Man accused of torturing kitten arrrested

Houston Chronicle | Nov. 25, 2003, 6:23AM | S.K. BARDWELL

[Buffalo Bob]

A 21-year-old man who police said entertained his friends at a southeast Houston apartment complex by torturing and burning a month-old kitten to death earlier this month was apprehended Monday.

A witness told police that James Edward Land set the kitten on fire on Nov. 14 at the Royal Palms Apartments, 5601 Royal Palms, officers said. The witness told police that Land put the kitten into a pillowcase and threw it while he and his friends laughed. Land then doused the kitten with lighter fluid and set it on fire, the witness said.

After police were called, the witness said, Land put the kitten in a garbage bag and placed it in a trash bin at the complex.

The kitten was still alive, said Sgt. Doug Osterberg of the Houston Police Department's Major Offenders Division. Osterberg and representatives of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals went to the complex and found the kitten struggling in the trash bin. The kitten later died.

"This is pretty sad," Osterberg said. "The witness was horrified."

Land was identified by the witness and charged, but police were unable to find him to arrest him until Monday, when he was again spotted at the Royal Palms Apartments. Osterberg said Land ran when he saw police but was caught after a five-block foot chase.

Land is charged with felony animal cruelty, evading arrest and possession of marijuana. His bail had not been set Monday night.

[Buffalo Bob]

Lord, let me be on THIS jury.

[cars for sale]

I just wanna cry.................

[steplock]

Yeah - but it's all "hunkey-dorey" to pierce the back of a baby's skull and suck the brains out while being born.

[HairOfTheDog]

Yeah - but it's all "hunkey-dorey" to pierce the back of a baby's skull and suck the brains out while being born.

Tabitha Soren?

[Feckless]

A jury is too good for him. Let ME have him.

[HairOfTheDog]

This guy is broken.... irretrievably broken.

[exile]

"A jury is too good for him. Let ME have him"

Don't be so greedy. I'd like to have a few minutes alone with him first.

[jjm2111]

Sadism 101?

[over3Owithabrain]

Man, I hope this scumbag shares a cell with a 6-foot-8, 300 pound cat lover!

[NoGrayZone]

Ok, looks like we're all going to have to fight it out. Winner "gets" this sadist.

[exile]

"Ok, looks like we're all going to have to fight it out. Winner "gets" this sadist."

Nah, I'm sure there's enough for everyone.

[Lazamataz]

Tabitha Soren?

Tabitha Soren Unplugged:

• United States GDP Up 8.2% in Third Quarter -- "Just think how much more the economy would have gone up, if the BABIES HAD BEEN ALLOWED TO LIVE!"

• Michael Jackson Arrested For Pedophilia -- "At least Jacko's kids WEREN'T ABORTED!!!!"

• Loggers Open Up Logging in High Sierra Mountains -- "UNBORN BABIES have less rights than TREES!!!"

• Worchestershire Sauce Favorite Among Restaurant Patrons --- "ummm... Uhhhh... ABORTION IS MURDER!"

[Redwood71]

I think we should take him tiger hunting in Asia and he's the bait. Let some of the kitten's relatives have him.

[Lazamataz]

Land is charged with felony animal cruelty, evading arrest and possession of marijuana. His bail had not been set Monday night.

A felony is quite appropriate here.

[lchoro]

Dog finds will to live after being left to die

A dog — left for dead in a Washington County creek with a cord connected to cinder blocks tied around his neck — managed to stay alive for several days by clinging to a rock before emergency crews rescued him over the weekend.

Washington County Sheriff’s Department spokeswoman Carlene Starr Davis said the animal was apparently thrown off a low bridge into New Year’s Creek, which was about four feet deep last week. Authorities believe someone was trying to drown him.

But the adult male dog, which appears to be a mix of Labrador retriever and rottweiler, managed to pull himself to safety where he stayed until someone spotted him Saturday afternoon.

Sheriff’s deputies arrived at the bridge near Chappell Hill about 5:15 p.m. and quickly saw that around his neck was a rope or cord that also was attached to something under the water, Davis said.

The Chappell Hill Fire Department was called to the scene and rescued the animal, which was about 10 feet away from the bank. They then saw an old electrical cord had been tied around its neck. The other end of the cord was attached to a pair of cinder blocks.

“He was able to get up there and keep himself alive,” Davis said. “It’s a good thing we didn’t have any big rains because he would have drown.”

Rescuers estimate that the dog had been clinging to the rock for two or three days before he was discovered.

It was unclear who the dog belongs to, Davis said, but the department is hoping to find it a new, safe home.

Davis said the person or people responsible for tying the block to the dog and attempting to drown it will face animal cruelty charges. Anyone with information about the crime is asked to call Washington County Crime Stoppers at 979-836-TIPS. Calls can be anonymous and a cash reward will be given if the tip leads to an arrest and indictment.

The dog was taken to the Donald G. Austin Memorial Animal Shelter in Brenham for treatment. Davis said the dog appeared malnourished and weak once pulled from the creek, but is doing better after a couple of days of recuperating.

Anyone interested in adopting the dog or donating money to help with his care can call 979-337-7351.

“He’s just a sweetheart,” Davis said. “He’s just happy to see people. He loves to sit there and be loved on.”

Photo of dog at the link.

http://www.theeagle.com/region/localregional/112503dog.php

[HairOfTheDog]

I miss her....

[Lazamataz]

Yeah - but it's all "hunkey-dorey" to pierce the back of a baby's skull and suck the brains out while being born.

Only if you do it with one of those Crazy-Straws.

[HairOfTheDog]

I didn't just see that. I know I didn't. ;~D

[Lazamataz]

Sometimes JimRob should leave some of the nuttier posters.

Adds to the local color.

(Uh oh. Am *I* one of the nuttier posters he *IS* leaving????)

[Lazamataz]

I didn't just see that. I know I didn't. ;~D

(Cosmo Kramer Voice) "Oh, he's evil, Jerry. He's evil!"