Odd Stuff
Dog Owner Tosses Pit-Bull Off Building
Man Is Indicted on Charge of Throwing Dog Off Building
Updated, 12:07 p.m. | The 19-year-old Brooklyn man who authorities say heaved his pit bull
off the roof of his building was indicted on Monday morning on animal cruelty charges that could
put him in prison for up to two years, said the Brooklyn district attorney, Charles J. Hynes.
The man, Fabian Henderson, was arrested on July 31, more than a month after he threw the dog,
Oreo, from the roof of the building, at 28 West Ninth Street in Red Hook, the police said.
The dog survived the six-story fall but was severely injured.
Mr. Henderson is charged with aggravated cruelty to animals and “overdriving, torturing and
injuring animals,” according to the announcement. Because the New York City Housing Authority
building does not permit tenants to use the roof, he also faces a third-degree criminal trespass charge.
The dog, which was found on the ground by neighbors, suffered multiple fractures in her front legs
as well as ligament damage, bruised lungs, a fractured rib, liver injury and internal bleeding.
The dog was treated at two veterinary hospitals and is now under the care of the
American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
Anita Kelso Edson, a spokeswoman for the ASPCA, stated:
Oreo remains at the ASPCA’s Bergh Memorial Animal Hospital where veterinarians treated her shattered legs,
bruised lungs and severe internal bleeding. Surgery was performed to reconstruct her front legs using plates
and screws. She has a long road ahead of her before a decision will be made regarding adoption.
Written by: By A. G. Sulzberger
Sources: ASPCA; NY Daily News
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Cool Photography ~ Part I
Sears Tower, which opened its new set of glass balconies for public viewing. “The Ledge,” as they’re collectively called, hangs 1,353 feet in the air. With transparent walls and ceilings, visitors say its like floating in the sky.
See Cool Photography ~ Part II
Source: kanyeuniversecity.com
A-Bug A-Phobia
30 years old and I still SCREAM like a frieghtened child when a bug comes in contact with my skin. Shriek!! Ewwww. Pfffff. I don’t know what it is about those creepy crawly little things that just makes me want to scratch my skin off even after I KNOW it’s not on me any more. Just the thought of those little legs touching my skin is almost unbearable to fathom.
I can’t remember there ever being a time when I was not afraid of bugs. Big ones, little ones, glowing ones, polka dotted ones, with wings, without wings, jumping, climbing, biting grrrrr….ahh yuk! I can recall, however as a child, being afraid to walk on the ground in my bare feet because of being so scared that bug will even touch me. It wouldn’t matter if that bug was dead or alive, even.
I would never step foot on the ground.
Many times I was told, it’s only a little bug, lightning bug, flying bug… no matter the bug, I do not want it touching me. So many times I tried to get over my fear of bugs (of all shapes and sizes). Somehow, when that moment arrives when a grasshopper leaps to their death, landing on ME! Watch out, it is definitely FREAK OUT TIME!
For those who are interrested, here is the great explaination of phobias and how to help prevent your phobia from get a little too “out-of-hand.”
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What are phobias?
Phobias are irrational, involuntary, and inappropriate fears of (or responses to) ordinary situations or things. People who have phobias can experience panic attacks when confronted with the situation or object about which they feel phobic. A category of symptoms called phobic disorder falls within the broader field of anxiety disorders.
Phobias are divided into three types:
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Specific (simple) phobia: an unreasonable fear of specific circumstances or objects, such as traffic jams or snakes.
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Social phobia: extreme fear of looking foolish or stupid or unacceptable in public that causes people to avoid public occasions or areas.
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Agoraphobia: an intense fear of feeling trapped in a situation, especially in public places, combined with an overwhelming fear of having a panic attack in unfamiliar surroundings. This word means, literally (in Greek), “fear of the marketplace.”
Phobias are usually chronic (long-term), distressing disorders that keep people from ordinary activities and places. They can lead to other serious problems, such as depression. In fact, at least half of those who suffer with phobias and panic disorders also have depression. Alcoholism, loss of productivity, secretiveness, and feelings of shame and low self-esteem also occur with this illness. Some people are unable to go anywhere or do anything outside their homes without the help of others they trust.
What does it mean to “fear the fear”?
Many people with phobias or panic disorder “fear the fear,” or worry about when the next attack is coming. The fear of more panic attacks can lead to a very limited life. People who have panic attacks often begin to avoid the things they think triggered the panic attack and then stop doing the things they used to do or the places they used to go.
Am I the only one?
It is estimated that 2% to 5% of Americans have panic disorder, so you are not alone if you, too have these symptoms. Usually panic disorder first strikes people in their early twenties. Severe stress, such as the death of a loved one, can bring on panic attacks.
A 1986 study by the National Institute of Mental Health showed that 5.1 percent to 12.5 percent of people surveyed had experienced phobias in the past six months. The study estimated that 24 million Americans will experience some phobias in their lifetimes.
Phobias are the leading psychiatric disorders among women of all ages. One survey showed that 4.9 percent of women and 1.8 percent of men have panic disorder, agoraphobia, or any other phobias.
What causes panic disorder?
No one really knows what causes panic disorder, but several ideas are being researched. Panic disorder seems to run in families, which suggests that it has at least some genetic basis. Some theories suggest that panic disorder is part of a more generalized anxiety in the people who have panic attacks or that severe separation anxiety can develop into panic disorder or phobias, most often agoraphobia.
Biological theories point to possible physical defects in a person’s autonomic (or automatic) nervous system. General hypersensitivity in the nervous system, increased arousal, or a sudden chemical imbalance can trigger panic attacks. Caffeine, alcohol, and several other agents can also trigger these symptoms.
Is panic disorder treatable?
