Latest news with #ShihTzu
Sunday World
2 days ago
- Sunday World
Puppy farmer locked up after dogs he was ordered to give up ‘disappeared'
She said the council had not seized the dogs and had no knowledge as to their current whereabouts. A puppy farmer has been jailed for three months after three dogs, a Belgian Malinois, a Collie and a Shih Tzu he was ordered to surrender 'disappeared.' Dog Breeder PJ Rigney appeared before Tullamore District Court on Wednesday a week after he had been remanded in custody by Judge Andrew Cody for failing to surrender the animals. At the sitting, Judge Cody expressed surprise that Rigney, was present in person before the court. The judge asked Rigney's solicitor how his client had managed to secure his freedom. PJ Rigney Rigney's solicitor responded that the High Court granted his release on foot of an application by Barry White SC. Judge Cody responded: 'It is quite unusual that a person would be remanded in custody pending sentence.' Judge Cody next inquired if Rigney had complied with a previous court order which required him to sign over ownership of three dogs that were found at his property to the local authority or a rescue organisation. The solicitor said Rigney had been unable to do so as the three dogs had 'disappeared.' Judge Cody then asked 'where the three dogs had disappeared to' and whether Rigney had filed a complaint with gardai. The solicitor responded that Rigney had not alerted the gardai but had called Offaly County Council in the belief the council had seized the dogs. Solicitor Emily Mahon, acting on behalf of Offaly County Council, confirmed they had received such a call from Rigney but said the council had no knowledge of the matter. She said the council had not seized the dogs and had no knowledge as to their current whereabouts. The solicitor then requested that Mr Rigney be ordered to pay a fine of €3,600 and be disqualified for life from owning dogs. Rigney's solicitor argued that this sentence would be unduly harsh. He further claimed that the three dogs were Mr Rigney's elderly mother's pets and she had been consistently asking 'where her dogs ' were in the wake of their disappearance. Opposing a ban on keeping dogs he said Rigney lived in a rural area and needed dogs for protection and farming. He claimed that Mr Rigney was a 'man of limited means' and as a result any fine would likely 'remain unpaid. Judge Cody responded that Rigney had a 'rental property from which he derived a rental income' so this could be drawn upon to settle any court order fine. This rental was used to pay Rigney's 'significant debts' defence replied. Judge Cody sentenced Mr Rigney to three months in jail, disqualified him from keeping dogs for life and ordered him to pay a fine of €3,600 to Offaly County Council. Rigney lodged an appeal to the sentence. PJ Rigney News in 90 Seconds - June 1st In October of 2021, Rigney was served with a closure notice alleged he had been illegally running a dog-breeding establishment, housing dogs in substandard accommodation, in a yard off Circular Road, in Daingean, Offaly. According to a closure order published by the Council on October 1st that year Mr Rigney was not registered to run such a facility. Outlining the grounds on which he considered Mr Rigney's operation "poses a serious and immediate threat to animal welfare", Offaly County Council Veterinary Inspector Aidan Grant wrote: "The premises in which the dogs are kept and management of same are far below required of a registered dog-breeding establishment.' Mr. Rigney was subsequently convicted and fined in the District Court. He subsequently appealed that order but the order was upheld.
