Bart Hanson making national news as he goes after dog training scammer Josephine Ragland, who killed his 3 year old dog

Bart Hanson never owned a dog before. He finally took the plunge when he bought a bulldog and named it Charlie.

https://www.usatoday.com/gcdn/presto...pjpg&auto=webp

Desiring to have a professional train Charlie, he used gig work app "Thumbtack" to search for dog trainers. Thumbtack is used to hire various kinds of service people to take small jobs, such as housecleaning, home repair, etc. In this case, Bart was looking for a dog trainer there.

Unfortunately, despite Bart typically being very diligent regarding avoiding potential scams, he wasn't aware that Thumbtack was full of dog training scammers. He was of the belief that all reviews had to come from verified customers, and that he was simply hiring a well-reviewed trainer named "Lilly" from a company called "Wagging Good".

Lilly's real name is Josephine Ragland. She is already wanted in northern California for the death of another dog in her care, where she allegedly allowed a German Shepherd to die while being trained, and then returned a different German Shepherd to the owner, claiming it was the same dog.

She then ran off and set up shop in Massachusetts, where Bart currently lives. Charlie was supposed to live with her for 2 weeks and receive professional training. Instead, Ragland allegedly didn't train or feed him, and Charlie died on September 4. Rather than admit that Charlie died in her care, Ragland told Bart that he was simply missing -- until his emaciated body was found 115 miles away -- clearly driven there by Ragland and dumped.

Most obnoxiously, she sent updates regarding the training of Charlie after September 4, pretending he was still alive.

She is the subject of an ongoing criminal investigation in both California and Massachusetts.

https://twitter.com/BartHanson/statu...08634455109936


In addition to the USA Today article linked above, there's an article from local media where he lives, where you can see Bart being interviewed.

I feel awful for Bart in this situation. He finally got a dog, only to have his new pet killed by a scammer who simply collected the money and let the dog waste away.

Apparently Thumbtack is full of dog training scams, where people don't actually do any training (nor have any qualifications to do so), and then return the pet as if it were trained. But this one took it to the next level, where the woman apparently just completely neglected (or abused?) the dogs, and let them die.

Here is a picture of Josephine Ragland:




You can find a Facebook group about Ragland, created by the owner of the German Shepherd here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/3684010155160812/

By the way, please do NOT troll in this thread, even if you don't like Bart or his politics.

This is a serious and sad matter, so please keep the postings on topic. Thank you.

As Bart sees these posts on occasion, I just wanted to give my condolences, evil bitch. Thank you for getting the story out to hopefully prevent this same situation with this same woman or another similar situation with another similar evil bitch.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hc66UibjeBg

Sending a dog away for training is a stupid idea. A lazy idea.

And yes, as with so many shady things in life, there's a gambling connection.

Reportedly she left Charlie at home alone for long periods of time to gamble at Foxwoods.

So basically it looks like this chick was just taking these dog training gigs to fund her gambling habit, and then neglecting the dogs to where they end up dying.

Awful woman.

Her business license got revoked on September 11, 2023 in Rhode Island.

I don't think it has to do with this matter, because she hadn't admitted yet that the dog was gone: https://business.sos.ri.gov/CorpWeb/...&SEARCH_TYPE=1

Here are various social media posts from the past, regarding Josie/Josephine/Lilly Ragland killing the other dog and returning a different dog to the owner:

https://www.facebook.com/tigerranger...2j34fwoCDbxPFl

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/7188321367480356142

https://www.tiktok.com/embed/7196025722597641514

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OEqDHqDkom8

Feel horrible for Bart can only imagine how bad he feels. It’s very difficult to vet these people. Dog trainers have become a new venture for scammers since the pandemic hit. With explosion in pet population and limited boarding services it’s become very profitable. There are very lax regulations and limited legal liability for negligence.

I board my animals regularly so it doesn’t phase me now. But I remember how emotional I felt the first time I had to do it and worries that my pets wouldn’t be treated properly.

I'm sorry for your loss, Bart. Charlie didn't deserve this. Thank you for sharing this story.

Have Tankazoo pay her a personal visit.

She deserves a beating.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Texter

Have Tankazoo pay her a personal visit.

She deserves a beating.

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Agreed. In this case, an exception to violence against women is merited. My condolences Bart.

I am very sorry to see this bad news. RIP

SplitThis should know how hard training is. All these years and that bitch isn’t even paper trained yet.

I bet Bart wouldn't use thumbtack for a financial advisor.

But I'm sure he really loved the pup...

Well, this thread is turning to shit, just as I feared it would.

Come on, guys. Think of this happening to a dog you loved, and think of how upset you'd be. Would you want someone trolling you about it, just because they disagree with your politics?

