Cleveland, OH - It appears that breed misconceptions may, yet again, have contributed to the euthanasia of a beloved family dog.
According to a recent story in the News-Messenger, faulty assumptions caused the death of a loyal companion that valiantly tried to save his dying owner.
In April, the Cleveland Municipal Court ordered that Zeus, a 140 lb Rottweiler, be euthanized for "the mauling death" of his owner, Carolyn Baker.
Baker, aged 63, was found dead in her driveway in February. Authorities assumed that the 140 lb dog had mauled his owner after seeing a few bite marks on her body.
The assumption was wrong. According to Cuyahoga County Coroner, Frank Miller, Carolyn Baker's body did have a few bite marks, and some evidence of pawing, but the woman died from a heart attack and hypothermia, rather than from a vicious dog attack.
According to the coroner, it appears that Baker's dog was trying to help bring his ailing owner inside to safety, hence the paw and bite marks. Rather than a vicious mauling death, the wounds sustained on Baker's body were caused by a frantic pet attempting to drag his beloved owner inside to warmth and safety.
Baker was lying outdoors in the cold for several hours, clothed only in her nightgown. Zeus barked continuously until a neighbor finally came out to see what the problem was.
Zeus paid for his efforts with his life. The 9 yr-old dog was put to death via court order. Carolyn Baker's family now knows the truth, thanks to the coroner's report, and they too believe that Zeus had tried to save Carolyn's life.
One has to wonder what might have happened to the dog if he was a Labrador Retriever, or Standard Poodle....perhaps a bit more investigation before an assumption of "vicious mauling death".
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Comments
This is a very very sad story a tragic end for both the owner and the dog :(
Marni would have done the same! Very loyal breed!
What a terrible ending to the life of such a loyal dog! I just hope that SOMEDAY people will judge each breed as an individual before making assumtions. Weren't we taught this as kids about the human race? Don't judge someone for their appearance BEFORE you know them. Same should go for dogs.
STUPID put a dog to sleep down for nothing!!!!!!!!!!!
The judge needs to be careful!!! THE judge is an idiot!!!!!!!!!!!
What a STUPID,STUPID judge!
this would have happened if zeus was not a rottie,but he was so people decided he was a bad dog. i had a 201lb rottie,stupied people were scared of him until they saw him with my young children. get to know the breed before you condem it.
I had an ex-landlord who bred, raised & trained Rotties. They are indeed a very loyal dog to the owner. This Judge was very stupid, incapable, and ignorant. And we have them sitting on the bench. God help all animals with this type as a Judge, & all humans who get brought before him. He is so quick to say "kill" before getting the evidence.
I don't even know how one begins to live with that kind of horror and grief. Mom dies, loving faithful companion mourns, calls out and tries to save her and is killed for it. I don't know what I'd do. It makes me ill to think of my own mother's dog being killed when she died rather than living his happy pooch life out with my brother. Probably take on the Courts, yet again. One person can make a difference in this kind of thing folks. I removed breed specific laws in OKC as a citizen, you can do it too. Civil Rights can be applied in certain circumstances. What's YOUR state legislature up to these days?
Tragic...just tragic. When will people learn? At least this dog is now together again with his beloved owner.
I hope that the person/people who signed off on the MURDER of a HEROIC DOG are haunted for the rest of their lives!!! They based a decision that had life altering impact for the dog and all those who loved that dog on STEREOTYPE AND NOT FACT! Get the evidence before you kill! Had this been a wrongful execution of a person, everybody would be up in arms. I truly hope people are up in arms about the wrongful execution of a beloved family pet! Dogs have values and morals - ironically, I am more and more inclined to think humans do not.
Fabulous article, Penny! Everyone who reads the article and is outraged, please write to your state representatives and tell them what you think about breed stereotypes and restrictive legislation. All too often Rotties, Pitties, Dobbies and other perceived "mean" dogs are treated unfairly because of their breed.
Now Zeus and his beloved owner are together again. Rest in Peace. :(
This is horrible! That judge should be held accountable for something. They didn't wait for the official reports of how she really died?! So stupid and senseless...only good thing about it is that pup can be with his owner now.
I wonder if there was any cars going by while this was going on?
While I do not condone this stupidity--I know the rott--he is with his owner. And, more than likely, would be lost without her. Just not a reasonable solution.
