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TERRY EUGENE MICHAEL arrested for murdering his dogs and reporting they were stolen

Updated: Oct 7, 2023

- Virginia, USA -


~ Update: October 7, 2023


On Thursday, October 5, 2023, 58-years-old TERRY EUGENE MICHAEL (pictured), was found guilty of two felony counts of animal cruelty, in connection with the senseless killing of his two dogs Caleb and Colby.

Additionally, Judge Tim Allen ruled MICHAEL is also guilty of a misdemeanor charge for falsely reporting to police.


Back in February, MICHAEL made up a horrifying scenario. He falsely reported to the Franklin County Sheriff's Office that as Caleb and Colby got loose to chase a squirrel, two males picked up the dogs and drove off.


An investigation into this incident revealed the devastating reality. MICHAEL had shot and killed 1½-year-old Caleb and 3-year-old Colby. He then abandoned them on the side of the road.


WDBJ reports that during the trial, “the defense brought up Michel’s history of mental illness, and the Commonwealth showed [Michael’s] confession where he admitted he killed the dogs to save his failing relationship with his wife.”


When MICHAEL was interviewed by an investigator with the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the investigator asked him: “Just tell us why.” According to WDBJ, MICHAEL responded: “They [the dogs] were separating us, from my wife. It wasn’t to hurt her, it was to try and save our marriage.”

MICHAEL said his wife Rhonda “gave a lot of attention to the dogs and was not spending enough time with him”, reports WDBJ.


As reported by WDBJ, during the trial, defense attorney Aaron Houchens also argued the statute for animal cruelty is “ambiguous” and motioned to strike the case twice. Judge Allen overruled both of those motions.


Sentencing is scheduled for November 2, 2023.


In an interview with WDBJ, Anita Scott, director of the Franklin County Humane Society, commented on the case and explained that an animal cruelty conviction for a felony case would give justice to Caleb and Colby and added: “It’s just been unprecedented and I hope that it will open up other avenues for these animals and for those without a voice. We need to stand up for those laws and make them stronger laws for these little animals.”



~ Original story:


How evil do you have to be to murder your own dogs and then lie to the authorities reporting that your dogs were stolen?


58-years-old TERRY EUGENE MICHAEL (pictured), of Ferrum, reported to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office that on February 7, 2023, his two black Labradors, named Caleb and Colby, “were taken from the Waid Park area after they got loose from their owner to chase a squirrel.” MICHAEL told deputies that two males picked up Caleb and Colby, put them into an off-white color Jeep Grand Cherokee and drove off.


The Franklin County Humane Society offered a reward for the safe return of Caleb and Colby, and the Franklin County Sheriff's Office made multiple appeals to the community to help look for them.


In one of the appeals, the sheriff’s office wrote: “We continue to ask for the public's assistance in locating these loving fur babies so that they can reunite with their owners.”

Investigators searched until February 14, when someone found Caleb and Colby, lifeless, on the side of the road.


The person called the authorities to report the heartbreaking discovery and the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office and the Animal Control Unit of Franklin County Department of Public Safety responded to the 500 block of Carolina Springs Road.


Through a Facebook post, the sheriff’s office announced: “To our great dismay, the dogs have been identified as the two black labs, Colby and Caleb, that were stolen from the Waid Park area last week. Both have been taken to the Virginia-Maryland College of Veterinary Medicine at Virginia Tech in Blacksburg for further examination and cause of death determination. We are appalled at this senseless tragedy and extend our condolences to the owners of these dogs.”


Necropsies performed on Caleb and Colby revealed the cause of death was gunshot wounds.


A deeper investigation in addition to assistance from the community led to MICHAEL’s arrest on February 16, 2023.

The murderer is being charged with two counts of felony animal cruelty, two summons for improper disposal of companion animal, and one count of filing a false police report.

Online records show the murderer is being held at the Western Virginia Regional Jail without bond.


The Franklin News-Post reports that MICHAEL’s wife, Rhonda Michel, “has also worked closely with the Franklin County Humane Society and other groups to locate Caleb and Colby.” The sheriff’s office said Ms. Michael has been cooperative and does not appear to have any involvement.


All those appeals to the public by the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, the search for Caleb and Colby, the investigation, the hunt for the made-up vehicle, the community’s hopes and prayers for the safe return of two innocent dogs were all in vain as MICHAEL knew the ugly truth all along and played everybody!


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.



MICHAEL’s mugshots shared from the Western Virginia Regional Jail.





 
 
 

RAYMOND J. NEUBERGER, ex-Fairfield official, animal killer and abuser, re-arrested for animal abuse

Updated: Dec 8, 2023

- Connecticut, USA -


~ Update: December 8, 2023


On Thursday, December 7, 2023, Bridgeport Superior Court Judge Mary Elizabeth Reid sentenced 40-years-old RAYMOND J. NEUBERGER (pictured), to only seventeen (17) months in prison in an animal cruelty case, in which NEUBERGER was accused of torturing cats and dogs with chemicals and boiling water.