I've gotten to know Bart over the past several years. He's a nice guy, has a good reputation in poker, and is well liked. Yes, he has some differing political opinions from mine, but I don't let that bother me, nor does it bother him. Politics don't define the person.

I also don't blame him for hiring a dog trainer. You can tell him he should have trained the dog himself, but there's no shame in hiring a professional to do it. Actual professional dog trainers can be very helpful, and have methods which will work better than amateurs doing home training.

In this case, he was tricked by a major flaw in Thumbtack, where the "reviews" are not necessarily by paying customers. You'd think they'd only allow reviews by those who have paid through the app for the services contracted, but apparently anyone can just make fake accounts and review themselves, which is awful. He had (understandably) assumed the reviews had to be real on an app like that.

So Bart thought he was hiring a woman with 22/22 positive reviews, when in reality she was a scammer with a gambling addiction.

He's obviously devastated over this matter, and misses his dog tremendously. Let's show some compassion here.

I have removed various shit/off-topic posts here. I asked for no trolling in this thread, and that's the way it will stay.

I left up the first splitthis post, but that's it. This thread wasn't meant for Bart's detractors to have a way to kick him during a tough time.

And if you want to fight about other shit, or bitch about other PFA members not being banned/restricted, do it elsewhere on the site.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MGwcgotZknM

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

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One sick puppy. My dog is a dashund, mix 2 years old. Sometimes goes a week or more without doing business in house then pees and poops . Always does it in same hallway. I always take him out and then a few minutes later.... Just untrainable. Oh well.

BUMP

Full police report has been released regarding Josephine Ragland, who killed Bart's dog: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uMJ...VwJEJs0Gt/view

Very interesting read. You can see how full of shit she was to the police, and you can also see how her mother was in on the whole thing, too.

She just had a hearing in Massachusetts last week, where she's being charged with larceny and witness intimidation. She didn't actually intimidate any witnesses, but rather is being charged with it because of her obstruction of justice due to lying repeatedly to police, and presumably because she got her mother involved in helping cover it all up.

She cannot be charged with animal cruelty in Massachusetts because the actual cruelty to Charlie and the other 4 dogs occurred in Connecticut, where the dogs were being held. Bart is attempting to get her charged there.

There are also new felony larceny charges against her in Palo Alto, CA, where she killed that German Shepherd and attempted to replace it with a different dog. She admitted to police that she was attempting to do the same with Bart's dog, but ran out of time.

Unfortunately, she has not seen a minute in jail yet. She was never officially arrested, but rather just given a court date for the Massachusetts criminal complaint, where she was then released without bond. However, she did have to surrender her passport and had to promise to not talk about animals on social media.

The best chance of getting her actual prison time would be in Connecticut, where she killed Charlie and clearly was abusing 4 other dogs (which were recovered in fairly bad shape). I am guessing she will get some kind of suspended sentence or probation in the CA and MA cases, even though she clearly deserves hard prison time.

Here's a TV report on it: https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/...-charlie-died/

Just came across this thread. As a dog lover, it really pisses me off to see this shit happening. For those of you that have dogs, you know the joy they bring us. No matter how shitty your day is going, they are always there to greet you when you come home and raise your spirits.

I really feel awful for Bart and his family, and hope the heartless bitch that did this gets what's coming to her.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

BUMP

Full police report has been released regarding Josephine Ragland, who killed Bart's dog: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1uMJ...VwJEJs0Gt/view

Very interesting read. You can see how full of shit she was to the police, and you can also see how her mother was in on the whole thing, too.

She just had a hearing in Massachusetts last week, where she's being charged with larceny and witness intimidation. She didn't actually intimidate any witnesses, but rather is being charged with it because of her obstruction of justice due to lying repeatedly to police, and presumably because she got her mother involved in helping cover it all up.

She cannot be charged with animal cruelty in Massachusetts because the actual cruelty to Charlie and the other 4 dogs occurred in Connecticut, where the dogs were being held. Bart is attempting to get her charged there.

There are also new felony larceny charges against her in Palo Alto, CA, where she killed that German Shepherd and attempted to replace it with a different dog. She admitted to police that she was attempting to do the same with Bart's dog, but ran out of time.

Unfortunately, she has not seen a minute in jail yet. She was never officially arrested, but rather just given a court date for the Massachusetts criminal complaint, where she was then released without bond. However, she did have to surrender her passport and had to promise to not talk about animals on social media.

The best chance of getting her actual prison time would be in Connecticut, where she killed Charlie and clearly was abusing 4 other dogs (which were recovered in fairly bad shape). I am guessing she will get some kind of suspended sentence or probation in the CA and MA cases, even though she clearly deserves hard prison time.

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Sadly reminds me of a story in PA friend of mine left her Bulldog with a supposed reputable sitter and the dog disappeared while they were on vacation. Never was found.

