AR-News: (AK - US) Man tortures German Shepherd to death after woman flees house

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Dog tortured after woman flees house
INTRUDER: Police say drug-fueled rampage turned into bloodbath.
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By KATIE PESZNECKER
Anchorage Daily News
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(Published: February 29, 2004)

An Anchorage woman's quick-thinking self-defense skills may have saved her 
life, though the family dog she left behind when she fled fell victim to a 
stranger's drug-fueled rampage through her home, police said Saturday.

In the end, Tommie Earl Smith, 19, of Anchorage was charged with cruelty to 
animals, first-degree burglary, fourth-degree assault and third-degree criminal 
mischief. He is lodged at Anchorage Correctional Complex East in lieu of 
$25,000 bail.

Smith is accused of strong-arming his way into the West Anchorage home of 
Theresa Keppler. After Keppler fled, court documents say, Smith tortured and 
killed her German shepherd as he kept police at bay outside. 

When Smith ultimately came out, he had covered himself in the dog's blood. 
Inside, police found a "bloodbath," Sgt. Tony Henry said. 

"Every room had blood," Henry said. "This guy used three different knives and 
a barbecue fork. You could see where the dog had tried to run and escape, and 
you could see where finally the dog had lost enough blood."

Bloody paw prints were on windows in two rooms, court documents say.

Henry didn't know Keppler's dog's name but said the German shepherd had come 
from a dog-rescue group in Anchorage.

Smith was apparently upset on Friday over a fight with his girlfriend and 
took a hefty dose of a drug similar to Coricidin, Henry said. 

Common in cough and cold medicines, Coricidin is gaining popularity among 
drug-abusing youths for its availability, its psychedelic properties and 
amphetaminelike effects, according to drug information Web sites. 

Henry said Smith -- who has previous convictions for consuming alcohol as a 
minor, according to court documents -- was on and off police radar all day 
Friday as he apparently made a number of bizarre appearances around Anchorage. 

Smith barged into a Carrs store where his mother works, muttering something 
unintelligible, before wandering off, Henry said. 

Another caller to 911 said a man behaving erratically and matching Smith's 
description tried to steal his truck. The caller said he threw the would-be 
thief out of the truck and the man ran off.

Smith showed up at Keppler's house about 4 p.m. His grandparents live in the 
same neighborhood, Henry said. 

He knocked on Keppler's door, and she opened it. The two had never met, Henry 
said.

Smith grabbed Keppler's arm and rushed into the arctic entryway, trying to 
force her inside, according to court records. 

What Keppler, who was home alone, did next was "superb," Henry said: Having 
taken some self-defense classes, she was able to twist free, getting past Smith 
and darting outside, barefoot.

"I know she probably is second-guessing herself for leaving her dog in there, 
but it could have been horrible," Henry said. "Everything he did to that dog, 
he could have done to her." 

Keppler called police from a neighbor's house, warning authorities there was 
a gun in the home. 

Police arrived and talked to Smith on the phone during an hour-long standoff. 
Twice they saw his left arm through a window.

Officers heard the sound of a yelping dog from inside the house. They 
speculated it was being tortured or killed, said Henry, who oversees the police 
force's K-9 unit. 

When police finally coaxed Smith out, he ignored police instructions and 
reached for a rear pocket of his pants, court documents say. Officers used a Taser 
on him, "at which time he became cooperative," the documents say. Handheld 
Tasers stun their target with a painful electrical jolt.

Smith initially told police his name was Jesus. Later he gave his real name.

Inside the house, Henry said he found one of the most gruesome scenes he's 
come across during his police career. 

"And what makes it so sad is it's so senseless," Henry said. "You've got a 
helpless dog. This is a family pet that's as defenseless as a kid would be. They 
can't fight back." 

Daily News reporter Katie Pesznecker can be reached at <A HREF="mailto:kpesznecker at adn.com">kpesznecker at adn.com</A>. 
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