No date yet for pitbull euthanasia
County doesn’t want camera crew to film dog pickup
County officials are waiting for a signed judge’s order to euthanize three of four pitbulls involved in a Downtown Auburn attack. On Thursday, Mike Winters, program manager for Placer County Animal Services, said that he anticipates the three dogs – Ronin, Sherman and Maui – will be put to sleep by the end of next week. The three pitbulls and a fourth named Otis together attacked, unprovoked, then-17-year-old Weimar resident Joseph “JoJo” Kerschner in a parking lot located off Lincoln Way in Auburn. The Sept. 16 incident left Kerschner with severe injuries and the teen said he has scars today. On Jan. 29, Placer County Judge Richard Couzens ruled in an appeal hearing that all four dogs are “vicious.” He said that the three believed to be the most involved and aggressive in the attack needed to be euthanized. However, he agreed to release the fourth dog, which was not seen biting Kerschner. The dog, Otis, will be turned over to reality television star and pitbull expert Tia Maria Torres. Torres’ Torres’ Villalobos Rescue Center in Southern California is the subject of the Animal Planet cable TV series “Pitbulls and Parolees.” Couzens gave strict orders in the courtroom Friday that only Torres will be able to house the dog. The owner of the four pitbulls, Daniel Coverston, will be allowed a final goodbye but nothing beyond that, Couzens said. Winters said that as of Thursday afternoon, he had not heard from Torres about when she will come to Auburn to pick up Otis. Winters added that Coverston had not yet called to set up a time when he would see his dogs for the last time. Couzens set a deadline for the end of next week. “We’re waiting on a signed order,” Winters said. “I don’t think it’s been signed by all parties yet.” Auburn Police Capt. John Ruffcorn said his department consulted with the Placer County Sheriff’s Office and District Attorney’s Office in regards to any potential criminal charges. He said investigators do not suspect the attack was done with intent on behalf of Coverston, who was out of town when the incident occurred. No charges will be filed regarding the dog attack, Ruffcorn said. However, whether or not Coverston will be charged for allegedly making a $10,000 bribe to Winters is unknown. Placer Sheriff’s Office is investigating the case, Ruffcorn said. A producer from Discovery Production said he did not know whether or not “Pitbulls and Parolees” will feature Otis. Winters said Thursday he does not believe the county will allow Torres to film the pickup of Otis on its facility. “That’s not something the county is going to allow,” Winters said. “The adverse publicity around this whole case is something we’re trying to avoid.” Auburn city officials agreed that they want to mitigate any more press regarding the pitbull attack. “We asked that the dogs wouldn’t be filmed in the first place, but now it’s really out of our realm,” Ruffcorn said. “We don’t want to give any more publicity to this case than what’s already been sensationalized and publicized.” Jenifer Gee can be reached at jeniferg@goldcountrymedia.com.
|
Change Location:
|
If there had been an ordinance in place, ordering the immediate euthanasia of any dogs involved in a biting incident that resulted in bodily harm, these dogs would have been down the day after the attack, one would not be a movie star, and dog owners throughout the area would have been fixing fences and gates to ensure their dogs did not attack anyone.
This has been turned into a circus..literally.
Circus is right. What is next a Paver on" Streetsrape" ?
Im glad they're going to gas those mutts.... but do we really need to know when?
I'll shorten the story for you. "not heard from", "had not yet called", "I don't think", "do not suspect", "is unknown", "did not know", "does not believe", "we're trying to avoid", "mitigate any more press", "but now it's really out of our realm".
NorCal, make it shorter. They could have stopped at "I don't think".
The fact that this has dragged out for going on 6 months is a statement about how poor our system is functioning.
Those dogs should have been shot on site. Case closed.
Perhaps you all would like to sell tickets for the main event. Of course it would be in the name of recovering expenses.
auburnnative:....your mind is closed
Actually, the case is, quite literally, closed. And what a joke of a case it has been. This goes to show just how pathetic and inept we're becoming at dealing with problems.
sev7en: ... "Actually, the case is, quite literally, "not " closed" and it truly has "not" been a joke. To the contrary, issues are surfacing that will unfortunately remain in the forefront for quite a long time...scares me to think of the process that is unfolding as we speak.
