Talk about assholes... two idiots steal a dog... shoot it twice... leave it for dead... AND (the kicker) get caught on a camera! The only good things to report are that the dog survived... and the suspects were caught. Should be interesting to see how this pans out in the courts.
http://abclocal.go.com/wtvg/story?section=news/local&id=7528250&rss=rss-wtvg-article-7528250
Comments ... #
I hope like hell they can charge them with enough to make them do time. Dirt bags.
This guy should be treated like a pariah in his neighborhood.
I mean make the prick a total outcast, every other person in the neighborhood should treat him like the scum that he is.
From the news story, the dog has his own Facebook page called Tending for Tyson, which currently has 1496 fans.
Latest post at the active Tending for Tyson Facebook fan page:
We are talking with city representatives, one who happens to work on the board for dog warden, they are telling me justice will be served and that the law will be changed. I think the Tyson Law sounds good.
More from the page:
Animal cruelty is only a second degree misdemeanor in Ohio. We need enough people to take a stand and to help change this law and give animal abusers a more severe punishment.
Glad Tyson survived, and I hope that the assailants face stiff penalties: I think there are few crimes more repugnant than attacking a defenseless animal, save for attacking a defenseless human or running a red light in Toledo.
Ahem.
Since no one else mentioned it, I guess I will be the one to point out that Eric Skowron is one of Jon Stainbrook's central committee supporters. Not that it means anything. He pulled 37 votes in the May 4th Central Committee election in precinct 5C.
posted by historymike on Jul 02, 2010 at 09:23:56 pm #
I wonder if Stainbrook still wants to be Facebook friends with Eric Skowron after the dog-shooting viciousness:
posted by historymike on Jul 02, 2010 at 09:30:36 pm #
Nice catch HistoryMike. Tells a lot about a lot of things.
Apparently this Skowron asshole works "at a nuclear plant". Well, if that's the sort of asshole that works in the nuclear industry, I'm all for revoking the licenses of all nuke plants and shutting them down. I mean, if we are gonna be serious about this terrorism thing, then the responsible thing is either fire him as to unstable to work in a secure area, or shut down the plant. Right?
posted by anonymouscoward on Jul 02, 2010 at 10:44:54 pm #
I guess the Blade didn't catch Skowron's connection to Stainbrook, as it wasn't included in the dead tree version of that rag this morning.
But, of course, it couldn't have anything to do with the Blade propping up Stainbrook for the last two years, could it?
Nice catch indeed, HistoryMike. Of course, if this scum was Facebook friends with Tom Noe (do they have FB in prison??), it's be on the front page of the Blade.
The Blade is busy instructing Stainbrook to support the Blade's plan to reform county government.
Jul 2, 2010 Blade op-ed titled Mr. Stainbrook’s moment.
The Tending for Tyson Facebook page now has 2,000 fans.Interesting post yesterday by the page owner who asked:
"For everyone who doesn't live around the Toledo area, can I ask how you heard about Tyson?"
Some comments:
"a friend we are in the uk"
"In NY... Facebook for love of the dog."
"We're in Florida; my father lives in Toledo (I was born there, too). He sent me this link" [to WTVG story at top of this thread]
"Molly LaMountain posted about him on FB, the poor guy :*( I live in Southern California, so I wouldn't have known about him otherwise, I don't think."
"13 abc and facebook"
"Upstate NY here, a friend was a fan, so I checked Tyson out and fell in love! :)"
"live in Arkansas but a friend from Ohio became a friend of Tysons"
"I'm originally from Toledo and now living in Arizona - saw Tending for Tyson on a friend's homepage."
"live in florida but keep up with the local news on the internet."
Excerpts from the Jul 3, 2010 Blade story
Tyson, a 9-year-old shepherd, lab, and Rottweiler mix, was nearly dead on arrival the morning of June 24 at Reynolds Road Animal Hospital, after taking a .45-caliber bullet to his left eye and another to his chest the previous evening. Though permanently blind in his left eye and suffering anemia and a swollen limb, the dog is expected to live. Tyson will need surgery to remove his left eye and possibly to excise the bullets from his leg."He's not out of the woods yet, but looking at him [on July 2], I think he's going to make it," Dr. Grothaus told the family. "This is a very tough dog. I don't think there are many dogs out there that can withstand the punishment and pain he went through."
He continued: "Imagine being point-blank shot in your left eye and having the bullet end up in your right tricep. Think about all of the structures that you need to go through to get to the right tricep. And then he got shot at point-blank range in his left shoulder, and it went across his chest, into his right tricep and almost landed on the other bullet."
