Couple Used Dog Shock Collar on Son, Caged Kids During Drug Use

[PinkMartini]

TOLEDO, Ohio — A boy was locked up in a small dog cage when he was being punished and while his father used drugs, and he sometimes had to wear a shock collar, authorities said.

His parents appeared briefly in court Thursday on charges of child endangerment and making or selling drugs in front of the boy, 10, and his 5-year-old brother.

Jessica Botzko, 28, and John Westover, 37, were arrested Wednesday, a day after the boys were left alone at home and ran away. They were found on a neighbor's porch.

The older boy told officers that he left because he was tired of being locked up, Carroll said.

The cage was less than 2 feet high and 2 feet wide, and had a chain across the top with two locks on each end, he said.

"He had to tuck his knees into his chest, and he fell asleep in there on a couple occasions," Carroll said. "It wasn't continuous. It was probably on and off for punishment."

Court documents say the 10-year-old boy was repeatedly shocked at the family's home through a remote-controlled collar meant as a training device for animals.

MORE HERE (http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,269838,00.html)

The 10 year old weighed 61lbs (I think it said?)... OMG I hope these people burn in hell. :mad:

[jnettie]

Yet more reasons to hate drug addicts. :mad:

Why are some idiots allowed to have kids.

[imagirliegirl]

Those poor kids. :(

I hope the parents get cleaned up and are forever mortified by what they did.

[mel7dog]

wow :eek: :( This is so sad. I'm glad those boys were smart enough to get away.

[Sarah]

That is so amazingly sickening. I really feel sick to my stomach.

[ysolde]

OK, sometimes I really do believe in the Death Penalty . . .

[wendalah]

We should be horrified that people use these on ANIMALS. Also, that people lock their animals up in cages like this for days on end.

At the very least, the book will be thrown at the parents. Nothing would happen if this were an animal being shocked and caged.

[Sarah]

Wait, is caging bad for dogs? We put our dog in a crate at night, and she seems okay in there- with a pillow and a treat and stuff, but is it harmful or something?

NO shock collars, though.

[Hello Kitty]

Sarah - crate training wonderful for dogs, if done properly and if your dog is agreeable to it. :)

Locking your dog in a crate for days, though, not so much.

I don't even have a response for the article.

[PinkMartini]

Sarah - crate training wonderful for dogs, if done properly and if your dog is agreeable to it. :)

Locking your dog in a crate for days, though, not so much.

Exactly... All 3 of my dogs are crate trained and it's a wonderful way to potty train :)

[karlatta]

The 10 year old weighed 61lbs (I think it said?)... OMG I hope these people burn in hell. :mad:
Maybe it's just me, but 61 lbs. at 10 years doesn't seem all that unreasonable. My DD is 9 1/2 and weighs 52 pounds. She's thin, but I can guarantee that she gets 3 balanced meals + snacks every day.

Everything else I read, though, is totally sickening. It's hard to believe that people like that exist in this world.

[Sarah]

Oh, okay, thank you. I didn't understand the distinction.