As more information is becoming available regarding the incident on Saturday where a Brentwood man admitted to killing two dogs who he says was attacking his chickens, we have provided several links to local media stories which provide different details about the incident.
Law enforcement continues to investigate whether any laws were broken in the process of the incident as the Brentwood man killed Jager and Luke, a Rottweiler and German Shepherd. After killing the dogs on his fathers property, he took the dogs to his work where he used company equipment to dig a hole, burn the dogs, and compact the soil.
Law enforcement is on record as saying there is little they can do as its not against the law to kill a dog who is attacking livestock.
The owners of the dogs understand the laws; but do not agree with what happened after the dogs were killed. Ellen Barkley and Rocky Osborn believe there is more to the story as Brentwood Police originally responded to a call involving 6-gun shots.
Here are bits and pieces from multiple news organizations which begin to paint a picture of what may have occurred with information that is currently publicly available.
NBC Bay Area
Osborn identified the individual as Jon Christ, who was at his father’s home on Creek Road.
Osborn said Christ took representatives from animal services on Monday to his workplace at G3 Enterprises Minerals Division in Byron where he used company equipment to bury the dogs.
The dogs remains were found but remains of poultry were not recovered, Osborn said.
Animal control found Jager’s dog collar cut in half and covered in blood, Osborn said.
The family now has the remains in bread bags and Osborn said he plans to have them cremated.
He also plans to move out of their home because there are too many memories with the dogs.
“I think he shot them but he denies that. I can’t prove it because there’s no evidence,” Osborn said.
Under state law people are allowed to kill dogs if they are found “killing, wounding, or persistently pursuing or worrying livestock or poultry on land.”
While Osborn said he understands the law he does not agree with how Christ tried to “cover and hide” the remains.
ABC7
Randy Christ says his son Jonathan had nurtured the birds and was trying to protect them from the dogs.
“The dogs charged him and he just defended himself,” Christ said. “The dogs are murderers, in my eyes, for destroying all those birds.”
“What happened to them was wrong; they didn’t deserve it and for this man to have done this, so unconscionable,” Barkley said.
But what was done to Jager and Luke isn’t necessarily a crime. State law says a person may kill a dog if the dog is found in the act of killing, wounding or persistently pursuing livestock or poultry.
Barkley and her family are trying to change the law.
“Under no circumstances should you be able to brutally murder two animals,” Barkley said.
“It’s totally their fault those dogs were out,” Christ said. “They should have had them under control all the time.”
http://abclocal.go.com/kgo/story?section=news%2Flocal%2Feast_bay&id=9270163
KTVU
Ranch owner Randy Christ told KTVU that the incident occurred Saturday after the dogs, a German Shepherd named Luke and a Rottweiler named Jager, escaped from their home on Springhaven Court and ended up on his ranch on Creek Road.
While running loose on Christ’s property, the dogs reportedly attacked some 40 egg-laying chickens and two turkeys.
“These dogs broke through the enclosure, and basically killed all of them or was in the process of killing them, when my son, Jonny came on the scene,” said Christ.
Christ acknowledged his son beat the two dogs to death with a shovel.
“Basically are wild animals running loose in the neighborhood. It’s really the responsibility of the owner, and I think everybody’s aware of that,” said Christ.
http://www.ktvu.com/news/news/crime-law/ranch-owner-admits-son-killed-dogs-shovel/nbCxD/
Contra Costa Times
Rick Golphin, deputy director of Contra Costa County Animal Services told the Contra Costa Times….
While the two agencies were at the scene, the 32-year-old man at the center of the controversy arrived and told them he’d killed the dogs after finding them in a chicken coop covered in blood, said Rick Golphin, deputy director of Contra Costa County Animal Services.
When he tried to get them out of the enclosure, he said the dogs charged him, so he used a shovel to stop them, Golphin said.
Although the man had disposed of both the chickens and the dogs by the time authorities arrived, Golphin said there’s evidence supporting his account.
Moreover, based on the information his agency has right now, the individual didn’t violate animal cruelty laws, he said.
“The allegations and statements said the (dogs) were killed with a shovel,” Golphin said. “That alone is not enough. If you are on a farm property and animals approach livestock or poultry, the law allows for them to be killed.
Although the case remains open, the investigation is at a dead end until additional evidence comes to light, Golphin said.
Brentwood Sgt. Walter O’Grodnick agreed.
“Absent independent witnesses, it becomes a he-said, they-said,” Grodnick said.
