Andrea Rosebrock 
One sunny, beautiful day in July wasn’t a very good day for a female pitbull; a white Chevy Malibu stopped on the Clark Memorial Bridge over the Ohio River and tossed her off the bridge, an 80? drop into the water below. But she was a lucky dog and amazing survived pretty much unscathed due to the rescue efforts of a firefighter dive team who happened to be training close by and some concerned workers and patrons of Joe’s Crab Shack when she made it to shore.
Honestly I never expected the authorities to find the waste of human life who so callously tossed Sunny, as she was named, off the bridge to what I am sure he hoped was he death but amazingly enough the POS was caught! We’ve got a real winner here my friends, 39-year-old Damon D. Bledsoe, 39, of 210 E. Ormsby Ave., Lousiville, KY. This piece of trash has been arrested on 99 separate occasions since 2002 for everything ranging from domestic violence to disorderly conduct to theft to public intoxication. In this case he was charged with one count of second degree animal cruelty.
Seems this tough guy liked to brag about what he did but a few people obviously weren’t impressed and four people actually called Metro Animal Services to report him and also report that he also threatened to “do the same to the witnesses’ two kittens or throw their kittens in the sewer” according to the arrest report.
“She [one of the witnesses] said Damon Bledsoe had threatened to throw her two kittens in the sewer because they were a pain and he said, ‘I’ll throw them in the sewer, just like I threw my dog off the bridge.’ And then he said, ‘I was the one who threw the dog off the Second Street Bridge into the Ohio River,’” said Officer Lisa Nagle.
Bledsoe was arrested yesterday and had his arraignment this morning. When the Judge would lower his $10k bond he decided to get an attitude and walk out of the courtroom before the hearing was over but the Judge wasn’t taking any BS off him.
“I can hold you in contempt right now if you would like me to do that, or you can walk out of here respectfully,” Jefferson District Judge Katie King said. “How do you want to do it?”
This idiot flashed a “peace” sign but did calm down a bit after the warning.
As for Sunny, she was adopted on the spot after she came out of the river by one of the waitresses at Joe’s Crab Shack, Kelsey Westbrook. Initially Kelsey thought about finding a good home for Sunny because she already had a German Shepherd, Nala, and didn’t have a backyard but the two dogs bonded right away and Kelsey fell in love with the sweet natured Sunny.
“She’s a big baby,” Westbrook said. “She’s a 60-pound lapdog. … She’s got a little bit of separation anxiety, which I think is expected given what she’s been through. I think she trusts me now and knows I’m not going to leave her or put her in danger.”
As for Bledsoe, Westbrooke said, “I hope he rots in jail. People who hurt animals are disgusting to me and I’m happy he was found and people can see from this case, if you hurt animals something will happen to you and it’s not OK.”
Shortly after the story initially broke, the management company where Kelsey lives informed her she has two days to get rid of the “vicious” dog as pitbulls were not allowed. For a while Sunny was shuttled back and forth from Kelsey’s apartment to her boyfriend’s while Kelsey tried to work with the management company, Areta Real Estate, but they weren’t backing down one inch.
Well, looks like luck was on Sunny’s… and Kelsey’s side again, a new landlord took over management of her apartment and now Kelsey, Sunny and Nala are all living there happily.
Looks to me like it’s a pretty happy ending all the way around! Time will only tell if there will be justice or yet another slap on the wrist for Bledsoe who is currently also facing trial for two charges of fourth-degree assault in a domestic violence case causing a minor injury, two counts of burglary and one each of disorderly conduct, criminal mischief and being a persistent felony offender but at least for Sunny and her rescuer, Kelsey Westbrook, they can rest easy now knowing that Sunny’s abuser is off the streets and they have a home to live in. 
Woo Hoo! Oh how I needed some good news tonight! I am glad that Judge acted the way he did, and saw the jerk for what he is. Hope this sob gets a stiff sentence!
I am so happy for Kelsey and her two babies. They are a happy family now, with no worries of being separated.
I am grateful for the people who stepped forward to contact the authorities. Makes me have a tad bit of faith in humankind.
Good , suprise suprise another Gangsta
Yes agree with all but it makes me wonder about the justice system that keeps letting this guy out of jail. He’s obviously a chronic offender and sooner or later he will kill somebody. Can’t they just put him away as a danger to society for like, forever?
