Firehouse dalmatian bitten, mouth duct taped - Fayetteville, PA

Wednesday, May 31, 2006

County: Franklin

Disposition: Acquitted

Person of Interest: Troy Wagaman

Case Updates: 1 update(s) available

Humane Society officers say the dalmatian was repeatedly abused by this firefighter at the firehouse. They say, they have several witnesses to prove it. "My husband thought it would be nice to give it to the firehouse as a donation."

Last summer, Angie Barrett gave the Fayetteville Fire Company a cuddly mascot. A dalmatian puppy named Hannigan. "We hear a lot from the firehouse about how sweet he is. How the volunteers like to take him out and play with him. He rides right on the fire truck."

But Humane Society Officer Buck Hessler says it wasn't all fun and games for one-year old Hannigan. He says an EMT and firefighter, named Troy Wagaman, repeatedly abused the dog over a period of one month. It allegedly happened at the fire station on Main Street. Wagaman is now charged with animal cruelty. Hessler says several witnesses saw the twenty-seven-year-old bite Hannigan's ears, and put duct tape over his mouth. "Of course the dog could not pant, and that's of course how they sweat." Hessler says the once loving dog also now appears skittish. "Once they get treated that way they're going to retaliate, and they're going to bite."

"I'm upset more than angry. I just can't imagine that anyone would hurt an animal. We're very upset." Angie says she's glad the witnesses came forward, and she doesn't worry about Hannigan's future. She says the rest of the fire company loves their spotted friend. "We know he's being cared for and loved. It's unfortunate there would just be this one person that doesn't like him."

The Fayetteville Fire Company did not want to comment on the case. The fire company has not taken any disciplinary action against Troy Wagaman. There will be a hearing about the alleged abuse next week.

Case Updates

Fayetteville firefighter-paramedic Troy Wagaman was found not guilty of animal cruelty in a summary trial Friday before Magisterial District Judge T.R. Williams, prompting his lawyer to call the case a "dog" and an instance of an animal control officer "barking up the wrong tree." Williams ruled that the prosecution had not proven that the dog was harmed, or that harm was intended to the dalmatian, according to Defense Attorney Jay Abom, a partner in the law firm Abom and Kutulakis.

Source: Public Opinion - September 23, 2006 Update posted on Nov 3, 2006 - 3:06PM

References

• ABC27 News - June 16, 2006

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