First animals, then people (usually their children or spouses).

More info:

The first dog was found burned on July 31.

Second dog found Oct. 15, or thereabouts.

BOTH IN THE SAME AREA.

I will give more deets as I confirm them.

C'mon people. Someone's got to know something...

I found a starved pit bull about 5 years ago in the BC stadium parking lot.  This dog was so starved it was deilrious.  It had a chewed-through rope around its neck.  I went across the street to the Fastrip to get it some food and water, and when I got back and set it in front of the dog the dog just kept on walking like it didn't even recognize food.  I called animal control to get to dog, and I stayed with it a while, but then I had to go.  The dog wandered off down towards Haley. 

Anyhoo--I'm wondering if THAT was the area you were referring to, Lois.  Of course, there could be (and probably is) more than one sick dog-torturing pervert in this town.

CatherineBaker:

I'm hearing Pioneer, but no confirmation yet. I know BPD does NOT have a case on it, trying to find out if KCSO has one.

People may hate pit bulls, but burning them with acid goes too far. I'm betting it's not by coincidence that pits were abused in this fashion.

I hate to say it, but the lack of any animal control and accountability is starting to make Bakersfield to look stupid to the rest of California.  

Until we address the problem, maybe we should temporarily stop further residential and commercial development before it really gets even worse.

I have all the details. I am the one that rescued both boys.

I called back & left a message, If you want to confirm anything call the # I left on your voicemail please. I would like the details to come directly from me....Thank You

I work in the oilfields, and one time there was a pit that was maybe about 6-9 months old wandering around quite literally in the middle of nowhere (Lost Hills Rd & Delfern) This was on a day with temps pushing 110F. The dog followed us about ¼ mile into the lease and just hung around, wanted love... VERY friendly!  We gave her ice water and part of our lunches, she gobbled it up like she'd never seen food before... This was on a Friday and I really couldn't see her surviving out there through the weekend of 110F+ temps so I talked my father in law into taking her in. I got her into my service truck with the A/C set on "Oh Canada" level.. She slept with her head on my lap all the way back to Bako. She now lives happy (& quite spoiled!) with a huge backyard =)

I really hope the idiots who did the above are caught....

LostAZHell,

You will be rewarded for helping the helpless.  Your post made my day.  If only there were more like you.

I can ONLY hope that we catch these people before it happens again. Two mos apart from eachother, same area--- no coincidence .

Lois--please call me back today. Smokey & Charlies story has made it into the news down here with interview with their doctors etc...

I think it time to ramp up the jail time for animal abusers. Harming an animal should be the same as harming a human. If I didn't already have 4 rescue dogs myself (plus 4 rescue kitties) I would offer to take one of these babies.

There was a situation over on Pioneer Drive by my sister-in-laws wherein somebody threw a 4 week old pit bull puppy into her back yard. She tried to save the sweet baby but he had parvo and did not make it.

What the hell is going on in this world that more and more of this is happening? Not just to animals but also to children.  Animals behave better then humans do - IMO

This is the beginning of our journey to try to get longer jail time for animal abusers rather than a light slap on the wrist.

I am bound & determined to find who did this to them..and will keep tackling it with a vengence.

Charlie is still in the hospital and is expected to be for at least 2-3 more weeks. Smokey is in my care since his release from the hospital--in which he stayed for 2-3 weeks also & is still undergoing treatment & scheduled for surgery next week.

Neither Charlie nor Smokey are in the Bakersfield area. They are in San Diego with me. I have a foster on stand by for Charlie once he is released from the hospital.

We need donations for their vet care also. Hopefully we can get the full story posted in the Bakersfield Californian also.

Nothing hurts my heart more than abuse of an animal...again I silently ask HIM to deal with these individuals in HIS way--and to take these animals pain away--and the pain from my heart also...

And to give me strength--

SMOKEY2009:  Where can we send donations?  You can email me privately if you wish or post it on here as I am sure there are other animal people who will donate even if it is $5.00

Terrible things like this take my words away.  ((((Sweet little loves))))

Bless your heart, Smokey; I hope to see the full story with all necessary information in the newspaper.

I, and many others, want to know where this happened.