Mr. Skowron and Ms. King were both charged Friday with injuring an animal and with animal torture. They are to appear July 16 in Toledo Municipal Court to answer to the misdemeanor charges. An attorney for Mr. Skowron confirmed this week that Mr. Skowron did shoot the Lucks' dog, who he said would wander the neighborhood unleashed. He said the shooting was done in defense of Mr. Skowron's dog, whom Tyson allegedly threatened.
Mr. Luck [Tyson's owner] said his family has received phone calls recently from Mr. Skowron's work colleagues at the Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in Monroe County, alleging that Mr. Skowron talked for weeks about shooting a neighbor's dog and then bragging about doing it. "If he's going to do this to a dog, what would he do to a human?" Mr. Luck asked. "What's to say he's not going to come to our house and try to do something to us?"
The Lucks hope to eventually recoup from Mr. Skowron the nearly $7,000 in veterinary expenses that have resulted from Tyson's shooting. Those wishing to contribute to the cause may donate to Tending for Tyson at any Fifth Third Bank branch or by following directions on a Facebook page called Tending for Tyson. The family also hopes that Tyson's story will lend support to efforts to raise the criminal penalty for animal cruelty to a felony from a misdemeanor.
Jun 30, 2010 WTVG storyUnder Ohio law, animal cruelty is a second degree misdeamenor. The maximum sentence is six months in jail and a $1,000 fine.
Good luck getting Skowron to pay the vet bills.
A year ago, an outside shot existed for Skowron to be on Toledo city council.
June 2009 WTVG story titled Sobczak resigns from Toledo city council
John Stainbrook says, "Right now looks it like odds are up against us, but it's ok with republicans to bring up some names." The republicans will likely pick one person to nominate from a group of: Hans Schnapp, Eric Skowron, Mark Clark, and Constantine Stamos, who are all relative newcomers. "When you say who's that, it's better than those guys on council right now."
From Jeepmaker: This guy should be treated like a pariah in his neighborhood.
What makes you think he won't be?
There are other charges that could be brought against him and his girlfriend, such as criminal trespass and theft. As much publicity as this case is getting and as angry as people are, I'm thinking the two of them could get a severe case of lead poisoning in their own backyard in front of two dozen neighbors and not one would be able to identify the shooter.
If he works at a nuclear plant then it's either Fermi 2 or Davis-Besse, and the people who work there are not likely to look too kindly on this piece of pond scum.
"If he works at a nuclear plant then it's either Fermi 2 or Davis-Besse ..."
Again, from the July 3 Blade story
Mr. Luck [Tyson's owner] said his family has received phone calls recently from Mr. Skowron's work colleagues at the Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in Monroe County, alleging that Mr. Skowron talked for weeks about shooting a neighbor's dog and then bragging about doing it.
this story will never stop following him. hopefully he leaves toledo after his punishment has been served.
I'm hoping he loses his security clearance at Fermi, bye bye job, hello poverty. Richly deserved of course. And I thing they should get him for criminal trespass and theft and anything else they can possible come up with, they have the bastard on video. Nuke him.
posted by Linecrosser on Jul 03, 2010 at 02:24:47 pm #
Dont worry, he WILL lose his security clearance, if he hasn't already.
Looks like this is the first thread that we are all in agreement on. I have zero tolernace for this crap and that guy AND that psycho bitch better both get theirs. Whats scariest is that two individuals this screwed up knew each other.
yep, there's a lot to be said about those pesky security cameras. They just don't blink, people!
Loving the defense lawyer trying to justify what the video clearly shows.
"Surveillance camera footage from the night of June 23 appears to show two attempts by Mr. Skowron and Ms. King to lure the dog out of his owner's yard and toward Mr. Skowron's home. Twenty minutes later, the wounded dog stumbles home and collapses on the ground."
"An attorney for Mr. Skowron confirmed this week that Mr. Skowron did shoot the Lucks' dog, who he said would wander the neighborhood unleashed. He said the shooting was done in defense of Mr. Skowron's dog, whom Tyson allegedly threatened."
"The attorney, Don Cameron, declined further comment yesterday."
