Sylvan Township residents grieve over loss of their dogs, who were euthanized after assault with hatchet
Becky Roberts can't imagine why anyone would have hurt her dog, Bella, a 9-month-old rottweiler-hound mix.
“She was a very sweet dog, very playful, very energetic,” Roberts said of Bella. “She was very passive toward other dogs. She loved to play with any other dog that came along.”
Roberts, who lives in Sylvan Township, said Bella often played outside with a neighbor dog, Buddy, a 5-year-old shepherd mix.
Both dogs went missing March 9 and were found at different times later that day, both severely injured. They had been assaulted with a hatchet while bound, said Matt Schaecher, supervisor of cruelty and rescue at the Humane Society of Huron Valley. And despite Humane Society workers' efforts to save them, both dogs had to be euthanized.
Bella, a 9-month-old rottweiler-hound mix, was found injured on March 9.
Courtesy of Becky Roberts
Buddy’s owner was the last person to see the two dogs playing together about 7:15 or 7:30 a.m., Roberts said. The injured dogs were found by a motorist at different times later that day within a half a mile of their homes, Roberts said.
The Humane Society of Huron Valley is offering a $500 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of whoever is responsible for the assaults against the dogs.
Schaecher said the investigation is ongoing and the Humane Society is working with the Washtenaw County Sheriff's Office.
When Leisa Jones first noticed a wounded dog in a field near the intersection of Pierce and Garvey roads in Sylvan Township on March 9, she said she thought it had been hit by a car.
Jones, of Dexter, was driving when she saw a dog she didn’t know standing near the road, she said. Jones said she slowed her vehicle and then saw the dog, Buddy, fall in a field near the road.
“Once he fell down, I got out and went up to him, saw he was injured and called 911,” she said.
About 2:15 p.m. Jones said she was driving by the field again when she noticed a different dog, also apparently injured. She called 911 a second time.
This dog she recognized.
“With Bella, I got up real close, because I knew her and I stayed with her,” Jones recalled.
Jones said she covered Bella with a blanket and waited with her until officials arrived. She said both dogs had wounds on their “left hind quarter.”
“At that point I was thinking maybe somebody had shot them. It was just too big a coincidence,” Jones said.
Roberts urged anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Humane Society.
“I would love for people to just keep an eye out,” she said. “Sometimes people see things and they don’t really know what they’re seeing.”
She added, “It’s scary that someone is capable of doing something like this.”
Roberts said she has had trouble sleeping since the incident and is concerned for her two teenage sons, who, she says, are having a difficult time making sense of what happened.
“I would love to see this person caught and prosecuted to the full extent,” she added.
Buddy’s owner, who spoke to AnnArbor.com on the condition she not be named, said she knows her neighbors well and it was common for neighbor dogs to roam the area.
“We all have dogs, and we all just let our dogs go on each other’s property,” she said of the rural community. “We have other neighbor dogs come wandering down, and I take them back — that’s just how it is around here.”
She added, “We all respect each other’s animals — well, everyone I know does. But obviously somebody doesn’t.”
Roberts and Buddy's owner both told AnnArbor.com they wanted to thank the Humane Society workers.
"They just did everything you could possibly imagine for those animals," Buddy's owner said. "It was just amazing what they did."
Mark Hergenreder of Sylvan Township said people in the area are “very disturbed” by what he called a “heinous crime.”
He added, “I just felt really bad, of course, that it happened. I really wish somebody would have seen something.”
Jessica Milliken of Chelsea said the people in the community who are aware of the incident are alarmed
“It’s shocking to know it goes on here,” said Milliken, who has two labs. “A lot of people are like, ‘Oh, that’s the first sign of a serial killer.”
She added, “You think you’re safe and nothing like that would happen, but there are problems everywhere.”
Heather Lockwood is a reporter for AnnArbor.com. Reach her at heatherlockwood@annarbor.com or follow her on Twitter.
Comments
merrey
Sun, Mar 20, 2011 : 12:43 a.m.
Shame on the person(s) who did this despicable act. Maybe you haven't seen the video "Dog in Sendai refused to leave injured friend" (check it out on you-tube); they have feelings, they know what it means to hurt, they have compassion, and can be wonderful comforters. Just see the emotion in the above video that one dog displayed for another that was hurt in the earthquake. They are still LIVING beings, total shame on those who did this. I hope you are found and prosecuted.
Cendra Lynn
Fri, Mar 18, 2011 : 2:33 a.m.