Judge Reid gave NEUBERGER a six-year sentence, suspended after seventeen (17) months served. Additionally, after time served in prison, NEUBERGER must serve four years of probation, cannot “own” pets, and he must be supervised if around animals.


Under a plea deal, NEUBERGER had pleaded guilty to two counts of malicious wounding and one count of second-degree threatening.


CT Insider reports that Assistant State’s Attorney Andres Bermudez-Hallstrom told judge Reid that NEUBERGER “maliciously and intentionally killed Gem, a cat, by covering Gem in bleach and maliciously and intentionally wounded another cat, Pearl.” Bermudez-Hallstrom went on to explain that as a result of the wounds Pear suffered, her tail had to be amputated.


NEUBERGER is a former member of the Fairfield Representative Town Meeting and unsuccessfully ran for state representative in 2016.




~ Update: October 16, 2023


On Friday, October 13, 2023, RAYMOND J. NEUBERGER (pictured), appeared in Bridgeport Superior Court for two felony counts of animal cruelty.


NEUBERGER, former Fairfield representative town meeting member, is also accused of domestic violence and threatening police.


News12 Connecticut reports that on Friday, NEUBERGER was expected to take a plea deal but that will likely happen at his next hearing which is set for November 28, 2023.


NEUBERGER, however, applied for the Family Violence Education Program that if granted, could have the domestic violence charges wiped from his record.


The prosecution was very clear with regards to the animal cruelty charges; NEUBERGER must serve time behind bars and Assistant State's Attorney Andres Bermudez Hallstrom told the judge: “The state is looking for incarceration on the malicious wounding cases.” He, however, did not elaborate on how much time he’s seeking.


NEUBERGER has also faced animal cruelty charges in 2018. He was arrested for abusing two dogs, Thor and Charlie, who were his and at-the-time fiancée.

NEUBERGER was accused of pouring boiling water on one of the two Voiceless Victims and fracturing the ribs of the other one. For this case, NEUBERGER served forty-three days in jail and was ordered to donate $25,000 to the Bridgeport Animal Shelter. In exchange, NEUBERGER “received accelerated rehabilitation, a probation program that once successfully completed allowed the charges to be dismissed”, reports News12 Connecticut.


NEUBERGER was arrested again in October 2022, then in February 2023, and again in March 2023, when he was accused of threatening and harassing police. NEUBERGER has been in custody since then.




~ Original story:


Animal abusers are toxic and toxic people do NOT change, they only change their victims!


On Monday, February 6, 2023, the Fairfield Police Department arrested 39-years-old RAYMOND J. NEUBERGER (pictured), former Fairfield Representative Town Meeting member, accused of abusing and torturing another innocent cat.


Many of you may remember that NEUBERGER was arrested in October 2022, for torturing and abusing a different cat, a female named Gem. On that occasion, the Voiceless Victim had been covered in bleach and a necropsy showed Gem died as a result of blunt force trauma. (To read the full article by Voice For Us, please click here.)


That’s not all!

In fact, in 2018, NEUBERGER was accused of burning one dog and causing multiple rib fractures to another. The furbabies, Thor and Charlie, belonged to NEUBERGER and his fiancée.


Let’s fast forward to 2023, Fairfield Police said the new charges surfaced as police investigated the October 2022 case.


For this February animal abuse case, NEUBERGER was charged with cruelty to animals and was released from custody after posting $10,000 bond!

NEUBERGER is scheduled to appear in Superior Court in Bridgeport on February 28, 2023.

His October case is still pending.


I have emailed the Fairfield Police Department and requested additional information about the latest furvictim. If I receive a response, I will post an update.


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.


NEUBERGER’s mugshot provided to Voice For Us by the Connecticut Department of Correction.




Additional Sources:






 
 
 

Enzo, an innocent and defenseless Husky, murdered by incompetent San Joaquin County officials

- California, USA -


Following the murder of an innocent and defenseless dog, many people gathered at the crossroads of Pine and Sacramento streets in Lodi, San Joaquin County, on February 4, 2023, to remember, honor, and speak out for the furvictim, a 2-year-old male Husky named Enzo.


It all started on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, when Enzo escaped from his family’s home on Sandpiper Circle and ended up on nearby Finch Run where he was SENSELESSLY murdered.


According to the Lodi Police Department, they received a report about a dog chasing a family with young children into their home on Sandpiper Circle and trying to bite them.


