Conrad Calderon is combating for change after his canine Tawny was stabbed two occasions at Shawnee Dog Park in Chandler on Thursday evening.
Calderon and his girlfriend obtained Tawny in early December from the Arizona Animal Control Center. He described her as a one-and-a-half-year-old pit-bull terrier combine, a cuddler with gentle fur, and stated she slot in completely along with his different dogs.
”Tawny. I’m making an attempt, you’re not forgotten, you’re beloved and I miss you,” Calderon stated.
It was one in every of Tawny’s first few journeys to the canine park when the attack occurred. He stated he and Tawny had been leaving the canine park when she went as much as two different dogs on the gates to the park. Calderon stated Tawny needed to play, and the opposite proprietor needed nothing to do together with her.
Calderon stated there was a “scuffle” between the dogs after which he noticed the proprietor walk away whereas folding a pocketknife.
“The most serious fight I have ever seen, somebody might get bit,” Calderon defined how this interplay didn’t warrant for Tawny to be stabbed. “A dog might need to go to the vet because the other dog bit it pretty hard, but guess what, everyone survived.”
Two individuals shut by who had been ready to go away the canine park had seen what occurred and advised Calderon his canine had been stabbed twice. The two witnesses helped take Tawny to the vet, the place she handed away with Calderon and his girlfriend by her aspect.
Calderon expressed a need to know what he might need missed and what potential points might have arisen for this to occur. He stated he requested the witnesses and he stated they appeared simply as shocked. Neither Calderon or the witnesses stayed on the darkish park as Calderon stated he was in shock and it was pressing they get Tawny to the vet as quick as potential.
“I think the guy just went on about his business at the dog park and it is my understanding he stayed there and chit chatted with people like nothing happened,” Calderon stated.
An lively investigation is underway by Chandler Police. They stated they might not present any updates on the case presently.
Calderon stated he’s confused, indignant and misplaced. He stated the home doesn’t really feel the identical with out Tawny, however he’s decided to make change. He is advocating for there to be cameras at canine parks.
“Justice for me would mean this guy is outed as a dog murderer, he’s banned from dog parks … he’s criminally prosecuted … I just want people to know this dude is dangerous,” Calderon stated.
A Chandler board assembly will occur on Tuesday, Feb. 6, and Calderon plans to be in attendance to speak about what will be carried out to extend canine park security.
While what occurred to Tawny was not reported as frequent, Arizona has seen a rise in animal abuse over the previous yr, in response to The Arizona Humane Society. Joe Casados, a spokesperson for The Humane Society, stated it noticed a 21% improve in reported animal abuse instances in 2023.
The Humane Society responded to greater than 15,000 requires service and initiated near 10,000 animal abuse case investigations which was a 21% improve from 2022, in response to Casados.
Calderon hopes to memorialize Tawny both by a plaque or in the event that they do set up cameras, by calling them the “Tawney Cam,” so individuals perceive why there are cameras on the canine park and what occurred.
“I’m going to make change, it’s going to happen, one way or another,” Calderon stated.