I think people who this kind of stuff shouldn't be put in prison but in a hospital.  They're seriously messed up if they get their jollies hurting animals.  Isn't that one of the signs of a sociopath?

I just spoke to Lois on the phone & gave her greater details of what has happened to these two boys--Charlie & Smokey. However, the abuse done to them has not been the only ones, they are however the "worse" cases I have rescued.

The other two puppies I rescued within a couple months time had their ears completely cut off.

This needs to stop & the only way it will is by animal advocates, lovers, responsible owners step forward to do so.

I am not sure what Lois will be posting as I have sent her the info for donations etc but I can be contacted for information:

smokey.91942@gmail.com

This is insane, I don't not like the Pit Bulls my self but cruelty is a whole nother story. Who ever this person or persons are should be brought to justice. Unfortunately the law probably won't do much to them, but it should.

This is only the beginning for people like this just look at the beginnings of most every serial killer, first they start with animals then move up to humans. So if this person is not caught we have a lot worse to look forward to.

Right on target BakoBeachBum.....this is the hallmark of a seriously sick individual. Find them now or read about worse later.

Blessings smokey~ it is good to know you and others are out there ,a shining light of good.

I hope this story gets print~ and the attention of the authorities.

Animal killers usually start serial killing.....

The studies on this page reveal the prevalence of acts of animal cruelty among the most depraved and malicious criminals in society.

• Of the nine school shootings between 1996 and 1999, half of the shooters had histories of animal cruelty.[1]
  
   
•  The largest single survey to date of serial killers found:

• 36 percent admitted to committing animal cruelty as children
• 46 percent admitted to committing animal cruelty as adolescents
• 36 percent admitted to committing animal cruelty as adults.[2] 
   

• A 2003 study found that of 354 serial killers profiled, 21 percent were known to have committed animal cruelty, although it is speculated that more might have committed unreported incidents of animal cruelty.[3]
  
   
• A Canadian Police study found that 70 percent of people arrested for animal cruelty had past records of other violent crimes, including homicide.[4]
  
   
• Of 332 animal cruelty arrests studied by the Chicago Police Department,
  
  
  • 70 percent of suspects had arrests on felony charges (including two homicides)
  • 86 percent of suspects had multiple arrests
  • 70 percent of suspects had narcotics charges (68 percent of which were for sales or trafficking)
  • 65 percent of suspects had been charged with battery-related violent offenses
  • 27 percent of suspects had previous firearms charges
  • 13 percent of suspects had been arrested on sex crime charges
  • 59 percent of suspects were alleged gang members.[5]
    
     
• A Massachusetts study of 153 animal abusers found that within 10 years of their arrest, 70 percent were charged with other crimes:

• 38 percent were charged with violent crimes;
• 44 percent were charged with property crimes;
• 37 percent were charged with drug offenses; 
• 37 percent were charged with disorderly offenses. [6]
  
   

• An Australian study of convicted animal abusers found:
  
  
  
  • 61.5 percent had been convicted for violent offenses against humans
  • 17 percent had been convicted for sexual abuse
  • 8 percent had been convicted for arson. [7]

This is disgusting.  I am a hunter, and I have never understood the torture or intentional infliction of pain on animals.  Future serial killers, they are.  I hope the police catch and punish them.

I really hope it hits more media also. These boys--Charlie and Smokey have been through torture as well as others rescued from Bakersfield.

Something needs to be done. We need the officials on our side, law enforcement and the media.

My heart feels for Charlie and Smokey. I don't see how people can be so cruel. I got tears in my eyes reading about the abuse the abuse the animals endured.

Is acid a controlled substance?

Anyone driving a car can get their hands on battery acid, H&F. 

That just sickens me.

Those poor animals. I hope someone will find it in their heart to come forward and turn whoever did this.

What cruelty. innocent creatures that deserve nothing but pure love instead people think that it's okay in their heads to do this act.

shame on them.

This is so sick and I hope that these people get what they deserve.  And like everyone said their is a serial killer in training.  I never understood as a child why my brother got his buns beat and his hands burned when my parents caught him burning insects and pulling their wings off.  I always thought it was cruel until I latter learned that if he hadn't been punished and made to stop these activities that he could have become a hurtful person.

