In Memoriam - Rocky
2001? - 2006
We don't know much about Rocky's early life, except that he wound up in the Forsyth County Animal Shelter in Winston-Salem, NC. His age was estimated to be four to five years old. One of the Heart of Dixie volunteers pulled him from the shelter on January 14, 2006 and placed him with a foster home. The shelter workers had called him “raccoon head” because of his mask and blaze, but she thought Rocky was a more fitting and dignified name.
Rocky was not a show dog. As a long-haired or “wooly” Akita with one drop ear, he wouldn't have succeeded in the show ring, even if he had his registration papers. But he was a great dog and although his life was short, it was in the end meaningful.
Although his early life is largely unknown, we do know about his death. On the evening of July 20, 2006the now estranged husband of Rocky’s foster mom became intoxicated and borrowed a shotgun from a friend. He then drove to the family home and, with their two children as witnesses, became involved in an altercation with his estranged wife.
During the confrontation, and in the presence of the responding officer, he told her, "You're next." He then went to Rocky's pen, which was attached to the house, and fired both barrels of the 20-gauge shotgun directly at Rocky's head. Severely wounded, Rocky crawled under the house. A local veterinarian, with police escort, went to the house and pulled the now unconscious dog from where he had hidden. After assessing Rocky's horrific injuries, the veterinarian released Rocky from his suffering at approximately 2:00 a.m. on July 21, 2006.
The husband was arrested and charged with “communicating threats” and one count of felony animal cruelty. An initial trial date was setfor January 22, 2007, but continued until March 2007. On that date hefailed to appear, and a criminal bench warrant was issued for his arrest. As of this writing, he remains at large.
You can read a more complete account of Rocky's death at http://www.pet-abuse.com/cases/9382/ In our minds, Rocky was a hero. Had Rocky not been the innocent target of the man's rage, it is likely he may have turned the shotgun on his wife. By his sacrifice, Rocky may have saved the life of the woman and perhaps those of her children. We will never know what would have happened had Rocky not been there.
To honor Rocky, and the countless numbers of dogs who have given their lives to save those of humans, we have established the Rocky Memorial Fund. Any and all donations to the Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue, Inc. will be a part of this fund, and used to help further the work of the organization. There are many wonderful dogs waiting for their permanent, loving homes, as was Rocky. Please help us honor him by helping them. Please go to the donations page and be as generous as you can.
With heartfelt thanks,
The Volunteers of Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue, Inc.
Updates:
Marty Spivey has been arrested on the bench warrant, and a new trial date has been set for August, 2007.
June 21, 2007
On Oct. 29, 2007, Marty Spivey pled guilty to charges of animal cruelty and possesion of a firearm by a felon. He was given a sentence of 21 months on the firearm possession charge, the maximum allowable. Apparently, no sentence was given on the animal cruelty, that being a lesser charge than the firearms possesion.
He also faces additional charges, including multiple DUI, hit and run with property damage, driving on a revoked license, failure to reduce speed, mutiple assaults, resisting arrest, and others.
Heart of Dixie Akita Rescue, Inc.
P.O. Box 806
Guyton, GA 31312-0806