A Frontier Communications Internet Installation Technician has been charged with "Cruelty to an Animal" after brutally clubbing a leashed, miniature schnauzer in the head with a Heavy Duty Test Phone. The 15 lb dog, "Pepper" is currently in Sylva Animal Hospital in critical condition with a severe head injury. At time of writing, "Pepper" had not yet regained consciousness and was suffering multiple seizures.
"Pepper" is a friendly, family pet who was property leashed and represented no threat to the young, 6ft tall Frontier Technician. According to witnesses, the Frontier Technician was clearly "Looking for a dog" when he disregarded the resident's request that he "wait until I put my dogs up" and went around to the side of the cabin.
"This was not a startle reaction" said a witness to the assault on Pepper. "The Frontier Technician clubbed that little dog as hard as he could like this" stated the witness, making the motion of rising his arm into the air and striking downward in a forceful cross body blow. "The dog was at the end of her lead and the Frontier Technician had to bend over to hit her."
At no time after the incident did the Frontier Technician appear upset, or even concerned about the animal he'd just beaten unconscious. His face showed no visible affect at all, and his voice was flat and unemotional ...until AFTER he found out he would be charged with "Cruelty to an Animal""Pepper" is currently fighting for her life, and Frontier Communications has thus far refused to assist with the rapidly mounting vet fees. Neighbors have taken up a collection to help pay for Pepper's immediate emergency care, but the little dog needs to be moved to the Asheville Regional Emergency Animal Care Hospital REACH for 24 hour care over the weekend. The Rarick's have a 4 year old son as well as a new baby, and like most young couples in their situation, are of limited means.
If you are reading this, PLEASE take a moment of your time and call Frontier Communications and urge them to provide for Pepper's medical care.
If you need additional details please call: 828-226-7275
Hello - I work for Frontier Communications. We learned of a situation that involved a Frontier employee and resulted in severe injuries to Pepper. The employee reacted instinctively when surprised and nipped by the dog and swung backwards by reflex, hitting the dog. We are pleased to report that the injuries to the dog are being treated and the prognosis has improved. Our hearts go out to the family and we have spoken to them directly. The situation is under investigation and the employee involved is completely distraught. Frontier has committed to paying all veterinary bills associated with Pepper’s injury.
ReplyDeleteWe are committed to doing all we can regarding this situation and know the pain the family is enduring. Our hearts ache for them.
Thank you!
Stephanie
In regards to Stephanie Schifano's comment...
ReplyDeleteWhile this seems like a nice attempt to "do the right thing" and while I am very happy to hear that Frontier is FINALLY paying the veterinary bills for Pepper, I have a hard time buying Stephanie's (and other Frontier Management's) account of the situation.
I googled her name and Stephanie's Twitter and Facebook profile says that she is in marketing and customer relations for Frontier.
I kind of have a hard time buying anything put out by any management/marketing/customer relations from companies. I could be wrong though.
My question is ...was she there and did she witness it. If not how can she attest to what really happened?
I just don't buy Stephanie's account of what happened. The logistics just don't line up for me. The man is tall and Schnauzer's are a smaller breed. I cannot visualize the man being that tall and "swinging backwards by reflex" and low enough to hit a small dog hard enough to cause the type of injuries that Pepper sustained.
As far as the DA not charging the man...
I used to work in law enforcement as clerical support and there are MANY times where a police officer initially charges someone with a crime and the charge is dropped due to pressure from superiors and/or the District Attorney.
It is often is due to someone knowing someone and calling out a favor or the District Attorney kisses the charge off due to a technical error in the report by the Officer or the Officer did not follow proper protocol somewhere along the way in the process.
If there is a technical error in the report or proper protocol was not followed often the defense attorney can get the charges dismissed and District Attorneys often do not want to waste the taxpayers money and the court's time to pursue charges that will be dismissed by a judge.
Ya think North Carolina has the "good ol' boy" network thang going on?
April,
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry you feel that way about what I shared in my previous post. You are correct, I am in marketing and community relations for Frontier. However, that does not mean that Frontier, the technician and I are not saddened by this unfortunate incident and committed to making sure that Pepper and Pepper's family are taken care of.
Thanks!
Stephanie
Stephanie,
ReplyDeleteWhile the condolences from Management and yourself may very well be sincere, I don't buy the Tech's version how Pepper sustained her injuries.
April
Me either -- what a crock. It took a marketing person to put the spin on this and to finally figure out that it's better to pay these vet bills than to loose hundreds and hundreds of customers. DUH! The violence perpetrated by that employee is shocking (he was told to wait and did not wait -- IF the dog nipped him it was his own fault AND he had proper warning that a dog was on the premises.) Clearly, your people are either not trained to interact with the public OR Frontier is perfectly comfortable retaining the employment of violent employees. A company does not get any more despicable than attacking a puppy in full view of a child. How is it you don't get that?
ReplyDelete