Bart, stand down. Sorry about your dog but what you do is get an even better dog.
Bart between me and you on issues of crime and punishment Druff's a radical, his views are straight up draconian
Tell Druff thanks for your help and get him off the case.

One look at her and I can see she's not a scammer, loves animals, meant well, but made a mistake, bit off more than she can chew. whatever
Shit happens.
One thing's for sure, she doesn't belong in prison ainec.


You've done enough, take your victory lap and enjoy your new and improved dog.

sorry whats going on here dog murders todge i cant read all of that but DOG MURDERS?

also bart you should have got it vaccinated brother would have likely prevented this outcome

also really dog murders??? todge your website is really ramping up not gonna lie kinda jealous

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Orko

Bart, stand down. Sorry about your dog but what you do is get an even better dog.
Bart between me and you on issues of crime and punishment Druff's a radical, his views are straight up draconian
Tell Druff thanks for your help and get him off the case.

One look at her and I can see she's not a scammer, loves animals, meant well, but made a mistake, bit off more than she can chew. whatever
Shit happens.
One thing's for sure, she doesn't belong in prison ainec.


You've done enough, take your victory lap and enjoy your new and improved dog.

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I don't think that you are familiar with this case. This is not an isolated incident. She has been running this "scam" of offering board and train services for several years. Basically taking dogs into her custody, leaving them in crates with minimal food and water and no training. She just had charges dropped on her in California this week for another dog that was "lost" in her care back in January. And I have personally spoken to another ten + dog owners who had their dogs in her care only for them to come back emaciated, traumatized and untrained.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3684010155160812

Quote:

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Originally Posted by BartHanson

I don't think that you are familiar with this case. This is not an isolated incident. She has been running this "scam" of offering board and train services for several years. Basically taking dogs into her custody, leaving them in crates with minimal food and water and no training. She just had charges dropped on her in California this week for another dog that was "lost" in her care back in January. And I have personally spoken to another ten + dog owners who had their dogs in her care only for them to come back emaciated, traumatized and untrained.

https://www.facebook.com/groups/3684010155160812

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I'm sorry for your loss, but it's 2023. If I were going to give my dog to someone (if I had a dog) for a prolonged length of time, then I'd consider this very much the expected outcome. I won't even leave the vet alone in the room with one of my guinea pigs.

Even if someone has glowing reviews, just assume those reviews are fake. Take whatever the worst reviewer says and quadruple it, then you will arrive at something half as bad as the actual state of affairs.

Luckily I would never put my dog into a kennel or anything. My son takes care of neighborhood dogs so they would reciprocate. We took a trip with him to a lodge that was pet friendly in lake george. I would really be upset if anything happened to him. I hear dashunds are hard to train I am resigned to the fact that my dog will never be trained. Goes to a certain spot in hallways and poops.

I think the critics here need to look at this a different way. Bart has a new baby and obviously that becomes a concern when a dog is around. The dog was not behaving all the time, and Bart's attempts to train the dog were not successful.

His options at that point were to either hire a professional or to get rid of the dog. Obviously he chose the former, and it was just a matter of which professional trainer to choose. Unfortunately, the Thumbtack app was full of scammers due to the huge flaw regarding fake accounts being able to write positive reviews. Bart did not know about this flaw, and it's reasonable that he would expect an app like Thumbtack to only allow reviews from people who paid for actual services.

He saw a woman with great reviews, and hired her.

Could've happened to anyone.

I do not know Bart but I definitely feel for him. So sorry that happened to you.

I have a 4 year old German Shepherd Dog who is part of my family.
He is smart as a whip, protective and loyal. As far as I am concerned, the GSD is the best dog breed.
Over the years, I have owned at least one dozen or more different breeds. Everyone of my dogs have been wonderful pets including the rescues.

If that happened to me and my dog, I would be in prison for the rest of my life. Let'e leave it at that.

The main reason I decided to chime in on this thread is because I have had bad experieces with every trade that I hired from Thumbtack.
I was new to the area where I moved to 3 years ago. I hired a painter off of Thumbtack. His work was shabby plus he cut corners including watering down the paint.
I won't delve further but I would never hire another person off of Thumbtack.

Incidentally, I found out that every person or company that is listed on Thumbtack and contacted by a consumer, has to pay a $35.00 fee to Thumbtack.
I asked an irrigation installer who I was considering to hire, how he felt about having to pay that fee when there was a good chance that he wouldn't get the job?
He told me that it was a numbers game and that he made a living off a good living off of Thumbtack.

In conclusion, people who are good at their trade, would never need to advertise on that website. The reputable ones have plenty of work from referrals.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

I think the critics here need to look at this a different way. Bart has a new baby and obviously that becomes a concern when a dog is around. The dog was not behaving all the time, and Bart's attempts to train the dog were not successful.

