. Travis and Jermaine Johnson are headed for a life of crime, they are just getting started. We need to make sure they are tried as adults and not juveniles. A petition has been started to make this happen, please go to the Care2 Petition Site and add your pawprint to ensure justice for Phoenix.

Post and crosspost this message everywhere, the Griffin boys’ need to be stopped now, not later.

* Pic courtesy WBAL TV 11