From another forum:
First post:
"My APBT was seized last night by animal control and police when we
got back from the vet. Apparently while we were gone a pit bull, or
similar looking dog, attacked and killed some calves down the road on a
farm. The farmer said he saw a pit bull and the cops zeroed in on my
dog, and forcefully took him away from me!!!!
We were not even there at the time, and they still seized my dog. I
showed them a receipt from the vet showing we were gone at the time. I
told them my dog is very sick with gastroenteritis and he needs his
medicine, and they didn't care. I said that he's been in my sight all
day, and has been so sick he hasn't even been outside except to go to
the vet.
My dog is a well behaved boy, CGC certified, who has never hurt
anyone or anything. He's never even gotten loose. He's well liked by
all my neighbors, and they even tried to help me by telling the cops it
wasn't my dog. And they STILL took him!!!
So now my dog is very sick, all alone, and in a cold animal
shelter, and I can't do a damn thing about it until Tuesday when we go
to a hearing. I already hired a lawyer, and he's confident we will get
him back. But what has me scared is my lawyer stated that the worst
possible outcome is my dog could be euthanized. He said I don't have to
worry about that because it wouldn't happen, but it scared to death for
my dog.
Also my dog is very sick and needs his medicine he was prescribed.
I told animal control and police, while they were there, and they
wouldn't take it with my dog. I followed animal control to the shelter,
and the shelter wouldn't take his prescription for him either. Why
would they let him suffer?? Why are they being such monsters!?!?!? "
The result:
"Well I have good and bad news. The good news is the shelter let my
vet come in early this morning to assess my dog's health and well
being. The bad news is, he is so sick from his severe untreated
gastroenteritis, that my vet recommended immediate hospitalization, or
he could die. He's severely dehydrated and needs supportive therapy(IV
fluids), and his IV medication.
When my attorney heard of my dogs condition, he puled some strings
and got our hearing bumped up to 9:30am today. I don't know how my
attorney pulled this out of his hat, but I'm not complaining.
So anyways, It was just a civil court hearing with a judge, a city
attorney, the police officers from the scene, 3 of my neighbors, the
cattle farmer, one of the supervisors from the shelter, and my my vet
were in another room waiting to be called as witnesses. I'm so happy my
neighbors and vet went to bat for me, to help me get my dog back.
My attorney was so cool and composed the entire time. You should
have seen it, he was AMAZING!!! He demanded to know why my dog
languished sick and in pain for several days without treatment. He
demanded to know why my dog was known to be sick and neglected. The
city countered with a policy they have to only give meds their vets
prescribe. His rebuttal was, why was this known ill canine, not seen or
treated by their vet during the days he was there.
After my lawyer said that, the city attorney started to stumble his
words and the judge began to grow inpatient because what we were
accusing the city shelter of animal cruelty. A very serious charge, to
which the judge wasn't taking lightly.
Next the city attorney called the farmer up for his testimony. He
was asked to recount what happened and was shown a picture of my dog to
confirm whether or not it was him. He said, "I can't be sure because
all those dogs look alike." After he said that I got PISSED!! For
chrissakes, all this freaking trouble and the farmer isn't even sure it
was my dog!! Then he said he remembered seeing a brindle dog attacking
his calves. My dog is black w/white patch on his chest.
The city attorney then called the supervisor from the shelter. She
very evasively answered all of the questions. Basically one word
answers. I could tell the judge was not impressed at all with her
answers and explanations. In fact he looked annoyed.
Then the police officers recounted the events as they happened, and
under questioning from my attorney admitted they weren't sure it was my
dog that killed the calves, but it was the only dog in the neighborhood
that they could see, that fit the dogs physical description.
At this point I'm feeling pretty confident. In fact it was hard not to smile. One by one their stories were falling apart.
Finally it was our turn and first up was the vet. He confirmed our
alibi, and reported on the dogs condition at the time this happened and
also this morning when he went to the shelter. He also confirmed my dog
is in critical but stable condition. He had gone so long without
treatment the dehydration nearly killed him. He's still not out of the
woods and I might still lose my baby boy.
Then my neighbors, (who by the way are amazing people that took off
work and took time from their busy schedules to help me), all gave a
flawless testimony about my dog not being the one who attacked the
calves. They described the same brindle dog seen attacking the calves.
They also said real nice, and wonderful things about me, what a great
dog owner I am, and how are all my dogs so well behaved and sweet.
After all the testimony and closing comments were finished, the
judge immediately gave his decision. Not only did he demand my dog be
returned to me, he demanded a formal apology from the police department
and ACO's.
So my dog was transferred to the vet clinic, not too long ago, and
is finally getting treatment. He's very sick and not out of the woods
yet. If he makes it tonight, my vet said he has a great chance of
pulling through. Fingers crossed!!!
Thanks so much for all your help. I could have never have thought
of doing any of the things you suggested. They helped in getting my boy
back, and I thank y'all from the bottom of my heart.
Well I'm off to the vet clinic for a few hours to spend time with
my boy. Oh God, I just thought of something....Will my dog think I was
the one who hurt him? Will he think I abandoned him? Ugh, that breaks
my heart to think that he will think it's all my fault. Will he? Great,
now I'm crying again!!!
This is officially the worst week of my life!!! But I sincerely
thank you all for your support and help through this catastrophe."
Thank god for the outcome---hopefully she will go to the press to publicize how horribly this was handled.
(btw this happened in Texas)