TBO.com - TBO is Tampa Bay Online

Teen Hopes Slain Mom's Pet Will Provide Comfort

RUGENE MOORE / News Channel 8

A 14-year-old in New York hopes having her mother's dog will help ease the pain of knowing her mom was murdered. Lucky was put on a plane at Tampa International Airport this morning.

ADVERTISEMENT

By CHRIS ECHEGARAY

Published: November 8, 2007

TAMPA - Brittney Klodzinski refused to come back.

The 14-year-old was scared of her mother's boyfriend, Trevor McGinty, and his violent streak that Brittney saw targeting her mother, Wendy Dusza.

Lucky

Deputies found Dusza's body Saturday night in a 45-gallon Rubbermaid container in a garage rented by the couple at their Beach Walk Condos complex. Investigators said the 34-year-old was shot once in the head the night of Oct. 25 or the morning of Oct. 26. Authorities say evidence shows McGinty bought the container and duct tape wrapped around its lid.

McGinty, 30, was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot to the head in a hotel room in Gainesville on Sunday night.

Brittney went to visit her father, Michael Klodzinski, and his fiance, Carrie Casuccio, in upstate New York in June and told him she wanted to live there.

Casuccio said Brittney told them of the disturbing domestic violence she witnessed. Her concerns were realized.

"She was afraid for good reason," Casuccio said Wednesday. "It's a terrible tragedy for everyone. It's just a shame what happened."

She wanted to come back to see her mother and her Labrador mix, Lucky. She missed them. Dusza was supposed to ship the pet but didn't get to it, Casuccio said.

Today, Brittney and Lucky will be reunited. Lucky is being flown to Buffalo, N.Y., where Casuccio and Brittney will pick up the beloved pet.

"She never thought she'd see her dog," Casuccio said. "I believe both have been through so much. They will comfort each other. It's great for a child to have a pet so they can help each other cope."

Casuccio said Brittney's resiliency shows. Brittney had a good report card despite the dramatic changes in her life.

"She's a teenager and a girl," she said. "Sometimes you need a friend and parent. We are very proud of her. She's a very tough kid, phenomenal. I am surprised she hasn't broken yet. She is hanging tough."

Share this:

Loading Comments...

Email Print

ADVERTISEMENT