Stu at Thanksgiving, 2008 after more than three years in custody
UPDATED After sitting in what amounts to dog jail for almost four years, a dog named Stu could be put to death soon; or he could finally go home to an owner who's been fighting for his life since 2005.
Rescued from the streets in 2000 by Jeff de la Rosa, for five years Stu lived peacefully with de la Rosa and his two other dogs. In August of 2005 de la Rosa was called out of town by a family emergency. He left the dogs in the care of an assistant who knew them. Following an uncharacteristic scuffle between Stu and one of the other dogs during which Stu's ear was torn, the assistant, in an attempt to take Stu to the vet, approached the wounded dog and tried to put a harness on him, over his injured ear (pet care experts always recommend using extreme caution, even a muzzle, when dealing with injured pets, because often even a normally friendly pet can lash out when fearful and in pain). During her attempt to harness him, a frightened Stu bit the assistant twice on the arm.
De la Rosa offered to pay the assistant's medical bills and says she initially told him she "didn't want to get Stu in trouble." He says when she went to the hospital she told emergency room staff that she didn't know the dog who had bitten her. She didn't call the police or L.A. Animal Services.
According to de la Rosa, three weeks after the incident, without warning, he was served with a lawsuit. Ten days later he came home to find Stu missing from a locked outdoor kennel, and the gate on his fence pried open from the outside. He received a call from Animal Services that Stu had been "found and brought in by an unidentified private citizen." When de la Rosa arrived to retrieve his dog, Animal Services staff told him they had just received a bite report, one month after the incident, and they refused to release Stu.
The assistant, by that time represented by a law firm specializing in wresting large dog-bite settlements from homeowners' insurance carriers, now claimed that Stu had "dragged her back and forth across the floor." De la Rosa says she was seeking six million dollars in damages.
Stu with former Animal Services Board Commissioner Marie Atake. Atake famously resigned in 2007, frustrated in her attempts to increase Department integrity and professionalism
Following LAAS policy, a hearing was held to determine whether Stu had a history of aggression and whether he was likely to bite again if released. While the Hearing Examiner found that Stu had caused an injury, he felt it was sufficient to revoke the dog's license, which would have given de la Rosa the opportunity to find a place for Stu outside City limits, or to move. It was a verdict that would have given Stu back his life.
But that's when Animal Services Departmental policy went off the rails. Although LAAS policy was, and is, that the Hearing Examiner's recommendations determine the outcome, a Department captain apparently unrelated to the matter, a Captain Helen Brakemeier, interceded, telling then-General Manager Guerdon Stuckey in a memo that, "After reviewing the [Hearing Examiner's] report and all of the exhibits, I disagree with [his] recommendation and think that the dog should be deemed dangerous." Nowhere in the memo does Brakemeier indicate that she has personally met or evaluated the dog, nor what if any authority she has to overrule the hearing officer's verdict. Nevertheless, Stuckey concurred with Brakemeier, allegedly without even reading the report. His decision to deem Stu a "dangerous dog" was a sentence of death.
Animal Services Commissioner Kathy Riordan told me, "That's the first time I'd ever seen a General Manager increase the penalty [for an animal]." Within days, Stuckey was fired as General Manager by Mayor Villaraigosa, ironically, according to the L.A. Times, for failing to reduce shelter killing. De la Rosa says he was never informed about the role Brakemeier had played in condemning Stu. Her seemingly irregular participation in the process of determining the dog's fate came to light only after de la Rosa requested all documents related to the case in the wake of the unexpected LAAS verdict that Stu was too dangerous to live.
Since then Stu has been held by the City, or in City-designated facilities, and de la Rosa has been fighting to save his dog's life. Respected dog behaviorists, including Dr. Richard Polsky, who in 1987 helped formulate the City standards for assessing dangerous dogs; and Bobby Dorofshar of New Leash on Life, who has also worked with the City and been a member of the Spay/Neuter Advisory Committee, have stated that Stu is not aggressive toward humans. Their opinions are based on behavioral evaluations, assessments of his behavior prior to the incident, and an understanding of the ways the victim's actions towards Stu when he was injured may have unintentionally provoked the bites. In Dorofshar's case, he has voluntarily housed Stu at his own facility and has had the opportunity to get to know Stu over many months.
