Man accused of abandoning pit bull as it fatally attacks poodle

A Fond du Lac man is accused of abandoning a pit bull in the street after the dog fatally attacked an elderly couple's poodle.

Robert A. James, 32, was ordered during a court appearance June 22 before Fond du Lac County Circuit Court Judge Gary Sharpe to not own, possess or have control over a dog. A $250 cash bond was ordered.

James was charged with abandoning an animal and disorderly conduct as a repeater for an incident that occurred shortly before 8 p.m., June 16. Fond du Lac Police responded to a report of a dog fight in the area of East First and South Portland streets that involved a pit bull and another dog, seriously injured or dead.

Police Officer Jesse Pimental said when he arrived at the scene he found a good Samaritan restraining the pit bull and an older couple holding a small white poodle, with blood around its neck, struggling to breathe, according to the criminal complaint.

The poodle's owner said they had been walking the dog when the pit bull attacked, and the subject with the pit bull, later identified as James, fled when he heard police were notified, the complaint stated.

Witnesses said the pit bull attack was unprovoked.

The poodle was euthanized the following day as a result of injuries sustained in the attack. Police traced the dog's owner to Illinois and recognized the name from an arrest made earlier this week. The pit bull had been released into the custody of James, the complaint said.

When located and questioned, James said the dog got away from him, but admitted the dog did attack the poodle.

Police said James made threats to Pimental all the way to jail, stating he would kill him, his family and everyone he knows, and that his uncle in Green Bay was a mobster who would put him in cement shoes, the complaint stated.

Fond du Lac Humane Society shelter Manager Renee Webb said the dog is being held at the shelter on a 10-day public quarantine.

"We've had an unusual number of bite quarantines this summer, at least one at all times," Webb said. "There's been circumstances where dogs are being allowed off leash and they shouldn't be, and this is a situation where people are making poor choices."

James remains in custody and is scheduled for a plea and sentencing hearing Thursday, Sept. 10.