Spork, a 10-year-old Dachshund in Lafayette, Colorado was in danger of being put down because he was declared a vicious dog after biting a lab technician at a veterinarian's office.
The case sparked outrage when a judge considered the dog a danger. Last August, a technician was bitten at the Jasper Animal Hospital, while he was being held by his owner. He's been to that hospital many times, and was there even a week before without incident, although he often shakes and gets scared.
Spork was in after having oral surgery and the owner was told how to firmly hold the 17-pound red mini. The lab tech was bitten after their faces got too close to each other.
A month later, the Lafayette Animal Control charged the owners with having a vicious dog, and a judge was considering disposing of the dog. The lab technician had both of her lips bitten off.
Spork's owners, Tim and Kelly Walker, spent more than $6,000 defending their dog, and finally on Friday (March 12) they agreed to accept a deferment of criminal prosecution if Spork doesn’t hurt anyone for six months.
“We are relieved that Spork is out of danger for the moment,” said Tim, in a release by the Animal Law Center, which helped them defend Spork. “While we know that we would have prevailed in court, this case has been incredibly upsetting for our family. We are happy that we will be able to return to a normal life and know that this misguided case against us will be dropped in a determined number of months. We thank all the friends we know and don’t know for their support during this ordeal.”
According to the Animal Law Center, Colorado state laws and City of Lafayette regulations say that an official can declare "home rule" and can kill your dog, make you relocate or, maybe worst of all, kennel your best friend for long and cruel periods of time.
The case sparked outrage by dog lovers worldwide.
The Colorado Daily published a funny editorial:
Here are five reasons why they shouldn't put a fork in Spork (clic.
1. He's a dog
When dogs feel threatened or scared, a normal instinct is to defend. Spork was doing what every scared little doggie thinks is natural when a big ol' human tries to take him away from his mommy.
2. He looks like a hot dog
Hot dogs are a great invention (the 100-percent beef ones, not the cheap ones made of dirty pig parts). Now, furry hot dogs with floppy ears, a waggy tail and a grin? Even better. (Not to eat, friends). Moral: Spork is one hot dog who must be spared.
3. He's short
Spork's legs are probably the size of Shaquille O'Neal's big toes. This means he's probably just slightly faster moving than a soft-shell crab. What is the point? Well, how can something so mini be so threatening? His wee little dewclaw is like an M&M wrapped in a four-leaf clover. So sweet.
4. He's an old bastard
Granted, small dogs have longer life spans, but Spork is 10 (70 in human years). It seems unlikely that an old saggy man would have vicious intentions of attack (unless the dog's name is Gary Busey, perhaps). Plus, look at Spork. (Spork, can you earmuff it for me?) He's a little pudgy. Short legs + tubby torso = funny-looking dog, not threatening dog.
5. He's fuzzy
Ewoks, teddy bears, Chewbacca, Buffaloes, carpet, tarantulas, buzzcuts, doll hair, mold on sour cream -- all fuzzy, all fabulous (well, maybe scratch the last two). We love fuzzy things, they make us furry inside. Spork is fuzzy. Fuzzy things do not deserve to die (unless it's fungus on top of a hairball).
For now, Spork is home and happy, but his case is causing a re-thinking of some of the state and city laws, and how such a violation of a pet and its owner can happen again
Check out Spork sites below . . .
* The Animal Law Center that helped Spork
* The Colorado Daily coverage
Comments
I never heard where the judge ever claimed to "kill" the dog! Like classic media, you love to blow things out of proportion. And yes, if a dog, small or big hurt someone as bad as he did, I would want the owners to pay for the damage. Who is to say he may bite a toddler because Spork saw the toddler as a "danger". Its an animal and animals are unpredictable, these are the kinds of risks dog owners need to deal with when one owns an animal. And yes I do have a dog and cat, but my kids come first, human ones!
The city, in fact, did threaten to euthanize the dog (do a Google search and you'll find multiple articles on it.) More disturbing is the fact that "According to state law in Colorado, a dog owner is not liable for a dog bite if the person bitten is a vet, groomer or anyone who works closely with animals. But city of Lafayette is asserting home-rule exception, which means they do not have to follow state law."
It's not rocket science. Dog is scared. You're putting scissors near the dogs face. Maybe YOUR face shouldn't be so close.
Animals are unpredictable-and a vet tech above all people should know that.
It's unfortunate that she got hurt; I've been bit in the face by a dog and it does indeed hurt. However, it's also unfortunate that she apparently didn't take the necessary precautions to prevent something like this. We as pet owners trust professionals to do the right thing, be it with our bodies, that of our children, or that of our pets.
When a professional can't take these precautions, it's hard for me to take pity.
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