Yahoo
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
22 Of The Funniest Posts About Cats And Dogs This Week (May 24-30)
Woof — it's been a long week. If you feel like you've been working like a dog, let us offer you the internet equivalent of a big pile of catnip: hilarious posts about pets. We Shih Tzu not. Each week at HuffPost, we scour Bluesky, Instagram and X, formerly Twitter, to find the funniest posts about our furballs being complete goofballs. They're sure to make you howl. (And if you want more, no need to beg ― you can check out last week's batch right here.) wow i absolutely love your outfit the black really brings out the pet hair on it — Chris (@citehchris) May 26, 2025 This is Reese. She was offered a chicken nugget, but to eat it she would have to give up her hot sauce toy. Can't believe you're making her choose. 13/10 — WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) May 29, 2025 "It's me!" — smol silly cat (@Catsillyness) May 25, 2025 She loves licking fingers and hands but lmao whats this nose rub she does every few seconds — Posts Of Cats (@PostsOfCats) May 30, 2025 chillin' — No Context Cats (@nocontextscats) May 25, 2025 one time at my old job a lady made a reservation and said she had a service dog. ok that's cool!but then when she showed up her service dog was, in fact, a stroller of pomeranians (at least 5) — madison (@madisontayt_) May 27, 2025 This dog gets jealous when his brother takes ear his dad pretends to give them to him too. — The Figen (@TheFigen_) May 29, 2025 — Cats with pawerful aura (@AuraWithCat) May 24, 2025 cat: 'maybe today will be different'…. — Why you should have a cat (@ShouldHaveCat) May 27, 2025 reading your mind — poorly drawn cats (@poorlycatdraw) May 27, 2025 Me every morning.. 😅 — Buitengebieden (@buitengebieden) May 28, 2025 "And iiiiiiiiiiiiiiii" — smol silly cat (@Catsillyness) May 24, 2025 If you're having a terrible day, watch this — Nature is Amazing ☘️ (@AMAZlNGNATURE) May 28, 2025 — out of context dogs (@contextdogs) May 30, 2025 This is Duncan. He is a professional barkour athlete. Please do not try this at home. 13/10 — WeRateDogs (@dog_rates) May 28, 2025 View this post on Instagram A post shared by 🌊Life with Loki & Aislinn 🏕️ (@thebluestaffy_loki) View this post on Instagram A post shared by Animals Doing Things (@animalsdoingthings) 22 Of The Funniest Posts About Cats And Dogs This Week 26 Of The Funniest Posts About Cats And Dogs This Week 20 Of The Funniest Posts About Cats And Dogs This Week
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Naperville man sentenced to 8 years in prison after he ‘violently killed the family dog'
NAPERVILLE, Ill. (WGN) — A Naperville man has been sentenced to eight years in prison after he pleaded guilty to aggravated DUI and animal cruelty in relation to the beating death of his family's dog, a black and white Shih Tzu named Rocco. 36-year-old Nathan Gonzalez was sentenced to concurrent terms of five and three years in the Illinois Department of Corrections following his guilty plea to a pair of felony counts—aggravated DUI and aggravated animal cruelty. Aggravated DUI carries a penalty of 1-15 years in prison, depending on its classification, while aggravated animal cruelty carries a 1-3 year prison sentence. As part of his sentence, Gonzalez was also ordered that he shall not own, harbor or have custody or control of any animal for the remainder of his lifetime. On Oct. 23, 2024, DuPage County Circuit Court granted the State's motion to deny Gonzalez pre-trial release following allegations that he killed the family dog and threatened his daughter and stepdaughter. He remained in police custody until his sentencing Thursday. Previous Coverage: Naperville man jailed after allegedly killing family dog, threatening kids On Sept. 29, 2024, at around 6 a.m., Naperville police dispatch received a 911 call from a 14-year-old female juvenile stating that her stepfather, later identified as Gonzalez, had killed their family dog and threatened the girl and her 11-year-old stepsister. When officers arrived, they found the two girls at home, but Gonzalez and the family dog, Rocco, were missing. Through the course of their investigation, authorities learned that Gonzalez and his partner were out for the evening, but had a dispute and took separate rides home, with Gonzalez arriving home first. After the pair split, police said Gonzalez called his partner and told her he was going to kill Rocco. When she arrived home, she found Gonzalez at home, but Rocco was missing. At this point, Gonzalez left the home. Several hours later, officers received a phone call telling them Gonzalez had returned home. When officers arrived, they learned that Gonzalez had fled the area on foot and he was found a few blocks away hiding behind a dumpster. The following day, Naperville Animal Control officers found Rocco at a construction site. A necropsy found blunt force trauma to the head as the cause of Rocco's death. 'Following an argument with his partner, Nathan Gonzalez violently killed the family dog, Rocco,' DuPage County State's Attorney Robert Berlin said. 'Mr. Gonzalez's unconscionable actions, that took the life of a beloved, defenseless family pet, are extremely disturbing. Our pets are family members and deserve our love and comfort, not a violent, painful death as Rocco was forced to endure.' On Dec. 17, 2023, officers with the Naperville Police Department pulled Gonzalez over for speeding. When speaking with Gonzalez, officers smelled alcohol coming from Gonzalez, who officers said had glassy and bloodshot eyes. During the stop, officers learned that Gonzalez was driving on a suspended license out of Indiana. He was arrested at the scene, and it was later determined that his BAC was .131. He was charged and released. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Naperville man who bludgeoned family dog given prison term, lifetime pet ownership ban