I'm the Director of GriefNet, an on-line grief support community. We have a support group for those who have had pets die, and we would welcome anyone who knew and loved these dogs. <a href="http://www.griefnet.org" rel='nofollow'>www.griefnet.org</a>
RJA
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 10:20 p.m.
Having a family member that works for HVHS, I know his heart is aching for the dogs and their owners. (my heart hurts for the owners too) I pray this person/persons is caught soon. (not that it will bring closure to the owners) It will take longer for their hearts to heal. The Rainbow Bridge is beautiful, and comforting.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:12 p.m.
First, thanks go out to AnnArbor.com for finding and interviewing the woman who found the dogs and called for rescue. That's a very good thing, providing such information to the community which wants to know relevant details. Please keep doing this when situations warrant. I do not have a dog because I can't bring myself to having a dog confined in my apartment while I'm away at work. But I certainly share the love of dogs as expressed here and elsewhere. Thereby, I feel the pain and sadness (and the outrage) that you all feel. I wish the owners of these two dogs were spared this heartbreak. I was moved to read about the behavior profile mentioned by someone who posted on the first story about Bella and Buddy. I saw confirmed: such acts of cruelty and violence are indicative of someone who likely has formed a deviant outlook and behavior pattern. It's not "over imagining" but something we should all take note of and be wary of in any individual. Such deviance can lead to further acts involving homicide - but not necessarily. This type often goes unnoticed in the general population because they lack socialization skills. They keep to themselves and have few friends - or none, when they are young. But when they get older, they can get to be quite convincing in their outwardly "normal" behavior. I certainly hope investigators find this individual: they need help but they also need to be kept from society until they are no longer a threat.
Constance Colthorp Amrine
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:05 p.m.
>>>none at 1:57 PM on March 17, 2011 >>>I will add another $500 to the reward. Anyone else willing to contribute? YES. I was thinking the same thing.
bs
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 5:57 p.m.
I will add another $500 to the reward. Anyone else willing to contribute?
bob Rudd
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 4:42 p.m.
Look to a neighbor that hates animal. This is sombody close by.
MissyB
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 4:02 p.m.
If friends, neighbors, Humane Society personnel, and the Sheriff's Dept. keep their ears open, someone will find out who was responsible for this unbelievably evil deed. Idiots capable of this kind of cruelty are usually too stupid to recognize how inexcusable their actions have been and will "brag" about it to someone. Please follow up on anything you might hear about this incident. The guilty individual(s) really should be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Tru2Blu76
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 6:42 p.m.
Just FYI: such acts as those described in the two articles are not the "product" of a "stupid" person - such people are described by psychiatric experts as deviants. Their entire psychological outlook is molded by negative factors in their upbringing. In other words, regardless of the intelligence level, these people experience a different world and therefore don't assess their own behaviors as negative. Rather they see themselves reacting to and countering the world as they see it. That in no way "excuses" the behaviors. This is why we have police and organizations like the Humane Society and Halfway Houses for abused women and children. Agreed: we both hope that this person is caught - they can't be allowed to be free in society without proper treatment.
paul wiener
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 3:03 p.m.
It's interesting to note the number of posts about this crime (including mine) that have been removed from this newsblog. It reflects of course the strong feelings aroused by this unspeakably sick crime, and probably the angry, irrational wishes of many to see an unmentionable kind of justice exacted on the perpetrator. I understand why the A2 e-News needs to suppress these comments, though they are as much a part of the community's voice and bonding as any other form of information.
P.T.
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:32 p.m.
I also meant to add that my heart goes out to the owners. I can't imagine the heartbreak they are suffering over this tragedy. Thanks to the people who stopped and called 911.
P.T.
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
This is just sick. Whoever did this obviously has a serious problem. It really concerns me -- what's next hurting people? We need to find this person or persons asap.
mkm17
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:17 p.m.
It seems the perpetrator(s) of this crime are severely mentally ill, and I hope they are found. If there were a way to help them, I would help. My heart is breaking for and I am so sorry for the owners of these dogs. Hoping the perpetrator will suffer a similar fate, or the other scenarios hoped for in this thread, does not help the situation. I agree that if the perpetrator cannot be helped, then they need to be incarcerated to protect others.
BillieR
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:23 p.m.