Recovery from panic disorder can be achieved either by taking medication or by cognitive behavioral therapy that is specific for panic disorder. Studies suggest that medication and cognitive behavioral therapy are about equally effective and the decision about which to take depends largely on the preference of the person with the panic disorder. Medication probably works a bit faster, but has more adverse side effects than cognitive behavioral therapy. Also, when successful treatment is finished, people who have had cognitive behavioral therapy tend to remain well longer than people who have taken medication. There is some evidence that the combination of cognitive behavioral therapy and medication may offer some benefits over either one alone.
Cognitive therapy is used to help people think and behave appropriately. Patients learn to make the feared object or situation less threatening as they are exposed to, and slowly get used to, whatever is so frightening to them. Family members and friends help a great deal in this process when they are supportive and encouraging
Medication is most effective when it is used as part of an overall treatment plan that includes supportive therapy. Antidepressants and antianxiety medications are the most successful medications for this disorder. Ask your doctor about these medications or others that may help you.
Healthy living habits may also help people overcome panic disorder. Exercise, a proper and balanced diet, moderate use of caffeine and alcohol, and learning how to reduce stress are all important.
Peer support is a vital part of overcoming panic disorder. Family and friends can play a significant role in the treatment process and should be informed of the treatment plan and of the ways they can be most helpful.
Source: NAMI
Home Invasion Case – Prison For a 2nd Man?
By CARL HESSLER Jr.
For The Times Herald
COURTHOUSE — A Norristown man who was involved in the robbery and beating of a Limerick man during a violent home invasion is headed to state prison.
Gianni Calabretta, 22, of the 2000 block of DeKalb Pike, showed no emotion Thursday as he was sentenced in Montgomery County Court to 29- to-59-months in a state correctional facility after he pleaded guilty to felony charges of robbery, burglary and conspiracy to commit robbery in connection with the May 2005 incident.
President Judge Richard J. Hodgson, who accepted a plea agreement in the case, also ordered Calabretta to share with a co-defendant in the payment of $12,730 in restitution to James Mascaro, the 24-year-old beating victim.
Members of Calabretta’s family wept as he was handcuffed and taken from the courtroom by sheriff’s deputies to begin serving the sentence.
“He’s a bright kid who had a tremendous future in front of him,” said defense lawyer Steven F. Fairlie. “This is going to be a significant impact on that future.
“But I think he’s the kind of kid who can handle anything, and I think he will come out of this as positively as someone can come out of a situation like this,” Fairlie added.
Leonard James Pinchok, 21, of Barbara Drive in East Norriton, Calabretta’s co-conspirator in the home invasion, pleaded guilty to the same charges and was sentenced by Judge Steven T. O’Neill to three to six years in state prison earlier this week. Pinchok beat Mascaro with a metal baseball bat during the home invasion, according to authorities.
Mascaro, who lived in the 600 block of West Ridge Pike in Limerick at the time of the home invasion, required medical treatment for head injuries, abrasions and broken ribs as a result of the beating.
Calabretta and Pinchok cooperated with prosecutors and testified during a February trial against Leonard Carmen Bisignaro, 23, the West Norriton man authorities accused of being the mastermind behind the 11 a.m. May 18, 2005, home invasion.
However, a jury acquitted Bisignaro of all charges.
Calabretta initially pleaded guilty to the charges before Judge O’Neill. However, he later withdrew that plea when O’Neill rejected a sentencing recommendation that punished Calabretta with a sentence of 29 ½ to 59 months, which is below mitigated state sentencing guidelines, and allowed him to serve his time in county jail rather than state prison. Assistant District Attorney John Gradel and Fairlie jointly made the recommendation.
At the time, O’Neill indicated his displeasure with a county jail term and punishing Calabretta to a minimum term that is below the three years recommended under the mitigated range of state sentencing guidelines. O’Neill, explaining Calabretta admitted to inflicting serious bodily injury while committing a theft, implied he’d only accept a recommendation to the minimum three years and state prison for Calabretta.
When Calabretta withdrew his guilty plea, O’Neill ordered court officials to assign another judge to hear the balance of the case.
In the end, Judge Hodgson accepted a 29- to 59-month sentence but ordered it to be served in state prison. Under the agreement, Calabretta likely will end up serving a little less time than Pinchok.
“I respect the wisdom of the bench,” Gradel said on Thursday.
Gradel told Hodgson that he agreed to a sentence that was less than the mitigated state sentencing guidelines because of Calabretta’s young age at the time of the crime and in light of Calabretta’s cooperation during Bisignaro’s trial. Calabretta was 18 at the time of the crime.
At trial, Pinchok testified he, Bisignaro and Calabretta met on May 18, 2005, at the Trooper Diner, where over breakfast, Bisignaro gave them instructions to carry out the robbery. Pinchok testified Bisignaro drew the layout of Mascaro’s house and told the robbers where a safe was located.
Bisingaro denied the allegations, testifying that he was not involved in the plot to rob Mascaro.
Gradel implied Bisignaro believed Mascaro kept large amounts of cash and marijuana at the residence and might have been angry with Mascaro for shortchanging him in a previous marijuana deal.
Testimony revealed Bisignaro had purchased marijuana from Mascaro on several occasions during the months leading up to the home invasion.
Mascaro and Bisignaro were not charged with any drug-related crimes in connection with the incident.
During the home invasion, according to prosecutors, Calabretta posed as a flower deliveryman to gain entry to Mascaro’s residence and beat Mascaro before Pinchok struck Mascaro over the head with a metal baseball bat.
Mascaro testified the intruders bound him with duct tape and then ransacked his home. The robbers stole about $3,000 cash, golf clubs, electronics equipment and a cell phone, according to testimony.
SOURCE: THE TIMES HERALD