He'd have been smarter to decline the case....
posted by BrianInFlorida on Jul 03, 2010 at 03:48:09 pm #
If a dog is legally considered property, then they can get him for theft, criminal property damage, etc. as well. PETA probably wouldn't like animals being ruled to be property, but what the hell. I'd try to press those charges, particularly if I had a really twisty shyster on my side.
posted by anonymouscoward on Jul 03, 2010 at 03:50:50 pm #
Chris Myers post at SwampBubbles:
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-01-08997-0101 10/18/1975 DISORDERLY CONDUCT amended from HANDGUN IDENTIFICATION REQUIRED
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-03-12644-0102 10/18/1975 PETTY THEFT
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-03-12644-0202 10/18/1975 CRIMINAL TRESPASS
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-10-10698-0102 10/18/1975 PROHIBITIONS CONCERNING COMPANION ANIMALS TORTURE
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-10-10698-0202 10/18/1975 KILLING OR INJURING ANIMALS
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-10-10712-0102 10/18/1975 FIREARMS DISCHARGE RESTRICTED
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-10-10712-0202 10/18/1975 MAKE FALSE ALARM;FALSE REPORT TO POLICE
SKOWRON, ERIC CRB-99-01345-0101 10/18/1975 DOMESTIC VIOL;KNOWINGLY CAUSE OR ATTEMP TO CAUSE PHYSICAL HARM TO FAMILY OR HOUSEHOLD MEMBER
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-00-35145-0102 10/18/1975 LICENSE REQ;DRIVING WITHOUT LICENSE
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-00-35145-0202 10/18/1975 TURNING RULES
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-01-01550-0101 10/18/1975 FAILURE TO CONTROL; WEAVING; FULL TIME AND ATTENTON
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-01-11341-0101 10/18/1975 DISPLAY OF LIC PLATE;WHEN EXPIRED
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-05-01814-0101 10/18/1975 OPERATION OF VEHICLE AT STOP SIGNS
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-96-35930-0101 10/18/1975 MAXIMUM SPEED LIMITS;ASSURED CLEAR DIST
SKOWRON, ERIC TRD-97-32693-0101 10/18/1975 MAXIMUM SPEEDS; 35 MPH THROUGH ROUTES
historymike explained at SB:The dates listed are the birthdate of the individual, not the court case dates. To get the court case dates you would have to take the case number and reference it through the TMC database. The year of the case is the number after the CRB/TRD acronyms, so for example the animal charges all say "10" for 2010.
Case Information search: http://www.tmc-clerk.com/criminaltraffic10698 : 07/02/2010 - Affidavit Filed 07/02/2010 13:07. Defendant issued a summons and ordered to appear for arraignment on 07/16/2010 13:00 in court room 4.
10712 : Complaint filed 07/02/2010 21:02, probable cause found. Warrant to issue. 07/02/2010 - Bond set from bond schedule at $ 500.00.
I agree, anyone with a record like that has no business being able to work in such a security sensitive place like a nuke plant.
I'd like to hear from a scumbag, errr defense attorney. There is no solid evidence to prove this guy shot the dog. It may show some woman take the dog and it might show the woman take the dog into a house, but there is no evidence to who did the shooting.
I haven't seen the video, but how clear is it? A good defense attorney is going to have a field day with the so-called "evidence". Just watch.
Let the legal games begin.
just watched the video. It is blurry and could be anyone from what I saw. The biggest hole in the evidence I believe is that there is no evidence that these two people shot the dog and I'll bet that is exactly what their attorney will say.
The Blade, "An attorney for Mr. Skowron confirmed this week that Mr. Skowron did shoot the Lucks' dog, who he said would wander the neighborhood unleashed. He said the shooting was done in defense of Mr. Skowron's dog, whom Tyson allegedly threatened."
<Shaking a finger under his nose> "Bad attorney, bad, bad, attorney."
posted by oldsendbrdy on Jul 04, 2010 at 12:05:10 am #
So already the story has holes in it. The woman took the dog, the man says he was defending himself.
Watch and see the woman say that she was going to take the dog to bathe it for the owner and it attacked the guy.
In reference to anonymouscoward's comment a few posts up: Pets are indeed considered property. And I do believe I read that the prosecutor indeed was considering theft charges among others, in addition to the animal cruelty charges. Unfortunately, though, in court cases involving pets, they are often considered "valued" at only what they are actually "worth," which in the case of a mixed breed dog, is only like, what? a $50 adoption fee? But I hope they can get this guy for the vet bills, too.
I hope the Blade gives his charges, past criminal record and court dates ALL their due publicity, and I hope this case ruins this bastard's life. He didn't "make a mistake" or have an "error in judgment." He purposely, willfully and in a premeditated way, inflicted a cruel and barbaric and painful thing onto a defenseless animal.
