Cruelty

As an animal activist, I was thrilled that Baltimore City chose to try the case against two teenagers accused of setting fire to a dog, and the fact that the public was so up-in-arms about what happened to poor Phoenix ("Strong response to dog's burning," Feb. 20).  Phoenix was heinously tortured and suffered in a way no living creature — human or animal — should have to. Luckily, there are laws against such crimes, and it seems those laws will be getting tougher.

Baltimore City Circuit Judge Emanuel Brown will decide whether a jury can see a police surveillance video that prosecutors say ties twin brothers Travers and Tremayne Johnson to a pit bull that was set on fire in 2009. The second trial in the animal cruelty case opened Friday with a series of requests by the brothers' defense attorneys for Brown to throw out key pieces of the prosecution's evidence, including the video and a gas can. Brown held off ruling on the motions until at least Monday, when the trial continues.

A person who found an injured female pit bull in Brooklyn Park 10 days ago has sparked a police animal cruelty investigation into a suspected dog fighting operation. The dog, named Princess, was found less than five miles from where another injured pit bull was found last month. Princess is being treated at the Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital , the same place the first dog, Rocky Road, was taken. She will be be released to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County when here injuries have healed.

I was disturbed by your article about the Arapaho tribe seeking to claim more bald eagles for use in their religious ceremonies ("Arapaho tribe looks to claim more bald eagles," March 18). The tribe displays no religiosity or spirituality with this senseless superstition that does nothing but destroy innocent life. Once again, this is cruelty cloaked in religion. Joyce Robinson, Glen Burnie

Baltimore, like many cities in the U.S., is an often unfriendly home to pit bull-type dogs ("Abused pit bulls face a difficult transition," Dec. 10). Frequent victims of prejudice and abuse, these dogs need much help. As I shared with The Sun's Arthur Hirsch , the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is dedicated to addressing some of the root causes for this unfortunate suffering, including pet overpopulation. Our organization offers a program called "Pit Fix" to spay and neuter these dogs in Baltimore.

Regarding your story about animal cruelty ("City man is charged with killing one cat and abusing another," Aug. 4), I'm an animal lover who had my 22-year-old cat euthanized three months ago and I'm still crying from the loss. I got her from an animal shelter when she was about six weeks old and she showed signs of abuse. It broke my heart to think that someone would harm a little kitten. I'm against places like PetSmart and other stores that sell pets. Even though they ask customers to complete an application before buying a pet, it's nothing like the background check a rescue organization requires.

Twin brothers Tremayne and Travers Johnson pleaded not guilty Friday to animal cruelty charges. The 17-year-olds, charged as adults, are accused of setting a pit bull puppy on fire in May. The animal, named Phoenix by rescue workers, was euthanized because of its injuries. The teens are being held without bail at the Baltimore City Detention Center. They are also charged with gun and drug possession in a separate case. Trial dates have been set for March and February, respectively. - Tricia Bishop

A woman facing criminal theft charges for allegedly stealing from the nonprofit Howard County Animal Welfare Society she runs is now awaiting a ruling on a civil charge of animal cruelty for allegedly neglecting a dog at her facility. Robin Deltuva, 36, who lives in a house on the society property on Davis Road next to the county government's animal shelter, denied neglecting a small brown Chihuahua named JJ that a society volunteer took to an emergency clinic Aug. 6. The volunteer said the dog was emaciated, listless and nearly dead.

I was disturbed by your article about the Arapaho tribe seeking to claim more bald eagles for use in their religious ceremonies ("Arapaho tribe looks to claim more bald eagles," March 18). The tribe displays no religiosity or spirituality with this senseless superstition that does nothing but destroy innocent life. Once again, this is cruelty cloaked in religion. Joyce Robinson, Glen Burnie

Kudos to Sande Riesett for his wonderful and compelling ad campaign against animal cruelty ("Baltimore athletes show their 'soft side,'" Sept. 26). It is not cool to be cruel, and the athletes that volunteered, along with their animals, to reach out to the community will get that message across to misguided kids and adults. Thank you, too, to Caroline Griffin and her inspiring work leading the anti-cruelty task force. Hers is a powerful voice for animals that is much needed in Baltimore.

A person who found an injured female pit bull in Brooklyn Park 10 days ago has sparked a police animal cruelty investigation into a suspected dog fighting operation. The dog, named Princess, was found less than five miles from where another injured pit bull was found last month. Princess is being treated at the Waugh Chapel Animal Hospital , the same place the first dog, Rocky Road, was taken. She will be be released to the SPCA of Anne Arundel County when here injuries have healed.

