Found Deceased MT - Rebekah Barsotti 33, & dog (fnd deceased), Town Pump, Superior, Mineral Co, 20 Jul 2021 *Reward

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@NoSpoonFeeding As a person who knows dogs, the size of Cerberus, what is your opinion on the drowning or 'girl rescues dog' scenario?

I am not an expert on this subject, most of my experience with dogs swimming is from having Labs for 13 years. I used to take my dogs to a very large lake, for swimming. A group of hunters(not hunting there, just training of course) were sometimes there, and they had all $$$ breeds of water dogs. The younger ones were in vests, and a couple of guys had vests too in case someone needed to run in. It wasn't just the investment, these guys obviously loved their dogs. I know most people think dogs just naturally swim and that's it, but dogs need to train, from a young age is best, to be strong confident swimmers and practiced at getting out of the water. Even those dogs can gulp water and/or panic. In my opinion, no breed or individual dog is drown-proof. My Malinois and Manchester Terrier(not toy breed) are strong, trained swimmers, but they've never swum in a river. I saw the lovely video of Rebekah and Cerberus, off-lease, romping around in the river, fetching a stick. I might be wrong, but this did not look like the main purpose was to go swimming. Not that (me)anyone could judge the dog's abilities from that clip. There is a vague mention of a health problem and no mention of age. I'm not asking or curious about that, there is too much I don't know, to have an opinion. The family has at least 2 videos of Rebekah with her beloved dog enjoying the river, what a gift.
Here is a story about a hero that tried to rescue a runaway dog.
 
It seems the only qualifications necessary to become a police officer in Mineral County are high school completion, a driver's licence and a physical fitness test.

Sheriff « Mineral County Montana

I just don't understand the lack of basic security standards to become a police officer, when that wouldn't even qualify a person to volunteer at their child's school where I live. It can take a few months to pass the security clearance, which is granted for five years.
There is no mention of successful graduation from police college or security checks, fingerprinting, mugshots, etc. Am I missing something here?
ETA:

Yes, you are missing something here. I hope that no one really thinks that police depts have such low standards. The information shown is the minimum standards for applying, to qualify to begin the testing process. There are lots of additional testing/requirements to get into the academy. Recruits, those who have not completed all of the required training, may work at their departments before and after the academy, as they must have training for their specific department. Some might think this odd, but it is necessary and common place.

Here are some links:
“Only meeting the minimum requirements will rarely get you the job. Law enforcement is a competitive occupation and many agencies look for people with a variety of skills and proven work history. In the event you don’t make it the first time you apply, be positive and keep trying, you are not alone.”

How to Become a Police Officer in Montana

Montana Law Enforcement Academy
Becoming a Public Safety Officer - Montana Department of Justice
 
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It seems like a huge coincidence that they both drowned after the threat from STBX.

However, if she fell in the water and hit her head, I could see her dog going in to save her or if the dog lost its footing, I could see her going after the dog.

For the record, my dog doesn’t like swimming and is rather terrible at it. Last time she swam I seriously thought she was going to drown and I was right there trying to help her.
 
It seems like a huge coincidence that they both drowned after the threat from STBX.

However, if she fell in the water and hit her head, I could see her dog going in to save her or if the dog lost its footing, I could see her going after the dog.

For the record, my dog doesn’t like swimming and is rather terrible at it. Last time she swam I seriously thought she was going to drown and I was right there trying to help her.

The problem I have with the official explanation of accidental drowning is that Cerberus was found 10 miles downstream from the Alberton Rocks. That's a long, long way for a dead dog to float without getting hung up on the shoreline or debris. JMO
 
The problem I have with the official explanation of accidental drowning is that Cerberus was found 10 miles downstream from the Alberton Rocks. That's a long, long way for a dead dog to float without getting hung up on the shoreline or debris. JMO
I agree and the lack of Rebekah’s body makes it even less likely. But I like to keep an open mind.
 
I believe the issue here is small town dynamics. The population of Mineral County is about 4,250 and the population of Superior is about 700. It has been suggested that Sheriff Toth has a connection to/relationship with RB's estranged husband DB and is protecting him from being investigated in her disappearance. The vet who did the autopsy on RB's dog was apparently also good friends with DB. It seems everyone knows everyone and has connections to everyone in these small rural communities. MOO

But there was no autopsy performed on the dog. AM recently learned there isn't even a written report.
 
The article announcing the family had hired Mike Toth is dated Nov 1, 2018. Only 2 days later, on Nov 3, 2018, the body was found. The discovery of the body had nothing to do with Toth, nothing to do with psychics.
I think it important to view the information about "psychics", without editing, as shown in the article:
(Reporter) "Q: What are the theories about what happened?

(Toth) A: We've had a wide range. We've had psychics reach out to us. We've had family members tell us stuff and friends tell us stuff."
Nowhere does Toth state that he consulted with or believed in consulting with psychics.
As far as appointments/elections of LE in the U.S., with very few exceptions, our sheriffs are elected by citizens served in unincorporated areas of counties, the sheriff serves and answers to these citizens, without answering to anyone elected on a political party platform. Chiefs of police departments are usually selected/appointed by the elected mayor, executive, council, etc. and they answer to their city officials. I don't think elected officials are any more at risk for conflict of interest than are appointments.

I believe what the poster is referring to is the fact that Toth also owns and operates a private PI firm in Billings where he consults with psychics to help solve cases. But he refuses to allowing a very well known non profit to come in and search certain areas that have been chosen by retired LE and intuits as areas of interest.
 