Once again, a dog proved to be smarter than a person. How sad the dog had to pay the price of human stupidity. Career criminals are given a chance to live in society (and commit more crimes) time and time again.
maybe the family should go after someone for this horrible mistake.
Ohio hates animals...do some research to see what they have been doing...like the cop that saved a baby deer's life and now the Ohio dept of wildlife wants to euthanize the fawn and is threatening the officer with jail if he doesn't turn the animal over. Now this, I swear I'll never step foot nor spend a single dime in the state of Ohio.
I have a rottie that weighs 130 and she is around my grand kids and step kid and she is not a mean dog at all. She lies to chew on you but she would not hurt you. Rotties and Pits are not mean if you dont want them to be. all in how you bring them up. I could have made mine mean if I wanted.
This is so sad, I wish we could have more loyal dogs like this one:(
Did they put the judge down for wrongly killing the dog?
amazing...to even think, that a dog would attack/kill his/her owner...let alone after 9 years...c'mon!
this is awful!!!! guess humans are really too biased and hopeless with our typical stereotypes......god bless the poor soul who was punished without any fault!!!!
hmmm ohio usa kind of says it all that really
but at least the dog as has been said is with his beloved owner but omg murdering a 9 yr old dog that looks over weight too capable of killing her dont make me laugh i have a rottie x ddb the softest dog alvoe she adores the kids is ruled by an african grey parrot and lives and sleeps with my 3 house rabbits and my outdoor ones she plays with rotties are not dangerous give me one of them over a little dog any day how does that judge sleep at night why couldnt they wait untill the coroner had done his job grrrr to me that jusdge is evil a cold callous murderer
People are the worst animal on the planet!!! ASSUMING is bad!!! You have to make SUR of something before you take action in EVERYTHING!!! This is just unacceptable... This dog IS a hero and that's how they showed appreciation.. The Judge should of wait the coroner report before doing anything. HE should be punish for that.. How terrible..
what is going on people, judge made the rule to put the inocent dog down. What is going on with facts. Dogs not bad dogies, they are too smart for humans, they know when something is going to happen. I am serious u need facts reach me. But the point here is , wait till the profesional medical examiner tell u the results, do not blame others for few scarches..imagen myself I have few scratches too, who are we are going to flame the 11 dogies or each of them or who ever is bigger.??/ridicoulissss... Get facts . so sad for the inocent dogie.
Shouldnt the judge be punished for killing the dog without the facts? Whatever happened to innocent until PROVEn guilty??, so quick to kill an innocent animal.
So who is the judge so we can write a letter? Pretty poor job of forensics is what I say. We see all these shows on TV about how a crime scene can tell a story but these cops didn't even bother to check. Just assumed. We all need to stop using the word euthanasia when a healthy dog is killed like this. The public confuses this with a merciful death to prevent suffering and thinks dogs in shelters that are euthanised are either old, sick or vicious. That is not true. THIS COUNTRY KILLS DOGS. I use the word kill or destroy now except when it is truly an act of mercy.
Keep in mind people, Police and the Court, only care for animals, when that animal is a working Police animal then they call it an Officer and make it a crime for you to harm it or bump into it in any way, your own pets are nothing to them. That is the real story to all these incidents where Police bust into a house and shoot your dog to prevent them from attacking, even if the dog was running away. Or in this instance killing the dog before knowing what happen.
THAT'S A SHAME....IM OUTRAGED!!!:(( I CAN'T SEE HOW THEY SLEEP @ NITE...GREAT JOB TOO THE FAMILY WHO LET IT HAPPEN SN:DOGS ARE SMARTER THAN HUMANS. THEY SHOULD HAVE THE VOICE TOO SPEAK!! I KNO THE OWNER IS TURNING IN HER GRAVE...R.I.P ZEUS AND MRS. BAKER
This story just breaks my heart, not only for Ms. Baker but for poor Zeus who never had a chance. I own a year and half Pitbull who's name is also Zeus and he is the biggest baby until is come to protecting me. Now I'm fortunate enough to have people who would fight for him like he would for me. It is just awful that insted of making him the hero he is, they sentence him to death. I hope they are all ashamed of themselves.
R.I.P sweet Zeus. You were truly a HERO & it breaks my heart knowing how you were treated.
