Pit bull stabbed - Virginia Beach, VA

Tuesday, Aug 31, 2004

County: Virginia Beach City

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Shannon Bentley
» David Beaver

In September, a Virginia Beach couple were accused of stabbing their pit bull. On Nov 12, a judge heard testimony that the pair threatened a witness in the courtroom and the couple is now facing charges on on those allegations.

The owners claim the dog named Pig was stabbed five times in self defense. The investigating officers disagree and charged both with animal cruelty and took both their pit bulls. Wednesday the owner and her boyfriend went to court to get just one of them back and now say Pig should be put to sleep. They had previously said they wanted their dog back, they have now changed their minds.

"We brought this stuff today because we thought we were gonna show we're suitable pet owners so we could bring our dogs home." That was accused dog stabbed David Beaver last week with girlfriend Shannon Bentley, saying they wanted both pit bulls, including Pig. That wasn't what they were saying Wednesday in court.

Shannon Bentley, also charged with animal cruelty tells us, "Pig I think, I hate to say it, I love him very much but I think he's dangerous to society." His owner told a judge about the morning Pig attacked her and her boyfriend. "I told him he better run cause the dog was gonna kill him if he didn't."

J. E. Cason, an Animal Control Officer said, "They were arguing very early on in the morning. I believe they provoked this dog into biting and that they stabbed him out of retaliation. In my 10 years I've been employed with animal control i have never seen someone retaliate against an animal in this manner."

And the officer maintains even after Pig was restrained Beaver could be heard making a threat to the dog on a 9-1-1 call. "After the first initial call was made in which Mr. Beaver's is stating that he's gonna to cut the dog's head off."

For now both pit bulls remain in the custody of Animal Control. And it's the judge who will have the final say over whether Pig is put to the sleep. Animal Control officers say they've heard from a lot of folks who want to adopt both dogs. Both Beaver and Bentley due back in court next month on the animal cruelty charges.

References

• WAVY - Nov 14, 2004
• WTKR - Oct 14, 2004

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