People who hurt animals, children and/or the elderly are the absolute lowest of the low. I have zero compassion for the guy or his accomplice girlfriend, either.
While I agree with all the anger towards this demon, his defense is going to be that he defended himself from an attack.
Proving that he was involved in the "stealing" of the dog will become tough to prove.
Lock him in a cage with three of the meanest, hungriest pit bulls in Toledo. There's your justice.
He was bragging about it to co-workers before and after the dirty deed. What a total scumbag.
I think Skowron should pick up his gun and shoot himself in the eye (just to get a taste of what that poor dog felt), then he should pack his belongings and get out of town, as he will never have a decent life there again!
Yes, I know it's physically impossible, but this is the only one of my thoughts that is fit to print. I am so full of rage against this scum!
And he works at a nuclear facility????? That is just crazy! How do we mount a campaign to get him fired?
Let's hope that his employment has some kind of criminal conviction clause. Its possible that they might, given the sensitive nature of the facility. I really feel sorry for the folks who are forced to work with him. I'll bet a lot of those folks are asking for a transfer to another department.
Says a lot regarding the pre-employment background check process the nuke's HR people.
posted by justareviewer on Jul 04, 2010 at 02:11:03 pm #
Working at a nuclear plant doesn't require the most outstanding citizens. Sure, the security is higher, but one nut job in the workforce wouldn't pose much of a problem because of all the safety features in place. Besides, there is more than just one person working/watching the plant. As long as you get through the metal detector at the entrance, you could probably be a complete waste of human life as long as you do your job.
They do hold people to a higher standard at nuke plants anything that might cause you to lose your security clearance which is a lot will get you let go. DUI, felonies, anything involving guns or explosives. Not sure how this schmuck made it past the background check.
posted by Linecrosser on Jul 04, 2010 at 03:28:00 pm #
Very easily. He simply said his "rights" were being violated and that will scare any employer out of a potential lawsuit.
Actually, as long as your HONEST about past legal troubles and there is nothing current or pending, you CAN get a security clearance.
I have to wonder if the domestic violence charge resulted in a conviction? If it did then he should be charged in violation of the Lautenberg Amendment.
I thought that felons were not allowed past security at any nuclear power station. DUI and such as that didn't make any difference.
The Tending for Tyson Facebook fan page now has 4,612 fans.
A posting made a short while ago:
Tyson was back at the Vet today for emergency visit.Tyson was not eating normally and his bullet wound was leaking due to him licking it.The vet said he was being selective on his eating and his wound was healing.So some good news Tyson is getting better.
This was very hard to watch. I think everyone expressed my feelings about this horrible incident.
"Unfortunately, though, in court cases involving pets, they are often considered "valued" at only what they are actually "worth," which in the case of a mixed breed dog, is only like, what? a $50 adoption fee? But I hope they can get this guy for the vet bills, too."
You're right, jmleong. Unfortunately, the law needs to be changed. Pets are much more than personal property. There needs to be severe punishment against people who abuse animals. Got to change the law!
"There needs to be severe punishment against people who abuse animals. Got to change the law!"
It's coming. On June 30, 2010, Ohio and the Humane Society reached an agreement that includes:
- Enactment of a legislation establishing felony-level penalties for cock fighters. Ohio is one of only 11 states that do not have a felony law against cockfighting. The relatively meager penalties have made the state a safe haven for cockfighters from nearby states.
Whew! I'm glad penalties will be increased over the issue of battling roosters. And I thought it was the summer heat combined with our non-air conditioned house that was keeping me up at night.
I never realized the Buckeye state was a safe haven for cockfighters. That's a feather in our cap. I assume gambling is involved with these feisty birds. The Ohio government should take a piece of this gambling action and call cockfighting economic development.
The Tending for Tyson Facebook page now has 6,144 fans.
Here are a couple recent posts by the dog's owner:
1. - I think it is just occuring to Tyson that he will never be able to see out of that eye again. He will walk really close to a wall and then run into it because he doesn't know how close he actually is, then he gets startled and jumps.
2. - Tyson is still resting quite a bit and doesn't have much of an appetite, but he's in good spirits.
July 26, 2010 Facebook posting
Tyson's eye was successfully removed and a fracture in his nose was discovered causing drainage. One bullet was removed; however, the second was too close to the bone and would have taken much more time to remove. Around 6, we will be transferring Tyson to a 24 hour clinic, so he can be monitored over night. He is going to need constant supervision for about the next 36-48 hours.
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posted by Deho on Jul 02, 2010 at 08:00:05 pm #