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Law and Order: Otis Street resident charged after child bitten by dog

By Howard B. Owens

Tami L. Mileham, 40, of Otis Street, Batavia, is charged with a prohibited nuisance. Mileham's Rottweiler allegedly bit a 9-year-old child. The Rottweiler was seized and is currently being held at the Genesee County Animal Shelter.

Kathleen E. Gonzalez, 52, of West Main Street, Batavia, is charged with issuing a bad check. Gonzalez is accused of issuing a bad check March 11. She turned herself in on an arrest warrant and posted $500 bail.

Markeda D. Starks, 23, of Campbell Street, Rochester, is charged with harassment, 2nd. Starks was arrested on a warrant by State Police in Canandaigua stemming from an alleged incident at 9:05 p.m. June 16 in which Starks shoved another person during an argument. Starks was turned over to Batavia PD and arraigned on the charge and posted $300 bail.

Willie J. Miles Jr., 50, of Aberdeen Street, Rochester, was arrested for alleged failure to appear. Miles was jailed on $2,500 bail.

Jerica J. Barber, 39, of Mix Place, Batavia, is charged with criminal tampering, criminal mischief, resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child. Barber allegedly committed the crimes of criminal tampering and criminal mischief (no details given) at 4:37 p.m., June 14. Barber allegedly resisted arrest in the presence of a child under age 17.

Eric John Betz, 31, of Genesee Street, Alden, is charged with disorderly conduct/obscene language/noise. Betz allegedly screamed obscenities during a domestic dispute in a public place at 440 Ellicott St., Batavia, at 9:34 p.m. on June 17.

Cheryle Jones, 32, of Batavia, is charged with driving while ability impaired by drugs and consuming alcohol in a motor vehicle. Jones was also charged under Leandra's Law with aggravated DWI. Jones was stopped by Ontario County Sheriff's deputies on Route 5 in Canandaigua for an alleged traffic violation. (Source)

Nicholas R. Graves, 18, of 7317 Griswold Road, Bergen, is charged with endangering the welfare of a child. Graves is accused of having sexual contact with a child under age 17 in the Village of Le Roy. Graves was arraigned and ordered to stay away from the victim.

Benjamin P. Hilton, 25, of 25 Bacon St.. Apt. E, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief, 4th. Hilton is accused of intentionally breaking the window of a business on Mill Street on Saturday.

Heather Ann Johnson, 41, of Calla Way, Cheektowaga, is charged with DWI, driving with a BAC of .08 or higher, inadequate lights, driving left of pavement markings in no passing zone and refusal to take breath test. Johnson was stopped at 11:53 p.m. Tuesday on Genesee Street, Darien, by Deputy Jason Saile.

Joseph Jonathan Kuzma, 34, of Byron Holley Road, Byron, is charged with petit larceny. Kuzma is accused of stealing money from his employer in Bergen.

Daniel S. Curry, 36, of Webster, is charged with unlawful possession of marijuana and driving while using mobile phone. Curry was stopped at 11:40 p.m. June 16 by State Police on Route 77, Darien.

Ed Hartgrove

Howard - Concerning todays Law and Order post, "Benjamin P. Hilton, 25, of 25 Bacon St. Apt E, Le Roy, is charged with criminal mischief 4th. Hill is accused of intentionally breaking the window of a business on Mill Street on Saturday".

Do you know which last name is correct (Hill or Hilton)?

I'd hate to think Benny Hill is running around getting into trouble - but, then again, it'd be great if he had reincarnated himself.

Jun 25, 2014, 11:31am Permalink
tom hunt

I can not for the life of me understand the fascination people have for owning a large and potentially dangerous dogs in the City. Judge Joe Brown on TV once said: Owning a Pit Bull or Rottweiler is like owning a loaded hand gun. They both can go off without warning.

Jun 25, 2014, 10:05pm Permalink
Howard B. Owens

Rottweilers are great family pets. If properly socialized, they are wonderful with children. They love children.<p>

They are also very protective of their masters and masters' territory, which make them great animals to own in city environments.<p>

Any dog can bite if provoked. We don't know what happened here. We don't know if this wasn't a sufficiently trained and socialized dog, or if the dog was provoked in some way (intentional or not) by the boy. <p>

-- signed, a Rottie owner.
<img src="http://thebatavian.com/files/images/pachuco_0.jpg&quot; >

Jun 25, 2014, 2:22pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Well said Howard, I have several friends with Pits and they are very friendly. I have had my dog in public, where I had kids just run up without the parents or kids asking if, it is okay. As you stated, Howard, it depends on if, they were trained and socialized.

The problem I have seen firsthand in the past is some kids love to hug dogs so; they tend to wrap their arms around the neck and shoulder areas of a dog. This is also the common area where dogs display dominance or attack. So, if the dog is not socialized to know it is just a display of affection by the child, it goes with natural instinct.

BTW Howard, nice Rottie.

Jun 25, 2014, 5:24pm Permalink
Peggy Dominiak

I agree with you, Howard. I am an owner of a Rotti. He is the 4th one, I have had. He is a great dog & loves people. I was always worried about my cocker spaniel biting someone before I did my rotti. They are the sweetest dogs. People just do not realize that. Any dog will bite, if provoked.