Here are some issues and facts that will remain in the forefront for quite a long time (especially for the victims):
Of the 88 fatal dog attacks between 01/01/06 and 12/31/08, pit bulls were responsible for 59% (52). This is equivalent to a pit killing a U.S. citizen every 21 days. Pits make up about 5% of the U.S. dog population.
Pits alone committed 81% (13) of the off-property attacks. This indicates that pits are far more likely than any other dog breed to leave owner property and fatally attack.
Of the 13 attacks, 15% involved 1 pit; 69% involved 2; and 15% involved 3 or more. 44% (39) of all fatal attacks involved multiple dogs; 16% (14) involved chained dogs.
55% (48) of the attacks occurred to children (11 years and younger). Of children, ages 2-4 suffered the most fatalities 22% (19); ages 0-2 suffered the second most 18% (16); and ages 5-9 followed at 11% (10).
Between the ages of 0-4, 14% (12) of the fatal attacks involved a "watcher," a person such as a grandparent or babysitter watching the child. Of these attacks, 75% (9) involved a grandparent.
19% (17) of the fatality victims fell into the 21-54 age group. Pits were responsible for 82% (14) of these deaths. The frequency of pits killing adults is unmatched by any other breed. In the 3-year period, pit bulls killed more adults (ages 21 and over), 54%, than they did children (ages 11 and younger), 46%.
Of the six age group categories the 55 and …
The last line should read: Of the six age group categories the 55 and older group suffered the most fatalities 26% (23).
This from a sorce friendly to Pits..."American Pit Bull Terriers are in demand because of their all around strength, agility, great looks, and mystic. Breeders are pumping puppies out like unleaded gasoline"...it goes on to warn against owning a Pit for many reasons, all of which refer to the owner and not the dog. Go to the source....go after the breeders if you feel you need to continue this tireless campaign.
This from a source friendly to Pits..."American Pit Bull Terriers are in demand because of their all around strength, agility, great looks, and mystic. Breeders are pumping puppies out like unleaded gasoline"...it goes on to warn against owning a Pit for many reasons, all of which refer to the owner and not the dog. Go to the source....go after the breeders if you feel you need to continue this tireless campaign.
Sorry for the duplicate post
This incident really shows how much this country has slipped into the toilet. Up until the 1950's or so, if a dog attacked anyone or any livestock, the owner of that dog would take it out behind the woodshed and put a bullet between the animal's eyes, thus insuring that the dog would NEVER attack a human or livestock ever again. And if the owner failed to do so, then the victim or family of the victim or owner of the damaged livestock would go straight to that person's house and do it himself. And that dog owner would immediately make arrangements to pay for any damages done or any medical bills in order to make things right. And Doom on You if you failed to promptly pay up, or you may just find "enforcers" at your front door ready to claim anything of value to make you settle your debt owed to the victim. But since the wussification of this country by city dwelling socialists and progressives (read: Liberals and Demoncrats), this once great nation has been turned into the "I'm not responsible for my own actions" nation. And it sure doesn't help when we have people sitting on our Judicial benches who cater to Hollyweard wackos and grown men (if you can even call Coverston a " grown man") crying in the courtroom about his beloved, adjudicated, vicious & dangerous dogs. Next time something like this happens in our community, let's hope some good, honest and upstanding citizen(s) make sure the dog(s) involved in an attack are chased down destroyed on site. No Second Chances!
Tackleberry: Setting aside your Conservative diatribe...BORING!...There are plenty of Conservatives today who would react just the oposite to your example of "enforcers" showing up at their front door "ready to claim anything of value to make you settle your debt owed to the victim". Once inside, those so-called "enforcers would be dead & rightly so.