We can only wish Cher. All he’s gotten so far have been short jail sentences, fines and probation…. seems with a habitual offender like this the judicial system needs to take a harsher stance… like lock him up and just throw away the damn key!
D.
……drop the pond scum off that bridge he dropped Sunny off of~late at night when there’s nobody around……
I second that!
Again, I long for an “Animal Mafia” to take care of depraved human beings like this. At least, the authorities found him! Hoo ray for that news.
Still say he should have trow off the same bridge …Woops did I tell you about the rope I tied to his neck before I pushed him off …lol…
i’m with u KatrinaB. i’ve got some of those HEAVY cinder blocks~oodles of them
but i figger only 3′ll b needed. 4, just 2 b on the “safe” side….
I think we are all getting a wee bit meaner gang! Tells me we are all fed up with these morons!!!
Katrina, you did give me a giggle, especially the rope part.
I have chills. Thank goodness!!! I am so glad Kelsey and Sunny are safe and that this guy accidentlly turned himself in.
I hope he goes to jail for a long, long time, along with receiving an order to no longer have pets.
Just lock him away and throw away the key on this worthless human being.
As for Sunny, thankfully she will now be treated with the love and kindness she so rightfully deserves….
I agree wholeheartedly.
I’m still shocked that a scumbag that has been arrested 99 different times can be out walking around.
I watched a video of his hissy fit in court. As much as the judge was stern, she should of given him contempt of court and raised his bail. It was disgusting. A real total disregard for authority. As we can see from his arrest record, not much regard for life in general.
I SO MUCH want to be a judge in my next life. None of this “The Honorable* I want a prefix of *Hang ‘em High*.
Andrea, I too want to be a judge in my next life, but I don’t think my prefix will be as kind as yours will be!
I’m so happy for the poor dog! We should all write to the new manager of the apartment complex where Kelsey lives and thank him for having the compassion and courage to give this dog a chance to prove that pitbulls are not the demons from hell they are portrayed to be.
As for the “piece of $hit with a rap sheet that would make any upcoming gangsta child drool–well, too bad he can’t be thrown off the bridge to his death! What a miserable, useless drain on society. Bet he gets welfare and is pulling disability benefits, too! If our government was truly operating in the best interest of law-abiding, WORKING citizens, people like this road garbage would be forced to get their act together or else. I hope he gets what’s coming to him in prison. And, never gets out again.
I think we should wait for a cold dark night when temps are freezing and throw him off the bridge. Oh yeah, cut a hole in the ice so no one will find him. Let him freeze alive, that seems just to me. I don’t really believe in killing humans or animals, but there are times when I would make some exceptions. I am so fed up with the judicial system is isn’t funny. In fact I am fed up with everything that is going on in these United States. If we don’t start to UNITE and do some things, then we may as well die. We need to change some lax laws, change the government and especially the politicians. UNITE that is the key word and I think on this site we are doing just that. It’s just a small stepping stone, but nonetheless a stepping stone. I am so happy that Sunny got a good home. She will now understand what love is and no doubt give it back ten-fold.
I would love to toss this pig off a bridge. God Bless Kelsey, Nala, and Sunny!
I certainly realize that our use of words is often in direct conflict with our feelings about animals but I cringe when I hear people refer to criminals as “animals” and to depict a really “low-life” human as a pig.
Pigs are marvelous creatures. They are so intelligent and they simply don’t deserve to have their name so besmirched in referring to the absolute “scum of the earth.”
Bledsoe is certainly not a pig. He is a disgusting, useless excuse for humanity and doesn’t deserve to breath the same air that civilized, law-abiding people breath!
99 SEPERATE OCCASIONS!!!!! And this “pond scum” was out walking the streets to do this to beautiful Sunny AND threaten others as well. Man! Gotta wonder about our justice system when you hear this! Thanks D for finding out what was going on with Sunny and Kelsey. It just amazes me, that this ugly SOB, after being in so much trouble, was even out and about to do something like this. Does anyone know if he has other pets? This man should be drawn and quartered in a public courtyard!
Stupid should hurt!!!!!!!
Any chance we can direct our energy toward the education of people and the helping of animals?
Yes, I too, feel sick when I hear about someone doing something this cruel and thoughtless, but just burning with hatred is at best unproductive. At worst, it can be lazy and divisive.
