Crispy and Sheila's affinity with pets

[Holly Goodhead]

As we know Crispy, a shih-tzu dog, was June's pet.  I have no idea if Crispy was male or female but I am going to assume male.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shih_Tzu

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-bbYtb2ItMg

I've taken all comments from CAL's book re Crispy as follows:

Page 6: "Crispy, an irascible shih-tzu known as 'the Pest', got under everyone's feet until he was shooed into his basket beside the Aga. 

Page 144: "'My husband [AP] asked why Uncle Nevill didn't bring his labrador into the kitchen or into the house more often.  Uncle Nevill said that the labrador and Auntie June's dog did not get on too well when Jeremy said, "Why don't you shoot the Pest"'?  Jeremy detested Crispy, his mother's spirited shih tzu, and much preferred Bruce the labrador, who was a yard dog."

Page 152: "Len Foakes saw Sheila and one of the boys walking along Pages Lane with Crispy at half-past twelve".

Page 154: "Sometime after six, Katherine Golding was cycling home to Wycke Cottage and passed June and the twins with Crispy at the garden gate".

Page 158: "Each evening he would walk both dogs, Crispy and Bruce, around the front lawn before bed.  Afterwards, Bruce would be settled in the barn on the far side of the kitchen yard while Crispy curled up for the night in the basket by the Aga or on a chair next to it.  Both dogs were habitually alert to intruders.  Crispy was variously described as 'very noisy', 'lively and always nipping at people's ankles' with a 'high-pitched yappy bark' that he used to good effect on callers.

Page 168: "Collins and Delgado began using a loud hailer to address Sheila.  They attempted to make contact with the house for approximately two hours, but the only response was Crispy, yapping frantically inside the property"

Page 181: "A relief officer approached with Crispy in his arms.  Jeremy eyed his mother's dog and declared: 'I hate that f*****g thing.'  He suggested the dogs should go with them but Jeremy shook his head: 'I can't take them to my house, it's too small and I've got some very expensive furniture, I don't want them to ruin it.  I'll have to get them put down.'  When Jones remonstrated with him, he decided to take Crispy home and put Bruce in the barn. 

Page 188: "They [AE and JB] went through to the lounge, where Crispy scrambled onto her knee" [AE].

Page 189: "Crispy kept clambering onto everyone's laps and Jeremy remarked: 'If only dogs could talk'".

Page 207: "Jeremy and Julie returned to Bourtree Cottage shortly before a vet arrived to put Crispy to sleep. 'I know that Jeremy had asked a number of his family if they would like the dog but none wanted it,' Julie recalled.  Jeremy told the vet that the dog had been very attached to his mother and had turned a bit nasty since the killings.

More to follow shortly....

5

[Holly Goodhead]

From the CoA hearing:

27. At 3.35 a.m., Mr Bonnet arranged for a police car to go to White House Farm. A check made by a British Telecom operator of the telephone line to the farm was made at 4.30 a.m. The receiver was off the hook and all the operator could hear was the sound of a dog barking.

[Holly Goodhead]

CAL's book:

Page 29:  "Of all the presents Sheila received over the years, the one she appreciated most was a shih-tzu puppy for her tenth birthday in 1967.  She named him Sweepy and was devoted to the little dog.  Animals were always her great love; Colin recalls that she was wonderful with them and would invent voices and even languages for her pets. 

[Holly Goodhead]

I was looking for the police officer's WS who recovered Crispy from under the bed and placed him temporarily in the wardrobe to prevent him disturbing the SoC but I don't have time to find it now.  Anyway

1. If the BT tel op heard crispy barking through the handset at circa 4.30am it stands to reason he must have been in the kitchen post murders.  He was found in the main bedroom under the bed.  It appears then he must have entered the kitchen on at least one occasion post murders and yet no blood, sugar or glass were found elsewhere transferred under his paws  &%+((£

2. A police officer who found him under the main bed placed him in a wardrobe to prevent him disturbing the SoC and yet at this point he had been potentially roaming around unfettered for some 4/5 hours.  Given post #1 and the fact he seems to have had a tendency to jump up on laps did he interfere with SC/rifle? 

3.  Did he push bible and/or casings around with his nose?

http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,3016,00.html

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2014/06/dimond_her_dogs_paw_prints_pun.html

[scipio_usmc]

I was looking for the police officer's WS who recovered Crispy from under the bed and placed him temporarily in the wardrobe to prevent him disturbing the SoC but I don't have time to find it now.  Anyway

1. If the BT tel op heard crispy barking through the handset at circa 4.30am it stands to reason he must have been in the kitchen post murders.  He was found in the main bedroom under the bed.  It appears then he must have entered the kitchen on at least one occasion post murders and yet no blood, sugar or glass were found elsewhere transferred under his paws  &%+((£

2. A police officer who found him under the main bed placed him in a wardrobe to prevent him disturbing the SoC and yet at this point he had been potentially roaming around unfettered for some 4/5 hours.  Given post #1 and the fact he seems to have had a tendency to jump up on laps did he interfere with SC/rifle? 

