Local man guilty of dog-at-large in pit bull attack case

OHIO -- A New London woman testified Tuesday a brown pit bull came at her, bit her and knocked her down, causing injuries.The defendant, Aaron Hyde, 34, of Main Street, New London, countered that the dog that he had been looking after was playing with a neighbor's dog, the victim got in between the two, was tripped and sustained injuries as a result of a fall.In the end, Judge Eric Weisenburger found Hyde guilty of having a dog at large, a minor misdemeanor, and fined him $150. The judge gave Hyde 30 days to pay the fine.The man could have paid $85 after receiving the ticket for the minor misdemeanor offense. But instead he opted to take the matter to court.Tuesday's 30-minute trial included two witnesses for the state. Hyde, who was representing himself, testified on his behalf, but did not call any witnesses."Given the evidence, that was the only verdict that the judge could find," Huron County Assistant Prosecutor Richard Woodruff, who was representing the state, said after the trial.When asked for his reaction, Hyde called the verdict a "f***ing lie" and he also accused the media of lying, using more profanity.New London Patrolman Kris Pinkerton testified that on July 20, he was dispatched to a salon on East Main Street in the village in reference to a dog bite. There, he found the victim with a towel on her head and leg. He added he noticed injuries on her body and the woman told him a dog had bitten her in the area of Hyde's home.Pinkerton responded to the home."He was very remorseful," the patrolman told the court. He added Hyde told him he was inside the house at the time and didn't see the brown pit bull. Pinkerton also said the defendant told him he was the "keeper of the dog," since the owner is either in jail or prison.Pinkerton said Hyde's story was mostly consistent with the police report. The exception was at first, Hyde said the pitbull and the neighbor's dog was fighting, and later used the word "playing."The victim, who lives on Hooker Street in New London, also testified for the state. She said she was walking by Hyde's home when "the dog (came) at me and then he attacked me (and) knocked me down."She added she was bitten on the right knee and suffered "shoulder burns" and bruises from falling.The woman said a neighbor boy responded when she hollered for help as the pitbull continued to bark at her. The 12-year-old boy, who also testified for the state Tuesday, came to her aid and chased the pitbull away, she said.The woman said she was able to walk over to a nearby salon where her daughter works, and an employee called police and an ambulance."I was bleeding so bad and all," the woman said.The boy, a neighbor of Hyde's, said he saw the woman walking on the sidewalk and Baby (the pitbull) bit her. The youngster said he had his own dog, Midnight, on a leash, getting ready to take him for a walk. He added that Midnight and Baby "used to play in the backyard a lot."The youth further testified that Baby began barking at his dog and bit the victim.Hyde questioned whether Midnight was on a leash. The defendant also claimed that it wasn't the boy who helped the woman up, but his daughter.Hyde said his daughter was watching the boy and his family at the time. He was inside cleaning, while his daughter was watching the boy and his family at his home."My neighbor's dog entered my yard and provoked my dog and the two of them were fighting," Hyde previously told the Reflector. "I'm in a wheelchair, so I couldn't get out there in time to break it up.""Dalton was at my house," he said, referring to the boy. Baby and Midnight were "play fighting" in his front yard, the victim got between the two dogs, tripped, fell and sustained injuries."You didn't see that happen?" Woodruff asked on cross examination.Hyde admitted he didn't.(Norwalk Reflector - Aug 14, 2013)Earlier:
Source:http://fourleggedfriendsandenemies.blogspot.com/2013/08/local-man-guilty-of-dog-at-large-in-pit.html

Local man guilty of dog-at-large in pit bull attack case Images

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Man Dies Trying to Dribble Soccer Ball to World Cup in Brazil

Richard Swanson planned to walk from Seattle to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for next year’s World Cup. (Bill Wagner)Do you have a bucket list? What have you dreamed of doing that other people might think is utter nonsense? Richard Swanson, a 42-year old man from Seattle, Washington decided that he was going to try and live out one of his dreams. He wanted to go to the World Cup. Like many Americans, Swanson had been recently laid off work. He did not have a steady stream of income, but he would not let this stop him.Swanson decided to walk and dribble a soccer ball at his feet from Seattle to Sao Paulo, Brazil. His goal was to make it in time for next year’s international soccer tournament. Described as an "avid runner, soccer player, and all-around lover of the Pacific Northwest," Swanson planned to visit 11 countries during his one-year-plus trip south. Along the way, he would dribble an "indestructible" soccer ball to promote the One World Futbol Project, a charity that donates these balls to people in disadvantaged communities."All these pieces just started to come together in a way that — it almost felt that, it felt natural, it felt that I was doing what I should be doing, that this was my next leg in my life," Swanson said in a YouTube video before he started the trek.Swanson was collecting monetary donations and asking people for places to sleep and food to eat as he journeyed south. He documented his journey with YouTube videos, Facebook posts and a website that he maintained, which included a map that tracked his travels via GPS.Tragically, Swanson's journey ended prematurely Tuesday morning when he was mowed down by a pickup truck south of Lincoln City, Oregon. This was only two weeks and a few hundred miles into his journey. The public was informed of the accident via Swanson's Facebook.“It is with a heavy heart to notify you that Richard Swanson passed on this morning,” someone posted on Swanson's “Breakaway Brazil” Facebook. “His team, family, friends, and loved ones will miss him and love him dearly. You made it to Brazil in our hearts, Richard. Team Richard.”Outpourings of support and prayers filled the Facebook page. Among those who wrote, were the two sons, 18 and 22, Swanson leaves behind.“We love you dad..with all our hearts!” Devin Swanson wrote. “You are a inspiration to all to continue doing what you love! One day..I will continue your journey in your name!”Even though Swanson never made it to Brazil or saw a World Cup game in person, I do not believe he would wanted to go any other way. If you watch Swanson's YouTube videos, it is plain to see that he believed this is what he was supposed to do. Swanson passed way trying to accomplish what he dreamed of doing. This is his message to us. Do not let your dreams just be dreams. You can pursue them and seek to bring them to fruition.
Source:http://fireawayblog.blogspot.com/2013/05/man-dies-trying-to-dribble-soccer-ball.html

Man Dies Trying to Dribble Soccer Ball to World Cup in Brazil Images

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Seattle man killed trying to dribble soccer ball to Brazil - Salon.com
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