Gage's Story, written by Britt Burke

March 12, 2008 was a cool morning (45 degrees) as I drank my coffee on the way to work. Peaceful and calm, with what should have been a great day. The phone rang and my world exploded. My wife was babbling and screaming incoherently on the phone “Gage is dead” he has been shot. She had just watched our son bleed to death in her arms.
Where to start? Gage came into our life seven years ago. Newly married and having almost grown children from previous marriages we decided to get a dog. We were deploying overseas and I work nights mostly so I wanted a decent size dog. So Gage came into our lives. Gage was not what most people think of as a (typical Pitt Bull). He loved every one; cats, puppies, and kids he made friends easy. He would endure great pain from a small kid and not get upset.


Gage was about two months old when we moved to the Azore Islands in Portugal. We worked hard at teaching him proper social skills. We made sure he knew what no was and always had him in large groups so he would be used to being around people. A stranger was never a stranger as long as he knew we approved. He was taught what his boundaries were, where he could and could not go. The house in the AZORES had a three foot high wall and didn’t have a gate at the driveway.Gage never left the yard unless he was told he could. By the time he was six months old I knew my family was safe while I was at the base.
Gage traveled the world with us, he was loved everywhere he went. Gage was an adopted brother to my troops and companion to my friends when they were lonely. The cable guy even loved him. He was loved by everyone who knew him except one person, my neighbor.


Ray Stanfill, the neighbor who had a tree cut across my chainlink fence and did not fix it. Ray Stanfill, the neighbor who asked for permission and I had allowed to keep his boat on my property because he did not have access to the lake. Ray Stanfill, the neighbor who asked for permission and I let build a small fishing pier on my land. Ray Stanfill, was overheard by my brother in-law, taunting Gage and telling him (Gage) he was going to shoot him if he did not stop barking. Mr.Stanfill’s "STORY" for the day he murdered Gage was he had seen a snake on his property and went to get his shotgun to shoot it. Keep in mind it was 45 degrees and snakes are cold blooded. On the way to shoot the snake Gage jumped the fence into his yard and then jumped back into our yard. He thought Gage was going to jump back into his yard so he killed him. His "STORY" was not true and the police even knew His statements were false “Sorry I had to shoot your dog.” In the seven years Gage was on this earth he never bit anyone, never even tried. He was only out side for a few minutes a day to use the bathroom.


My wife was at the back of the house, the dogs were not barking, when she heard a loud noise come from the back yard and went to check on the dogs. The little ones, Yorkshire Terriers, were at the door nervous and scared wanting back inside, but Gage was not there. She called for him, but for the first time in his life he did not obey. He couldn’t he was dying.
Looking at the crime scene Gage was dead on our side of the fence, shot through the neck, collar blown off, and blood everywhere. He died almost instantly and bled out on the spot from a one inch hole in his neck. He was shot at close quarters; the shotgun wadding did not separate from the shot before it entered Gage. Gage was burned from the blast. The fence was not hit from the blast. The only angle the wounds could have been made were for Gage to be standing, all four paws on the ground, and Mr. Stanfill kneeling at the fence and sticking the barrel of his shotgun through the fence and firing into my yard, into Gage. There were suspicious marks on the back side of his collar that lead me to believe either before or after Mr. Stanfill shot him he tried to pull Gage over the fence. No one gets that close to an animal they are scared of, they would shoot from a distance. The Sheriff’s Office issued Mr. Stanfill a summons for Animal Cruelty and told him to get his boat and pier off my property.


The rest off the 12th was a blur spent building a coffin, digging a grave, and laying him to rest. We answered over one hundred phone calls as the word spread to former troops and friend in far off places. Everyone wanted to know what happened to the lovable goofball that was always the center of attention. There was a lot of anger and tears all over the world. A lot for a dog, especially a vicious one, but Gage was no ordinary dog. He defiantly was not vicious.

To add insult to injury, Mr. Stanfill now claims he owns the land and will not move the boat or pier from my property. The sheriff is unable to do anything about the property dispute because they cannot decide the lines without a court order. The legal deed shows none of his property comes close to the lake. If I remove the items from my property I could be at fault. He is going to tie this up in legal fees that I can’t afford.


I have warned the neighbors on the other side of Mr. Stanfill to be careful. He has complained about their dogs as well. They said they have had numerous run-ins with him about their dogs.
I want him to pay for what he has done to Gage and my family. Don’t take that the wrong way I don’t want money just justice. My kids can’t sleep and my wife is a mess. My children want to move and I may have to get them counseling. What was a home is now a scary nightmare. If he will do this to an animal what would stop him from doing it to a human or child he does not like.
This morning I watched my wife let the little ones out and saw her cry at Gage’s grave. I stood there watching the scene from the backdoor not sure if they were safe to be out there. Worried about what might happen.To add insult to injury, Mr. Stanfill now claims he owns the land and will not move the boat or pier from my property. The sheriff is unable to do anything about the property dispute because they cannot decide the lines without a court order. The legal deed shows none of his property comes close to the lake. If I remove the items from my property I could be at fault. He is going to tie this up in legal fees that I can’t afford.


