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Decision Could Help Decide Fate Of Dozens Of Dogs
FORT LAUDERDALE -- A dog owner whose beloved Labrador mix, Gigi, sits on Broward County's doggie death row could learn Monday if the dog will get a reprieve. It's a decision that will affect hundreds of dogs in the county.
Gigi is accused of attacking and killing a Yorkie during a walk in Weston. That Yorkie's owner, Brian Tamura, said the attack was unprovoked, Gigi's owner, attorney Tom Austin, disagrees.
Monday's ruling could help decide the fate of dozens of Broward County dogs.
According to Broward's law, a dog is considered dangerous if it attacks unprovoked, kills another animal, bites a person, or fights another dog. Dogs can be destroyed after just one incident.
State law, however, allows for two fatal attacks on animals before a dog is declared dangerous and three before it is euthanized. Broward's ordinance -- a law that animal advocates have been trying to get overturned as unconstitutional -- calls for dogs to be put down after a first offense.
Austin, who is representing himself in the case, said if the judge decides the dog should be euthanized, he will appeal to the circuit court.
A second dog facing the same fate as Gigi has also made headlines in recent weeks. Brandie, a 10-year-old Husky, is also sitting on Broward's doggie death row.
The dog's owner, Lon Lipsky, said Brandie was being walked on a leash when Jack, a toy poodle mix, ran out of a Coconut Creek home and lunged at his dog. Brandie killed Jack.
Lipsky is also fighting to get his dog a reprieve and have Broward's County ordinance declared unconstitutional.
On Friday, Local 10 received several e-mails from the Lipskys after they had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact Animal Care Regulation regarding Brandie's health. The dog suffers from hip dysplasia and tumors, according to Lipsky.
After a late-afternoon call from Local 10, the Lipsky's were allowed to bring an orthopedic bed for Brandie.
Postings on Local 10 - WPLG’s Facebook page have expressed outrage at Tim Keller (tkeller@broward.org), the county's chief animal investigator, and his refusal to investigate both sides of the story.
Dahlia Walker-Huntington, a special magistrate employed by the county, is set to rule on both cases this week.
Previous Stories:
May 20, 2010: Family Pet Sits On Broward's 'Doggie Death Row'
May 20, 2010: Dog's Death Raises Questions Over Ordinance
County Set To Rule On 'Doggie Death Row' Cases - Pets News Story - WPLG Miami
FORT LAUDERDALE -- A dog owner whose beloved Labrador mix, Gigi, sits on Broward County's doggie death row could learn Monday if the dog will get a reprieve. It's a decision that will affect hundreds of dogs in the county.
Gigi is accused of attacking and killing a Yorkie during a walk in Weston. That Yorkie's owner, Brian Tamura, said the attack was unprovoked, Gigi's owner, attorney Tom Austin, disagrees.
Monday's ruling could help decide the fate of dozens of Broward County dogs.
According to Broward's law, a dog is considered dangerous if it attacks unprovoked, kills another animal, bites a person, or fights another dog. Dogs can be destroyed after just one incident.
State law, however, allows for two fatal attacks on animals before a dog is declared dangerous and three before it is euthanized. Broward's ordinance -- a law that animal advocates have been trying to get overturned as unconstitutional -- calls for dogs to be put down after a first offense.
Austin, who is representing himself in the case, said if the judge decides the dog should be euthanized, he will appeal to the circuit court.
A second dog facing the same fate as Gigi has also made headlines in recent weeks. Brandie, a 10-year-old Husky, is also sitting on Broward's doggie death row.
The dog's owner, Lon Lipsky, said Brandie was being walked on a leash when Jack, a toy poodle mix, ran out of a Coconut Creek home and lunged at his dog. Brandie killed Jack.
Lipsky is also fighting to get his dog a reprieve and have Broward's County ordinance declared unconstitutional.
On Friday, Local 10 received several e-mails from the Lipskys after they had made numerous unsuccessful attempts to contact Animal Care Regulation regarding Brandie's health. The dog suffers from hip dysplasia and tumors, according to Lipsky.
After a late-afternoon call from Local 10, the Lipsky's were allowed to bring an orthopedic bed for Brandie.
Postings on Local 10 - WPLG’s Facebook page have expressed outrage at Tim Keller (tkeller@broward.org), the county's chief animal investigator, and his refusal to investigate both sides of the story.
Dahlia Walker-Huntington, a special magistrate employed by the county, is set to rule on both cases this week.
Previous Stories:
May 20, 2010: Family Pet Sits On Broward's 'Doggie Death Row'
May 20, 2010: Dog's Death Raises Questions Over Ordinance
County Set To Rule On 'Doggie Death Row' Cases - Pets News Story - WPLG Miami