Justice For Dublin!!!!!!!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Crafton police make an arrest in Labradoodle's hit-and-run

Saturday, May 29, 2010

By Linda Wilson Fuoco, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

There is "Justice for Dublin," say the people who rescued and loved the Labradoodle who was killed by a hit-and-run driver on Feb. 13. They are using their website and e-mail to spread the word that Crafton police have made an arrest.

Seamus Tait had watched in horror as a vehicle struck the 5-year-old dog in the head. The vehicle also ran over Mr. Tait's feet and hit his leg.

"Dublin stood up and tried to walk, but immediately collapsed," Mr. Tait said in an earlier interview. He did CPR, to no avail, and then carried the black dog's 70-pound body nearly two blocks to his home.

Dublin had lived with Mr. Tait and his wife, Marissa, for just 10 days. They were providing a temporary foster home for Doodle Rescue Collective Inc. That group rescued Dublin from an abusive home and paid $2,000 in veterinary bills for a variety of health problems, including fleas, cataracts, badly infected ears and wounds that appeared to be bites from a dog.

On the night of the accident on Broadhead Avenue, Mr. Tait was leash-walking Dublin and Mickey, a 1-year-old brown Labradoodle that the couple had adopted earlier from the Doodle Rescue. Mickey was not hit by the vehicle.

"I am so impressed that the Crafton police cared," Mrs. Tait said. "They pounded the pavement. They went door to door [investigating]. And they checked in with us regularly."

Last Friday police told the Taits they charged Fred Bainbridge, 45, of 604 Broadhead Ave., with a misdemeanor offense -- "accident involving death or personal injury." His hearing is scheduled at 9:30 a.m. July 1 before District Judge Dennis R. Joyce.

Crafton police had recovered pieces of a blue vehicle at the accident scene. On TV, police and CSI's get instant results. In the real world, it took three months to get results from the crime lab to match the pieces to the dark blue Dodge Caravan parked in Mr. Bainbridge's driveway.

Seamus and Marissa Tait are still mourning the death of Dublin. "He was just the sweetest dog," Mrs. Tait said, despite the abuse and neglect he had experienced in the care of a prior owner. "All he wanted was to be loved."

Mr. Tait has not physically recovered from the accident. Although no bones were broken, he has continuous pain in his shoulder, knees and ankle. "I can't run and I can't jump. I'm starting physical therapy soon," Mr. Tait said.

Go to doodlerescueinc.ning.com to read more about Dublin and the group that helped him. Like all rescue groups, they need foster homes, volunteers and cash donations to pay for food and veterinary care, including Dublin's big bill.

And they're always looking for people who can provide permanent homes for their dogs, that are Labrador-poodle mixes and Golden retriever-poodle mixes. When I looked at the site last week, there were pictures of seven dogs that need homes and five that were recently adopted.

And there's justice for Mickey as well. The puppy mill where he came from, Almost Heaven Kennel in Lehigh County, has been shut down by the state. Kennel owner Derbe "Skip" Eckhart was convicted on multiple counts of animal cruelty, and earlier this month he was sentenced to six months to two years in prison.

Read more: http://post-gazette.com/pg/10149/1061569-62.stm#ixzz0pLEeZqoe

[Tante & Jordan & now Annie!]

I hope he gets the max sentence possible. How can you hit someone and NOT stop?! Karma

[Michele Barton]

That is great news! I'm sure that Dublin is smiling today as he romps around at Rainbow Bridge. I surely hope that Seamus is feeling 100% soon.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

Wonderful news...this police department deserves so much credit. Dublin truly does live on.

[Stella]

I am so pleased that they found the person that did this. I truely hope that he is brought to justice for what he has done.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Thank you for the update. Wish we could all attend the hearing WITH our doodles.

[Kathy Spyker]

Wonderful news, I hope the Judge gives this man gets more then a slap on the wrist.

[F, Calla & Luca]

A court doodle romp is a great idea, Joanne! Sorry it's so far from me.

[Adrianne Matzkin]

We thank everyone for their support! It truly means so much to have family understand!

[Joe R.]

This is great news Adrianne. I saw the story this morning when I was reading the Post Gazette online. I'm glad you posted it for everyone to get a update.

[Linda, Webber and Seda]

I am SO glad there was justice for Dublin!!