Friday, April 09, 2010

Man slashes dog for being racist

A black man who had grown tired of the incessant barking of a dog that reportedly dislikes minorities was arrested on Monday night after he slashed its face, police said.

The German shepherd lost an eye, and the suspect — who worked for an oil delivery business where the dog stood guard — was arrested on a felony aggravated cruelty charge. He also was charged with fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon, a misdemeanor.



Andrew Owens, 58, was arraigned on Tuesday in City Court after spending the night in jail. He admitted to the crime, police said. "The dog reacts to black people, Hispanics, anyone who is not white," owner Paul Tocco said. "She always barked at him. He (Owens) was well aware the dog didn't like him, and he knew to stay away from her."

A detective for the SPCA of Westchester said the slashing was unprovoked. It took place around 7 p.m. as the dog, a 4-year-old named Jenna, was leashed outside Valley Oil at 707 Nepperhan Ave.



Owens, who worked there as a handyman, had threatened to kill the dog in the past and told authorities it had bitten him about a year ago. On Monday night, he "egged on" the barking dog and charged at her, Detective Ken Ross III said. Owens is alleged to have then brandished a 9-inch folding knife.

Owens is accused of taunting the dog with his arm, raising his arm with a knife and slashing the dog across the face, Ross said. The dog was cut "over the right eye, all the way down to the socket bone," he said.

7 comments:

arbroath said...

Well I'm sure the dog just loves him now.

arbroath said...

Barking dogs can make me a little batty, but too claim that it's racist? Really? You're taking it a little far.

arbroath said...

I dont know Guest - I have seen it with my own eyes.  My father had a dog who was racist.  He was trained him that way.   I was little so I dont recall all of the details as to how he did it, but my father (who is evil) did it on purpous.  The dog was sweet with us kids, loveing and fun, until a person of color came around.  My heart goes out to this poor dog. 

arbroath said...

In that case the dog still isn't racist- It only reacts as learned to people with certain characteristics. To the dog it would have been the same if your father had trained it to go after people with sunglasses / purple noses, short skirts / else or to wag its tail for dark coloured people / children / little green men / else - the dog just has learned that it will be praised by its human leader. 

arbroath said...

It could probably just sense what a complete arsehole he was.

arbroath said...

I would unleash the dog and put the dog and him in a small room. Even playing ground. What a lowlife to be offended by a dog. How low is his self esteem?

arbroath said...

Yeah... attacking a dog for barking.  That's smart.

What does he do to babies who cry because they're afraid of scary men with knives?