Dog beaten nearly to death with baseball bats
South Bend, IN (US)Incident Date: Wednesday, Aug 4, 2010
County: St Joseph
Charges: Misdemeanor, Felony CTA
Disposition: Alleged
Alleged: Gerald McKinney
Case Updates: 2 update(s) available
A caller phoned police Wednesday night with a disturbing story: It sounds like someone is beating a dog to death in the yard next door.
What police say they found was even more disturbing: A 40-year-old man and a 14-year-old boy in the backyard of a home in the 5000 block of Greenleaf Lane, near Washington High School, digging a grave for a dog not yet dead.
Police and animal control officers say the dog -- a young pit bull named Bootsie -- had been beaten bloody and lifeless with two baseball bats, after it allegedly bit the 14-year-old on the leg.
By the time officers arrived, the two males -- police have not released their names because they have not yet been charged with a crime -- were nearing the completion of the grave and thought the dog was dead.
Police also found two blood-covered baseball bats near the grave, said South Bend police Sgt. Chuck Stokes, who was at the scene.
The dog was underneath two heavy blankets and "barely breathing," Stokes said.
One of the dog's eyeballs was missing, and its face was bloody and distorted from the bat strikes.
The dog tried to get up when Stokes lifted the blankets, but it could not stand due to broken ribs and legs, Stokes said.
Stokes estimated the freshly dug grave was 5-feet deep.
"They figured they would beat the dog to death and then bury him in the backyard," he said.
South Bend Animal Control officers decided the dog's injuries were too severe and the animal was put down.
According to police reports, at least seven people -- including the 40 and 14-year-olds -- were at the home while the dog was beaten, but Animal Control or police were not contacted by anyone inside the home.
Gary Libbey, South Bend Animal Control manager, said the dog reportedly belonged to the 14-year-old's mother.
Stokes said the 14-year-old admitted to beating the dog, but the Juvenile Justice Center declined to detain him because he did not have a lengthy criminal history.
Libbey said a report was forwarded to the St. Joseph County prosecutor's office on Friday and he was told charges could be filed as early as next week. It's not yet known if the two suspects would face felony or misdemeanor charges.
Case UpdatesA court date has been set for the South Bend man accused of beating his pit bull nearly to death.
40 year old Gerald McKinney is facing animal mutilation and animal cruelty charges.
Police say last month he beat his pit bull "Bootsie" at his girlfriend's home when the dog got aggressive.
Then, police say McKinney tried to bury the dog alive in the yard with the help of his son.
Mckinney appeared in court on Tuesday..
His initial hearing was set for next Tuesday. | Source: WNDU - Oct 19, 2010
Update posted on Oct 20, 2010 - 12:55AM |
The St. Joseph County prosecutor filed charges Friday against Gerald McKinley, 40, of South Bend, in connection with the Aug. 4 beating of a pit bull at a home in the 5000 block of Greenleaf Street.
The charges followed an investigation by South Bend police and the results of a necropsy performed Sept. 17, according to a news release.
McKinley has been charged with mutilating an animal, a Class D felony, and animal cruelty, a Class A misdemeanor.
His bond was set at $1,000, and a warrant was issued for his arrest.
According to police, the pit bull named Bootsie was beaten to death with baseball bats. They found the dog barely breathing beneath blankets in the backyard, and a freshly dug grave nearby.
The dog had to be put down because of the severity of his injuries, according to Animal Control officials. | Source: WSBT - Oct 2, 2010
Update posted on Oct 3, 2010 - 8:08PM |
References |
