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Case ID: 17948
Classification: Unclassified
Animal: dog (non pit-bull)
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4 dead dogs found in sealed containers
Smyrna, TN (US)

Incident Date: Saturday, May 21, 2011
County: Rutherford

Disposition: Not Charged

Person of Interest: Vincent John Cusano

Case Updates: 2 update(s) available

Former KISS guitarist Vinnie Vincent was
Police responding to the home took Vincent into custody and discovered the dead dogs, whose bodies were being kept in sealed containers. Diane Cusano told the poilce that one of their other more aggressive dogs had killed the dogs, though no explanation was made for why the bodies were being kept in sealed containers.

According to

Case Updates

Former Kiss guitarist Vinnie Vincent has slammed claims of animal cruelty following his arrest last month on suspicion of assault.

The 58-year-old says four dead dogs were found on his property because he hadnt had a chance to bury them. He explains hes spent years providing shelter to any and all animals he found who needed it, and hed never be violent towards his babies.

But he doesnt discuss the aggravated assault charges pressed after police believed hed attacked his wife and dragged her through broken glass.

Vincent, real name Cusano, says: My dogs and cats have been, are and will be the most important thing in my whole life. I love them more than words can say I look at them as perfect little people that I believe God gifted to us to help comfort us through our lives, which always seem to be filled with pain in one way or another.

I have 20 dogs rescued since 1999 from unspeakable abuse. I never turned my back if a dog or cat needed a loving home. Each one of them is spoiled rotten: great food, love, comfort, care and shelter. They sit wish me when I watch videos or when I play my guitar the sound seems to fascinate them.

I would never harm any animal they are Gods most beautiful and innocent of creations. Im a vegetarian because of my respect for all animals.

He explains his big and small dogs are fenced off from each other for safety, but the larger animals managed to break free and killed three of the smaller ones before he could stop them.

I was shattered too devastated for words, Vincent says. I will never get over it and will always live with a pain greater than anything I will ever know. I wrapped them each in blankets and laid them to rest in caskets where I made a cross and wrote the words to Danny Boy on each.

The weather had been pretty bad here for a while. An excavator was to come to the property to dig up the ground so I could give them a proper burial when this terrible thing happened.

The terrible thing took place on May 21. Deputy Joseph May of Rutherford County Sheriffs Office in Tennessee told Rock News Desk how Vincents wife Diane Cusano appealed for help after leaving the couples home covered in blood.

May said: Diane stated she and her husband Vincent Cusano had gotten into an argument about a female he was talking to. She stated Vincent became verbally abusive, swearing and telling her to Get the fuck out of the house.

Diane stated that Vincent then smacked her in the face. She stated he grabbed her by the hair and threw her to the ground, then dragged her through a pile of glass from a broken plate. She stated he threw her on the ground a total of four times before he let her get up and she drove to the sheriffs office.

Vincent continues: You must know my domestic situation is a private matter that I cannot comment on at this time. Please dont believe everything you read. I would never hurt anyone ever. What has been reported is an absolutely inaccurate depiction of the events that occurred that evening. When its time, the truth will be known.

But he adds the drama has had a silver lining because it put a long-lost family back together and for that, its worth what Im going through.

He says: Im an immensely private person and these events have caused me great pain and emotional anguish. I am requesting that you respect my privacy and that of my family during this difficult time and not engage in harmful useless gossip posted on blogs and forums.

Vincent was known as the The Wiz and the Ankh Warrior when he replaced original guitarist Ace Frehley in Kiss in 1982. He had a tumultuous relationship with the band and was fired the following year, only to be re-hired for two more brief stints in the following years. He formed Vinnie Vincent Invasion in 1984, which released two albums before splitting in 1988. He put out a solo album in 1996.

Hes due to appear in court on June 23 to answer the charge of aggravated assault.
Source: Rock News Desk - June 2, 2011
Update posted on Jun 5, 2011 - 2:48PM 
Former KISS star Vinnie Vincent will not face legal action over a number of dead dogs found at his home following his arrest at the weekend, according to a report.

The guitarist - real name Vincent Cusano - was detained by cops and charged with aggravated assault on Sunday following an alleged bust-up with his wife Diane Cusano at the couple's property in Tennessee. He was later released on $10,000 bail.

When cops attended the scene at the house, they claim to have found four dead dogs packed up in plastic containers, and animal cruelty officials were called in to investigate.

The star's wife is said to have confirmed the animals were killed by another one of the couple's pet pooches, and investigators at the Pet Adoption Welfare Services (PAWS) have now dropped the case, according to TMZ.com.
Source: Q104.3 - May 24, 2011
Update posted on Jun 5, 2011 - 3:55AM 

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