Petition Launched
A petition has already gained 2,000 signatures as of 4 p.m. Tuesday and is available online at www.change.org/petitions/justice-for-jager-and-luke.
Contra Costa County Animal Control Press Release
Other Sources
Associated Press
http://sacramento.cbslocal.com/2013/10/02/authorities-investigate-chicken-farmers-shovel-killing-of-dogs/
SF Examiner
http://www.examiner.com/article/dogs-who-slipped-from-yard-beaten-to-death-with-a-shovel
SFGate
http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/Probe-into-chicken-farmer-s-shovel-killing-of-dogs-4860173.php
29 comments
what about the owner of the chickens? He should have had better enclosures given coyotes and other wild animals?
I called Jon Christ’s place of employment (where he burned and buried the dogs). He’s on administrative leave- hopefully that will become permanent ??
Good!
(thefoxygirl writes: He should have had better enclosures.) Who Rocky and Ellen?
Maybe someone can explain how Rocky Osborn & Ellen Barkley Guard dogs {Quote “escaped at 6:00 am on Saturday morning”}, and why they would be so fearful as to feel the need to call the Police instead of the animal control?
If Rocky and Ellen where out of town, why were the dogs left outside all night? Did the dogs jump a fence; crawl under; or unlatch the gate? If their property was unsecure then the Guard Dogs should have been on a leash.
It all comes back to the guard dog owners! If you didn’t own dogs, this wouldn’t happen. If your going to own dogs, you have to be responsible!
The law should be changed that requires a rancher to use warning shots or other tactics to scare them off instead of killing them. If killing is ‘necessary”, then the authorities should be contacted immediately and provided with evidence that substantiates the killing. This way the dog’s owners can be contacted – the ranchers should NOT be allowed to remove/burn/bury the bodies and hide their actions like a common criminal, such as what occurred in this instance.
Thank you eastcountytoday.net for providing all this information in one place. You guys do a great job!
This guy tried to cover up the crime. Why didnt he call animal control once he killed the dog and where are the birds they killed. Next he will be killing people. The dog owners were irresponsible, but this guy was trying to hide his crime, we need him off the streets. If this is the whole story the guy is wack. Keep an I on this guy.
Jeffrey Dahmer started off killing animals, remember?!
This “person” – and I use the term loosely – covered up his actions by burning, transporting to another location, then burying the bodies, like a murderer does. If he had been concerned about livestock – if that part of his story is even true – he would have kept all of the poultry carcasses as proof. There would be further proof inside the enclosure of any attack, which again, doesn’t sound like there is any proof of.
He knew he was committing a crime & tried to cover his low-life, loser ass.
He needs to do time. Period.
It’s my understanding there may be a law protecting the guy from being prosecuted and if that’s the case, then shame on us citizens for allowing the law to be written in a manner to protect this guy. Incidents like this promote change in laws, so it’s important for everyone to keep their eye on the ball, move away from the mob-sort of mentality, and to promote a real change in the law to prevent a future, similar occurrence as to avoid someone like this not being held accountable for their actions.
It would appear that not of the posters ever lived or worked on a farm or raised foul or livestock. Otherwise, their comments would be quite different.
I’ve grown up on and around farms and my comment stands. Scare away the dogs- clearly. Torture them-no. It makes me wonder if the live stock animals are taken care of properly.
Yes some of us have and our neighbors didnt cover up this when it did happen. It’s not uncommon for dogs to do this its uncommon for neighbors to hide. We would talk to each other and work it out.
if the dogs remains were found, why weren’t the chickens?
Arne no one is saying a farmer does not have the right to protect his chickens. You do not need to beat the dogs with a shovel to death, burn them and then hide the evidence. I would have called animal services. Showed them the dogs and chickens, and tell the owners they need to replace the chickens. It would have left a huge mess. Where is his proof…
Arne you are forgetting that these dogs were not “wild animals” – they were domesticated PETS who had ID tags! He got close enough to beat not ONE, but TWO of them, and I am sure they did NOT “lunge” at him, nor do I believe they killed as many chickens as this “man” states. If that is true, then being the son of a rancher, wouldn’t you think he would line up all the dead poultry so that the owners of the dogs could be handed a bill for their loss??? Wouldn’t you think he would call animal services or the sheriff to report what happened so the owners could be contacted for reimbursment and retrieval of their dog’s remains???? NONE OF THIS ADDS UP! The “man” who did this acted like a common criminal, and nothing anyone says will convince me otherwise. The laws need to be changed so this NEVER happens again. Period.