Nevertheless, Animal Services and the City Attorney's office have refused to budge, continuing to insist that the now-elderly Stu must die. Arguments in the Court of Appeals are scheduled for June 18th.
Stu, on the day he was impounded by L.A. Animal Services
Ironically, de la Rosa's fight to ensure humane treatment for his dog while in custody, and to save Stu's life, may have made his battle tougher. Allegations of a pattern of retaliatory behavior on the part of Animal Services management towards critics have surfaced repeatedly in the humane/rescue community over the years. In the days prior to the forced resignation of the most recent General Manager, Ed Boks, the City Council rebuked him publicly for blogging against his critics, including de la Rosa, on City time.
Even the Animal Services Commission, which was instituted as a supervisory body to the Animal Services Department, has fought for mercy for Stu. Commissioner Archie Quincey, who boasts a thirty-year career in L.A. County animal control, authored a motion that directs the City Attorney to drop his opposition to de la Rosa's appeal. Quincey wants the case returned to the Superior Court and wants that court to set aside Stu’s sentence based on evidence that the dog was denied due process. However, in subsequent meetings Commissioner Quincey's motion has not appeared on the agenda. Then, without warning or explanation, the June 8th meeting, the last scheduled before Stu’s Appeals Court arguments, was cancelled.
This points out another puzzling aspect of this story: the fact that even though the Animal Services Commission has a supervisory role over the Animal Services Department, it's unclear who determines the agenda for Commission meetings. Although nominally the Board President sets the agenda, in the minutes for the April 14th meeting, after Commissioner Quincey introduced his motion to free Stu, it was Department Assistant General Manager Linda Barth, not Board President Tariq Khero, who tells the Commission that, "the item is already agendized for the next meeting." Reached for comment, Barth stated that the Board President sets the agenda. She said the matter was subsequently discussed in closed session, but it was unclear if she meant specifically Commissioner Quincey's motion or Stu's case in general. She referred further questions to the City Attorney's office. A call to Deputy City Attorney Todd Leung, who has spearheaded the City's case against Stu, was not returned. Nor was a call to Board President Tariq Khero, and a call and email to incoming City Attorney Carmen Trutanich, who takes office July 1st.
[June 18th: Interestingly, although Assistant General Manager Linda Barth referred all further inquiries to the City Attorney's office, when I called the City Attorney's office today they were referring calls back to L.A. Animal Services.]
The next Commission meeting is scheduled for June 22. When asked if the motion would be discussed, Commissioner Quincey said, "If it's not on the agenda, I'm going to raise hell." He said, "I think it's gone too far. I have a lot of Animal Control experience. I saw the pictures [of the human victim's injuries], there were a couple of small puncture wounds -- and the dog was injured when it happened. On that one bite Stu gets the ultimate penalty? That's like getting the electric chair for a misdemeanor!"
When asked what he thought would be a just outcome, Quincey said, "I think Stu should go home."
If you would like to register your opinion on Stu's fate, you can contact the City Attorney's office at: (213) 978-8100
Comments
I hope that everyone who reads this article realizes that we are ALL paying for the DA to play this stupid game for the vindictive, nasty Dept. of Animal Services for LA!!! And for what??? To kill a dog because certain humans employed by the department are really back stabbing, vicious and cruel people??? Even the Mayor has not stepped in on this...why? Political game playing once again!!!
I hope too that people who have animals realize...this situation could happen TO ANY of US!!!
There needs to be an uprising of support for STU to live! Call the DA's office and tell them to DROP this NOW and to let STU live and GO HOME!!!!
I for one am tired of my tax $$ going to pay the DA's office to pursue a case that should NEVER have happened!!!
Unbelievable in this day and age!!!!
