Tekoa, Washington Dogster JD Needs Help, Pet Parent Doubts Claim JD Bit Neighbor’s Child
JD’s furmom Tina barked in this call for help. Dogster JD may be facing a bum rap. If you have any advice you can offer furmom Tina or if you live in the area and know of any groups or lawyers who could advise her, please pawmail JD.
I need help ASAP. I have a 2year old Yellow Lab that the city of Tekoa Wa. whats to kill. He was accused of bitting a 8 year old boy. I asked for proof that it was my dog as he has never bitten anyone and is not a aggressive dog. The child was ruff playing in another nieghbors yard with their Chow. The Chow has bitten before.
My Lab did get out our yard and was running lose. The City of Tekoa don’t put down dogs hummly. They take them out in to a field and shot them and then dump the bodies in to a pound out side the city. If they show me proff that my dog did bit the child then I’ll have him put down by my Vet. But I want more then just hear say. I want pictures of the bite mark and proff that it was my Lab and not the Chow. I need help saying my dog and time is running out for him. Please if you can help me please call me at 509-284-3419 or email me at TinaInTekoa@peoplepc.com Pease help me save JD. he is a good dog.
Thats heartbreaking to read. I hope an attorney sees this. The best I can do is pray.
I know how you feel. Something similiar has happened to my German Shepherd Cookie in the past. She was accused of biting my friend, when it was accually a another Shepherd from across the street who had bit him. That Shepherd’s owner did all he could to make his dog look like Cookie so she would be the one in trouble. The person who accused Cookie in the first place decided not to sue or demand that she be put down, so it wasn’t as serious as your case.
This just infuriates me and makes me exceedingly sad as I’m sure it is heart wrenching for you as well. I had a dalmation a while back that I rescued from a shelter I worked at. I had him out in the dog pen with my two labs one day while my friend was over painting my house. I was not home. She brought her 4 year old son with her. I get a call saying she’s at the emergency room with him because the dal bit him and he needs stitches. She also warned me that the hospital automatically called animal control and that she couldn’t stop them. When I got back to my house animal control was just pulling up. I was very calm (even though on the inside I was really scared) and let them meet Giovanni (that was his name) - I said, “you see? he’s not an aggressive dog. There MUST have been some reason this happened. He is completely updated on all shots and vaccinations. He is a good dog who lives and loves children.” We find out later on in the day that the child was SITTING ON HIS HEAD and he had a bad ear infection at the time. The child unknowingly hurt the dog and the dog reacted. I am sure the only reason I got out of this situation was because the person was my friend (keyword here is: WAS) - but there MUST be some way you can (a) prove it wasn’t your dog or (b) prove the dog was provoked. Unfortunately, if the dog got out - they will likely pin it on him simply because they’ll feel like you were the irresponsible owner (Even though the best dog owners in the world occasionally have ESCAPEES as dogs - that’s how mine were stolen). FIND A LAWYER - My God find yourself the best lawyer you can afford and are willing to hire. Get others in the neighborhood to testify as to the great personality of your dog (especially children - ask their parents if they can testify of course). Point out the naturally calm disposition that labradors are bred with and that their are considered to be THE best with children - which also makes it even MORE unlikely it was your dog. Not that you would want ANY dog put down or harmed, but CHOWS do have a reputation for being more aggressive OVERALL than labradors (that is why they are usually not recommended for homes with children!). Someone should have swiped the child’s wound for DNA of saliva perhaps - that’s one way you can EXACTLY pinpoint which dog it was - but I’m not sure if anyone ANYWHERE is willing to go that far (although I firmly believe they should!).
I wish I could give more advice, or help in some other way. If there is anything else you think I might be able to tell you or WHATEVER - please email me. My heart goes out to you - I know what it is like, you and your dog are in my prayers.
Tina
If there is a law school in your area, call them to see if they ve anyone interested in animal law. If so, there may be a faculty member or a student who can help you for free.
Tina, check into the Legal Aid organization for Washington state. Here is the link to a web site:
http://www.lawfund.com/ow_civil.html
You do need a lawyer. A lawyer will question the “proof” that has been presented to the law enforcement agency.
My mom & I just want to say thank for all the support we have recived. It nice to know there are people out there who care.
Thank you,
JD & Tina
UP-Date
Hi everyone, Well I just want to let everyone one know that I get to stay home with my family and to thank everyone for all thier help and support.