Hoping the perpetrator will suffer a similar fate certainly does not help the current situation--bit I'll bet it would make them think twice about trying it again!! Even IF the perpetrator(s) can "be helped," they STILL need to be incarcerated, IMO, as an example to others, let alone to be punished; this type of behavior IS NOT ACCEPTABLE towards any living thing!
lisam
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:49 p.m.
When I first read this story I was horrified. Today, reading about the person who found them and to read the small detail that the dog she didn't recognize in the field was "standing and then fell"...makes me sick. The pain those poor dogs endured is beyond belief. Whoever is out there....when you get caught you've got another thing coming. No one is going to feel sorry for you. I hope you read the paper and/or I hope you have a computer and read what we write.
chapmaja
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:13 p.m.
The problem with this line of thinking is these people likely are reading what was written and what people say, and they enjoy it. It's a pathetically sad part of the serious issues they have. They are kind of like an arsonist who returns to the scene of the fire just to watch firefighters do their work. People sick enough to do this or be serial killers often get thrills from the news coverage of their actions more than the action itself. I personally know a dog owner in that area and know that if anyone threatens her dog (or her two children), that she will not hesitate to use whatever means required to protect herself and her family, of which the dog is included.
jns131
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2:02 p.m.
Shaking head in complete agreement here. Can't wait to see karma coming to get em.
BillieR
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:31 p.m.
I am so very, very sorry for the human companions of these canine family members. I get very Old Testament about people who engage in crimes like these, especially--whether it's against other humans OR animals--I just wish someone saw something that will lead to this person or person's arrest and they'll be prosecuted to the very fullest extent of the law. And THEN I wouldn't be surprised if some animal lover took them out in a field and did the same thing to them! Sorry, did I type that in my "outside voice....?"
tim
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:14 p.m.
I had something like happen to my dogs twenty four years ago-- both my dogs were found shot. I have and electric fence now and will never let my dogs roam again, I know that this is tough on big dogs because they like to run. My prayers to the family I know how you feel.
woodyk
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:12 p.m.
A note of caution. Some people think that dogs running loose outside are fair game, especially during hunting season. We lost two by not keeping track of them. Dogs that run in pairs are more likely to attack someone's cat or other pet. I don't think they have to be on a leash all the time, but if they are outside, you should be also. Then you are part of their "pack", and represent a sobering influence. Kind of like teenagers...
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 1:59 p.m.
You should read the original article. These dogs were tied up and then chopped with an axe. They were not shot at a distance.
WalkingJoe
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
Hopefully the person or persons who did this will be caught and I hope punished to full extent of the law. As I said in a post when this story first came out we have three dogs and they have given us such joy and more recently when we had a tragedy in our lives comfort. How can anyone do this to a family pet?
EyeHeartA2
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 12:34 p.m.
What is wrong with these people? Sick, sick, sick. In a way, I feel bad for the perps too. I can't imagine this not haunting you for the rest of your life. Hopefully a chunk of that will be spent in prison. What can they possibly be thinking? How senseless.
Wolf's Bane
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 12:03 p.m.
Karma. You don't get to do something this horrible and avoid the fallout from it! This person (or these people) will suffer horribly for what they have done (did). Karma will make certain. As for the dogs, please forgive us humans.
Dos
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 10:49 a.m.
Words cannot help the pain these two owners are feeling at this time. With all of our prayers maybe they can find comfort and strength. We the community need to pull together and find the person(s) who did this. I can't believe I have no typos as I am typing through tears of sadness all our love
Angela Todd
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 10:34 a.m.
I can't think of anything more sick than torturinng a dog like this. I want a little puppy so bad and people make it almost impossible for me. I have had two dogs, both of whom had to be euthanized. Both were over twelve years old. I lLoved them both so much, had them cremated, drove their ashes to my home state and buried them (in fiberglass boxes) in marked graves, next to each other. I have written stories and poems about them both, published their photos and won't ever let myself forget them. I want another puppy so bad and then I hear someone is killing a young dog and another fairly young dog. I put my hand up to my mouth in horror and cry. How could someone do these terrible things? I hope both dogs have made it to The Rainbow Bridge. For those who don't know about that phrase, Google it. My heart goes out to the families of those Loved babies. Angela Todd
jns131
Thu, Mar 17, 2011 : 2 p.m.
I just read that Chihuahua was tossed in a garbage bin in Detroit on Wednesday. Give them a call. They might just take you up on your offer. I am seriously considering adopting another rescue. This story makes me sick. An eye for an eye I always say. I really hope they get this person before they take that hatchet out on some innocent human being. Always remember this....they start out small...