Todd Leung-you should be ashamed of yourself and your actions!!!! Helen Brakmeyer.... you should be FIRED!!!!
I called the city attorney's office. This person should be ashamed of himself. Any injured dog can bite! Stu needs to go home.
Wow. That is a frightening story. And this is what our taxpayers dollars are going towards.... We need an entire new Animal Services board. And the one who pays with his life is an innocent dog. How incredibly sad.
Absolutely ridiculous. Are these meetings open to the public? Anyone in the area who is outraged should attend and voice their concerns.
I've been rescuing dogs for over 25 years. Many dogs would bite in a situation like this one. I know many humans that would bite in similar situations too. Let's not let the city try to put a MUZZLE on the people....this dog needs to be returned to his owner. Please speak up for this dog. This incident does not mean the dog is aggressive and should be put to death. If you need to, put a restriction on the owner that the dog would need to be always on a leash. I can't believe that this situation has not been resolved a long long time ago. PLEASE HELP SAVE STU from agressive people who want to kill him!!
Cases like this go to the Superior Court. How can a LA have the time and money to be so ignorant and meanwhile the drug lords are running free around the city! I guess if you persecute dogs, you don't have to worry the same way as if you put that energy towards prosecuting drug lords. Shame on the city! Let Stu go free!
Thank you so much, Kate Woodviolet, for bring this unjust case into the public eye. It is unbelievable how long this has gone on. I have attended countless board meetings pleading for Stu's life, and I am one of many that want to see him live out what little time he may have on Earth at HOME.
The few times I have been bit, I have understood exactly why it happened. It is obvious why these two bites happened. I would never dream of condemning any dog that has used his or her natural instincts in protecting themselves out of fear/pain. This has been disgustingly and painfully obvious that it is personal against Jeff. Stu has paid for human pettiness and is still paying. Jobs need to be lost over this travesty! I am so grateful that our new attorney is known for being compassionate towards animals. I hope he can finally put an end to this black mark on our city. What a callous light it has shed on those making poor decisions.
Our LA city officials should be ashamed of themselves. No one has taken control of this situation yet?
Do we have a bunch of idiots in our city govt.?
Anyone reading this whether you have dog experience or not can make an educated decision that the dog was scared and acted out.
We need to clean house and elect city officials that have passion, integrity and initiative with every situation coming before them.
This sounds like a bunch of lazy individuals that have not taken the time to clearly evaluate a 4+ yr. travesty and put a stop to it.
I should point out that the problem here is not the District Attorney, Steve Cooley, but the CITY Attorney's office, which is run by Rocky Delgadillo. The Deputy City Attorneys who have been involved in pushing forward the case for killing Stu are Dov Lesel and Todd Leung.
Well, the CA's office is saying they are not involved with this case. At least that's what the recept is telling us.
They've been swamped with calls. Thank you , Kate for your very complete and intelligent telling of my dog's story.
The City attorney's impossible (planned) settlement offer is here at sitesDOTgoogleDOT com/site/savestuletters/timeline
Also are the most recent letters filed with the Court. The "opposition" is quite a stroll in fantasy land (lies) for someone (the CA) who is 'not involved"
Citizens are welcome at the Board of Animal Services meetings. The next meeting is on Monday. They canceled the last one on June 8 to prevent the Board from taking action on this case.
MEETING
Board of Animal Services Commissioners
Monday June 22, 2009 at 10:00 AM
City Hall
Rm 1060
One can call the Dept. of Animal Services and speak to:
Linda Barth linda.barth@lacity.or
213-482-9507
The Board Secretary (careful, his allegiance is not with the Board) Ross Pool
My prayers are with Stu and his owner. May Stu go home to be with the people that love him and live a most deserving happy dog life. Now these things come to pass.
May the people who have unjustly persecuted and caused heart ache in the name of greed and ego find themselves to be on the receiving end of persecution themselves in a most similar manner. Now these things come to pass.
