Case Details

Bait dog dies of injuries
Middletown, CT (US)

Incident Date: Sunday, Mar 11, 2007
County: Middlesex
Local Map: available
Disposition: Open

Suspect(s) Unknown - We need your help!

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Case ID: 10949
Classification: Fighting
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Reward: $8,000
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Dogs are supposed to be man's best friend, but police in Middletown said that was not the case with a pit bull found brutally attacked on the street.

The dog was dumped on the side of Wilderman's Way Road and left to die of his wounds. On March 11, a good samiariatan found the animal and called police. He was brought to Piper-Olson Animal Hospital where doctors tried to nurse him back to health.

For everything this dog had been through, Dr. John Gustavson said the pit-bull was unbelievably gentle.

"He was very nice to us, we never muzzled him at all," said Gustavson. "He was great in that sense, as far as we could tell."

The staff at Piper-Olson named the two year old pit bull "Gideon," which is Hebrew for "mighty warrior." Judging from the wounds, Gideon was in his fair share of battles.

"Based on the wounds that he had, he clearly looked like he was in some type of dog fight," said Gustavson. "Most likely he was used as a bait dog to encourage a more aggressive dog to be aggressive."

The staff here worked feverishly to save the animal, but Gideon's infections and wounds got the best of him. He died Monday, a victim of violence that pained everyone around him.

Animal control officers say they have had similar cases of abuse the past couple of years, but those animals have survived. They are now looking from any information from the public that may lead to an arrest in this case.

Case Updates

The brutal death of a two-year-old pit bull has caused another group to offer a reward for the any information regarding his death.

The Connecticut Humane Society is offering a $5,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of any person/persons involved in the death of the dog named Gideon.

Gideon was found last week left for dead near the construction site of the new Middletown High School. He was taken to Pieper-Olson Animal Hospital on Randolph Road and treated. But his wounds were too severe and he died March 12.

Jeffery Jump, a former Middletown resident, was upset over the death of Gideon and offered a $1,000 reward.

Animal control officer Gail Petras said an unidentified person from West Hartford quickly matched his offer.

Besides those two offers, the total reward is "in excess of $8,000," according to Petras.

Petras said people have also been calling in with more and more tips about alleged dog fights.

Petras is hoping that with the reward being so high, someone will step up and give the police the information needed to catch those who caused Gideon's wounds and left him to die.

Jump, a long-time donor to the humane society, contacted the organization, asking for their help. His e-mail and the story of Gideon reached the desk of Jody Angell, the society's public relations director. Angell brought the information to the president of the society, Richard Johnston, and he agreed to offer the $5,000 reward.

Angell said the job of the humane society is to educate the public.

"We'll do the best we can to educate the people before cruelty happens," Angell said. She wants people not to forget about Gideon.

"You don't hear about it (animal cruelty); people forget about it," Angell said. "We promote responsibility."

Angell also discussed other forms of cruelty besides dog fighting. She talked about how important it is for pet owners not to neglect their furry friends.

"Neglect is cruelty," Angell said. "Awareness is a long-term fix."

She explained the difference between a dog being outside all the time and negligence. She said it is OK for a dog to be tied up outside as long as it has food, water and shelter.

But, she said, it is considered cruelty to leave a dog alone outside without food, water or shelter.

If convicted of animal cruelty, a person could mandate fines up to $5,000 and jail time up to five years.

Angell added that dog-fighting incidents are not common in this state.

She said there is no huge dog-roaming problem and people are well educated in Connecticut. However, neglect is a more common occurrence.

"We don't see dog fighting every day; we do see neglect every day," Angell said.

Anyone with information regarding Gideon and suspects related to his death should call Petras at 344-3298. Anyone who finds a wounded or stray dog is asked to bring it to animal control.
Source: Middletown Press- March 21, 2007
Update posted on Mar 22, 2007 - 2:01AM 
More money is being offered up for information in a case of dog abuse in Middletown and police say the tips are pouring in. The two-year-old pit bull was found dumped on the side of the road on Sunday. Animal Control officers say the animal was badly hurt and believe it had been forced to fight.

Workers at Piper-Olson Animal Hospital tried saving the dog they named "Gideon", but he died Monday.

Animal Control says this is not the first time they have found a dog in bad shape. Middletown police are asking that you call them if you know of anyone forcing dogs to fight.
Source: WTNH - March 16, 2007
Update posted on Mar 17, 2007 - 2:56AM 

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References

Channel 8 - March 14, 2007

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