A 37-year-old man was sentenced in Baltimore County Circuit Court on Monday to three years in prison for animal cruelty stemming from a police seizure of scarred and malnourished dogs from a Woodlawn area home. Larry Alston was arrested in 2009 after police found numerous dogs in the home, along with cages that were covered in feces and urine. He had been charged 22 counts of violating various animal cruelty laws, including charges of mutilating the animals, and police said there was evidence the dogs had been used for fighting.

Thousands of puppies are bought and sold every year during the holiday season, which means thousands of consumers end up unknowingly supporting puppy mills. Puppy mills are inhumane, commercial breeding facilities that place an emphasis on profits over the health of the dogs they sell. The breeding dogs at puppy mills live their entire lives in cages, typically in deplorable conditions. As a result, their puppies are often unhealthy and can carry infectious diseases. Two recent investigations by The Humane Society of the United States demonstrate the wide-spread consumer fraud and abuse that characterize the industry.

Baltimore, like many cities in the U.S., is an often unfriendly home to pit bull-type dogs ("Abused pit bulls face a difficult transition," Dec. 10). Frequent victims of prejudice and abuse, these dogs need much help. As I shared with The Sun's Arthur Hirsch , the Maryland Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is dedicated to addressing some of the root causes for this unfortunate suffering, including pet overpopulation. Our organization offers a program called "Pit Fix" to spay and neuter these dogs in Baltimore.

Michelle bears three small white scars on her black nose, another above her left eye and marks on both her front legs - left by metal grips of a device used to hold her still for forced breeding. A tear in her lower lip has healed nicely after surgery. Considering where she's been, the tan, 41/2-year-old terrier is lucky. Michelle is one of four dogs at the Baltimore Humane Society in Reisterstown that were seized in an animal cruelty case. These dogs are at last getting a taste of what life might be like as a household pet, learning about walking on a leash, heeding commands, playing dog games that don't leave them bloodied.

The second animal-cruelty trial of brothers Travers and Tremayne Johnson, whose first Baltimore proceeding ended in mistrial, was postponed Monday shortly before jury selection was set to begin, because witnesses were unavailable. It's the fourth time the retrial has been delayed since May. The new trial date is set for Feb. 1 — nearly a year after the first trial ended. "A key witness in the state's case has had a family emergency and is not going to be able to testify for approximately two weeks, possibly longer," prosecutor Jennifer Rallo told the judge, according to a video recording of the morning proceeding reviewed by The Baltimore Sun. The teen-aged twins, who are in custody on unrelated charges, are accused of setting fire to a pit bull, who didn't survive despite the efforts of rescue workers, who nicknamed the dog Phoenix.

Thousands of puppies are bought and sold every year during the holiday season, which means thousands of consumers end up unknowingly supporting puppy mills. Puppy mills are inhumane, commercial breeding facilities that place an emphasis on profits over the health of the dogs they sell. The breeding dogs at puppy mills live their entire lives in cages, typically in deplorable conditions. As a result, their puppies are often unhealthy and can carry infectious diseases. Two recent investigations by The Humane Society of the United States demonstrate the wide-spread consumer fraud and abuse that characterize the industry.

Three Northeast Baltimore residents have been charged with animal cruelty after they allegedly tied a pregnant cat to the rear gate of a house in the 4200 block of Seidel Ave. and allowed a pit bull terrier to kill it, police said.The incident apparently was not related to the recent thefts and mutilations of cats in the Patterson Park area, police said.Sgt. Brian Matulonis of the Northeastern District said two brothers, Charles West, 22, and Ivan West, 18, both of the 4200 block of Seidel Ave., were cited for animal cruelty Tuesday, and a 17-year-old neighbor was cited as a juvenile with the same offense yesterday.

Baltimore's animal advocates cheered this week to learn that a sweet cat that was horribly burned this year, then became a symbol for change, has been named the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal's Cat of the Year. The ASPCA bestowed the honor on Mittens, a tabby with a white ruff who even after being set on fire in January, wouldn't abandon the kittens she wasnursing. Two teens are charged with trapping the nursing mother cat, pouring lighter fluid over her and then lighting a match.

Kudos to Sande Riesett for his wonderful and compelling ad campaign against animal cruelty ("Baltimore athletes show their 'soft side,'" Sept. 26). It is not cool to be cruel, and the athletes that volunteered, along with their animals, to reach out to the community will get that message across to misguided kids and adults. Thank you, too, to Caroline Griffin and her inspiring work leading the anti-cruelty task force. Hers is a powerful voice for animals that is much needed in Baltimore.