ANIMAL SERVICES DEPARTMENT
221 N. Figueroa Street, 5th floor, Los Angeles, CA 90012
Fax:213-482-9511
web: laanimalservicesDOTcom/about_commissionDOThtm
BOARD OF ANIMAL SERVICES COMMISSION
Commission President, Tariq Khero
Commission Vice President, Kathleen Riordan
Commissioners:
Archie J. Quincey Jr.
Irene G. Ponce
Ruthanne Secunda
Commission Secretary/Management Analyst II, Ross Pool .......... 213 482-9501
GENERAL MANAGERS OFFICE
General Manager, Edward A. Boks (FIRED)............................................... 213 482-9558
Executive Administrative Asst. III, Maria Gomez........................... 213 482-9556
Clerk Typist, Diane Osborne ......................................................... 213 482-9537
ASSISTANT GENERAL MANAGERS
Assistant General Manager of Administration, Linda J. Barth....... 213 482-9507
Assistant General Manager of Operations, Kathleen J. Davis ...... 213 482-9558
Clerk Typist, David Puga....................................
Why take it out on an innocent animal just because they don't like the owner? I met the guy, he wasn't the nicest (probably because I wasn't someone he felt he "needed" to talk to), but he definitely seems to love his dog and is a responsible pet guardian. The city should be ashamed of itself for the money spent, the unfair treatment of this poor animal and the incredibly lame way this whole thing was handled. Now, the "son of a Nazi" governor wants to kill dogs before they can be adopted or their owners can find them so more money can go to the "lower income" people who refuse to learn what birth control is. Animals can't help themselves, people can. Also, very well-written article and thanks for volunteering in the city shelters! That's where Schwarzenegger's kid should be volunteering.
This is what happens when you have wicked people in authority! The Godly people need to stand up and pray that righteous leaders be in authority so that travesty like this would not happen! My heart and prayer goes out to Stu and his dad. I pray that he lives and not die in Jesus' name!
It's unbelievable - and sad - that this has gone on for so long (4 yrs!!)and that they actually want to kill Stu! He should be released to go home immediately to be where he belongs, with someone that loves him.
The "assistant" taking care of Stu - and the idiots in that lawfirm - should be ashamed of themself, seeing dollar signs, such greed, and LYING and blowing everything out of proportion! The caretaker...such visions of stupidness, being dragged back and forth across the floor, please give me a break - and not too bright for trying to put a harness on Stu like that.
PLEASE RELEASE STU!!
FIRE SOME IDIOTS OVER THERE!
Remember the saying, what goes around comes around...I sure hope that I see it happen to these fool money hungry suckers in my lifetime.
California taxpayers have been footing the bill for this battle, do you want to continue? Write, call, and most important VOTE! Make sure your representatives know you vote based on the lack of action in this case. I can do my little bit from Illinois, but You...the Californians, can do more than I can ever hope to. Make sure these people give Stu back to Jeff and then make sure that they cannot do this again to anyone else. Making a political game out of this dog's life is not what you voted them into office for. If they can do this to Jeff and Stu, they can do it to YOU TOO!
Helen Bravemeyer is well knonw for her unfair decisions and just on a whim deciding to put dogs down just because she can. What is the contact number for the DA to flood him with calls to drop this crazy case that is costing a lot of money that we taxpayers have to pay. (Especially in a recession.Our State is going broke. Now you know why!!) Most level headed people with common sense woud not want their money going for such a ridiculous case that has gone on for 4 years.
Bureaucracy gone mad! What an absolute disgrace
As for your former assistant..... how does she sleep at night the money hungry greedy little cow.
It probably doesn't help but I believe very much in karma and wish upon her the worst of it
I'm appalled that poor Stu had to locked away for 5 years and the City Officials and City Attorney's office should be ashamed for their actions. Stu's Dad... I wish you luck and hope Stu is released to you soon.
The city officials in charge of this dog's fate are oblivious in canine language. With having so much abusive powers, they should all be mandated to attend canine classes to learn more about dogs and their true nature.
Killing Stu only serves their egos and powertrips. That is what they get paid for, to put another trophy on their rack. Whether or not they are capable of making sound judgments never matters - clearly showing the pathetic nature of "man" out to win at all cost.