I am not an expert on this subject, most of my experience with dogs swimming is from having Labs for 13 years. I used to take my dogs to a very large lake, for swimming. A group of hunters(not hunting there, just training of course) were sometimes there, and they had all $$$ breeds of water dogs. The younger ones were in vests, and a couple of guys had vests too in case someone needed to run in. It wasn't just the investment, these guys obviously loved their dogs. I know most people think dogs just naturally swim and that's it, but dogs need to train, from a young age is best, to be strong confident swimmers and practiced at getting out of the water. Even those dogs can gulp water and/or panic. In my opinion, no breed or individual dog is drown-proof. My Malinois and Manchester Terrier(not toy breed) are strong, trained swimmers, but they've never swum in a river. I saw the lovely video of Rebekah and Cerberus, off-lease, romping around in the river, fetching a stick. I might be wrong, but this did not look like the main purpose was to go swimming. Not that (me)anyone could judge the dog's abilities from that clip. There is a vague mention of a health problem and no mention of age. I'm not asking or curious about that, there is too much I don't know, to have an opinion. The family has at least 2 videos of Rebekah with her beloved dog enjoying the river, what a gift.
Here is a story about a hero that tried to rescue a runaway dog.

To my knowledge the family only has one video of Rebekah with her dog swimming in the river and that is the one from June that was previously posted from Find Rebekah Barsotti.
 
To my knowledge the family only has one video of Rebekah with her dog swimming in the river and that is the one from June that was previously posted from Find Rebekah Barsotti.
I see your point however, I posted that there are apparently 2 videos of them "enjoying" the river, I did not make the assumption that the dog was swimming on July 20 because I read that the dog was wet and had a stick in his mouth (on a video which I have not seen) but the mother said the dog wasn't seen in the water and/or swimming (on the video).
 
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Video of RB at the river. I don't know the date that this was recorded, but it was posted on 10/19/21. Apparently, this was Cerberus's first time learning how to swim.
Find Rebekah Bisotti

I have been around a lot of dogs (both when I was growing up and now that I have two of my own) and virtually all of them were able to swim when faced with the alternative. Any learning seemed to be pretty instantaneous. A little panic at first, maybe, but never did I see one that couldn't make it to shore. In the video, Cerberus seems quite adept even on her first try. You can't convince me that dog accidently drown that day in July.
 
I believe what the poster is referring to is the fact that Toth also owns and operates a private PI firm in Billings where he consults with psychics to help solve cases. But he refuses to allowing a very well known non profit to come in and search certain areas that have been chosen by retired LE and intuits areas of interest.

I can see the frustration of not being able to access every possible resource to help with the search. To me, the motivation of this post was to support you, to say the sheriff is wrong and/or you are not being treated fairly. My response has nothing to do with that issue.
The poster did not say that the business "consults with psychics". My response is based only on what is in the post. Taking liberties and accuracy was my concern, not the subject of the post. She specifically stated "Billings" in the sarcastic comment. On other threads I follow on Webseuths, it is common to ask posters for links and the relevance of information. It's not meant to be offensive.
I don't know anyone in Montana, have never met anyone related to this case.
I do agree with the sheriff about psychics' abuse of victims' families. INSIDE EDITION Investigates Psychic Detectives Who Claim to Find Missing Persons
 
I have been around a lot of dogs (both when I was growing up and now that I have two of my own) and virtually all of them were able to swim when faced with the alternative. Any learning seemed to be pretty instantaneous. A little panic at first, maybe, but never did I see one that couldn't make it to shore. In the video, Cerberus seems quite adept even on her first try. You can't convince me that dog accidently drown that day in July.

I am saddened to hear anyone say that they make these assumptions. So many dogs and people drown, even experienced swimmers. I have seen several (dog) near tragedies myself and I've seen 2 people drown. I'm not trying to convince you of anything. I am not just speaking to you, I hope that anyone that reads your post understands it's not worth the risk or heartache to lose a pet. Most all dogs will do the automatic motion of dog paddling, this doesn't mean it's safe for them to be in water. Dogs' eyes are near the water surface, they frequently cannot see or tell where they can get out, especially if the water is moving. If you don't believe in training, put a vest and lead on your dog and stay in shallow water. Just like a child, don't take your eyes off them if they are loose. Have a vest on yourself and don't think you can't be a victim too. Please do some research and watch videos of near-drowning of dogs on TikToc, and there are so many articles on the internet of people losing their dogs in water. Unless you are a professional trainer, you cannot assess a dog's capabilities. I also want to stress, I would never judge a person that drowned or anyone that has experienced the loss of a pet.
 
Welcome back @laurawlms! Hope you had a nice holiday, all things considered. We at WS won't rest until RB is found and DB is brought to justice (If so warranted).

@Steve McQueen Thank you so much! I appreciate all of your support! The holiday was rough professionally and personally. I'm praying for a newer better 2022, that Rebekah is found soon, and DB brought to justice (yes if so warranted).
 
I see your point however, I posted that there are apparently 2 videos of them "enjoying" the river, I did not make the assumption that the dog was swimming on July 20 because I read that the dog was wet and had a stick in his mouth (on a video which I have not seen) but the mother said the dog wasn't seen in the water and/or swimming (on the video).

@NoSpoonFeeding this is what I was referring to. You made this comment:
"The family has at least 2 videos of Rebekah with her beloved dog enjoying the river, what a gift"

The family only has 1 video and that is the video from June that RB provided to her mom. The video from July 20 is in LE custody and the family had to ask to watch the entire video from July 20. Initially they were only given the opportunity to watch a portion of it. They had to specially request to see the end.
 
I have been around a lot of dogs (both when I was growing up and now that I have two of my own) and virtually all of them were able to swim when faced with the alternative. Any learning seemed to be pretty instantaneous. A little panic at first, maybe, but never did I see one that couldn't make it to shore. In the video, Cerberus seems quite adept even on her first try. You can't convince me that dog accidently drown that day in July.

Exactly. And I may be wrong but wasn’t he found upstream from his location?
 
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