Animal Abuse: 6-month-old dog repeatedly slashed in the face - Denver, CO

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Case Snapshot

Case ID: 18166

Classification: Stabbing

Animal: dog (non pit-bull)

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Abuse was retaliation against animal's bad behavior

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Attorneys/Judges

Judge(s):

Edward Bronfin

Images for this Case

all 2 media files »

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CONVICTED: Was justice served?

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Case #18166 Rating: 1.5 out of 5

6-month-old dog repeatedly slashed in the face
Denver, CO (US)

Incident Date: Monday, Jun 27, 2011
County: Denver

Disposition: Convicted
Case Images: 2 files available

Defendant/Suspect: Matthew Davonn Weatherspoon

Case Updates: 4 update(s) available

Police have arrested a 19-year-old Denver man accused of repeatedly stabbing his 6-month-old puppy.

Police arrested Matthew Davonn Weatherspoon in the Monday puppy attack, said Denver police spokesman Detective John White. He was being held on investigation of felony aggravated animal cruelty.

Someone found the American bulldog, named Diamond, wandering around an apartment complex at 6875 E. Iliff Ave. early Monday morning.

The owner of the American bulldog pup said he became angry after the puppy bit him, so he grabbed a knife and repeatedly stabbed the dog, "slashing his face," Doug Kelley, director of Denver Animal Care and Control, told the Denver Post.

The puppy's owner, who had no visible bite marks, said he threw the puppy outside because he was mad the dog was bleeding in his apartment, Kelley told the newspaper.

The puppy was rushed to VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital, where she underwent surgery for knife wounds to her face, neck and abdomen, said hospital spokeswoman Lauren Immel.

"Diamond," an American bulldog, is recovering in an intensive care unit.

"She essentially received reconstructive surgery, not unlike what you would find in a human hospital," Lauren Emil with Alameda East Veterinary Hospital said.

Diamond was rushed to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital Monday morning with severe lacerations to her face, neck, abdomen, and chest.

"Diamond has, of course, captured the hearts of the entire staff at Alameda East," she said. "She is an absolute doll, very sweet."

Despite the stitches and a cast, Diamond's prognosis is good.

"It seems like Diamond should live a normal life as she recovers from her physical wounds."

But it's her mental wounds that could take a little more time.

Spokesperson Laura Immel says they have received hundreds of phone calls and emails from people interested in the dog, but the dog is not available for adoption.

Denver Animal Shelter officials said today they would announce when Diamond has recovered enough to be available for adoption.

They have also received about $1,000 in donations, but are still short of the money needed to cover the dog's medical bills.

The Denver Municipal Animal Shelter and Colorado's Helping Hands Foundation is helping to cover the medical expenses. If you wish to help her and other animals in similar situations, you can make a donation at

Case Updates

A man who pleaded guilty to stabbing a 6-month-old American bulldog five times in the face is back in jail.

When Matthew Witherspoon pleaded guilty in the animal cruelty case, he was on probation for a juvenile property crime he committed in 2009. The current case was a violation of the juvenile probation, so that was revoked and the judge ordered Weatherspoon to 30 days in jail.

Weatherspoon is still under 30 months probation for the animal cruelty case which states that he can not own any animals during that period and that he must receive mental help.

Source: 9news.com - Nov 17, 2011
Update posted on Nov 18, 2011 - 11:00AM

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A 19-year-old Denver man who repeatedly stabbed his 6-month-old puppy in the head and face has been sentenced to 30 months probation instead of a prison time.

Matthew Weatherspoon had already served more than four months in jail since his June arrest in the brutal animal cruelty case that sparked public outrage.

Weatherspoon pleaded guilty earlier this week to aggravated cruelty to animals, a felony that could have sent him to prison, said Denver district attorney spokeswoman Lynn Kimbrough.

However, prosecutors with access to a large amount of confidential information about the young man's childhood determined that 30 months of supervised mental health probation was more appropriate than prison and would help ensure the safety of the community, Kimbrough said.

During a Wednesday morning hearing, Denver District Judge Edward Bronfin ordered the teen to undergo mental health treatment during his 30 months probation, perform 100 hours of community service and pay $6,800 in restitution to cover the puppy's veterinary surgery and treatment.

The judge noted that Weatherspoon's actions were horribly wrong, and said were it not for understanding the abuse and neglect he had endured as a child, the judge would "not have hesitated" to give him a prison sentence.

Bronfin warned Weatherspoon that he was getting a zero-tolerance sentence and Weatherspoon could get three years in prison if he gets in trouble with the law again.

Deputy District Attorney Melissa Fox said with the lengthy probation Weatherspoon has the advantage of being treated mentally whereas he would not otherwise be treated if he was sitting in jail. She explained that mental health specialists will work with him to help him understand and cope with his anger.

Weatherspoon has also been prohibited from owning any pets for the duration of his probation.

Source: thedenverchannel.com - Nov 9, 2011
Update posted on Nov 10, 2011 - 3:33PM

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Matthew Weatherspoon, 19, the Denver man accused of stabbing his American bulldog puppy five times, today agreed to relinquish control of the dog and responsibility for the animal's care, as part of a deal with prosecutors.

Prosecutors agreed not to use the fact that he has given up the dog in their case against him.

Weatherspoon faces a felony charge of aggravated animal cruelty. He told investigators that he knifed the 6-month-old dog in self-defense because the dog had bitten him.

Investigators found no evidence of a bite.

Weatherspoon was arrested and on June 29 told 9News that he had been placed in protective custody in the Denver jail because of threats from other inmates.

The dog, named Diamond, was found wandering near an apartment at 6875 E. Iliff Ave. early the morning of June 27. She was taken to Alameda East Veterinary Hospital for emergency surgery.

She is being cared for in a medical foster home.

Denver Animal Shelter officials said that they will announce when Diamond has recovered enough to be available for adoption.

Source: denverpost.com - Jul 14, 2011
Update posted on Jul 14, 2011 - 9:42PM

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The 19-year-old man accused of stabbing a 6-month-old puppy several times in the face is in protective custody because of threats from other inmates.

Matthew Davonn Weatherspoon defended himself in an interview with 9Wants to Know on Wednesday night. He says he knifed the American Bulldog puppy in the face in self defense.

The puppy, Diamond, is recovering at the VCA Alameda East Veterinary Hospital where she is still in intensive care after surgery.

Weatherspoon doesn't deny he nearly cut the dog's face off with a knife. Through a videophone at the Denver Jail, he claimed the dog attacked him and cornered him in his apartment.

"I can imagine [people are angry], but no one knows what goes on behind closed doors," he said. "I'm angry at myself too, but I had no clue what to do at the time. I was panicking. It was either fight or flight. That's what went through my mind."

Weatherspoon, who is being held for investigation of felony animal cruelty, says he had no choice but to defend himself.

"The only people who can sympathize with me are the people who have been attacked by animals. I'm not a crocodile hunter. I don't know how to deal with animal attacks other than to defend myself," he said.

He does not have any visible bite marks but he says he does have injuries.

"I do," he said. "She chipped my tooth. And my arm's all scratched up."
Weatherspoon says he keeps picturing the dog's face and feels horrible about what he did, but repeatedly defended his actions. He insisted that he has always been, and still is, a dog person.

"You should not have to be on the brink of death for it to be called self defense," he said.

Weatherspoon has a criminal history that includes charges for assault, resisting arrest and drug possession.

Source: 9news.com - Jun 29, 2011
Update posted on Jun 29, 2011 - 11:22PM

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References

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6-month-old dog repeatedly slashed in the faceDenver, CO (US)

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6-month-old dog repeatedly slashed in the face
Denver, CO (US)