SHAME on L.A. and their city attorneys, this would have been your chance to shine - having done so much harm to an innocent dog already, and his owner.
Education on dogs would be a true benefit to those idiots in office.
A very similar story is happening in Halifax, Nova Scotia - to a dog that NEVER bit a human!
Brindi is just a mutt, friendly, loving, and smart, and she was picked up last July for minor scuffles with other dogs, not even a serious injury caused to them!
She has been kept in the smallest pound ever, which is run by the SPCA; it gets a small fortune - $35,000 a month - for this service so it stayed silent when Brindi was seized, even though it was already apparent that she is not a "dangerous dog".
Her owner has been facing ruin for months, after being swindled by the lawyer that took her case to court. But she keeps fighting.
These stories are all over and the media needs to bring them to our attention a lot more!
I got bit by a dog that earlier attacked my dog, years ago... so big deal. That's what owning is dog is all about. Just like falling down, you pick yourself off, and forget about it. But people have to make big issues out of the innocent. 5 years wasted on the dog, the owner and the taxpayers. Shame on the City of Los Angeles.
Can't the Governator or his wife help out with this???
And where the hell is Hollywood when you need it?? It makes billions of dollars from movies about dogs overcoming obstacles!!! It owes it to Stu to get him back home!
Wow, that is outrageous. It is difficult for anyone to admit they were wrong, but to kill an animal just to keep from doing it and to put so much effort into killing that animal. Outrageous.
An injured animal will often bit the hand that tries to help. I had to drug my own dog after after a dog fight just to check her wound. The animal makes the intent to bit immediately obvious. So if the assistant got bit, it was her fault. The dog surely warned her.
Keeping Stu in jail for five years? It is time to remove cases like this from the legal system as such because the process is infinite -- rulings, new charges, appeals -- and an animal's life is finite.
Search the web. This is not an isolated story. This is being lived out in Halifax, NS right now to a dog named Brindi seized by authorities in July '08 and ordered euthanized. The owner filed a lawsuit against the city. In January '09, a judge quashed the seizure and euthanasia order stating that the city has no legal right to be holding Brindi - but they refuse to release her or make public their reasons.
I suggest alternative mediation as there are too many emotions on both sides in these cases. AND FREE THESE DOGS
Let the dog go home now. It is obvious it was stolen from home – but by animal control or someone else? Will we ever know? It is like the case here in Nova Scotia about Brindi, a rescue dog that was wonderful, had issues with a few dogs, only once a minor injury, NEVER bit or growled at a human. A sadistic AC officer declared her dangerous and seized her to be killed! Her owner has been fighting to save her life. No appeal process exists, no due process made available to her. Under contract the N.S.S.P.C.A. has kept this poor dog locked up since 24 July 2008 in a pound meant to house animals no longer then 30 days! She doesn’t get to see any other dogs and only recently is her owner even allow visits – 30 minutes a week, with strict rules- she can’t even give her dog a bone, and her teeth are a wreck now! But Brindi is still a loving dog even after the SPCA president taught her to jump on people as he mistakenly teaches other dogs. When the shelter manager ook a bone out of her mouth B
Citizens beware: This could happen to anyone of us. Delgadillos office was notorious for rolling over to frivolous law suits. (Remember the dog food/fire department incident?) Jeff's assistant is just another of the endless parade of losers who try and get something for nothing. Our taxpayer dollars are being wasted on incarcerating this poor dog and dragging his owner through the gutter. Meanwhile, real criminals wreak havoc in our community. We need to voice our outrage and show up to this hearing en masse. I certainly hope our new City Attorney does right by the taxpayers and this dog. Send Stu home and right the injustice. If anyone has grounds for damages against the city it's Jeff.
What is unbelievable to me is that we spend billions of dollars on serial killers, like a Charles Manson on death row, frivoulous lawsuits like this one and the general stupidity of our elected officials governing this state! From our Governors plan to cut the time spent in a shelter for an homeless animal to this fiasco - I am ashamed of this state and the people that govern it.