His options at that point were to either hire a professional or to get rid of the dog. Obviously he chose the former, and it was just a matter of which professional trainer to choose. Unfortunately, the Thumbtack app was full of scammers due to the huge flaw regarding fake accounts being able to write positive reviews. Bart did not know about this flaw, and it's reasonable that he would expect an app like Thumbtack to only allow reviews from people who paid for actual services.

He saw a woman with great reviews, and hired her.

Could've happened to anyone.

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To be clear, I'm not trying to unduly criticize him. I'm simply suggesting that everyone should assume that all reviews on literally any website or outlet are plants/faked. The internet has changed very much since most of us started getting online and most of what you see should be assumed to be some sort of scam. Sure, twenty, maybe even fifteen years ago this thing could have been assumed to be a trustworthy outlet, but no longer.

I think it probably would have been best just to give the dog away to someone known to him; that's just my opinion. I agree that something like this could have happened to most people.

I also have nothing against Bart. I remember seeing him on a few televised broadcasts and I think I remember appreciating his calm demeanor at the table. I've also watched a few of his hand breakdowns and think those are also very good.

I'm not even a dog owner and this pisses me off. :( Poor Bart PAID someone who was supposed to HELP his dog, yet she neglected him and he died. She used Bart's money that she did not deserve and gambled at Foxwoods Casino. She also had at least one other dog die in her care and gave the owner of that dog another one of the same breed trying to trick the owner into thinking his dog was still alive and tried to do the same thing to Bart but ran out of time. And... The dogs that DIDN'T die under her care came back WORSE than they left. At the VERY least I'd ask for my money back, at the VERY worst, I'm beating the shit out of this woman and risking jail time for assault if I were in Bart's shoes. :(

Charged in San Jose: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loca...-pets/3362561/

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Dan Druff

Charged in San Jose: https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/loca...-pets/3362561/

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As she should be. Those dogs died in her care due to neglect and instead of admitting the truth right away, she replaced one dog with another of the same breed and was like,"Here's your Rover!", insulting the first owner's dog owner and tried to do the same with Bart's dog but ran out of time. She could be charged with neglect that resulted in dog deaths, obstructing justice for replacing the first dead dog with another from the same breed, attempted obstructing justice (Trying to replace Bart's dead dog but ran out of time) , abandonment(left dogs unattended while she gambled at Foxwoods Casino) non fatal neglect for the dogs who survived but were neglected by her. Had she just come clean off the bat and admitted the dogs died in her care, she'd just be facing charges for fatal dog neglect.

https://twitter.com/BartHanson/statu...86910934528139

https://twitter.com/tyderuIes/status...02723176018374

God damnit, even her last name is a huge red flag! :/ Ragland, what an awful last name! :/

Veterinarians and animal shelters around the country are reporting an increase in a highly contagious, sometimes fatal, mystery dog illness. Still, the disease sweeping the United States has experts somewhat stumped. Researchers continue to search for answers using samples from infected dogs while vets are guiding pet owners in the hopes of further preventing the spread of the virus.

Severe, fast-moving, and highly contagious
It all begins with a cough. A normal case of kennel cough, according to veterinarians, presents with the same symptoms as this mysterious illness. Symptoms include coughing, loss of appetite, runny nose, lethargy, and sometimes a low fever. However, unlike kennel cough, which usually clears up in seven to 10 days, this new illness might last for weeks. It can even lead to fatal instances of pneumonia.

Veterinarians believe it is a new virus infecting younger canines and causing lengthier illnesses. Moreover, the usual treatment for pneumonia in dogs may not be enough for this severe, fast-moving disease.

“I would say [there’s been] maybe a 50% increase in the number of coughing dogs we detect,” Dr. Amanda Cavanagh of Colorado State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital told Scripps News Denver. “And many of those dogs are actually passing away or being euthanized because of this really severe, fast-moving, really intense pneumonia,” she added.

Cavanagh also stated that social environments, such as boarding facilities and dog parks, are particularly susceptible. Animal shelters are struggling to combat the spread of the contagious mystery illness killing dogs. This is particularly true among those already experiencing capacity crises from an influx of pet surrenders.

Poor clinical understanding of mystery illness

Experts have confirmed cases of the illness in several states, including California, Colorado, Oregon, New Hampshire, North Carolina, Rhode Island, Massachusetts, Florida, Idaho, Indiana, Illinois, and Georgia. Other states such as New York have reported similar cases, although they have not been officially linked at this time.
https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/vete...215133668.html

I know this is embrassing but perhaps it's time to contact the prosecutor tell them there's been a terrible mistake.