At least dogs are covered under the law.  Animal control told us that cats aren't when we found new born kittens (cord still attatched) in the dumpster in July.  They were tied up in a plastic bag with a beer bottle and foam cup ,which they wouldn't print because there is no law against it other than throwing animal bodies in a trash can.  Animal control came and and put the kittens down.  She said they were most likely brain damaged from the heat.

We have turned in a neighbor several times for kicking his cat and he threw her and her last litter out on the balcony in the middle of summer.  Then when she got pregnant again he rarely lets her in to feed them.  We have got quite nast around here.  Every time we see them home one of us takes momma up and bangs on their door and gives her to them and tells them to take care of her and we stand around in the parking lot to make sure they don't throw her back out right away.  We are expecting them to throw the kittens out any day now.  When one neighbor yelled at them their comment was "if you don't like it take her and the kittens to the pound". 

vixis -- i despise people with that type of attitude. for one, spay or neuter your pet to prevent kittens/puppies. it isn't possibly that expensive, and if you can't afford it, don't get the animal in the first place. if that man doesn't want his cat or the litters, maybe he needs to find a home for the cat instead of pretending it doesn't exist. moron.

i will never understand people's lack of care for animals. these are the same people who should not have kids, but end up having them while others who would make wonderful moms/dads cannot. it makes me sick.

near my work, there are probably about 20 cats (many kittens) that hang out in a field behind our offices. someone comes around and feeds them, keeping them around here, fed but alone (which is rather annoying, although at least they are being fed), and not truly cared for. too many animals are in this situation here in town and everywhere else, and there needs to be more done to PREVENT overpopulation and STUPID, brainless people from harming animals, whether with acid or even just their lack of due care.

i see a lot of animals that are running around with no collars and i don't know what to do with them, if i were able to catch them. i do not have a place to take them and care for them myself (my plan is to have one someday), so does anyone know of a good option that isn't going to result in the animal being put down? it's a waste of time to try and find an owner. most people i know already have a family of pets.

i love animals more than most humans. :) just thought i'd note that, too. lol.

My contribution here certainly won't win me any friends, but I think this "story" is completely fabricated. The pictures of the wounded pups show a pattern consistent with the application of flea control products which are known to cause chemical burns if not applied properly. The fact that "smokey" won't provide his real name and that Ms. Henry has no direct quotes from ANYONE (except big bad animal control) makes me question this.

And now "smokey" wants donations? Okie Dokie! 

online.wsj.com/article/SB124329165300152331.html

vanityfair,

I suppose "flea control" chops of ears too?  You're right.  No friends here.

Georgieboy, do you understand that "cropping" is often done in certain breeds? Ears and tails. Read up and get informed. And most importantly, don't believe a poorly researched and written "story" until all facts are presented. 

This all may be true, but its initial presentation brings out the skeptic in me.

www.examiner.com/examiner/x-7468-Pet-Health-Exami ner~y2009m7d22-Should-ear-cropping-and-tail-docki ng-be-performed-in-dogs

vanityfair,

Your skepticism is fine, it's your rationalizing the horrible things done to those 2 puppies that's inexcusable. Flea control does not do the damage that was done to the entire back and down the legs of the pups, and their ears were cropped by an amateur, not a vet. Not to mention that most vets, as well as most responsible owners, don't want to crop ears, its not necessary. As far as asking for donations, they can be sent directly to the vets office, so why not call and ask them about the dogs and the amount of care required to take care of them and the burns. I've been following this since Smokey was found and it's not a scam, but animal lovers who are tired of dogs being tortured. Smokey and Charlie's vet has given an interview, but I guess she could be in on it too.... and continue to perpetuate the the "lie" being told. Why not wait until the whole story is out before trying to tear it down, take your own advice and wait until all the facts are presented. These dogs are going to require quite a bit of care, surgeries and after care and none of that is cheap...

I could assume the worst about someone who tends to assume the worst about people.

I won't.

If this is just a case of flea control gone wrong, why are these incidents all confined to one small geographical area?