No one should have to live this way. No one should have to die the way Gage did.
I want Justice.



I thought Gages story was a very sad and touching one. Mostly they are only in the news for fighting.I havent posted the dirsturbing slides of his body with the hole shot through his neck. But have posted their touching tribute.

[url]"http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/justice-4-gage"[/url]

Wow! I was so touched! God bless you, I know how difficult it is to loose your dog. I cried when I read your story, and watched the video. I don’t know what to say really. Words seemed to be empty, and human language is not good enough to describe how much I feel your pain…Well, he was loved by your family, and that is the most important. When I looked at the pictures of Gage, I think I have a pit bull, not a staffy, as I thought before.
Here is a pic of my Ralphie. What do you think? Is he a pit bull? He is also so sweet, loves everybody, cats, people, children...

That was a touching story! I am in tears Im so so sorry for the loss of your beautiful and much loved boy. I can only imagine the pain you all must feel. God bless you

I moved this Post to here. Thought it should go into Pet Memorial.

Sorry, but Gage wasnt mine he belonged to Shana and Brit Burke USA,
They have a petition link, which i was going to add, they'd like people to sign to get justice for gage.

Ralphie is a handsome lovely boy untamed

staffsrock wrote:Sorry, but Gage wasnt mine he belonged to Shana and Brit Burke USA,
They have a petition link, which i was going to add, they'd like people to sign to get justice for gage.

Put the petition on for sure. Im sure alot of people would want to sign it

staffsrock wrote:Sorry, but Gage wasnt mine he belonged to Shana and Brit Burke USA,
They have a petition link, which i was going to add, they'd like people to sign to get justice for gage.

I would like to sign this petition. Did I miss the link?
Thank you for kind words about my baby. I love him to death. He also jumps over the fence, but likely all my neighbors have dogs, and they are sweet, loving people. They would just bring and "deliver" to my hands my "Houdini" who manages to escape all the time. I am thinking to get another fence, but it costs a lot...
So I really emphasize your story about Gage. He deserve justice! Sorry again for the loss of such wonderful dog.
What really bothers me that why human being decided that he/she is above all God's creatures? Where such an arrogance began? Man on a contrary should feel responsible for little brothers and sisters instead of being a dominator, and tyrant? Everything belongs to me!! What a perverted idea! Man kind polluted mother Earth, slaughter one another, abusing nature, butchering poor helpless animals…It is really sad…Sorry, I’m really overwhelmed with sorrow. I cannot be silent anymore. I definitely going to sign this petition. Would you mind to give a link?

Love,
Untamed

Oh i feel so sorry for poor Gage, what a terrible end to his life. I believe in Kama, Mr Stanfill will get just what he deserves, one way or the other. Wouldnt it be sad if Mr Stanfill 's boat sank....... these things happen. As for Gage's family, try to remember all the fantastic, funny, touching times that you spent together. Put photos around your house to remember him too, its a great way to still have them around.

I too will sign the petition, im happy to inform my friends too, too sign it.
RIP Gage....xx

Just watched the youtube clip. Tears running down ,my face. What a beautiful boy he was, those lovely brown eyes, all the great times that you all had together.
What a lovely song too, who sings it, it was so appropriate, just beautiful. xxxx

www.thepetitionsite.com/1/justice-4-gage

Sorry girls heres the link above
The petition closes on 13th May when the courtcase starts

Poor Gage. When I read the story I had tears in my eyes . Just signed the petition Staffsrock

Just signed it...really hope it makes a difference.

I signed it too. Common guys, tell your friends, and dogs owners to sign too. I am going to tell all my neighbors. It is a dead line on 23-d. After that it will be too late.

Cheers girls i told Shana id help any way i could, cheers for signing

I want to THANK everyone who has helped by spreading the word, signing the petition and for the many thoughts of concern and prayers for Gage's family. It is a tough time for them, but I talk to Shana everyday...I am the one who started the petition and put together the memorial video for Gage. I believe someone asked in another post the song information:

It is: IN LOVING MEMORY
by: Alter Bridge

I searched and searched before I found a song that I felt was as beautiful and touching as Gage was to everyone who knew him.

We have only 7 days till the petition is closed so I can get it to the appropriate authorities.

I ask that you please continue to spread the news..so any and all....This could have been your dog, my dog or someone's child...This abuse has got to stop and it starts here and now!!!





Again, thank you from the bottom of my heart...We are striving for 7,000 signatures. We have the ASPCA and the American Humane Society getting involved....Gage's death will MEAN something...I promised Shana that!

Thank you...
Sherry Wells

thanks for the song information, I really appreciate it, at this tough time for you. I too have signed the petition, and forward it onto all my friends.
Keep strong, thinking of you all at this sad time. Hugs to Gage's family. xx

That would make me so angry , i dont know if i would be able to restrain myself from buring all the stuff the **** head has on his supposed land . owning a so called pit i know what they are ( little kids )

sorry for your loss