Press Release

NEW ORLEANS MAN KILLS OWN DOG IN
A HORRIFIC ACT OF ANIMAL CRUELTY

NEW ORLEANS, LA – (10/24/07) Yesterday evening a Louisiana SPCA humane officer responded to a horrific act of animal cruelty after being called to the scene by NOPD responding to an incident where a Lakeview man had apparently killed one of his two dogs with an ax. Fabian Mumme, of the 6700 block of Avenue A in Lakeview, was arrested on the scene by NOPD officers and booked with municipal cruelty.

The dog that was fatally attacked, a male dog named Wolfie, was a black lab-mix. The second dog, Inga, a female shepherd-Chow mix, was found tethered in the front yard and unharmed when police arrived. She was transported from the home Tuesday evening by LA/SPCA and is currently being sheltered at the agency’s shelter.

What event or events led to Mumme’s actions to kill his dog is currently under investigation. Mumme reportedly stated that he attempted to use a baseball bat, but “that wasn’t working” so he resorted to using an ax. NOPD arrived on the scene after receiving calls from neighbors reporting the sounds of a dog screaming. When police arrived, Mumme was reportedly found digging a hole in a failed attempt to dispose of Wolfie’s body in his backyard, where the fatal attack took place.

Even the most seasoned humane officers were stunned by the senseless brutality and extreme suffering the dog endured. Kathryn Destreza, LA/SPCA’s Director of Humane Law Enforcement said, “This is a brutal and horrific act of violence and warrants a charge much more severe than what we typically bring to municipal court when enforcing animal cruelty charges. This animal suffered unimaginable pain and agony and this was without a doubt an intentional act to kill the dog.” Destreza will appear in municipal court Wednesday morning, 9 AM, in an attempt to petition the court to increase the charge to aggravated cruelty.

Officer Jennifer Ranero, the LA/SPCA humane officer who responded to the call, echoed Destreza. “The wounds suggest that he did not die instantly and that he obviously suffered.” Ranero also stated that the backyard was littered with a trail of blood. “There was blood everywhere,” she said, describing Mumme’s debris-strewn property, which still reflects damage from Katrina.

LA/SPCA records indicate that humane officers responded to numerous complaint calls for “dog roaming” involving Mumme between January 17, 2006 and February 18, 2006. There were no reports of animal cruelty during these previous calls. A memo on one of the calls notes that the “owner [Mumme] became extremely belligerent, and [LA/SPCA] officer made the decision to leave the scene because he sensed his personal safety was in jeopardy.”

“We have had a history with this man, and it’s my understanding that the NOPD has as well,” said Destreza. “His aggression has clearly escalated and we have to find a way for all enforcement services and social services to work together to stop this type of violence before they escalate to the level we’ve witnessed today in this case.”

As standard in all humane law enforcement cases, Inga will remain under the care of the LA/SPCA during the entire legal process.

LA/SPCA, the authority in Orleans Parish on all animal welfare related issues, serves the area as the expert in animal cruelty investigations and advises the offices prosecuting these cases. If you suspect any type of animal cruelty please call the LA/SPCA at 504-368-5191, ext. 100. Reports can also be reported online at http://www.la-spca.org/forms/investigation_request.htm.


New Orleans Man Found Guilty of Aggravated Animal Cruelty in 2007 Killing of His Dog
***Lakeview Cruelty Case Update 12/02/08***  Trial Continued to Monday, December 8, 10 a.m.
***Lakeview Cruelty Case Update 12/01/08***  Seeking Supporters in Lakeview Cruelty Case
 

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The Louisiana Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is an organization devoted to improving the lives of animals and eliminating the homelessness, neglect and abuse that signal animal suffering. Chartered in 1888, our history has been paved with an understanding that only through an improved human-animal ethic can we better the lives of companion animals and that of our community. Our programs and services are infused with the highest standards of care and compassion.

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