"For a couple months we'd call and try to get updates and it was just impossible to get in touch with anybody taking responsibility for this," - Eric Barstad
The owner of a pitbull that has been attacking dogs in Prospect Park for months was arrested Monday morning, police said. Donnell Barden, 42, was arrested at 9:14 a.m. Monday morning and was charged with aggravated animal cruelty, menacing and criminal possession of a weapon. Witnesses said Donnell Barden even joined in the attacks. He would beat the dogs with his cane and stabbed one with an ice pick, they said.
Brooklyn
A violent dog owner who has allegedly unleashed his pit bull to terrorize other dogs in Prospect Park was arrested Monday, according to the New York Daily News.
Witnesses said Donnell Barden, 42, even joined in the attacks. He would beat the victimized dogs with his cane and even stabbed one with an ice pick, they said.
In one instance, Barden ordered his dog to "Eat it! Eat it!" as he attacked, according to one horrified onlooker.
Barden was nabbed by cops at the corner of 15th St. and West Drive after dog owners in the park pointed him out to authorities. He’s charged with aggravated animal cruelty, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon, a small knife.
Police arrested Donnell Barden after Eric Barstad, 28, and some friends posted flyers around the park warning others about the attacks. (Image: FIDO) The attacked dog's owner filed a police report in May he then saw the pit bull's owner in the park and was able to point him out to cops but the cops referred him to the 78th Precinct and did not pursue the owner, according to ProspectHeights Patch. "For a couple months we'd call and try to get updates and it was just impossible to get in touch with anybody taking responsibility for this," Eric Barstad, a friend of the lab/husky's owner, told the website. That changed recently when a sergeant at the 78th precinct took over the investigation and gave his cell phone number to Barstad and his friends.
In 1992, he pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges after he fired a gun in the direction of a NYPD cop, prison records show. The officer was hunting Barden after he tied up his old boss, put tape over his mouth and stole his credit cards.
Barden served seven years behind bars and was released in May 2010.
Over the past few months, he's been terrorizing Prospect Park dog owners, ordering his brown pit bull to attack other dogs and threatening to hurt their owners, according to multiple residents.
His arrest stems from a complaint filed on May 17 after Barden allegedly stabbed a dog brawling with his pugnacious pit bull. Barden also allegedly hit the dog's owner after he tried break up the fight.
The victimized dog, Stetson, was knifed nine times, but survived after he was rushed to a vet, a source said.
More recently, the dog attacked a three-year-old Doberman Pinscher, Brandon, and chomped at his tail.
Barden also grabbed the unsuspect collar in an attempt to block him from fighting back, according to Brandon's owner, Janice Brown.
"We're lucky no dogs have been killed yet," Brown said.
In February, Barden's dog attacked JoAnne Brown's 38-pound mutt named Gray.
"He went berserk," Brown recalled.
"My dog started humping his dog, and he just hit my dog with his cane."
In the last few days, Eric Barstad, 28, who is friends with many of the dog owners, posted flyers around the park warning others about Barden.
"We are incredibly relieved that police apprehended him. The park will definitely feel like a safer place tomorrow morning," he said.
The NYPD brought Barden's dog to Animal Care & Control, a spokesman for the animal group said.
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A violent dog owner who has allegedly unleashed his pit bull to terrorize other dogs in Prospect Park was arrested Monday, according to the New York Daily News.
Witnesses said Donnell Barden, 42, even joined in the attacks. He would beat the victimized dogs with his cane and even stabbed one with an ice pick, they said.
In one instance, Barden ordered his dog to "Eat it! Eat it!" as he attacked, according to one horrified onlooker.
Barden was nabbed by cops at the corner of 15th St. and West Drive after dog owners in the park pointed him out to authorities. He’s charged with aggravated animal cruelty, menacing, and criminal possession of a weapon, a small knife.
Police arrested Donnell Barden after Eric Barstad, 28, and some friends posted flyers around the park warning others about the attacks. (Image: FIDO) The attacked dog's owner filed a police report in May he then saw the pit bull's owner in the park and was able to point him out to cops but the cops referred him to the 78th Precinct and did not pursue the owner, according to ProspectHeights Patch. "For a couple months we'd call and try to get updates and it was just impossible to get in touch with anybody taking responsibility for this," Eric Barstad, a friend of the lab/husky's owner, told the website. That changed recently when a sergeant at the 78th precinct took over the investigation and gave his cell phone number to Barstad and his friends.
In 1992, he pleaded guilty to attempted murder charges after he fired a gun in the direction of a NYPD cop, prison records show. The officer was hunting Barden after he tied up his old boss, put tape over his mouth and stole his credit cards.
Barden served seven years behind bars and was released in May 2010.
Over the past few months, he's been terrorizing Prospect Park dog owners, ordering his brown pit bull to attack other dogs and threatening to hurt their owners, according to multiple residents.
His arrest stems from a complaint filed on May 17 after Barden allegedly stabbed a dog brawling with his pugnacious pit bull. Barden also allegedly hit the dog's owner after he tried break up the fight.
The victimized dog, Stetson, was knifed nine times, but survived after he was rushed to a vet, a source said.
More recently, the dog attacked a three-year-old Doberman Pinscher, Brandon, and chomped at his tail.
Barden also grabbed the unsuspect collar in an attempt to block him from fighting back, according to Brandon's owner, Janice Brown.
"We're lucky no dogs have been killed yet," Brown said.
In February, Barden's dog attacked JoAnne Brown's 38-pound mutt named Gray.
"He went berserk," Brown recalled.
"My dog started humping his dog, and he just hit my dog with his cane."
In the last few days, Eric Barstad, 28, who is friends with many of the dog owners, posted flyers around the park warning others about Barden.
"We are incredibly relieved that police apprehended him. The park will definitely feel like a safer place tomorrow morning," he said.
The NYPD brought Barden's dog to Animal Care & Control, a spokesman for the animal group said.
Read More:
New York Daily News - August 5, 2013 - By Reven Blau
ProspectHeights Patch - August 6, 2013 - By Caitlin Nolan
ProspectHeights Patch - August 3, 2013 - By Waldo Iscariot
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