That poor dog! How can humans, who are supposed to be the intelligent creatures on this earth, behave this way? The woman who was bit should have the guts to tell the truth. This poor animal has been denied the love and care of his human companion for four years, and faces death for being a dog! When an animal is wounded it will bite if it is afraid! Even Cesar Romero has said that! Can you contact him for assistance in this case? I am in Canada and wish I could do more to help this poor dog. Is there an email address to write to, to plead for someone to show mercy and send this poor animal home? If so, let me know and I'll write.
I called the number the story recommended and a man answered and he was very polite and I told him that he needed to know that the world is watching this. I am in Sun Valley, Idaho, but I am very upset for Stu and his owner. This is pathetic and I will follow this and send it to everyone I know. Let's call all the people Stu's dad said before this. I'm good at that. Hope you get your poor dog back. What idiots.
Let my people go! And by people, I means Stu...
This is so stupidFor Gods' sake this dog bite because he was hurt. Jeff had paid 100x's over in frustration, pain and suffering. Give him back his dog(stu),before the dogs poor natural life is over.
Just like Brindi, in Nova Scotia. This poor dog needs to be freed, from the clutches of the authorities.The NS SPCA, don't know what side they are supposed to be on & they choose the wrong side.
I guess the bullys in both of these cases, will be satisfied when both poor innocent animals are dead.
Killing Brindi Will not fix any problem in Nova Scotia and Killing Stu, will not fix that idiot, money hungry's B---ch hand.
Let both of these dogs go home to their rightful owners today.
Iam involved in two cases similar to this. One in Clark County,NV, and one in Massachusettes. Both involve protracted periods of incarceration of the dogs. It is sad that since humans can no longer discriminate without legal consequences against other humans that canines and equines have become these new monsters victims of choice. I wish I had seen this sooner. I believe the newly elected City Attorney, Carmen Trutanich may have the courage to look at cases like this in an objective way. You can see when when wonderful compassionate LA City Commissioners like Marie Atake resign because the system makes them want to puke and lose sleep for weeks on end that something is wrong with this system. I am shocked that nobody has challenged the statutory authority of the City to either release or euthanize in these kinds of cases. 42 USC 1938 may be the Civil Rights lawsuit against the people PERSONALLY involved acting under color of authority to correct these wrongs. Can't wait to retire,move
Stu has suffered and the hands of egotistic officials. So does Brindi in Halifax. These cases entertain whoever is in power. It gives them a sense of importance because they are lacking character in the first place. Brindi in Halifax... read her story. It will blow your mind.
This city is not the tranquil little peaceful place on the Coast. It inhabits evil, powerhungry, corrupt and manipulative lying authorities, who deceive the world by fingerpointing and evading their duty to protect not condemn. Brindi's case has become a lunatic powertrip, whereas the dog is held without legal ground or statutory authority. She is a victim of sick egos whose career should be ended by this gross injustice, done to an innocent dog and her owner.
Read the blog and boycott Halifax. Any authority in power that abuses it like this, should be exposed.
Any judge with common sense and decency should end this footdragging, implemented by stupid humans to hurt innocent animals who cannot defend themsel
Any judge with common sense and integrity should end this footdragging, implemented by stupid humans to hurt innocent animals who cannot defend themselves.BOYCOTT HALIFAX.
freebrindi.blogspot.com
I just called Delgadillo's office - everyone who reads this should - and asked his office to stop this nonsense and let Stu go.
His office should be flooded with calls objecting to this outrageous treatment of a citizen.
Here's the phone number from the article. It takes one minute to call.
City Attorney's office at: (213) 978-8100
Call the mayor, too. He's running for governor and why would any of us want to vote for someone who lets this happen on his watch? Who's in charge there?
A lack of common sense and greed combined with politics makes for a terrible mix. Let the dog go. It's kind of a shame we don't have the same rules for public officials who bite the hands that feed them!