3.  Did he push bible and/or casings around with his nose?

http://content.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,3016,00.html

http://www.nj.com/hunterdon-county-democrat/index.ssf/2014/06/dimond_her_dogs_paw_prints_pun.html

Most dogs don't like metal and don't try to pick up metal objects.

Aside form the fact dogs stay away from dead things as opposed to sitting on the, a dog could at most knock a rifle off a body not stick it on a body. Crispy was small not a big dog anyway.

Crispy could have been in another room and still be heard barking over the phone but under the bed would be too far away most likely. Some small dogs do bark very loud so who knows. We had Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus that people thought they were big dogs till they actually saw them. "Bandit" the Shih Tzu was as loud as a German Shepard.  He used to trade barks with a German Shepard that lived at the corner of the block (5 houses were in between them) 

[John]

Page 189: "Crispy kept clambering onto everyone's laps and Jeremy remarked: 'If only dogs could talk'".

If only they could!  Jeremy Bamber even suggested in his police statement that Crispy fired the second shot.



Re the dog.

The dog, a Shih Tzu bitch affectionately named 'Crispy' was known to be a lively, affectionate and loving dog , who was especially fond of Sheila and the twin boys. She was found cowering and shivering underneath the bed in the main bedroom where June and Sheila's bodies were found. She was the only living thing to emerge alive from White House Farm on the morning of 7th August 1985.

She was placed into the care of Jeremy Bamber the morning the murders were discovered. He angrily and callously retorted when offered the dog (we know this to be true because stunned policemen present actually heard him), "I don't want that bloody thing in my house, he might chew all my wiring of my stereo system". Soon after the dog was either shot by Bamber or taken to be put down elsewhere. (I cannot confirm)

Such was the callous indifference this monster displayed towards this poor creature. There were suggestions that Farm Secretary, Barbara Wilson had volunteered to 'adopt' Crispy, but Bamber ignored her.

http://miscarriageofjustice.co/index.php?topic=919.msg34337#msg34337

[Myster]

A vet visited Bourtree Cottage to euthanise Crispy, according to CAL.  Julie Mugford said Jeremy asked the rest of the family if they wanted the dog, but no-one volunteered (J.M. - 18 November 1985 w/s).

[John]

A vet visited Bourtree Cottage to euthanise Crispy, according to CAL.  Julie Mugford said Jeremy asked the rest of the family if they wanted the dog, but no-one volunteered (J.M. - 18 November 1985 w/s).

Poor little mite, the sixth victim.

[Holly Goodhead]

Most dogs don't like metal and don't try to pick up metal objects.

Aside form the fact dogs stay away from dead things as opposed to sitting on the, a dog could at most knock a rifle off a body not stick it on a body. Crispy was small not a big dog anyway.

Crispy could have been in another room and still be heard barking over the phone but under the bed would be too far away most likely. Some small dogs do bark very loud so who knows. We had Lhasa Apsos and Shih Tzus that people thought they were big dogs till they actually saw them. "Bandit" the Shih Tzu was as loud as a German Shepard.  He used to trade barks with a German Shepard that lived at the corner of the block (5 houses were in between them)

Dog bowls are often made of metal:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=metal+dog+bowl&tag=hydrukspg-21&index=aps&hvadid=37582983137&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3148135366925571634&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_7xsdi1yqrd_e

Bridget Jones feared dying alone and being eaten by Alsatians.

There have been many reported cases where the elderly have been found dead with their pet dogs curled up by their side.  Worse still if deceased dog owners are left in a locked property for many days pets have eaten part of the corpse.     

[Holly Goodhead]

The chances are Crispy was roaming around the property.  He was heard by the tel op and found under the bed in the main bedroom.  Given the blood, sugar and glass on the kitchen floor and the blood on the floor in the main bedroom why no transfer of debris and/or paw prints in blood? 

[Myster]

Dog bowls are often made of metal:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/s/?ie=UTF8&keywords=metal+dog+bowl&tag=hydrukspg-21&index=aps&hvadid=37582983137&hvpos=1t1&hvexid=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=3148135366925571634&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=e&hvdev=m&ref=pd_sl_7xsdi1yqrd_e

Bridget Jones feared dying alone and being eaten by Alsatians.

There have been many reported cases where the elderly have been found dead with their pet dogs curled up by their side.  Worse still if deceased dog owners are left in a locked property for many days pets have eaten part of the corpse.     

That's true... my last dog had a stainless steel water bowl and would nudge and rattle it for a refill when empty.

A woman who lived not far away from me was partially eaten by her dog when she died and wasn't discovered for several days. They're not too choosy what's on the menu when starving, and usually go for soft exposed parts such as the face first. Horrifying for anyone to discover.

[Holly Goodhead]

I've found the ref to a police officer placing Crispy in the wardrobe to protect the integrity of the SoC.  It was actually in CAL's book (P174).  It might well be in PC Collins WS but it's unavailable here so I can't confirm:

"From under the bed came a whimper; tentatively, Collins moved aside the eiderdown and saw June's little brown and white dog quivering with terror.  To protect the crime scene, the traumatized animal was deposited inside the main wardrobe". 