I want to know if the people responsible for Zeus's death will have some consequences rendered upon them? This is disgusting - the poor thing was trying to save her owner's life and they put him to death? My God - I have no words. Does anyone know if something can be done against these people?
I have owned a total of 5 Rotties and they were all wonderful...I sincerely believe it is not the pets that are inherently vicious...they are made that way by owners who don't know how to deal with them and tie them outside to be harassed by passersby or mistreat them in some other way...then "yes" they have the strength to do damage when they become vicious. Shame on anyone who assumes they are naturally vicious. They are however fearcely loyal. I am sure although saddened by their losses, the family is so very proud of Zeus.
That is truly horrible that something like this would happen in any case. However, it is also an assumption that the dog was trying to save her life. It may have barked at or bitten her, which triggered the heart attack... which is likely in an old woman.
I saw this because this exact scenario happened with my grandfather a few years ago, although he survived the heart attack....
Just a thought... I don't agree with putting down any animal unless it's in pain... but don't be so ready to hang the judge either...
How sad i hav tears in my eyes now, wat a smart boy he really is, its a pity that the report didn't come earlier so a shame wat a waste of a good dog xxx
I hav had two rotties, but only got 1 now, by girls, my oldest went to a beautiful sleep this jan 2010, ( old age 4 er still miss er dearly )
Yeah, and if it were humans you can bet how the people would be hollering descrimation! Racial profiling. Again, animals are far better than people. They don't mind getting involved at no cost. They are by far the most loyal and loving, selfless creatures around.
We are so unkind to our animal friends - and they really are our friends. They give us so much. I don't think 63 constitutes and "old woman". Geez.
Pretty lousy jurist if he/she didn't wait for the coroner's autopsy report. Makes you wonder how many other snap rulings this elitest MORON has made. He was wrong, maybe he should be put to sleep, don't you just love that euphomism? But euthanize him with a 36 oz. Louisville. There is a big difference in appearance of a few bite marks, and a mauling. I am so sick and tired of these jurists who think they are omnipotent. GET ALL THE FACTS, THEN CHECK THEM AGAIN BEFORE YOU MAKE A RULING YOU SELFABSORBED POMPOUS ASS.
Pretty lousy jurist if he/she didn't wait for the coroner's autopsy report. Makes you wonder how many other snap rulings this elitest MORON has made. He was wrong, maybe he should be put to sleep, don't you just love that euphomism? But euthanize him with a 36 oz. Louisville. There is a big difference in appearance of a few bite marks, and a mauling. I am so sick and tired of these jurists who think they are omnipotent. GET ALL THE FACTS, THEN CHECK THEM AGAIN BEFORE YOU MAKE A RULING YOU SELFABSORBED POMPOUS ASS.
Why didn't the family fight harder for the dog? An autopsy only takes a few days.
You know what they say. Don't drink and judge.
You know what they say. Don't drink and judge.
People shouldnt judge rottiweiler because their breed. Its how you bring them up not them. I am so tired off them getting this treatment due to people like that judge. I bet if it was a lap dog things would have been different. I have two rotties and they would do the same thing for me. My one will not let me boyfriend around me sometimes. He is really protective of me and if something like that happened I would hount the judge that so bad. me boy. I dont like of my dos as dogs they are humans to me. I live in a small town in canada and people judge rotties and pittbulls do bad that it makes me sicand iam so sick of people always judging my dogs and other ones. RIP ZEUS>
Guess it just proves the family was a bunch of idiots.
You kno what ppl need to STOP jugeing the breed of pitbulls and rotties!! I had 2 rotties and they would give there fken life for me!! Its bull how poor zuse was trying to help and that is what he got!! Thats messed up!! comeon now!! Rotties are the best ppl im telling u stop jugeing the danm breed!! they are a good dogs!
When will humans EVER stop being so oblivious to the canine world ? What an outrage. This judge ought to be reprimanded for his failure to be just to the dog and investigate further. Human stupidity under the guise of "getting rid of some problem".. it always goes back to humans.. dogs are born a dog first, not a breed !!!!!!!!!! WAKE UP !!!!!!!!!!!
This proves that people are the craziest animal that God ever put on the face of this Earth.
Rest In Peace sweet baby Zeus, the bastards can not hurt you now.
the judge is a COMPLETE JERK. I own 2 rotties and im wheelchair bond, my dogs would pull and tug at me too if something happened, thank god family would speak for them.
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