In a news release, Lodi police stated: “Yesterday at around 3:12 PM, we received a report of an aggressive dog in the area of Sandpiper Circle. It was reported that this dog was a loose Husky breed and that it had chased a family, with young children, into their residence and was trying to bite them. The dog then began to try to get through the resident’s side gate, to attack their dog. When our Animal Services Officer arrived in the area, they saw a citizen using a piece of wood to block himself and his pet dog, from the vicious dog. Numerous attempts were made to try to catch the dog, however they were unsuccessful. Our Animal Services Officer tried to place the snare on the dog twice, but it broke free both times. LPD Officers had responded to assist our Animal Services Officer. At this time the aggressive dog approached a group of individuals that were standing out front of their residence and the officer deployed his taser, which is a less lethal device, to stun and incapacitate the dog, in order to give our Animal Services officer the opportunity to safely secure the dog. Unfortunately, during the incident the dog passed away. Lodi PD and Animal Services have been in contact with the dog’s owners.

Ultimately our officers were trying to control and secure the dog to protect the safety of the public.”


According to ABC10, a few neighbors who were on the scene during the incident, said that Enzo was not being aggressive at all. Mr. Hans Bruch told ABC10 that he and his 10-year-old daughter witnessed the tasing and described it as unnecessary. “Animal Control should have taken control of the situation because he has all the tools to deal with that and he didn't. And he kind of stood back and let the cop like tase,” said Mr. Bruch.


In surveillance video images obtained from neighbors, Enzo is tased twice before being dragged to an animal services vehicle.


In the news release, police did not identify the officers involved in the case, however, the two petitions I have come across and signed, identified them as Officer TIMOTHY IVEY, Officer CHRIS DELGADO, and Officer JORDAN KRANICH (City of Lodi animal control services).


One of the two petitions was started by Penny Eims, with Animal Victory, and is entitled: “Family’s Dog Tased And Dragged To Death By Police After He Accidentally Escaped From His Home.”


The other petition, started by Amy Young on change.org and entitled “Grant justice for Enzo – Lodi, California”, is addressed to Lodi Police Department Chief Sierra Brucia, San Joaquin County District Attorney Ron Freitas, and Lodi Animal Shelter Supervisor Jennifer Bender.


According to Amy Young’s narrative regarding the video, “Video footage shows officers unsuccessfully trying to use a snare pole to secure Enzo, due to improper training on a snare pole, Enzo was then tased multiple times while being dragged with the snare pole. He died a very torturous and horrific death. He had no chance of survival or escape of the painful death he incurred. Video surveillance also shows that Enzo was not aggressive or lunging at anyone. He did not attack any adults or children. The officers did not respond correctly to an animal at large call. In fact Officer Levy responded after being called by his wife, who complained there was a dog attacking people, even though she had no knowledge of any such attack. He should have contacted another officer to report to the scene as it falls under a conflict of interest.”


The petition therefore demands the suspension and subsequent termination of Officer TIMOTHY IVEY and Officer JORDAN KRANICH. The petition further demands that “based on California Penal Code [CPC] §597(a) – Animal Cruelty that felony charges be brought against both officers. Penal Code §597(a) makes it a crime to intentionally maim, mutilate, torture, wound, or kill a living animal. We are also seeking that they be charged with misuse of a non lethal weapon.”


On Monday, February 6, 2023, Lodi Police posted a new update announcing that the department has completed the investigation into the circumstances leading to Enzo’s death and said: “….. That investigation includes witness statements, officer statements, video of Enzo prior to his death, our dispatch logs, radio traffic, and our Animal Services' logs relating to prior complaints in the area. We have provided all of this information to the San Joaquin County District Attorney’s office for their review and determination of whether animal cruelty charges are warranted. After the DA’s determination we will be able to provide a further update to our community with what we learned in our investigation. An internal affairs investigation is also being conducted to determine if our employees violated any departmental policies. We can assure our community that we take this incident seriously and that we have placed significant importance on completing this investigation quickly and thoroughly. Additionally, we have moved to bring outside vendors into the department to provide additional training in dealing with at- large animals and we have started researching other tools available for our employees’ use.

Thank you again for your patience as we complete this complex investigation. “


Enzo’s human mom, Ms. Aline Galeno, described her furboy as sweet, loving, and goofy. She is certain Enzo did not attack anyone and maintains that he should have not been tased. Ms. Galeno has vowed to sue the city with the hopes of getting the officers involved fired. She rightfully said: “It's not going to go away. It's not going to get swept under the rug.”

Ms. Galeno created a GoFundMe to raise money for an attorney. “We can’t afford a lawyer and we are simply asking for your support to get justice for Enzo and to bring light to the horrible acts of these police officers involved,” she explained. She went on to say: “My goal is for these officers to be held accountable for their actions, and hopefully to get LPD to straighten out their law enforcement and do better.”


Voice For Us Disclaimer: This story is sourced from official news outlets. Links included.

Details may be removed or additional information may be provided in future should such sources report an update.




Additional Sources:

Video by Indisputable with Dr. Rashad Richey - Beloved Family Dog 'Enzo' Tased And Dragged To Death By Police




 
 
 

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