As I have stated before: Unless this breed of dog is outlawed, these incidences will come up again and again, it`s a mute point to discuss ifs, whens, and buts! They made it so certain people can smoke dope legally in this state, they allowed gays to get married, etc...they have enough supporters to keep those things going to court and circulating, but no one can outlaw a specific type of dog?? That`s almost funny!! PUT IT ON A BALLOT!!!On that topic: Anyone bother to think WHY that guy had all these pitbulls????
This case highlights a big problem in our country. People don't want to take resposibility for their actions. No one is EMBARRASSED anymore. This seems to be particularly true with young men in their mid to late 20's.
A generation ago, a guy Daniel Coverston's age would have probably had a college degree, served in the military, had a good job, maybe been married with kids and bought his own house by now, or some combination of that. A guy that age still living off mommy, and having his parents have to pay his bills would have been seen as a big, fat loser. I don't know what he does for a living, if anything, but he should have to work for the next twenty years to pay for the damage his actions have caused, AND he should pay his mother back. I'm guessing that won't happen. But all he wanted was his own way, and to get his doggies back. He should crawl away in shame for what he's done.
I also wonder why he had so many big, vicious dogs? Which he knew, since he was giving them anti-agressions drugs.
The crux of this problem lies with a selfish, immature loser who won't man up and take responsibility for his actions.
A recent post suggested that 88 fatal dog attacks occured in a 730 day period (2 years). I believe it was eroneously stated that a death occured every 21 days. In fact it was every 8.29 days. There are 308 million people currently calling US home. One fatality in 308 million equates to 3.29 to the minus 7 percent of the population affected by a fatal dog bite...all dogs...every 8.29 days. That is an incredibly small number. And I'm sure your thinking...why can't it be zero...it's because that represents perfection and no such perfect system exists for anything in the world we know today. It is terrribly unfortunate that this recent event happened in our town, but I submit to you all, that we are in a reactionary phase. Should something change, yes perhaps so. But please let it come from a cooler and less reactionary place in your mind...let cooler heads prevail.
To jab1pc:
Be aware that it’s your calculations that are erroneous. You misread the statistics. You need to calm down and carefully read the statistics again (let cooler heads prevail).
01/01/06-12/31/08 is a three year period, not a two year period as you stated. 01/01/06 to 01/01/07 to 01/01/08 to12/31/08 equals 3 years. If you take 1095 days, which is 3 years, and divide it by 52 (not 88) fatal pit bull attacks, you get 21 days between each fatal pit bull attack. So, over the three year period…a person was killed by a pit bull in America once every 21 days.
Yes, that's an incredibly small number to a vicious pit bull owner/apologist since they value pit bulls over human life. It's not such a small number if you're the pit bull attack victim or relative of a victim and experience the devastating affects of the vicious pit bull attack first hand.
Yes it’s unfortunate, for the victim (and for pit bull apologists), that this recent event happened, but it’ll happen again…and it already has in Fontana California. This time the victims were small children. But, these children are insignificant statistics to pit bull apologists and the pit bull lobby.
Yes, I agree…something should change. The Pit bull owners’, breeders’, lobbyists’, and apologists’ indifference towards human and animal victims of vicious pit bull attacks and the blind defense of unregulated ownership of these vicious pit bulls…that’s what needs to change.
samlemmons:
...3 years not 2, you're right, 52 not 88 you're wrong, I stated all dogs...not just pits. It's a small number...but you can't have zero anything. These incidents are not insignificant to anyone, bad owners or good owners. The blindness you speak of is the atttitude you experience when you suggest that breed eradication is the answer. What next? Dobies, Rotties, Shepards, perhaps Poodles. I find you to be far more frightening than any PIt I've come across...and not exactly a "coolhead" poster child
You were quoting from the stats I provided. You are wrong because you asserted that I was basing the 21 days upon 88 total fatal dog attacks when I actually based the every 21 day period upon 52 "pit bull only” fatal attacks. I never stated the 21 day period was based upon 88 fatal dog attacks as you originally asserted in your hot headed snap judgment and reactionary response. If you could calm down and be honest with yourself, you would see that you were wrong on both counts.