Susan T is onto something, saying it’s unfair to animals to invoke their names when dehumanizing a human. But saying that a person is no longer a person (no matter what they have done) takes us all down a little.
When a person does something so awful as Bledsoe has done, they forfeit a lot of things: respect, dignity, freedom (if properly convicted), money (if properly fined). What they don’t forfeit is the fact that they are still human – even if they are pretty lousy examples of our species.
I’m telling you, what we really need is a comprehensive system of teaching everyone (especially starting with children) how to interact with animals – how to have compassion.
If you’re trying to teach compassion with the same lips that ‘lol’ about lynching a man (KatrinaB), I think you’ll have a hard time getting your point across.
I’m pretty sure hatred won’t save anyone – dogs or people.
Little Brother – are you ready for an onslaught of posts directed at you?
I have never seen your name or heard of any posts from you before. So here I go.
First of all, how dare you say “Any chance we can direct our energy toward the education of people and the helping of animals?” ???????? Let me tell you, I work 60-70 hours a week at my paid job, and I spend the rest of my free time, hours on the internet, hours on the road on the weekends, SAVING THE LIVES OF DOGS – and let me also tell you that there are many people here on this site who do EDUCATE anyone and everyone. We are ADVOCATES OF THE ANIMALS WHO CANNOT SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES. WE ARE THEIR VOICES, BECAUSE THEY ARE UNABLE TO SPEAK FOR THEMSELVES!!!!! Many of us here have spent countless hours writing to our governing bodies that something has to be done to help our canine friends.
Who are you to fricking tell us how we should be doing something? If we do a LOL about some asshole that has done something so horrid to an animal, and call him names, that is our perogative.
Compassion and love of animals is something that should be taught in the home, from childhood. It is not our responsibility to teach that to Bledsoe. His parents should have taught him that. Take your comprehensive system and shove it where the sun don’t shine.
Let me ask you, have you ever looked into the eyes of an abused animal, held them closely to show them that there are people who give a hoot about them, have you ever transported animals from high kill shelters to rescues and furever homes? Don’t you tell me what we should do. Almost everyone here is doing their part to help our canine friends.
I have to calm down, you have upset me, and my blood is boiling. I am not finished with you yet.
A BIG PAT ON THE BACK….Susie. very well said……
Hey dru, anytime. Glad you liked it dear!
So many people here work every day for the animals. We write, we call, we email, we sign petitions and many are on the front lines working with, rescuing, transporting, fostering and volunteering. We also put time in to educate and create awareness. But there are time when even the most kind hearted advocate gets to a point where they have to vent and let the anger out and FTLTD is a place where we can do it without censure. Trust me, many, many of us here have more than earned the right to yell, scream, rant and rave and yes, even call these scum names and wish horrid ends to them. At the end of the day we put in our time but we need to share our aching hearts and damaged souls with other like-minded individuals who understand where we’re coming from. Trust me, we save, we save plenty!!
D.
Thank you D., that was very well put. Lately, my mouth has run amuck! I am ususally a little more diplomatic, but as you know, life and things that happen around us change us just a bit.
It’s perfectly alright Susie, we all need to blow off some steam once in a while my friend!! I know what you’ve been going through and I doubt I would be able to be even as diplomatic as you have been. Hugs and prayers!!
OK. Sorry to ruffle feathers. I realize it’s just a bit of harmless fantasizing about killing this man and this is a safe place to vent. We all get angry. I just found this a little… chilling.
I see now this blog is private property and outsiders are not welcome.
Think I’ll take our piddy for her walk now…
No Little Brother, it is not private property, and guess what outsiders are welcome. But we do not appreciate someone new the the blog giving us directives on how we should talk about issues that are devastating to us. Almost all of us here have been around the block with animal advocacy and animal welfare, and we have seen and read our share of horror – so guess what, we are fed up. Fed up that these criminals, murderers, and yes they are murderers, get such light sentences, and those that are out in the field working to physically rescue animals, we are the ones who get the stiff fines and penalties.
Why don’t you find out a little more about us all by reading other posts, before you go shooting your mouth off on how we should act, talk, and what we should be doing to help?
Yes, thank you Deanna for putting our feelings in your usual intelligent, rational BUT to the point words!