Jun 25, 2014, 5:04pm Permalink
Kyle Couchman

I have heard Irish Setters can be more aggresive and bite happy than Rottis. Every Rotti I have known were very affectionate. I think they got the bad rep from having similar coloring to the Doberman Pinchers that were popular security dogs a few years back. I remember when German Shepards were considered dangerous and undesireable dogs as well.

It the flavor of the month type thing with these DANGEROUS Dogs. If trained to do so any animal can be dangerous. Ever have to tangle with an ornery rooster or goose?

Jun 25, 2014, 5:23pm Permalink
teri boring

That same dog attached my daughters friends dog as they were taking a walk a few weeks ago it had even crossed the street to get the little dog and police were called. Sad that a child had to be attacked before something was done about it!!! Hope the child is ok!!

Jun 25, 2014, 6:10pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

Thanks Teri for this knowledge. So, it may be safe to say that, this Rottie may belong to a neglectful owner.

Kyle, I think the term "Ankle Biter" should come to mind when it comes to dogs that bit. :-)

Jun 25, 2014, 10:19pm Permalink
Patrick Lyons

"Judge Joe Brown on TV once said: Owning a Pit Bull or Rottweiler is like owning a loaded hand gun. They both can go off without warning."

Well that's one of the stupidest things I have heard lately.
Most any breed can have issues with aggression.
Also, I have never heard of a loaded handgun or any type of gun for that matter
run out the door and just go off without warning.

When (handled properly) by the owner, firearms or dangerous dogs are not an issue.
I am around both of them everyday and have never had bad things happen.
IMO its all about the (personal responsibility) with the owner of the firearms or dogs.

TV = Dumbing down America.

Jun 25, 2014, 6:54pm Permalink
John Woodworth JR

"TV = Dumbing down America." Best comment of the day!

I carried a loaded firearm everyday and it has not harmed anyone for over 24 years and still counting. GOD willingly it will never happen.

Jun 25, 2014, 7:38pm Permalink
Mary E DelPlato

the owner shluld be put in a holding cell...i hope this is not the rottie pup some lady adopted from me...i told her if she couldnt handle him give him back...but when i tried to see how pup was doing...she avoided me...i found out she gave him to someone else..supposedly

Jun 25, 2014, 11:25pm Permalink
Bob Price

**If** it's the same lady I worked w/ years ago(Ms.Mileham),I remember her saying she was the sister of police officer. My sister owns a Rotti- is a real sweetheart. Any dog can bite-well,I've never heard of a mean Pug(yet)......

Jun 26, 2014, 3:17am Permalink
Raymond Richardson

I'm going to go you one better Howard:

ALL dogs are great family pets so long as they are properly socialized and trained.

It's not the breed of dog that's the problem, it's the irresponsible idiots owning the dog.

I'm sick and tired of people blaming the animal when they should be blaming the owner.

Jun 26, 2014, 7:34am Permalink
Doug Yeomans

No, not ALL dogs are great family pets. Some dogs, like some people, are just bad seeds and no matter how much training or socializing they have, they're sociopaths or psychopaths and cannot be trusted. I've been around dogs my entire life and have been exposed to a few that were unpredictable. My step dad had a shepherd (named puppy) that was a nutcase. I was getting a cat down off of a trellis at my mom's house on a winter day (it wouldn't come down probably because of the dog), and when I turned around, there was the dog in the aggressive stance, lips curled, growling and doing that low to the ground stalking crawl. I planted my foot in the middle of its chest as hard as I could and it backed off. I was one of the only people that could play with that dog with a tennis ball, but I still had to be careful and be the alpha. He would constantly test me. My step dad got that dog when it was a puppy and it was never abused, it was just plain nutty.

Jun 26, 2014, 8:47am Permalink
Debra Nanni

I agree that Judge Joe Brown's comment was ignorant. You have to remember that just because someone is on TV it does not mean they are particularly full of wisdom. It means they are saying just what TV watchers want to hear, which is often sensationalism. It gets someones attention.

As for pugs not biting, it's only because they cant' get their teeth out of their faces far enough to bite....... Just kidding. Really that was a joke. Love all horses and dogs. :)

Jun 26, 2014, 8:59am Permalink
Billie Owens

When Howard and I lived in Bakersfield, sometimes we would walk around our neighborhood at night and there was a house on the street behind us that I dreaded to go by. Inevitably the three little yappers that lived there would be out and about, free to protect their turf, which they considered to be at least a third of the block. I think they were Chihuahuas and it may sound comical but I was afraid of them because they were fearless and aggressive. They would bark and run right up to you, and after you. They weren't always outside, but when they were they would run straight to your feet and you just knew if you stood still they would nip you. We didn't have Pachuco back then or I'm sure it would've been a different story. Yes, just picture it, Howard and me trotting down the street to get away from the tiny terrors in the dead of night. They were probably quite proud of themselves and their prowess.

Jun 26, 2014, 10:50am Permalink
Howard B. Owens

There is the pre-screen breath test at the scene. Back at the station, there is a breathalyzer test. Drivers have the option of submitting to that test, and some who have refused the pre-screen do.

Jun 27, 2014, 7:57am Permalink

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