Puppy beaten with baseball bat, left without care
Norfolk, MA (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Nov 5, 2008
County: Norfolk
Disposition: Alleged
Case Images: 1 files available
Alleged: Patricia King
Case Updates: 4 update(s) available
An 11-month-old puppy was beaten this week with a baseball bat suffering a severely broken leg in what local officials are calling one of the worst cases of animal cruelty they've ever seen.
The German shepherd mix named "Buddy" was beaten in the early morning hours Wednesday, but authorities didn't learn about the incident and weren't able to get the puppy treatment until Thursday afternoon, Animal Control Officer Hilary Cohen said.
Police are continuing to investigate the matter in search for the culprit.
"A person walked in and gave us a tip there was an injured dog," Cohen said.
The animal control officer and police went to a home and found the puppy. "One person was present. We talked to that person, who stated the dog was beaten with a baseball bat," Cohen said.
The animal control officer called it "absolutely" one of the worst cases of animal cruelty she has come across.
"There was definitely a lapse in time when it happened and when the dog received aid," Cohen said.
The incident remains under investigation, and Cohen said she couldn't reveal other details.
The puppy needs extensive reconstructive surgery, and the town is seeking donations toward the surgical expenses and post-operation physical therapy, Cohen said. The dog is now at a veterinarian.
"We know this is going to be a very costly surgery," Cohen said. "It is more than a simple fracture. It will definitely need an orthopedic specialist."
The cash reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible is growing.
"We're trying to build it," Cohen said.
Donations may be tax deductible and can be dropped off at the Norfolk Police Department at 117 Main St. or mailed to Norfolk Police, 117 Main St., Norfolk, MA, 02056,
Case UpdatesA furry friend that took a violent beating got his final check up this Valentine's Day. Buddy the dog was beaten with a baseball bat in November, causing a serious injury to one of his legs.
The German Shepherd mix was nursed back to health in Norfolk and had his final check-up Saturday before being put up for adoption.
His foster parent says he is "incredible" and needs a loving home. | Source: MSNBC - Feb 15, 2009
Update posted on Feb 15, 2009 - 5:29PM |
The town now legally owns a dog that was beaten with a baseball bat last month, suffering a severely broken leg that required extensive surgery.
At a pretrial conference last week for charges of animal cruelty the police department had brought against the dog's owner, Patricia King of Norfolk, the case was continued without a finding.
However, under an agreement, King - who was never charged with the assault, but with neglect - had to give up the year-old German shepherd mix named Buddy to the town, and was placed on one-year probation with outpatient alcohol treatment and one-year probation to not own or harbor a domestic animal.
An unlawful possession of a prescription drug charge against King, of 65 Mirror Lake Ave., was also dismissed. Last month, King was ordered to spend up to 30 days in an alcohol treatment facility as part of her probation on an unrelated matter.
"The best part of this, which has been my goal from the beginning, was to get Buddy into a safe environment," Animal Control Officer Hilary Cohen said of the agreement. "Buddy will never go back into his prior home or environment.
"Reaching this type of agreement serves everyone's best interest as Buddy will not have to stay as a piece of evidence for a prolonged period," Cohen said, adding that could have been more than a year if the case went to trial.
Police never implicated King in the actual beating of her dog but charged her with neglect for not getting the dog timely veterinary care, not providing her dog with adequate food and water, and keeping him in an unsafe environment.
According to Ludger Veer, King's attorney, the charges against his client have been "very much overblown." He said "she loves her dog" and groomed Buddy and kept him up-to-date on immunizations. The attorney also said King brought the dog to a vet after the incident.
The actual beating, which allegedly took place in Attleboro, remains under investigation. A law enforcement officer with The Animal Rescue League of Boston, Chris Charboneau, is assisting local authorities in the probe.
"After much investigation we do not have any viable leads at this time," Cohen said.
The case, because it is a felony, will be kept open until it is solved or the 10-year statute of limitations expires.
"I really am on a mission to have this one solved," Cohen said.
