Denied entry to a Bellingham nightclub, man allegedly throws his dog against a wall
A man who was denied entry into Rumors Cabaret Wednesday night because he had a dog with him, reportedly picked up the dog and threw it against the wall. Zena, a 10-year-old female pit bull mix, suffered bruising in the incident.
Bellingham police booked Jeremie Allan Villines, 44, into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of first-degree animal cruelty, two counts of fourth-degree assault and two outstanding disorderly conduct warrants. Jail records show he is being held in lieu of $10,000 bail.
Officers were called to the 1100 block of Railroad Avenue at 11:05 p.m. Dec. 18 for the report that a man was refusing to leave Rumors and was abusing his dog, Lt. Claudia Murphy told The Bellingham Herald. Officers arrived to find several witnesses comforting the dog and keeping her away from Villines.
The investigation revealed that Villines attempted to get into Rumors several times with his dog and was told he needed to leave, Murphy said. Each time Villines walked up, he reportedly pulled on the leash so much that he dragged Zena to the ground.
When the Rumors staff told him he needed to leave, Villines picked up Zena and threw her against the wall, Murphy said, causing the dog to yelp in pain.
Several people reportedly stepped in to try to stop Villines from further harming Zena, Murphy said, and he turned on them, pushing and punching one victim and throwing several punches and elbows at another.
Murphy said the dog was visibly frightened, favoring one of her legs and appeared she’d suffered previous abuse.
Officers took Zena to the Whatcom Humane Society with what was originally feared to be a detached cornea and spinal/tail injury, Murphy said.
Fortunately, there was no detached cornea, Whatcom Humane Society executive director Laura Clark told The Herald, though the dog had suffered bruising.
Zena is now in protective custody at the Humane Society, where Clark said, “She is comfortable. She is doing well and responding well.” Vets at the Humane Society are continuing to monitor her injuries, and Clark said she is not available for adoption.
This story was originally published December 20, 2019 at 10:16 AM.
