Officers at Pit Bull Owner's Door Days Before Baby's Death
A Complicated CatastropheWichita, KS - So much happens in this article that all we can do is summarize. Jonell Lloyd was a fugitive for nine months, but the illegal status didn't stop him from keeping pit bulls that terrorized his neighbors and ultimately brought the police to his doorstep. Two days after the police first knocked on his door, Lloyd was charged with first-degree murder for killing 17-month old Chavira Brown, whose body was found hidden in his attic.
The story is packed with many details, including: multiple calls to animal control, neighbors terrified by the dogs, neighbors afraid to report Lloyd due to retaliation; animal control confiscating the dogs, Lloyd retrieving the impounded dogs; dogfighting in his backyard...it's unclear how the toddler died, but people have set up a memorial -- a growing pile of stuffed animals and artificial flowers -- in the front yard of the house where her body was found.
In other news:
Use of an Animal to Avoid CaptureNewark, NJ - Our Peach of the Week award goes to Samantha Rutter, 19-years old. After her boyfriend fled police and flung a drug a stash, he landed in Samantha's yard. When police tried to arrest him, Samantha ordered her pit bull to attack the officer. Rutter was charged with disorderly conduct and use of an animal to avoid capture, which is a felony. She was committed to the Women’s Correctional Institute in lieu of $7,000 secured bond.
Related articles:08/02/08:
Pit Bull Owner and Vicious Dogs Continue Terror Streak...07/21/08:
Continuous Crime Wave: Pit Bull Owners and Their Dogs
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