A Naperville man who beat his family's dog to death was sentenced to prison and banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life, according to the DuPage County state's attorney's office. Nathan Gonzalez, 36, formerly of the 300 block of South Whispering Hills Drive, pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated driving under the influence and aggravated cruelty in two unrelated incidents for which he was given concurrent five- and three-year prison terms by Judge Joseph Bugos. Gonzalez had been initally arrested Dec. 17, 2023, for aggravated DUI after he was pulled over for speeding and found to be driving on a suspended license from Indiana, the release said. His blood alcohol content was found to be .131. Nearly nine months later, while awaiting trial on the DUI charge, Gonzalez was arrested Sept. 29, 2024, on charges he killed his family's dog and threatened his 14-year-old stepdaughter and 11-year-old daughter after having a fight with his partner, the release said. The older girl called Naperville police, who arrived to find Gonzalez and the dog, a Shih Tzu named Rocco, missing. Gonzalez was later arrested, and the dog's body found a day later by Naperville Animal Control officers at a construction site, the release said. A necropsy deemed the dog's cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head. After his second arrest, Gonzalez was held in DuPage County jail pending the outcome of his case. As part of his sentence, Bugos ordered that Gonzalez 'shall not own, harbor or have custody or control of any animal for the remainder of his lifetime,' the release said. State's Attorney Robert Berlin, in a statement released following the sentencing, called Gonzalez's acts indefensible. 'Following an argument with his partner, Nathan Gonzalez violently killed the family dog, Rocco,' Berlin said. 'Mr. Gonzalez's unconscionable actions, that took the life of a beloved, defenseless family pet, are extremely disturbing. Our pets are family members and deserve our love and comfort, not a violent, painful death as Rocco was forced to endure. 'Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez's aggravated DUI conviction further illustrates his disregard for the rule of law and concern for others.'
Chicago Tribune
4 days ago
- Chicago Tribune
Naperville man who bludgeoned family dog given prison term, lifetime pet ownership ban
A Naperville man who beat his family's dog to death was sentenced to prison and banned from owning any animal for the rest of his life, according to the DuPage County state's attorney's office. Nathan Gonzalez, 36, formerly of the 300 block of South Whispering Hills Drive, pleaded guilty to one count each of aggravated driving under the influence and aggravated cruelty in two unrelated incidents for which he was given concurrent five- and three-year prison terms by Judge Joseph Bugos. Gonzalez had been initally arrested Dec. 17, 2023, for aggravated DUI after he was pulled over for speeding and found to be driving on a suspended license from Indiana, the release said. His blood alcohol content was found to be .131. Nearly nine months later, while awaiting trial on the DUI charge, Gonzalez was arrested Sept. 29, 2024, on charges he killed his family's dog and threatened his 14-year-old stepdaughter and 11-year-old daughter after having a fight with his partner, the release said. The older girl called Naperville police, who arrived to find Gonzalez and the dog, a Shih Tzu named Rocco, missing. Gonzalez was later arrested, and the dog's body found a day later by Naperville Animal Control officers at a construction site, the release said. A necropsy deemed the dog's cause of death to be blunt force trauma to the head. After his second arrest, Gonzalez was held in DuPage County jail pending the outcome of his case. As part of his sentence, Bugos ordered that Gonzalez 'shall not own, harbor or have custody or control of any animal for the remainder of his lifetime,' the release said. State's Attorney Robert Berlin, in a statement released following the sentencing, called Gonzalez's acts indefensible. 'Following an argument with his partner, Nathan Gonzalez violently killed the family dog, Rocco,' Berlin said. 'Mr. Gonzalez's unconscionable actions, that took the life of a beloved, defenseless family pet, are extremely disturbing. Our pets are family members and deserve our love and comfort, not a violent, painful death as Rocco was forced to endure. 'Additionally, Mr. Gonzalez's aggravated DUI conviction further illustrates his disregard for the rule of law and concern for others.'