You want larger numbers because you feel the fatalities from vicious pit bull attacks are insignificant, well here are some larger numbers to quench your thirst for more blood shed by pit bulls:
There were 127 pit bull attacks on humans that occurred across the United States in an 85-day period between July to September 2008.
Attack Victim Data
* 127 attacks recorded
* 57% of the attacks occurred off-property
* 158 people were injured in the 127 attacks
* 63% of these injuries were severe
* 10% entailed severed body parts
* 6 people were killed
These documented attacks do not include attacks on other dogs, horses, livestock, and other pets. If attacks on other animals were included the numbers would be even more to your liking.
Sam...the manipulation was a deliberate attempt to skew data to your benefit. It came at a point when having a cool head was still possible...a time long since past. Where is your head? Lets just cut the bullshit, I believe you are a reactionist of the highest order. I fear your ideas and suggestions go beyond practical. I feel you will affect many people in undesirable and unneccessary ways. And yes, I'm also a reactionist. Unfortunately, I feel my reactionary response to your crap is required to balance the scales. Somewhere in the realm of reasonable people lies a reasonable solution that will satisfy the larger majority. It aint gonna come from me and it damn sure aint gonna come from you. And by the way, the data set above is far from verified...dogbite.org is hardly a reliable source.
To jab1pc:
My mind is calm and clear because I know it’s right to be more concerned for human and animal victims of vicious pit bull attacks than for the vicious pit bulls.
For a person who professes to be cool headed and non violent, you’ve lowered yourself by using foul language and derogatory comments to promote your reactionary beliefs in order to defend vicious pit bulls. Foul language and derogatory comments are typical tactics from hot headed pit bull apologists attempting to defend the indefensible, but I didn’t expect it from you since you have said that cool heads will prevail.
You say you are speaking to balance the scales, but the pit bull lobby has a very strong voice…they have wealthy stars that are very vocal in promoting the proliferation of pit bulls in America. Rich Hollywood stars like Ellen DeGeneres, Rachael Ray, and Tia Maria Torres to name a few that spew their misinformation promoting pit bulls on national T.V.
Again you are incorrect…to balance the scales you need more people speaking out in defense of the victims (human and animal) of pit bull attacks and against the unregulated ownership of vicious pit bulls.
To Jab1pc:
I’m trying to understand your point of view, but you don’t appear to have one. You believe in Tia Maria Torres, pit bull and parolee brothel owner to the stars for profit, over documented statistics provided by a non profit organization started by a victim of a vicious pit bull attack. Dogsbite.org is focused on helping prevent future vicious pit bull attacks on humans and animals.
Since you don’t believe in factual statistics, which most pit bull apologists don’t, I’ll provide you with some of the names and ages of the real human victims and the cities, states, and dates of the vicious pit bull attacks that occurred during the 85 day period I previously mentioned (since you believe the victims don’t exist).
