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Case ID: 4837
Classification: Burning - Fire or Fireworks
Animal: dog (pit-bull)
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Firecracker placed in dog's mouth
Lakeland, FL (US)

Incident Date: Thursday, Jun 2, 2005
County: Polk

Disposition: Alleged

Alleged:
» Michael Peck
» Walter Peck

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

A 2-year-old pit bull named Cowboy is healing well from burns in his mouth and other areas of his body. Detectives are investigating reports that two men put firecrackers in the dog's mouth and let them explode, then threw them at his feet so they would explode under his paws.

"That was horrible abuse, and I just don't want him to go back to it. If I do get granted custody, I will be putting him up for adoption. If not, then I'll be searching for a rescue to take care of him," explained Deputy Laurie Hillsgrove of the Polk County Sheriff's Office.

The state attorney's office is deciding on charges


Case Updates

Two brothers, Walter and Michael Peck, are persons of interest in Cowboy's case.

Now recuperating at the Polk County animal shelter, which is run by the Polk County Sheriff's Office, Cowboy greets visitors vigorously -- leaning against them and wagging his tail so hard his entire behind wiggles.

"He's the sweetest baby. He loves all over you," said Sheriff's Deputy Laurie Hillsgrove, who is in charge of filing petitions to take custody of abused animals.

June 15, Hillsgrove filed such a petition in Polk County civil court to take custody of Cowboy, whom she said is probably between 1 and 2 years old.

On June 2, Animal Control Officer Karen Bedsole and a deputy responded to a complaint of animal neglect at 1725 Venus Street in Lakeland, according to the petition.

They found Cowboy with fresh burns on his mouth, lower lip, paws and groin.

That day, brothers Walter and Michael Peck were watching Cowboy for their brother, George, the dog's owner, while he was in jail, according to the petition.

So far, neither Michael nor Walter Peck has been arrested in the incident.

On June 2, the Sheriff's Office filed complaint affidavits against both Michael Peck, 52, and Walter Peck, 45. The State Attorney's Office is reviewing the complaints and will decide whether to file charges against the men.

According to the Sheriff's Office petition, neighbors gave the investigating officers four sworn statements, saying they saw Walter Peck "placing firecrackers in the dog's mouth and laughing when they exploded."

The same witnesses also reported seeing Peck "throwing firecrackers at the dog and allowing the dog to pick them up to watch them explode in the dog's mouth."

Bedsole stated the dog was inside a fenced yard and that there was a cable leading to a small doghouse. Scattered on the ground next to the cable were numerous spent firecrackers, she said.

Cowboy seemed a little timid when the officers came in, but he was friendly, Bedsole said.

Walter Peck told a deputy that he and his brother threw a firecracker onto the ground and that Cowboy picked it up once while it was still burning, according to a Sheriff's Office report.

If a judge grants custody of Cowboy to the Sheriff's Office, he will be eligible for adoption. A hearing date has not yet been scheduled.
Source: theledger.com - June 18, 2005
Update posted on Jun 27, 2005 - 10:43AM 

References

  • « FL State Animal Cruelty Map
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