Hmmm....so what about the crime scene that Crispy had unfettered access to for around 4/5 hours?

- Why wasn't any debris transferred from kitchen to elsewhere under his paws eg glass and sugar?

- Why were there no paw prints from blood in kitchen and bedroom?

- Can it be assumed the glass and sugar if on the kitchen floor prior to the raid team entering was restricted to a small area of the kitchen hence neither SC or Crispy transferred elsewhere?

- Can the same be said for any blood?  Dr Vanezis (CAL P322) "Pathologist Dr Vanezis explains that the area of marking and porousness of the carpet should be taken into account: 'An expert on blood spatter might tell you that small spots of blood on the carpet won't transfer so easily, particularly if it's more or less dried".

- If Crispy jumped up on SC, either fully or partially, or his fur rubbed against her skin/nightdress he might have removed all or some GSR?

[scipio_usmc]

I've found the ref to a police officer placing Crispy in the wardrobe to protect the integrity of the SoC.  It was actually in CAL's book (P174).  It might well be in PC Collins WS but it's unavailable here so I can't confirm:

"From under the bed came a whimper; tentatively, Collins moved aside the eiderdown and saw June's little brown and white dog quivering with terror.  To protect the crime scene, the traumatized animal was deposited inside the main wardrobe". 

Hmmm....so what about the crime scene that Crispy had unfettered access to for around 4/5 hours?

- Why wasn't any debris transferred from kitchen to elsewhere under his paws eg glass and sugar?

- Why were there no paw prints from blood in kitchen and bedroom?

- Can it be assumed the glass and sugar if on the kitchen floor prior to the raid team entering was restricted to a small area of the kitchen hence neither SC or Crispy transferred elsewhere?

- Can the same be said for any blood?  Dr Vanezis (CAL P322) "Pathologist Dr Vanezis explains that the area of marking and porousness of the carpet should be taken into account: 'An expert on blood spatter might tell you that small spots of blood on the carpet won't transfer so easily, particularly if it's more or less dried".

- If Crispy jumped up on SC, either fully or partially, or his fur rubbed against her skin/nightdress he might have removed all or some GSR?

GSR is hard to remove from hair and clothing it stays there until the clothing or hair is thoroughly washed that is why the FBI says it is the ideal place to look if you think the person washed their hands or had much activity. Quite obviously if they changed their clothes though and police can't find them than they are SOL.

Crispy probably did not walk through much blood or evidence. Even silenced gunshots scare the crap out of dogs let alone the rest of it.  Isn't a wardrobe a cabinet essentially where you hang up clothes?  I don't know how that would calm down a dog, locking a dog in a small enclosure usually does the opposite especially if it is dark and they can's see anything.

[Myster]

I've found the ref to a police officer placing Crispy in the wardrobe to protect the integrity of the SoC.  It was actually in CAL's book (P174).  It might well be in PC Collins WS but it's unavailable here so I can't confirm:

"From under the bed came a whimper; tentatively, Collins moved aside the eiderdown and saw June's little brown and white dog quivering with terror.  To protect the crime scene, the traumatized animal was deposited inside the main wardrobe". 

Hmmm....so what about the crime scene that Crispy had unfettered access to for around 4/5 hours?

- Why wasn't any debris transferred from kitchen to elsewhere under his paws eg glass and sugar?

- Why were there no paw prints from blood in kitchen and bedroom?

- Can it be assumed the glass and sugar if on the kitchen floor prior to the raid team entering was restricted to a small area of the kitchen hence neither SC or Crispy transferred elsewhere?

- Can the same be said for any blood?  Dr Vanezis (CAL P322) "Pathologist Dr Vanezis explains that the area of marking and porousness of the carpet should be taken into account: 'An expert on blood spatter might tell you that small spots of blood on the carpet won't transfer so easily, particularly if it's more or less dried".

- If Crispy jumped up on SC, either fully or partially, or his fur rubbed against her skin/nightdress he might have removed all or some GSR?

You're getting too Sherlock Holmesy... Crispy prolly remained upstairs throughout the event, running for cover when the shooting kicked off, only emerging to yap when he heard the police megaphone, then disappearing again under the bed when the TFU entered.

[Holly Goodhead]

You're getting too Sherlock Holmesy... Crispy prolly remained upstairs throughout the event, running for cover when the shooting kicked off, only emerging to yap when he heard the police megaphone, then disappearing again under the bed when the TFU entered.

But the BT tel op heard him yapping at 4.30am.  I doubt she would hear him through the handset unless he was in the vicinity of the phone?

27. At 3.35 a.m., Mr Bonnet arranged for a police car to go to White House Farm. A check made by a British Telecom operator of the telephone line to the farm was made at 4.30 a.m. The receiver was off the hook and all the operator could hear was the sound of a dog barking.

Crispy slept downstairs in a basket near the Aga or on the kitchen chair.