For one, I am tired of all the holier than thou, do-gooders advising animal advocates to continue our wimpy pleading and polite request to lofty government officials, research scientists, slaughterhouse owners and non-compassionate staff and managment of animal shelters…asking from our hearts for the least benefit or right for a helpless animals. It falls on deaf ears, 99% of the time if not 100%.
To Little Brother: No, the criminal/POS will not lose his dignity and respect from the community. He had none to begin with, most likely. And, he and any animal abuser/murderer will never feel the unimaginable pain, emotional and physical, that a beautiful loyal dog endures when his owner/supposed to be guardian betrays him with violence, neglect, abandonment or murder. We are the dogs of this world only voice, along with other animal advocates, and there is NO compromise where animal abuse is concerned!
Animal lovers and dog lover and advocates are welcome, more than welcome. We need all the voices we can get but please do take a moment to understand us, that’s all. I do understand where you’re coming from and that’s great if you can look at the horror and maintain your composure all the time. Respect us and we’ll do the same. We won’t tell you how to feel and express yourself and would just appreciate the same. We are very proactive here as well and being vocal in our feelings. Like Susie said, take some time to look around, you’ll find a lot more than just this; good, bad, happy sad, ugly, funny… a little bit of everything.
D.
One more thing Little Brother, you said you find this site, or maybe it is our comments, your words exactly “chilling”.
Don’t you find it chilling with what this man did to this beautiful dog? If you find our words and terminology chilling, and not the act that this man did, then you are on the wrong site.
Um… yes, actually, I do find his acts terribly chilling. I said as much. But yes, you’ve made it clear I am on the wrong site.
Um? Not telling you you are on the wrong site, do more investigating before you go shooting your mouth off.
btw, you never answered my question as to if you have ever looked into the eyes of an animal who has been abused, etc. Why did you overlook that?
stop being such a baby, LittleBrother.
I am so glad and relived they caught him. I hope our courts won’t let the people and abused animals down!
I really don’t, can’t, consider someone a human being after reading such deliberate acts of cruelty, he is a monster in my eyes, in the eyes of the abused. do we give another second unearned chance here? or do we stand firm and demand he do serious jail time, and never be allowed near animals, or children, again? because he can do this to a child, if he hasn’t already.
So, this guy not only throws a dog off an 80-foot bridge…on a whim…but he threatens other animals and even people with violence when he doesn’t get his way, or his actions are thwarted…or even critisized?
Sounds to me like he’s a loose cannon, and killing someone to suit his purposes is a matter of when rather than if. That is…if he hasn’t already done so. In any event, he bears watching closely.
What a big man he is. he picked on something not his own size asgoes to show you where his mental state is then to brag and threaten other people. ooo,what a tough piece of waste he is. I am sure his iq is just that 2 digits. Well, he might not be the bigger one now, there are bigger people where he is going that do not like this sort of thing. All I can say is have fun. that dog looks so loving and not dangerous at all and wants to be loved as you can see she moved towards that person. she needs alot of tlc after that stunt this whatever you call him pulled.
I stand corrected about Bledsoe still being human. Yes, he is still a human being but completely lacking the qualities that truly define “humanity–respect, civility, decency, kindness–he is not even worthy to be considered a “heathen.” He’s been exposed to the same opportunities in life that you and I have had. He has chosen his path and thus, in my humble opinion, should now fully reap the benefits of his choices. A serious jail sentence and scorn from all humanity.
The question remains….Are people like him capable of rehabilitation? Only he and God know the answer (and outcome!) of that one.
There are plenty of other animal cruelty cases that would make this one pale in comparison, but the sheer act of what he did–holding a dog and throwing him to his death–is cause for everyone to wonder what else he’s capable of doing and what other horrible crimes he’s committed. How much time, money and energy should law-abiding people be asked to invest in someone like him? I simply have no true concern for people like him. One arrest, perhaps two–but he is rotton to the core. We euthanize dogs and their only crime is that they have been an unwanted birth. Just how far should we go with a career criminal?
Anyone here be comfortable having your kids around him?
Susan T, in response to your post “The question remains….Are people like him capable of rehabilitation? Only he and God know the answer (and outcome!) of that one.”