As for Buddy, the animal control officer said "he has good days and bad days with his leg. Some days he taps the ground and is semi-weight bearing, and some days he just hovers."
Buddy's leg will be X-rayed in a few weeks to see if there has been healing, Cohen said, adding there is a "very real possibility" an orthopedic specialist working for Acorn Animal Hospital will have to remove some of the hardware holding the dog's leg together.
"Buddy still has a very long road of rehabilitation ahead of him and will be staying in our care until he is healed up physically and emotionally," Cohen said. "I anticipate his recovery will be at least a few more months before he is able to be adopted."
The beating sparked widespread outrage and the town received many donations to help cover the costs of the operation, rehabilitation and boarding of Buddy. Students at St. John the Evangelist School in Attleboro raised over $400. | Source: The Sun Chronicle - Dec 15, 2008
Update posted on Dec 15, 2008 - 5:33PM |
A Norfolk woman has been arrested and charged with cruelty to animals in the case of an 11-month-old puppy authorities say was beaten last week with a baseball bat.
Patricia King, 44, of 65 Mirror Lake Ave., was ordered held without bail following arraignment Wednesday in Wrentham District Court.
The charges allege King did not seek timely medical care for the puppy, deprived him of food and water and kept him in an unsafe environment. The charges did not specifically say King beat the dog.
In addition, Judge Warren Powers ordered King to be evaluated for alcoholism before a pre-trial hearing in court today.
The probation department requested the evaluation, said David Traub, spokesman for Norfolk County District Attorney William Keating. Police also charged King with illegal possession of a prescription drug.
King's German shepherd mix named Buddy has started rehabilitation following surgery for a severely broken leg, police said. Police said they don't know yet if the puppy will need a second surgery.
Animal Control Officer Hilary Cohen said she discovered Buddy after responding to a tip on Nov. 6 that a dog at King's home had a broken leg and needed surgery, but wasn't being treated, police said.
Cohen initially was denied access to Buddy. She then went to the Wrentham court for a search and seizure warrant. Cohen said she was told at the house that the dog had been beaten with a baseball bat.
She called it one of the worst cases of animal cruelty she has seen.
Fundraising efforts so far have raised $3,951 for Buddy's operation, rehabilitation and boarding. He is under the town's care.
To donate, make checks out to Town of Norfolk and send them to Norfolk Police Department, care of Norfolk Animal Control Officer, 117 Main St., Norfolk, MA 02056. | Source: The Sun Chronicle - Nov 13, 2008
Update posted on Nov 13, 2008 - 10:03AM |
Patricia King, 44, of 65 Mirror Lake Ave., was to be arraigned in Wrentham District Court today.
Her German Shepherd mix puppy, named Buddy, has just started rehabilitation for his severely broken leg, police said. He has had surgery once. Police said they don't know if he'll need a second surgery.
Fundraising efforts have raised $3,951 for Buddy's operation, rehabilitation and boarding. He is under the town's care.
Police arrested King at 11 this morning.
They allege she did not seek timely medical care for Buddy, deprived him of food and water, and kept him in an unsafe environment.
Animal Control Officer Hilary Cohen discovered Buddy after responding to a tip on Nov. 6 that a dog at King's home had a broken leg and needed surgery and wasn't being treated, police said.
Cohen was denied access to Buddy. She then went to the Wrentham court for a search and seizure warrant.
Cohen has called it one of the worst cases of animal cruelty she has seen.
Police also charged King with illegal possession of a prescription drug.
Donations to help with the medical care for Buddy are being sought. To donate, make checks out to Town of Norfolk and send them to Norfolk Police Department, care of Norfolk Animal Control Officer, 117 Main St., Norfolk, MA 02056.
In the memo section of the check, write animal gift account/Buddy. Cash donations should be brought to the public safety building at 117 Main St. Include name and address in envelope so you can be sent a tax deductible receipt and thank you card. For more information, call the police department at 508-528-3206. | Source: The Sun Chronicle - Nov 12, 2008
Update posted on Nov 13, 2008 - 10:02AM |
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