O master, master, I have watch'd so long
That I am dog-weary: but at last I spied
An ancient angel coming down the hill,
Will serve the turn.
Credits to William S.
To save your life in this extremity,
This favour will I do you for his sake;
And think it not the worst of an your fortunes
That you are like to Sir Vincentio.
His name and credit shall you undertake,
And in my house you shall be friendly lodged:
Look that you take upon you as you should;
You understand me, sir: so shall you stay
Till you have done your business in the city:
If this be courtesy, sir, accept of it.
Credits to William S.
But Kate, the prettiest Kate in Christendom
Kate of Kate Hall, my super-dainty Kate,
For dainties are all Kates, and therefore, Kate,
Take this of me, Kate of my consolation;
Hearing thy mildness praised in every town,
Thy virtues spoke of, and thy beauty sounded,
Yet not so deeply as to thee belongs,
Credits to William S.
They seized that dog illegally when they could have done it the proper way. There are plenty of people who know this. People who have nothing to loose if they tell the truth.
How does that assistant sleep at night? She's after 6 million dollars, and now claims that Stu dragged her back and forth across the floor? Now that this case is known internationally I hope she realises that she is reviled around the world. Priceless.
Halifax By-Law A300:
(d) “attack” means to injure or bite, or to threaten or give the impression of threatening;
(e) “bite” includes to penetrate the skin by a tooth or teeth;
(g) “dangerous dog” means any dog which:
(i) attacks or demonstrates a propensity, tendency or disposition to attack a human being or animal either on public or private property;
(ii) has caused injury to or otherwise endangered the safety of a human being or animal;
(iii) threatens any human being or animal;
(iv) is owned or harboured primarily or in part for the purpose of dog fighting;
(v) is trained for dog fighting; or
(vi) is a dog for which a muzzle order has been made;
see part 2
part 2 of "dangerous dog" definition under A300 in Halifax:
provided that no dog shall be deemed a “dangerous dog” solely because it attacks or threatens a trespasser on the property of its owner, harms or menaces anyone who has tormented or abused it, was at the time of its aggressive behaviour acting in defence to an attack from a person or animal, acting in defence of its young or is a professionally trained guard dog for law enforcement or guard duties;
Please phone this number 213-978-8100 and beg them to retunr Stu to his master. This is such a terrible situation and what a greedy woman to suddenly change her story and sue for $6 million dollars. This dog was wounded and any one with a brain knows a wounded dog will bite. Please let this beautiful boy go home to live his life out where he is loved. Why do we want to punish loving pet owners for loving their animals?
I am horrified. While millions of dogs are euthanized every year due to overpopulation, this one--who was rescued from the streets and has a safe, loving home--is being incarcerated at the expense of LA taxpayers because of some unscrupulous, underhanded, unjustifiable bureaucracy.
It is frightening and upsetting beyond words that this could happen. This poor dog and his guardian can never get back the four years that were taken from them, but at the very least, they can be reunited and move forward from here.
What a terrible blight on the city of LA that needs to be remedied immediately.
Just to clarify:
It's not just LAAS policy that the Hearing Examiner's report is reviewed by the GM (and not by some meddling Captain), it's the LAW--specifically LA Municipal Code Section 53.34.4 sets forth 11 criteria which SHALL be considered before declaring an animal to be "dangerous." The City considered only one of these-the "severity of the injury." Section 53.18.5 dictates how hearings shall be conducted, etc. If you own a dog in L.A., I recommend that you read and know these codes.
Find them at American Legal Publishing or at the City of Los Angeles web site. Thank you for taking the time to comment on this wretched situation.
House arrest. Put Stu under house arrest with a microchip. This way, the government feels all knowing and powerful while the dog gets to be with a man that loves him dearly. To put him down at this point is illogical on top of being mean-spirited.
Please do the right thing and let Stu go home. Why are we so cruel to the people who love their pets? This has caused agony on many sides. Please stop being mean spirited and reunite man and dog.
I agree that women who lied should be incarcerated for the rest of her lying life
Let Stu come Home!!!!!
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