I look at the dogs that were rehabilitated by Best Friends – the Victory dogs. Our canine companions in my eyes can be rehabilitated easier than a slouch like Bledsoe. Our furry friends are more willing to be happy and content, given direction with a purpose of well being; but I cannot comprehend our justice system not working on rehabilitating the criminals they house. Do your time, and then you are free? Free to do what, go back and be the same rotten human prior to incarceration?
Don’t think this one will ever be rehabilitated. He is way too far gone for that.
You can rehabilitate young teens , after that the mould hardens
I would like to take this gangsta , tie him up with Vick and that looser Amy and throw them off the bridge and hope an large boat propeller chops them up .
Yeaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!! Glad he is caught. Thrilled beyond words, that Kelsey can keep Sunny. Kudo’s to the new complex owners.
Little Brother….I understand, we should all have forgiveness in our hearts, and for the most part we do. But, seriously, do you really believe that, had Sunny died, this POS deserves to go on in life, (he is an adult), killing and maiming anything he damn well wants and we, as protectors of those without voices, should just sit back and not say a word? How come you never answered Susie’s question….”have you ever looked into the eyes of an abused animal, held them closely to show them that there are people who give a hoot about them, have you ever transported animals from high kill shelters to rescues and furever homes?”. How come? Might it be, because you have not? BTW…I highly applaud you for owning a Pitty. A most beautiful canine. Believe me, my dear, YOU would never again feel as you do now….”compassion” for these cruel, uncaring, heartless, murderers. Trust me…..you would be SCREAMING for justice at the highest degree. Had you been on this site for a while, you would be sickend at some of the reports on the beautiful Pitbull breed….conpletely sickened. Setting them on fire and listening to them SCREAM in tremendous pain and dying a slow, horrible death. Being hung by the neck (is this the way to love your precious Pitty?), being dragged behind trucks and bikes, screaming and struggling to get free, as their skin is being ripped off of them and then dying so painfully, without understanding of the love they had for their humans. Being left to starve to death and (this one particular Pitty) crawling into a suitcase of it’s owners clothes (because it’s the only comfort they could find) and starving to death in there,alone and unloved. Then these so called humans, get a mere slap on the hand and sent out to the streets, to continue maiming and killing those without voices. Those with unconditional love, those that truly forgive, those that have no understanding as to why they are being so terribly tormented and killed. Please! You need to look into these horrible travesties laid upon our innocent dogs, and other animals, before you find yourself so forgiving and willing to let these in-human, waste’s of life, POS’s, continue to walk the face of this earth. Lucifer has lots of room at his place….I will say as I always say….send them there, with the same horrible pain and anguish they inflicted upon those that could not stop them or had “no voice”. Hmmmmm. I do believe you need to do just that, to truly understand where we are all coming from…..really. Again…I applaud you for owning a Pitty….. They are a tremendously, kind, loving, beautiful, canine. Now look at what has been done to this breed, that, you, yourself, have one of. You might be changing your mind on how these POS’s are punished for their crimes upon innocent animals.
The problem is that it goes on and on and seems to get worse .What can you do ,you face this scum and he will probably pull out a gun
The poor dog had recently gave birth, according to an earlier report, did anyone ask the POS what he did with the pups? There is no telling when he is willing to torture someone else’s kittens for being troublesome (that itself boggles my mind, troublesome HOW?)
Such a SOB could and would do anything to an animal he ‘owned’.
BTW I wish I had found the site earlier, but was glad to find out what happened re the appartment landlord, and with others here I applaud the new manager’s rule change. Good luck to Sunny and her special human angel (and new doggie buddy).
