Andrea Rosebrock 
Noah, a tiny little 5 lb. Chihuahua, spoiled and beloved by his owner, Betty Richardson, was killed by neighbor, David Lance Upchurch, on August 30. He was just past his twelfth birthday.
Richardson, her mother and Noah were outside their home at 1008 Cookwood, Raleigh, NC, when Upchurch was out walking his 100 lb Lab, Sasha in the cul-de-sac. Noah ran over to sniff at Sasha then the dogs squared off and growled at one another. At this point Upchurch grabbed the tiny dog, flipped him over and pinned him to the ground while squeezing him between his breastbone and neck with a thumb and forefinger.
Richardson begged Upchurch not to do that to Noah, “I told him, ‘Don’t do that,’ ” Richardson said. “He told me, ‘No. This is what would happen if another dog wanted to kill your dog.’ “
Richardson scooped her little dog up and ran into the house where minutes later the dog’s eyes rolled back into his head and his tongue lolled out of his mouth. She rushed him to Knightdale Animal Hospital but it was too late, her beloved Noah was dead.
Upchurch, who owns two Labs — Sasha and Tyson, a golden –described the incident as self-defense against a Chihuahua attack. “Noah can still bite,” he replied when asked how threatened he felt by a dog that weighed about as much as a bag of sugar.
“Noah came out and attacked by growling, snarling with his teeth showing,” Upchurch said. “I’ve been around dogs enough to know there was an attack.” (NewsObserver)
Attack?? Is this nutcase out of his mind?? Ok, yeah sure, any dog can bite and Chihuahuas can have a propensity to be feisty little dogs, but c’mon people! Vicious attack?? Oh yeah, I bet that was really scary!
Noah’s autopsy was performed at Rollins Diagnostic Laboratory on Blue Ridge Road. Richardson said a veterinarian there told her a thumbprint was found under Noah’s fur where he had been pinned down.
On Friday, police charged Upchurch with a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty. Too sad, only a misdemeanor. He took the life of a living creature and is going to get a slap on the wrist… or even less if his ‘vicious attack’ story is actually believed. Pathetic!
A MISDEMEANOR???? Oh please. I own 3 80 lb labs, and I cannot imagine in my wildest dreams that a 5 lb dog (btw my daughter in law has a 5 lb Yorkie) would ATTACK, by this nut case’s wording “growling, teeth showing” – those little 5 lb dogs always growl and show their teeth, because they in their own little minds think they are as big as the big dogs! There is no way in he** this 5 lb dog could in reality hurt a 100 lb lab. Yes, he might show he is a tough guy, but literally hurt the dog? This madman is in my book, the same as Freddie Mock. Dirty SOB
I think all states should make animal cruelty a felony.
This man is a psychopath and very dangerous. I would advise anyone that has children to keep them far far away from this freak. I cannot believe police charged this freak with a misdemeanor count of animal cruelty.
He murdered this poor dog a 5 lb. dog this is not protecting yourself as he claim’s what about the fact that he had 2 large dog’s with him to do that!! This is a dangerous person i wouldn’t take my eye’s off him.
@Nina Marrocco -
Correction he had (1) very large dog that if there were any problem would have certainly taken care of it but the psychopath wanted to do that himself hand’s on! If it were my dog i would certainly have special plan’s for this freak if you know what i mean.
I agree with you Nina. Don’t let children or animals near this nutcase. Even another human being.
And I also agree that all animal cruelty laws should be changed to felony’s Rebecca. These people are getting away with murdering one of God’s creatures. Just because it is a four legged creature, does not mean they are not capable of murdering our two legged species.
THIS IDOIT SHOULDN’T HAVE OWNERSHIP OF ANY DOG. PLEASE SOMEONE GET THOSE POOR LABS AWAY FROM HIM BEFORE HE KILLS THEM TOO. I HOPE MRS. RICHARDSON SUE’S HIM FOR EVERYTHING HE HAS.
That’s just the way Chihuahuas are, 500 lbs of attitude in a 5 lb body. Amusing and harmless. The authorities should take away that man’s dogs, for he is obviously too stupid and insensitive to care for one properly!
I hope his dogs are taken away from this vicious cruel idiot, maybe just maybe teach him a lesson or 2 about killing an innocent little dog like noah. This dude is a pshycopath that should be put in a padded cell somewhere. the dog was only doing its job-protecting his yard and his life/family. This shouldnt be a misdeamoner it should be a felony. C’mon what are the judges and prosecuter thinking?