Here is a partial list of pit bull attack victims that were attacked across the United States in an 85-day period between July to September 2008:
7/31 Blanchard, LA - Kathryn Long, 27, 7/30 Valdosta, GA - Shelby Yates, 8, 7/26 Itta Bena, MI - Becky Lee Grimes, 7/27 Amity, PA - Thomas "T.J." Knight, 24, 7/27 Jackson Co, KY - Randy Spurlock , 7/27 Jackson Co, KY - Robert Fields, 7/27 Jackson Co, KY - Stephanie Bishop, 7/25 Hooksick, NY - Joseph Phlipsak, 7/23 New Port, VA Beonquay Earley, 31, 7/23 Jackson, MI - Tony Evans, JR, 3, Sharon, OH - Police Officer, 7/21 Tacoma, WA - Jorgann Simonsen, 55, 7/20 Wilkinsburg, PA - Rocco Doman, 8, 7/18 Holdrege, NE - Diane Ronnenkamp, 7/17 Albany, NY - Nirel Andrews, 9,
Partial list o pit bull attack victims continued:
7/17 Anderson, SC - US Marshall, 7/15 Gary, IN - Cornell Roberson, 10, 7/15 Toldeo, OH - Aaron Leach, 2, 7/15 Hastings, NE - Michael Heuertz, 7/14 Columbus, OH - Randal Lavelle, 44, 7/11 Melrose, FL - Miranda Miller, 11, 7/10 St. Louis, MO - William Smith, 7/10 Tucson, AZ - Officer Ryan Danaher, 7/09 Dallas, TX - Roger Powell, 50, 7/07 Rochester, NY - Greg Fuller, 35, 7/07 Evansville, IN - James E. Croft, 47, 7/06 Maui, HI - Addison Marten, 7, 7/05 Brooklyn, NY - Kamar Reynolds, 3, 7/02 Springfield, IL - Sandra Johnson, 7/02 Omaha, NE - Officer Shawn Leclair, 7/01 Staten Is, NY - Henry Piotrowski, 90
8/29 Chili, NY - Thomas Tziatzou, 70, 8/23 Onconee Co, NC - Cameron Salinas, 4, 8/22 Scottsbluff, NE - Lori Poster, 8/22 Scottsbluff, NE - Tiffani Bowkett, 16, 8/22 Elizabethton, 8/22 Deerfield Beach, FL - Dan Hout, 40, 8/19 Anchorage, AK - Isis Krieger, 6, 8/19 Aberdeen, MD - Demetrious Allen, 1, 8/19 East Alton, IL - Kristen Baze, 19, 8/16 Detroit, MI - Robert Howard, 38, 8/09 Bethlehem, PA - Millie Valenti, 75, 8/07 Bingen, WA - Grandmother Sanchez, 8/07 Bingen, WA - Rosario Sanchez, 8/07 Bingen, WA - Mira Sanchez, 8/07 Bingen, WA - Father Sanchez, 8/03 Pittburg, CA - Delaney Williams, 6, 8/02 Ty Ty, GA - Larry Pullen, 5, 8/02 Vallejo, CA - Antonio Mazza, 6, 8/01 Niagra Falls NY - Delia Bissell, 40, 8/01 Muskogee, OK - Leesa Gray, 1
Partial list of pit bull attack victims continued:
9/30 Phoenix, AZ - Carl Corona, 42, 9/27 Evansville, CA - Tony Burden, 24, 9/26 Waukegan, MI - Kiara Lynn, 19, 9/26 Oroville, CA - Wanda Lawver, 34, 9/24 Oakhurst, CA - Laurie Garrison, 9/24 Sheboygan, WI - Tamra Bolle, 26, 9/24 Sequatchie, Co. TN - Curtis Brady, 29, 9/19 Chicago, IL - Trayshawn Toliver, 6, 9/19 San Antonio, TX - Denise Rocha, 41, 9/19 Racine, WI - Richard B. Anderson, 50, 9/15 Moses Lake, WA - Alex Medina, 6, 9/13 Shelton, WA - Michael Warner, 55, 9/13 Hasbrouck, NJ - Stella Torti, 82, 9/12 Las Vegas, NV - Cenedi Carey, 4m, 9/12 Tucson, AZ - Andrew Diodati, 16, 9/12 Tucson, AZ - Jeff Dolph, 15, 9/11 Irondequoit, NY - Ann Guyette, 41, 9/10 Long Island, NY - Jerry Arenello, 57, 9/10 Farmingdale, 9/09 Ville Platte, LA - Luna McDaniel, 83, 9/09 Canton, OH - Tayshawn Hamilton, 11, 9/08 SeaTac, WA - Huong Le, 71, 9/07 Boise, ID - Lonnie Holloway, 35, 9/07 Chicago, IL - Jaslin Sampre, 4, 9/06 Wichita Falls, TX - Aurora Castro, 46, 9/05 Palm Bay, FL - Roger Lindee, 41, 9/05 Albany, GA - Lieutenant Greg Elder, 17, 9/03 Golden Gate, FL - Sharry Brewer, 59, 9/02 North Little Rock, AR - Jacob Ross, 9.