September 19, 2004

Anger management counselor turns dogs on hurricane refugees in shelter

People in storm say dogs were sicced on them

By Teresa Lane

Palm Beach Post Staff Writer

Sunday, September 19, 2004

[Excerpts]

STUART Ñ — A mental-health counselor was charged with aggravated battery Friday after witnesses said he unleashed two pit bulls on a crowd of hurricane refugees in a Stuart office building just as Frances' eye wall was passing Sept. 4.

Ryan C. Moore, 54, of 2011 Westmoreland Blvd. in Port St. Lucie reportedly released his dogs with a command of "Go get them" while he and other employees were holed up in the A.G. Edwards building at 10 Central Parkway, police reports state.

William E. Schoonmaker of Jensen Beach suffered deep bites to his stomach, face, throat and hands, and Sabrina Stuart was bitten in the leg as she tried to help Schoonmaker's wife escape shattering glass, reports state.

Moore specializes in treating patients with addictions and sexual and anger-management problems.

Moore denies he instructed the dogs to attack anyone. "It is absolutely absurd to think I would instruct my dog to attack a human being," said Moore, who claims the more-aggressive dog, Sugar, belongs to his estranged wife.

Posted by jules_siegel at September 19, 2004 08:20 PM | TrackBack
Comments