Washington, D.C

D.C. dogs, rescued from alleged abuse, find new homes

Published

2 years ago

March 9, 2024

D.C. dogs, rescued from alleged abuse, find new homes

Mark Vaughn hoisted his newly adopted 3-month-old puppy into his arms. In a bustling adoption center lobby in Northwest Washington, surrounded by TV station cameras and other new dog owners, he cooed into the dog’s ear.

“You’re my baby,” said Vaughn, 64.

The puppy, a brindle terrier-American bully mix with a brown and white chest, would be named “Moe,” short for Maurice, the name of Vaughn’s brother. He kept wagging his tail as Vaughn cradled him.

But before Moe was adopted by his new owner, his life had a frightening start.

Moe was one of 31 dogs that had been seized from a Southeast Washington home on Feb. 14, following an hours-long confrontation between the dogs’ owner and law enforcement officials. D.C. police were attempting to arrest the owner, Stephen Rattigan, 48, on charges of animal cruelty, officials said.

Rattigan barricaded himself inside with the dogs for the next 13 hours and fired on officers trying to take him into custody, according to D.C. police. Three police officers were shot when they forced the door open and were hospitalized.

Rattigan, who identifies himself as Julius James, was arrested and now faces several charges, including assault with intent to kill and cruelty to animals. When reached Saturday, Rattigan’s attorney declined to comment about the allegations at this time.

The Humane Rescue Alliance, which investigated the allegations of animal abuse, removed the dogs — 20 adults and 11 puppies — from Rattigan’s home. Many were found injured and confined to cages. The dogs ranged from two months to several years old and all appeared to be American bullies or “some mix thereof,” Lisa LaFontaine, president and chief executive of the rescue alliance, said in a statement.

According to an arrest affidavit, neighbors complained of foul smells and dogs “living in their own waste” to the rescue alliance. During the investigation, rescue alliance officers found evidence of Rattigan allegedly “striking and punching a dog,” LaFontaine said in the statement.

Chris Schindler, senior vice president of animal welfare, field response and rescue for the alliance, said the injuries on many of the dogs were bite wounds from the “chaotic situation” they had been living in, likely competing for resources. Their wounds were treated and not critical, and the dogs had not been involved in dog fighting, Schindler said.

More details emerge on 13-hour standoff that began with dog abuse allegations

On Saturday afternoon, the dogs would get a new beginning. At the rescue alliance’s adoption center, 14 of the puppies and dogs were up for adoption. Six had already been adopted by their caregivers and the remaining ones needed “a little bit more time” to address their care needs before they are ready, Schindler said.

Shortly before noon, families trudged in through the double doors, soggy from the rain, and waited in the lobby. Vaughn’s sister had called him earlier that morning so they could make it there early, as the dogs would be adopted on a first-come, first-served basis. She had seen the news of their troubled past and it brought her to tears.

“I was hoping that I’d get an opportunity to get my heart wrapped around one of these dogs,” Vaughn said. They arrived around 11 a.m., an hour before the event was scheduled to start.

When it was time, nearly a dozen people crowded the hallway leading to the dog kennels. They squeezed past each other to get a look at the available dogs and hurried back to the lobby with their choice. Some of the puppies laid on a blanket together inside one of the kennels as people peered at them through the glass. One by one, brown and gray puppies were handed on leashes to their new owners.

Vaughn wasn’t fast enough for Moe, at first, and thought he’d be leaving with another puppy. Then, he was told that his first choice was available after all.

Within 45 minutes, 7 of the 14 available dogs were adopted. One married couple took home a gray-colored puppy named November, which they shortened to “Ember,” to join their German shepherd at home. And, a mother and daughter pair left with a puppy named Asher to surprise the rest of the family.

“Saturdays are busy, but not busy like this,” Schindler said. “It’s a really incredible turnout. Every time we ask our community to show up, they always do.”

By evening, only two of the rescued dogs remained.

Vaughn carried Moe in his arms all the way outside to the car, with their next destination being home in Northeast. His previous dog, an 11-year-old Yorkshire terrier named Tyler, died about five months ago. He still has an unopened bag of treats at home, now waiting for Moe.

“They have a chance for a good life now,” Vaughn said, reflecting on the adopted pups. “All they need is unconditional love, and I’ve got a lot of that.”

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Washington, D.C

DMV-chain Compass Coffee files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Published

8 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

DMV-chain Compass Coffee files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

WASHINGTON (7News) — Compass Coffee, the coffee chain founded in D.C. in the early 2010s, filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on Tuesday in hopes of selling parts of the chain as it faces legal challenges from a cofounder, several landlords, and vendors.

The company, which has 166 employees and operates 25 cafes across Northern Virginia, D.C., and southern Maryland, said it plans to operate all stores as normal during the Bankruptcy process.

“Over the last decade, Compass has grown to 25 cafes across the DMV. Our original 7th Street cafe has never closed – not for a single day,” a portion of a statement from co-founder Michael Haft read. “Our spaces have been the setting for first dates that turned into marriages, interviews that led to dream jobs, and everyday moments shared over millions of cups of coffee. We have supported countless community causes, shipped coffee to all 50 states and to troops deployed overseas, and helped thousands of people navigate first jobs, in-between jobs, and next chapters.