YES I KNOW EVERYBODY MIGHT BE MAD AT THE SITUATION BUT I’VE KNOW DEJUAN ALL MY LIFE I HAVE A BEAUTIFUL DAUGHTER BY HIM AND HE LOVES DOGS WITH EVERYTHING IN HIM AND FOR HIM TO DO SOMETHING LIIKE THAT SHOCKED ME HE MUST OF BEEN ON SOMETHING. I KNOW EVERY WISHES HE GET LOCKED UP FOR EVER BUT THINK ZBOUT HIS BABY SHE AINT EVEN 4 YET AND WHAT WILL SHE DO IF HER DAD WASNT THERE FOR HER THEY LOVE EACH OTHER AND YEA ME AND HIM MIGHT NOT GET ALONG AND YEA I PRESSED SOME OF THE CHARGES ON HIM BUT KNOW I HAVE TO LOOK OUT FOR MY KID AND I DONT WANT HER TO BE LIKE HER MOM GROWIN UP NOT KNOWING WHO HER DAD IS I MEAN HONESTLY WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WILL DO THAT TO AN ANIMAL THEY WOULD HAVE TO BE ON SOMETHING TO DO IT
u said “he must’ve been on something”!!!!! what if, 1 day, he’s on “something” n he takes u baby n tosses her ff a bridge???? think about it, Maria. Sunny was SO lucky!!! what if u come home 1 day n u’r baby girl is NOT there cuz this POS has tossed HER off the same bridge??? THINK ABOUT IT, MARIA……i pray that NEITHER 1 of u is allowed 2 have an animal EVER again!!!
u said “he must’ve been on something”!!!!! what if, 1 day, he’s on “something” n he takes u baby n tosses her off a bridge???? think about it, Maria. Sunny was SO lucky!!! what if u come home 1 day n u’r baby girl is NOT there cuz this POS has tossed HER off the same bridge??? THINK ABOUT IT, MARIA……i pray that NEITHER 1 of u is allowed 2 have an animal EVER again!!!
TO BE HONEST I DIDNT HAVE NOTHING TO DO WITH IT SO I MEAN I HAVE 4 DOGS AND THEYRE DOING REALLY GOOD I DONT LEAVE WITH HIM I HAVENT BEEN WITH HIM SINCE 06 AND ON TOP OF THAT MY DAUGHTER IS NEVER LEFT ALONE WITH HIM BECAUSE OF EVERYTHING HES DONE TO ME I DONT TRUST HIM WITH HER BECAUSE I KNOW HOW HE IS AND HES A CRACK HEAD AND I DONT WANT ANYTHING TO HAPPEN TO HER BECAUSE HE WILL DO ANYTHING TO GET IT BUT I MEAN I KNOW HOW EVERYBODY FEELS ABOUT THE SITUATION BUT HES DOING HIS TIME FOR IT BUT I MEAN HONESTLY WHAT WILL MY DAUGHTER THINK WHEN SHE FINDS OUT HER DAD IS NOT GOING TO BE THERE FOR HER SHE CRYS FOR HER DAD ALL THE TIME AND DO YOU REALLY THINK THATS A GOOD FEELING ON A SINGLE YOUNG MOTHER TO HAVE TO BE THE ONE TO LET HER NOW THAT HER DAD DID SOMETHING WRONG AND GODS PUNISHING HIM FOR IT I WAS ONLY 13 WHEN WE WAS TOGETHER AND ILL BE 18 AND DO YOU REALLY THINK I WANT MY DAUGHTER TO BE LIKE ME AND THEGO THROUGH THE THINGS I WENT THROUGH WITH HIM
Maria…
Go to Google and type in Psychiatrist, [your city], [your state] and make an appointment with one of them. The therapy you desperately need cannot be found here.
god’s punishing him!!!! so that makes it ok for him 2 throw a living, breathing, feeling creature off a bridge???? i’d rather have NO father that kind of father….. i think u’r best bet is take Andrea’s advice…………..
Maria, I have to agree with dru and Andrea. You seriously need help. First off, what the hell were you doing with a man when you were 13 yrs old? Where were your parents to bring you up properly? That alone says volumes; not to mention the fact that you are “going to be 18″. You and your daughter need to get far far away from this monster, because that is what he is. It all starts out with harming, maiming and murdering of an animal. Next, it will be a human, whether it is you or your little girl or a complete stranger.
Go get some help yourself, because that man is useless and is where he belongs – in jail.
I KNOW WHAT I DID WASNT RIGHT I NEVER HAD ANY PARENTS THERE FOR ME I GREW UP IN FOSTER CARE AND IN AND OUT OF PLACEMENTS IVE BEEN IN 21 DIFFERENT HOMES YEA I KNOW YOULL ARE THINK WHY DO I WANT HIM IN MY DAUGHTERS LIFE MAYBE BECAUSE I DIDNT HAVE PARENTS THAT LOVED ME AND YES I AM GETTING HELP WITH THIS IF YOULL WAS ME WHAT WOULD YOULL DO IF YOULL WAS IN MY SITUATION?