Theft of an animal (leading to death)
Dogs stolen from Brooksville Florida Humane Society found by police
August 22, 2010
By: Maryann Tobin
Dogs stolen from Brooksville Florida Humane Society found by police
Two small-breed dogs and three puppies were stolen from the Brooksville, Florida Humane society last week. Workers there were horrified to find the empty cages on Thursdays morning.
According to tbo.com, the dogs were stolen sometime after the shelter closed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. They included three pit bull/lab mix puppies, and two senior mixed breed dogs.
“Dennis Schoch, whose wife, Joanne, is the director of the Humane Society, said he got a call at 8 a.m. from the Hernando County Sheriff's Office saying the dogs had been found at a house on Fullington Street, about 2 miles from the shelter." According to the report, "Schoch said she fears that the animals may have been taken by someone connected with illegal dogfighting to be used as "bait" for training purposes. "They were selective. They only wanted small dogs. The bigger ones they left behind."
Hernando County Deputy Sgt. Donna Black said an investigation would have to be completed before she could confirm that the small dogs were to be used as bait in dog fighting. However, the possibility has not been ruled out.
The Hernando County Crime Stoppers, Inc. is offering up to $1,000 as reward for information leading to the arrest of whoever is responsible for the burglary.
Dog killed in Brooksville Humane Society theft
August 23, 2010
By: Maryann Tobin
Two Brooksville men have been arrested for stealing dogs from the Brooksville, Florida Humane Society. Three puppies and two small-breed dogs were taken sometime after the shelter closed at 6 p.m. on Wednesday. They included three pit bull/lab mix puppies, and two senior mixed breed dogs. While two of the dogs were returned to the shelter Friday morning, and the other two were recovered after two men were arrested this weekend, the fifth dog was killed.
“On Friday, an adult dog discovered missing from the shelter after the burglary was found dead in the street outside the facility, apparently the result of being hit by a car,” according to tbo.com.
The Hernando County Sheriff's Office told reporters that Juan Claudio, 26, surrendered to the Pasco County Sheriff's Office on Saturday, and Jose Navarro, 20, turned himself in to the Hernando County Sheriff's Office the next day. The men have been charged with commercial burglary.
No details have been released on the dog that was killed, other than the admission by Claudio and Navarro that they had only stolen four dogs, which they intended to sell. The dog that was run over and killed may have gotten out through an open gate, after the two men took the other four dogs.
