Facebook Helps Find Dog Attacker
posted by: Aimee Gertsch 95 days ago

In July, a 4.5 pound Yorkshire Terrier named Lucy was beaten. Thanks to the power of Facebook, ASPCA Special Agent Paul Lai was able to track down the dog's attacker. The Special Agent arrested Donnell Walters for allegedly beating little Lucy after a domestic dispute with his boyfriend, Lucy's owner. Walters allegedly slammed, or dropped the small dog onto the ground repeatedly, shattering one of her legs.
However, when it came to finding Walters at the start of the investigation, he wasn't so easy to find. Luckily, Special Agend Lai was very clever and used Facebook, a very popular social networking website, to locate the suspect. The arrest was made, and Walters was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty. The penalty is up to two years in jail.
"Lucy was the innocent victim of a domestic dispute,” says Stacy Wolf, ASPCA HLE Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel. “As unfortunate as these kinds of incidents are, it is good to know that the criminal justice system is treating them with the seriousness that these crimes deserve."
As for Lucy, she was taken to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. They were able to operated on her leg and repair it. The extent of her injury was great, and they even had to use a metal plate and screws to repair the leg. Lucy is said to be recovering well from the ordeal.
If you know of an animal who is being hurt, please report it! You can visit the ASPCA Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty in your area. It is very important to report cruelty, not just for the sake of the animal involved, but it has been shown that those who intentionally hurt animals often escalate to abusing people as well.
However, when it came to finding Walters at the start of the investigation, he wasn't so easy to find. Luckily, Special Agend Lai was very clever and used Facebook, a very popular social networking website, to locate the suspect. The arrest was made, and Walters was charged with one count of aggravated animal cruelty. The penalty is up to two years in jail.
"Lucy was the innocent victim of a domestic dispute,” says Stacy Wolf, ASPCA HLE Vice President & Chief Legal Counsel. “As unfortunate as these kinds of incidents are, it is good to know that the criminal justice system is treating them with the seriousness that these crimes deserve."
As for Lucy, she was taken to the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital. They were able to operated on her leg and repair it. The extent of her injury was great, and they even had to use a metal plate and screws to repair the leg. Lucy is said to be recovering well from the ordeal.
If you know of an animal who is being hurt, please report it! You can visit the ASPCA Report Cruelty FAQ to learn how to report cruelty in your area. It is very important to report cruelty, not just for the sake of the animal involved, but it has been shown that those who intentionally hurt animals often escalate to abusing people as well.
Read more: dog, yorkie, abuse, aspca, animal welfare, animal abuse, facebook





comments
this man should be hanged upside down put a fire under his head and beat him as hard as we could so that this barbarian should know how painful has this poor dog has undergone. HE NOT DESERVED TO BE CALLED A HUMAN. BARBARIAN :(
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Two years is crap I hope his cell mate loves animals and kicks the shit out of him. I wasn't sure about facebook but thank goodness for this system being created to help this incident dog. I wish a speedy recovery for Lucy and that her owner gives her plenty of love and protection. Don't let a partner come in between you and your pet remember they are alway's your friend. People shouldn't use a helpless animal to hurt someone take care of her.
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To all of those who replied "2 yrs. is NOT enough.." Bravo. 20 years, perhaps. Can you imagine anyone being so little as to pick on someone probably 100 times smaller than himself? What any idiot! What an inconsiderate, unkind, inhumane idiot! Now, there, I feel better. I hope Lucy is all better by now. Thanks for listening.
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I can't believe someone could take their anger from a relationship out on a poor defenseless animal. Especially a little 4 pound dog. That's sick. Poor little Lucy.
- as for Sandi F. i'm glad that you feel there is something seriously wrong animal abuse, but there was no need for you to say that a lot of people don't like gay people. it was unnecessary, unbased, and not at all related to this issue. there isn't anything wrong with homosexuality and to bring that into a case of animal abuse is just prejudiced.
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This is what the internet should be used for the good things to find bad people that do bad things to people as well innocent animals that just want to make people happy.
This person is only going to get two (2) years in prison? That makes total no sense at all and that is a fact.
He should be ordered to work in a animal shelter for the rest of his life with no pay and he would have to clean up gages with his tongue for a the very least two (2) years and even at that it wouldn't be enough but I think that would work. Don't you?
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oh for 20 minutes and a buggy whip,along with that piece of horse pucky! two years is too lil !!
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Poor little Lucy, i hope she´s doing better and better. Congratulation on the efficiency and do justice. I am so glad for that, this kind of people is inhuman and heartless. Everywhere should be heavy penalties. She was very lucky. Recently ,in Chile there was a vet who applied eutanacia to a female street dog because accidently was enclosed in his veterinary and the next day, this miserable unprofessional found his place in a mess and because of his ire ,he killed her intended.Peolple from around ,who feeded her couldn´t do anything to stoped him.The vet closed his place to kill her.The trial is in process.
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Negotiation is over
With the Government,
Say NO to Puerto Rico
we want them to listen and help
Say no to the animal abuse
The government of Puerto Rico has to ensure that Animal Protection Laws are followed in their Island
Dogs are people's companions and helpers, not livestock for meat.
Monkey farms should not be aloud in our Island
Puppy mills should be made illegal.
Selling dog in underneath bridges and flea market has to be banned and be charge
You can help us change the life of millions of dogs here in Puerto Rico. Help me HELP then!
Animal torture should remain illegal in all forms and in all countries.
Animal abuse and neglect should be permitted.
Law 154 should be respected and enforced.
Those that killed should be behind bars, not walking free in our streets.
We need the COPS to enforce and do their jobs.
Sign my petition if you care about the animals situation in Puerto Rico.
Killing is not the SOLUTION, MASSIVE Spay and Neutering is.
Learn to Recognize Animal Cruelty.
Report Animal Cruelty.
Set a Good Example for Others.
Fight for the Passage of Anti-Cruelty Laws by Joining the ASPCA Advocacy Brigade.
Sign today and you will save a live
http://www.thepetitionsite.com/14/say-no-to-the-animal-abuse-in-puerto-rico-shelters-and-in-our-strrets
P.S. This message was sent by nikkovonrottie@aol.com
You can help us change the li
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I agree with Cecilia H. If anyone would even think of hurting my Yorkie or my Bulldog, they wouldn't make it out of my home. I would keep them here in my home, any way I could, until the police could arrive. That's just heartless for someone to pick on a 4 pound dog. He deserves to get the full 2 years in prison!! GET BETTER LUCY!!
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please save our friends.
JUSTICE NOW
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Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
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