The chain founded by Haft and Harrison Suarez said customer numbers have remained low since the COVID pandemic, and struggles remained despite also operating a roastery and distribution business. Documents showed the company began putting itself up for sale in 2021, and that the bankruptcy filing was made after reaching an agreement with a possible company.

Compass leadership has requested to end the leases on several properties, including its former headquarters and roastery on Okie Street, Northeast, which was closed in Dec. 2025. The company has seen previous legal disputes with Ivy City over the roastery location.

Suarez sued Haft and his father in 2025, claiming the pair lied about Suarez having an equal share in the company. Suarez, who met Haft in college and both served as Marines, said he was cut from the company in 2021.

Documents show the company has 100-200 creditors. EagleBank, the Small Business Administration, Square, and inKind have filed statements claiming a total of $1.7 million in liens on Compass Coffee.

Compass also owes roughly $5.2 million to over insider and outside investors on unsecured convertible notes, while about 100 others have claims totaling $4.8 million. Most of the $4.8 million comes from past due rent, unpaid purchase amounts for store acquisitions, and unpaid accounts to suppliers and other vendors, according to a statement filed by Haft.

Filing for Chapter 11 could allow Compass to pay back its lenders, both secured and unsecured, according to Haft in a legal filing.

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Washington, D.C

Flu cases surging around DMV region

Published

20 hours ago

January 6, 2026

Press Room

Flu cases surging around DMV region

Flu cases are climbing sharply across the D.C. region, with new CDC data showing at least 11 million cases nationwide so far. Health officials say a new variant now accounts for roughly 90% of recent infections.

WASHINGTON – Flu cases are climbing sharply across the D.C. region, with new CDC data showing at least 11 million cases nationwide so far. Health officials say a new variant now accounts for roughly 90% of recent infections.

FOX 5’s Stephanie Ramirez says local health departments are urging residents not to wait if they start feeling sick.

READ MORE: Maryland health officials warn of flu surge as hospitalizations rise statewide

The dominant strain this season is H3N2 subclade K, which has been circulating since September. So far, the flu season has led to an estimated 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths, with older adults hit especially hard.

Maryland is currently reporting high flu activity, according to state health department data.

READ MORE: Flu cases surging in northern Virginia, health officials say

In Arlington, emergency department–diagnosed flu visits jumped from 19 on Dec. 6 to 120 on Dec. 27 — an over five times increase, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Fairfax County, a much larger jurisdiction, saw flu-related ER visits rise from 121 on Dec. 6 to 788 by Dec. 27, an over six-and-a-half-time increase.

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Washington, D.C

Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show

Published

1 day ago

January 5, 2026

Press Room

Traffic changes in DC Monday evening for ‘Freedom 250′ fireworks show

Numerous roads in D.C. will be closed to traffic Monday evening for a fireworks show celebrating America’s 25th birthday.

Projectors have lit up all four sides of the Washington Monument nightly since 7 p.m. Wednesday for the “Illumination of America: Washington Monument Lighting.” The fireworks that lit up the National Mall on New Year’s Eve are making a return Monday night, which is the last night of the display.

The grand finale of the display comes with some parking restrictions and street closures.

Street and parking restrictions for Freedom 250 fireworks

D.C. police said Constitution Avenue from 14th Street to 17th Street NW will be an Emergency No Parking zone from roughly 6:30 p.m. to 9 p.m.

The following streets will be closed to traffic from approximately 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.:

Westbound 395 – no traffic toward Maine Avenue/Independence Avenue, SW
Independence Avenue from 15th Street to 23rd Street, SW
Constitution Avenue from 7th Street to 12th Street, NW (westbound traffic will be restricted)
Constitution Avenue from 12th Street to 23rd Street, NW
Virginia Avenue from 20th Street to 18th Street, NW
19th Street from E Street to Constitution Avenue, NW
17th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to New York Avenue, NW
15th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
14th Street from Independence Avenue, SW to Pennsylvania Avenue, NW
Madison Drive from 7th Street to 14th Street, NW

Police said all street closures and listed times are subject to change.

“Freedom 250 is lighting up the Washington Monument as the world’s tallest birthday candle to kick off the nation’s 250th birthday year,” Keith Krach, CEO of Freedom 250, said ahead of the New Year’s Eve event.

Freedom 250 is the presidentially appointed committee planning the year-long celebration of the United States’ 250th birthday. It was created by the second Trump administration as part of the Department of the Interior, and is a separate organization from America250, which was created by Congress.

The event will “be looking at America’s past, present and what’s to come over the next 250 years,” Krach said.

“Primarily it will focus on the four pillars of Freedom 250, which is innovation; it’s also community and faith; it’s also on the beauty of our country as well,” Krach said. “And, you know, the other thing that’s great about that is that it’ll be something that will kind of be an animation and I think everybody’s going to enjoy it. So from adults to kids and everything.”

The event is free to the public, can be viewed from anywhere on the National Mall, and does not require tickets.

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