Case Snapshot

Case ID: 14134

Classification: Stabbing

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior

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Dog stabbed in the chest
Pittsburgh, PA (US)

Incident Date: Friday, Jul 18, 2008
County: Allegheny

Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 2 files available

Alleged: Anthony M. Ansill

A black and white Labrador mix named Hobbs is recovering from what animal rescue officials in Pittsburgh called one of the worst cases of abuse they've seen.

Anthony Ansill, 25, of Arlington was arrested Friday and charged with cruelty to animals for allegedly slicing open the dog's chest. Ansill told police he has a history of anger issues and sexual assault.

The dog's owner, Shawn Lea, left Hobbs with Ansill, his roommate, for a few days and returned to discover the injuries. Lea has not been charged.

Hobbs, who is 4 years old and weighs about 65 pounds, has had four different owners, including one who left him in a crate in the back of a pickup truck on a hot day, said Katie Waters, an agent with Animal Friends.

"He's a wonderful survivor case," Waters said.

Lea came home to a pungent odor and saw Ansill petting Hobbs, Waters said. He immediately saw that the dog's abdomen and rib cage were exposed. Hobbs could not lay down and was having trouble holding himself up.

The wound appeared to be 12-inches long.

Lea suspected that Ansill had sliced his dog and called 911. According to local sources, Ansill forgot to let Hobbs out, and when Hobbs urinated inside the house, Ansill attacked him.

Zone 3 officers Tony Yauch and Joyce McClelland responded to the call for "a dog that was cut," and summoned Waters and Zone 3 Officer Christine Luffey. They took Hobbs to Pittsburgh Veterinary Specialty and Emergency Care, where Dr. Anthony Pardo told them the wounds were intentional.

Pardo could not be reached for comment.

Luffey said Ansill told him that he had been institutionalized since he was 11 and had a history of severe anger and sexual assault, according to Animal Friends. He said he continues to be treated but is not taking any prescription medication, Animal Friends said. Ansill provided Luffey a written statement describing how he struck the dog with a board with nails in it.

Luffey could not be reached for comment.

Hobbs is doing much better, said Jolene Miklas, spokeswoman for Animal Friends.

"He has been standing and enjoying all the attention," she said.

A preliminary hearing for Ansill is set for July 24 in Municipal Court. Animal Friends and Pittsburgh police are recommending that he undergo a psychiatric evaluation.

References

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