Two dogs kill sheep, bite cow; Belfast man charged in incident
12/25/08 | 22 comments

Two dogs kill sheep, bite cow; Belfast man charged in incident


By Walter Griffin
BDN Staff

BELFAST, Maine — Police have summoned the owner of two dogs that attacked and killed three sheep and bit a cow during the weekend.

Gerry Hendricks of Jesse Robbins Road was charged with allowing dogs to run at large and keeping unlicensed dogs.

Police Detective Michael McFadden said the sheep were owned by Reynolds Ritchie and were attacked in a field off Jesse Robbins Road. Two were killed Saturday and the other on Sunday. The dogs mauled the sheep in the hindquarters and left them to bleed to death, he said.

Another neighbor, Debbie Hustus, also reported that two dogs entered her barn and bit her cow on the leg. Hustus chased the dogs away, McFadden said Wednesday.

Hustus told Patrolman Michael Rolerson that one of the dogs appeared to be a pit bull while the other had markings similar to a Dalmatian. Rolerson checked the neighborhood and learned that the dogs belonged to Hendricks. The dogs normally were kept indoors but managed to escape while Hendricks was away for the weekend.

“He left the house. The dogs escaped and rampaged through the neighborhood,” McFadden said.

He said that when Hendricks was informed of what his pets had done he was upset. His wife has the dogs now, but he plans to apologize and discuss the dead sheep with the Ritchies when he gets back, McFadden said. He added that there was no record of any complaint against the dogs and that they would not be taken from Hendricks.

“I don’t think these dogs were a menace to the community,” he said.

wgriffin@bangordailynews.net

338-9546

Not registered? Click here
E-mail this
Print this
Guidelines for posting on bangordailynews.com

Bangordailynews.com is pleased to offer a forum for readers to react to our stories, discuss them and provide additional information. We are reluctant to delete comments, but do reserve that right for those who abuse our forum. For more on using this site, please see our terms of service.

The primary rule here is pretty simple: Treat others with the same respect you'd want for yourself. What does that mean specifically? Here are some guidelines (see more):

Comments
22 comments on this item
On 12/25/08 at 8:04 AM, kylie00 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

“I don’t think these dogs were a menace to the community,” he said.

This has to go up as the dumbest thing ever said.

The dogs have killed livestock and tried to kill an animal several times their size, which shows they have no fear

What is going to happen when a child is attacked?

Once these animals get the taste of fresh blood they will be back

The onle responsible thing the owner should do is put the dogs down

Report abuse
On 12/25/08 at 3:52 PM, Tracey wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

And the purpose for having such aggressive dogs is??????

Report abuse
On 12/25/08 at 4:53 PM, eastman wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The article said that the owner was gone for the weekend, maby he forgot to feed them and they got hungry?????

Report abuse
On 12/25/08 at 6:24 PM, SteveyDee wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

If I was the owner of these sheep this dog would be dead.

Report abuse
On 12/25/08 at 7:12 PM, matt29 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Quote from article: “I don’t think these dogs were a menace to the community,” he said.

matt29 reply: try telling that to members of the animal community, such as the cow who survived the attack. If they could speak, would they agree?

Report abuse
On 12/25/08 at 9:27 PM, ydnar723 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Not to get personal or take sides with anyone, but I get it that dogs somehow get loose, but I also never seen many loose dogs get hungry for livestock either. I've raised dogs on farms and they never ate any livestock. The Dogs should have at least, the very least been quarantined until the facts sorted out.

I'm curious what type of dogs these are, and how these dogs were left. Outside on a run, fenced in area loose, etc. Someone who owns dogs that are that aggressive to "somehow get loose" kill livestock...raises a few flags.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 4:00 AM, clamchowdah wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Obviously these dogs are a menace to the community and not liscensed to boot !! Hard to tell what else they might have killed after somehow getting loose.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 5:51 AM, MurphyL wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The dogs should be put down, getting out and roaming around is one thing, but killing 2 sheep and biting a cow is another. What would have happened if there

had been a child around? No need to take chances. If it had been 2 deer they killed the dogs would be dead already.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 6:07 AM, mikelt wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

i do not understand what made the dogs go after the animals like that. they must have had some control and/ or behavior issues to get out of the house for one and for two, attack the neighbors animals. as for the "looked like a pitbull" it was not a pitbull. just to clear up any misunderstandings. it is true that if those dogs had done this to deer or moose, the wardens would have already put the dogs down. if they are that aggresive, something needs to be done with them. they obviously are way out of control if they can't even stay in their house where they were left and when they do get out, the first thing they want to do is attack something. i am a dog lover and i own a pitbull but mine is in complete control at all times and would never be capable of causing harm to any person or animal.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 6:11 AM, mikelt wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

oh yeah, i almost forgot....hey scollins, reaganite, and dick37, what is your argument here now? do you plan on having all dalmations killed too? you had so many dumb comments to say before, i am just curious to see how dumb you will be again. the dogs need to be controlled and if this owner cannot do that, well, then this owner needs to give up his rights to the dogs before they do more harm.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:44 AM, AMHI4ME wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

The dogs should be put down. This was caused by slots and you all know it. DOWN WITH HOLLYWOOD SLOTS.

IMPEACH TAXACCI

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:46 AM, AMHI4ME wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

How; you may say was this caused by hollywood slots?

The owner of the dogs probably spent the weekend at the casino, and enjoyed the $20 seafood buffet friday night.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:48 AM, mainah_mom wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

lol. stupid slots!!

all those sinners and gamblers who want poker tables their?! my my. gambling just brings about drugs, alcohol, wrong doings annnnnnddd dogs that bite cows. who woulda thought all of that for a 20 dollah seafood buffet on a friday night!

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:49 AM, mainah_mom wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

**correction...should have been there..not their** my bad.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:49 AM, Richard28 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

so the dogs got loose and killed a few sheep...not like its the owners fault...it was a accident...and if the owner of the dogs did the right thing and offered to pay the owner of the dead sheep back then this should be pretty much over....now if these dogs need a good lawyer they can call the law offices of joe bornestein...

i think the dogs should go talk to dr phil and get there anger under control....

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:51 AM, mainah_mom wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

joe bornstein....we mean business!!! call us at 1-800-WIN-WIN1...LOL. that is almost as good as the slots comment. this is my amusement for the day. keep it up boys.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 9:54 AM, Richard28 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

or if they cant get a hold of joe bornstein they can call the law offices of ronnie deutch..i think the owner should go to borders in bangor and get some anger books for these dogs...

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 12:24 PM, matt29 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Joe Bornstein has his ads posted in Bangor Mall. I was surprised because I didn't think Maine was in his territory. Another great personal injury law firm is Trantolo & Trantolo.

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 12:50 PM, GurnBlanston wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

A cow, speaking under condition of anonymity, said "Moooooo."

When asked about his feelings regarding the slain sheep, he replied "Moooooo."

Report abuse
On 12/26/08 at 12:58 PM, David889327 wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

Why did they bite the cow? Were they mad?

Report abuse
On 12/27/08 at 6:57 AM, mikelt wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

sheep...........it's what's for dinner

Report abuse
On 12/27/08 at 6:58 AM, mikelt wrote:         Repeated separate thumbs down will cause comment to be hidden

those doggies made a BAHd choice. maybe they were bored and wanted to play big bad wolf!!!!!!

Report abuse
You must be logged in to post a comment. click here to log in.

Powered by: Creative Circle Advertising Solutions, Inc.