Mickey, a Pit Bull who mauled a four-year old boy’s face in February, received a life sentence in jail last week.
On Feb. 20, Kevin Vicente, while under the care of babysitters, was viciously attacked by his babysitter’s pit bull which left him with a lower broken jaw bone, broken eye socket, and a broken cheek bone. He has already undergone a number of operations. His injuries may require years of plastic surgery.
Mickey’s owner surrenderd the dog and asked for him to be euthanized. The mother of Kevin petitioned that Mickey be killed as well.
A petition was started to save Mickey’s life almost immediately. It stated that Mickey was chewing a bone when Kevin approached him while unsupervised by his babysitters.
A court battle ensued as did a social media battle. There were those who wanted to see Mickey die and those who wanted to see him live. Mickey had previously killed a two-month old puppy six months prior to Kevin’s mauling.
Mickey had his own lawyer.
Last week, a judge decided that Mickey will live out his life in a no-kill shelter under the custody of Sheriff Joe Arpaio. Mickey will be housed in the MASH unit which runs out of an abandoned Maricopa County jail.
Along with spending the rest of his life in a shelter — unable to be adopted or fostered — the pit bull was also defanged (removing the dog’s canine teeth) and neutered.
What was truly disturbing to me about this case was not the outpouring of those fighting for Mickey’s life but those who said derogatory remarks about this little boy.
There are pages to “Save Mickey” and “For the Love of of Kevin.” Mickey’s page has over 73,000 likes while Kevin’s page has nearly 900 likes.
What Mickey did was beyond horrible. It wasn’t the boy’s fault despite some people blaming him on “Saving Mickey’s” page.
It wasn’t Mickey’s fault either. He was tied to a telephone pole chewing a bone minding his own business. A four-year old boy didn’t understand he shouldn’t have approached Mickey. Where the adult supervision? There wasn’t any when Kevin walked toward the dog.
I am an animal advocate/activist but I was ashamed by some of the comments that were written by the extremists.
Some wanted people killed. In fact, I can’t tell you how many times I’m reading these types of statements on social media wishing and offering to “off” people who have harmed animals.
The fault of Kevin’s dire injuries lies with the babysitters. They left him unattended. It was the babysitter’s dog. Mickey was also unsupervised.
Why have no charges been brought against the babysitters?? It doesn’t matter that she wanted Mickey euthanized. She needs to be held accountable for animal cruelty and the severe injuries to Kevin Vicente.
Do you agree with the judge’s decision?
Do you think the babysitters should be charged for Kevin’s injuries?
That’s the part I don’t understand. Why the babysitter wasn’t charged with anything? It was her fault. If she had been paying attention, the boy wouldn’t have had his face bitten so badly!
I’m glad Mickey didn’t have to die but I wonder what his iife will be like.
Mickey is a dangerous dog. He’s proven it twice now. He KILLED a puppy and mauled a little boy. It’s not his fault but he can’t be trusted. His owners didn’t teach him socialization and should be held accountable.
Your way of explaining the whole thing in this paragraph is actually nice. Is this fair to the dog- to be sentenced to life in a no-kill shelter? I thought animal rights people are supposed to have compassion. Why would they wish anyone dead? Sounds like PETA! They also kill animals…so they’re bogus.
My heart breaks for this child. This never should of happened. He never should of been left alone and told never to approach a dog especially while chewing on a bone. People are so dumb!
I completely disagree with this decision! Look at that boy’s face. Can you imagine what he endured and is still enduring? He would’ve killed the boy if no one intervened. The owner should also receive a fine and jail time for allowing this to happen.
I don’t feel the dog is safe. It isn’t his fault but he killed a puppy and mauled a boy’s face. The owners obviously didn’t teach him anything. Tied up outside. What do you expect? As sad it may be, I feel it would be better that the dog be euthanized. What kind of life will he have?