Florida Protestors Demonstrate to Save Zeus from Judge-ordered Death
Thanks to WWSB ABC 7 for this news.
Protesters come out to show support for Zeus
Posted on Saturday June 23, 2007
NOKOMIS - Supporters of Zeus the dog came out to show their displeasure with the decision to put the German Shepard to sleep earlier this year. The dog bit a Verizon repairman in Nokomis even though it was the first time Zeus had bitten anyone. A judge has decided he must be destroyed.
Since airing the story about Zeus this week our phones and emails have been packed with people wanting to do something to save the two-year old German Shepard’s life. Dozens of supports filled the Sarasota County Animal Services parking lot hoping to make a difference.“Today we really just want to bring awareness to the situation and hopefully saves Zeus’s life.” Protestors come out Saturday to persuade those in charge to reverse the sentence of death for Zeus. The dog bit a Verizon repairman several times inside his owner’s home and now waits inside Sarasota County Animal Services.
“Here is this dog that unfortunately got in this situation to protect his owner and people see that and don’t want this to just become a norm. That Okay this is one exception and the same thing is going to happen to other animals,” says Donna Paige protest organizer.
State law says if a dog causes multiple bites and serious injury even though it may be the first offense it can be destroyed. A magistrate and judge had a decision and chose death.
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Joy, Thank you for bringing awareness to Zeus’ plight. Because of everyone’s efforts, the judge has agreed to a rehearing on July 6 and given Zeus a reprieve until then. Hopefully, she will listen to all the evidence and expert witnesses, at that time, and Zeus will be spared.
I think it was the owner’s fault for not removing Zeus. When I have strangers in my house, dogs are always crated, and cats locked up. No exception.
Dee (Hope’s mom)
i agree that zeus should have been ‘locked away’ when the serviceman was there, but i was his first offense. i’m glad that the judge is giving him a second hearing!
I am glad to hear that Zeus is getting a new hearing. Obviously he was not accustomed to strangers in the house and all dogs should be trained to accept them, and to be safe locked out of the area where the stranger will be. I happen to be the proud owner of two Bostons who, while not good about strangers like a delivery man, are at least clearly vying for attention rather than defending our home. (heaven forbid robbers hear about this) But what I can’t help but find fascinating is that because this is a popular breed widely loved by the American public this dog gets a second chance. Were this, oh say, a Pit Bull or a Rottweiler this would only be hyped by the media as “another viscious attack” and the dog would be put down no contest, and public opinion of breeds the media has labeled as aggressive would drop further and more people would be made irrationally fearful. Heck, with the BSLs of some areas Pit Bulls, Chows, Rottweilers, Dobermans etc don’t even get a first chance; they are immediately labelled as aggressive and put down. My best hope for this story is that this will set some sort of legal precedent that can later be used to curb BSLs, or make people realize that it is their responsibilty to teach their dog how to react to every situation, or some other positive outcome rather than the reaction of “poor German Shepard was defending his home” and the case being dropped there. I’m afraid I’m not optimistic, though.
The owner was irresponsible not Zeus. Zeus should have been crated. But his owner failed to crate Zeus.
All guard type breeds of dogs are bred to be very protective of owners and property and as a result they can be nervous and very weary of strangers and even strange or new objects in the house. If I bring home a new piece of furniture or something my German Shepherd has never seen before she will sniff it a dozen times walk around it and check it out thoroughly and growl at it often but she won’t harm it. Its really funny to watch her. Once when I was over at my brothers house and had my dog with me we were sitting and watching T.V. My brothers phone rang and he jumped up suddenly and ran for the phone and my dog reached out and pinched him on the ass for scaring her. She had never been there before so it was a new environment for her and the sudden move scared her also she had never met my brother before either. Well I just gave my Bro a big hug who was very inderstanding and from then on my dog accepted him as a friend. Shepherds are smart they are very intuitive and can smell fear even other emotions especially fear & anger. I expect that if she really wanted to she could have took a chunk out of his butt, I believe she was holding back on purpose. She is the best dog I have ever had the pleasure to have as my best friend she loves to play frisby and catch sometimes even watches T.V. and teases me often and whenever a Jingle or good tune Like “BAD BOYS BOYS Watcha Gonna do” or “Married with children” comes on all of a sudden she’s a singer and sings along with the whole jingle (she’s not the greatest singer but…) She really likes the group “NO DOUBT” I have nothing to fear from her at all ever. I put my dog in her room (cage/pen) when strangers come over to visit just to be on the safe side. The cable guy should have been smart enough not to go anywhere near that house till that dog was restrained and the owner also should have known better. As for the judge i wouldn’t want that idiot judging the Gong show. Many years ago a half German shepherd half wolf saved my dads life and protected my 4 year old self as well (wouldn’t let my mom spank me) my first shepherd saved my house from being robbed and Identified the intruder as well. My present shepherd I know will protect me to her death as I would her. I sincerely hope that Zeus gets his reprieve since he’s only 2 and needs a little guidance and training is all. He will make a fine friend and protector. Shouldn’t punish him he doesn’t even know he has done anything wrong yet he’s just doing his JOB! He needs a second chance as we all do sometimes …. Death is way too harsh.
I am so sorry to hear that we have a judge with no more compassion on the bench. I will work night and day to inform people of her lack of co ncern. She does have a choice she is the judge. I personally heard a dog trainer who had dogs with him that he had trained say please let me have him and I will train him.drunks who have killed people are usally let out of jail by the time you have turned the television off. This owner had gone to service for all of us and we cpeople in this worldant do one thing for him when he is sick.Where aday.re the christian people in this world? You will pay for this some
Zues is free