My heart goes out to the Dog owners. I have rotties myselff. However the need to beat that chicken man and then burn him. Its inhumane. I hope this hunts him forever. They need to lock him up in jail and let the inmates take care and beat him. No chicken hmmm yes he made that up. Otherwise they would found the remains of the chicken.
This man, Jon Christ, is sorry excuse for a human being. He works for the Gallo wine brand. Email their customer service at gallo.com/contact to request his release. People like this need to understand that killing animals is wrong, torturing them is abominable. This man tried to cover his tracks and gave the remains of these lovely animals back to their owners in bread bags! (as told by contra-costa time print article). By the way, the chicken were not pets, as we all know, farmers tend to kill live stock for either food or sale for food. These animals were following their instincts. Truly, it makes me believe that humans are innately evil. Deplorable.
All of us that agree a crime was commented lets inform his workplace of his actions regarding using their facilities. I don’t believe they will want their name tarnished and maybe they have seen more odd behavior. The real scary part is his father is codepandant and showing no remorse for the dogs as well. He is trying to justify everything his son did even the cover up.
What crime, code section are you referring to Creeped? Perhaps you know of one?
I do not believe a word these animal abusers say: no evidence that chickens were killed, and how does a person kill 2 giant attacking dogs with a shovel but no bite wounds? I fear that they tortured those dogs for fun and destroyed the evidence.
I know it is leagal to kill dogs chasing livestock, but I do not believe that beating dogs to death with a shovel does not constitute animal abuse.
Appreciate all the info in one place. Jon Christ killed two dogs and the reason really doesn’t matter why he killed them, its his actions after that are creepy. Sure glad he is not my neighbor.
I appreciate this site and glad I found it.
Kind of hard to believe that one person with a shovel can take on two large dogs that even if they are non aggressive towards humans. theses two breeds of dogs when they feel threatened can take on one person with no problem (unless) they were shot first hmmm makes one wonder. So what he is saying then is why he is beating one dog that the other is standing there waiting for his turn?
I find it very very odd that Jon Christ moved the bodies to his work and burned them. Then tried to bury the evidence with a tractor and cover them up. This guy knows what he did is wrong.
Show me the chickens!!!! And a real “farmer” would want to be paid for the dead chickens. This guy is a sicko who needs to be charged with animal abuse. If he called animal control after the attack and there was the dead dogs and chickens then yes he operated within the law. But he tryed to cover it up which makes no sense if this did happen.
Here is one that will create comments. Remember the Officer K9 unit who put his dog over the back yard fence and the dog who lived in the back yard began to defend his back yard. The Office shot and killed the dog right in his own home yard. Who’s fault would that be? Should the Officer look before he sent the K9 in? Should the pet owner just suck it up because the law is on the laws side? Maybe you dog lovers should call that cop all these cruel names for protecting his animal. If you were not there it is very hard to put yourself in the persons shoes and judge him prematurely. That would be something my big bro ECV does when he feels my short d syndrome from behind. I told him to bend over more next time so he wouldn’t be so judgemental. So don’t be so premature to judge as there is probably a lot more to this story.
Dude, you are creepy. I wish I knew who you were, I’d send social services over to pay you a visit. Your posts are a cry for help. I hope someone that cares about you will see that you get professional assistance.
If your only intent on posting the above is to “create comments”, then you, sir ECV’s brother, are a troll. Don’t respond to him.
All of you who went out of your way to lay fault on Jon Christ are wrong. You were all so quick to blame him when all he was doing was protecting his father. Jon Christ is a good, decent, family man who takes care of his house and has always had a kind word, I know, becuase I know him. You people who called for harm to him were WRONG. All he did was try to protect his Dad. Anyone who lays a dogs life over that of a humans is a sub-human pathetic evil patron of the dark underbelly of evil. You all have a place reserved in hell for what you have thought about him. Sleep well evil doers.
Wow I think Jon wrote this himself. I never said anything bad about him. But if he is as you say”Jon Christ is a good, decent, family man who takes care of his house and has always had a kind word,” Then why did he lie in the first place. About who killed them? Why try and hide the bodies if he was in the right by the law? BECAUSE you and we all know he was wrong in what he did. So dont defend someone that you say is good when they showed us all just how bad they are by telling lie after lie…………………………..
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