Here's a link to the news story done in San Diego. Look under the top stories, not quite half way down the page on the left and click on abused dogs. This might calm some of the skeptics down and show this is a legitimate story.

http://www.sandiego6.com/me...

vanityfair:

i'd just like to tell you how real this is. i moved to Frazier Park  from Los Angeles in 2002 and ever since than i have been spending all my time and money on rescue from the Bakersfield shelter. through the years i cant even tell you what kind of horrid things i've seen and delt with. i've seen these pups and its very real. people from all over CA and other states come to the aid of dogs in your city. we, as rescuers, are going broke treating the abuse cases in your area. its very common for rescues to ask for donations to help treat these medical cases. we have spent thousands on medical bills. we are just trying to help the dogs in your city. this is legit...i'll give you my name, it Amy. i work with Westside German shepherd Rescue of Los Angeles. if you doubt i'm telling the truth you can call animal control and ask the rescue coordinator how many dogs i've taken out of that shelter through the years. i'll give you a hint.....i took 7 last saturday and today i'm taking more. this has gone on every week for years. the public in Bakersfield really needs to be educated about spay/ neuter and back yard breeding. Kern county keeps a lot of rescues full and broke. just thought i'd let you know what is really going on in your city. thanks, Amy

Ugh. I should have known better ...

Well, that dogpile was fun, now wasn't it?

Do I think animal abuse is a horrible crime? Absolutely. Should a community do all that it can to prevent it? Of course. Do these pups deserve treatment? Yes.

My comments here yesterday were simply to point out that Lois' column included few details and I didn't think it was sourced well. The hysterical tone lamenting "budding serial killers" had that Chicken Little feel that pervades all media these days.

Again, the injuries appear similar to chemical burns some animals experience when treated with flea control products. It's entirely possible that some irresponsible pet owners simply didn't bother to seek treatment after the reaction. As far as the geography involved, there are probably more pitbulls per capita in that neighborhood than anywhere else in Bakersfield.

To assume that some psycho out there is deliberately pouring acid on dogs without exploring the other possibilities is irresponsible, in my opinion. I thank all who provided links and "fleshed-out" that skeleton of a story.

I hope that clears it up for those of you who think I'm some kind of cold, heartless witch.

THIS IS FOR THE NAY-SAYERS AND SKEPTICS!

I'm as much of a skeptic as anyone, but I will never open my mouth and throw someone under the bus until I have all the facts. Do you have any facts at all? Or you just like to put people down for fun? I know the name and all the detailes about the rescuer.. And I know the story is true.. So can you if you take 2 minutes to do some research. The internet is a great tool for that! Instead you choose to post a bunch of ignorance that puts in jeopardy all the hard work that has been done for these innocent puppies and to make sure that nothing like this happens again. The rescuer is a selfless man who wants no praise or fame for what he is doing.  Shame on you! Try to redeem yourself by looking into this and trying to help since if you are not part of the solution you are part of the problem.

Cheers!

I'm a big time animal lover obviously, that's why i put it as my name on Bakersfield.com and i want to thank smokey2009  for rescuing these poor pups and who ever is helping now so these pups can get better. Also i wanted to send a message to the low life's who act worse than animals themselves, just remember maybe not now but in the long run you'll pay the price for hurting these innocent dogs. Don't worry you won't get away with it for much longer. I believe if we not just as a community but as a single human being with a heart can keep a look out on the east-side of the Bakersfield area for these freaks that harm these animals we can at least minimize the abuse that these dogs are going through. I just read about this in the newspaper today and it said the area where they found the 2 dogs at so I'm assuming that who ever did this lives in that same area or at least hangs around in that same area. So what I think what would be a good idea is who ever is going to get involved in trying to catch these guys could look around in that same area where the dogs got found at, that could maybe help a little. I hope in the end we can catch who ever did this and also try to not prevent it from ever happening again. I hope these 2 dogs recover well from this and end up in a good home with good people.

vanityfair

 This "unsubstantiated dog abuse case" was being talked about by Guy Shaw, KCAC director, this morning on Channel 17 news.  He was talking about the condition the dogs were in when they picked them up. 

Is that good enough for you?

Do you think Lois would past an unsubstantiated story?

Your nasty, vicious comments on yesterday's blog are SUPER UGLY.   http://people.bakersfield.c...

And you "regulars" don't own this blog  (and you don't get to say who can and cannot post)

www stands for WORLD WIDE WEB so you have just shown the world what nice people live in Bakersfield