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	<title>Comments on: Michigan Police Shoot Third Pit Bull In Two Weeks</title>
	<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079</link>
	<description>Essential news for cats, dogs and pet owners.</description>
	<pubDate>Wed, 23 May 2012 05:26:10 +0000</pubDate>
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	<item>
		<title>By: SAVE CONGO</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-85268</link>
		<author>SAVE CONGO</author>
		<pubDate>Sun, 25 Nov 2007 19:06:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-85268</guid>
		<description>Arrival Story:
If you have not heard about this troubling story, nowâ€™s the time you did. Whether you are a dog lover or not this story is distrubing because it is another failure of the judicial system to follow the law. The law requires that the State prove by â€™clear and convincing evidenceâ€™ that a dog is vicious in order to end the dogâ€™s life. That means that the State must show that it is â€™highly probableâ€™ that the dog is vicious. A dog who is provoked and bites in defense of himself or a member of his family (dog or human) is not a vicious dog. We, the people, do not need an expert to tell us this. However, for those who need this comfort I am attaching a copy of the â€™expert reportâ€™ which opines that the dog, known as Congo, was â€™clearly provokedâ€™. If you know me personally, you know about my escapades in searching for the truth and my dedictation to helping â€™underdogsâ€™. I have helped many of you and rarely, if ever, ask for anything in return. If I have one â€™helpâ€™ to use in exchange for the help that I have given then I am willing to use it on Congoâ€™s behalf. For those of you who do not know me, I am an attorney and not well liked in my profession by some (or maybe many) because I am willing to talk about â€™the pink elephantâ€™ that stands in the middle of the room. I have little tolerance for those who tell me to look the other way while legal professionals violate the rights of hardworking, taxpaying people. One of the most common pink elephants is when a judge deviates from the law because of political pressure or personal gain (in the form of future policial favors) which we all know too well. Either this judge is working on making his way to the Superior Court (heaven help us) or he was sleeping during the trial (some of you have had this experience, I know I did when I sat on a jury in Burlington County in 2004). The Trenton Times article on this story is below and following that are statements from the expert, animal caregivers, friends, and family. Goes to show you anyone can be a judge these daysâ€¦you just have to know the right people and nothing really about the law or the process involved in analyzing it. What can you do to help? Send letters to support the James Family (whom I have met and wholeheartedly endorse as well as their dogs) to the following: Use the Subject â€™SAVE CONGOâ€™ Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· letters@njtimes.com Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· caseyandrossi@nj1015.com Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· ahuston@pacpub.com Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· letters@trentonian.com If you want to do more on November 13, 2007 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Adminstrative Building on Witherspoon Street in Princeton there will be a protest of the judgeâ€™s decision labeling Congo as â€™viciousâ€™ and ordering Congo to be put to death. If you want more details please contact me. Trenton Times Article Judge rules dog should be put down Defense to appeal ruling in landscaper attack Thursday, November 01, 2007 BY LINDA STEIN PRINCETON TOWNSHIP â€” A German shepherd that attacked a landscaper was ruled vicious by a Municipal Court judge and four other dogs were found to be potentially dangerous. The ruling may be a death sentence for the German shepherd named Congo because a dog found to be vicious is required to be euthanized under state law. But the defense has vowed to appeal the judgeâ€™s ruling. In his opinion handed down Tuesday, Judge Russell Annich Jr. said that workers came to the Stuart Road house of Guy and Elizabeth James on June 5. Giovanni Rivera, of Trenton, was one of five day laborers hired to perform landscaping work at the 10-acre, fenced property. The crew had arrived at about 7 a.m., which was earlier than the couple expected them, the judge wrote. According to the ruling, Guy James saw the workers drive up and told them to wait in their car until he returned and told them the dogs were inside. The men waited about 13 minutes, then two got out and started work, the judge wrote. After a minute, Elizabeth James told them to get back in the car. Several of the dogs ran over, barking. One of the workers was frightened and repelled the dogs with a rake, the judge wrote. Elizabeth James shouted for the worker to stop hitting the dogs with the rake, and Rivera, who was frightened and seeking protection, grabbed her from behind, according to the ruling. She began screaming. Rivera then fell to the ground. At that point, Congo began to bite him and the other dogs joined in, the judge said. After about three minutes, Guy James came out of the house and stopped the dogs from attacking, according to the opinion. Rivera was taken to The Medical Center at Princeton where he was treated for multiple bite wounds. In his opinion, Annich said Rivera â€™suffered substantial injuries.â€™ Attorney Robert Lytle, who represents the homeowners, said he will appeal the ruling to Superior Court. â€™Although we respect the judgeâ€™s decision we disagree with it,â€™ Lytle said. â€™There was overwhelming evidence the incident in this case was provoked unintentionally by the workers on the property, swinging a rake at the dogs, hitting the dogs in the head, injuring them.â€™ Kim A. Otis, the municipal prosecutor, said, â€™I thought it was a very fair</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Arrival Story:<br />
If you have not heard about this troubling story, nowâ€™s the time you did. Whether you are a dog lover or not this story is distrubing because it is another failure of the judicial system to follow the law. The law requires that the State prove by â€™clear and convincing evidenceâ€™ that a dog is vicious in order to end the dogâ€™s life. That means that the State must show that it is â€™highly probableâ€™ that the dog is vicious. A dog who is provoked and bites in defense of himself or a member of his family (dog or human) is not a vicious dog. We, the people, do not need an expert to tell us this. However, for those who need this comfort I am attaching a copy of the â€™expert reportâ€™ which opines that the dog, known as Congo, was â€™clearly provokedâ€™. If you know me personally, you know about my escapades in searching for the truth and my dedictation to helping â€™underdogsâ€™. I have helped many of you and rarely, if ever, ask for anything in return. If I have one â€™helpâ€™ to use in exchange for the help that I have given then I am willing to use it on Congoâ€™s behalf. For those of you who do not know me, I am an attorney and not well liked in my profession by some (or maybe many) because I am willing to talk about â€™the pink elephantâ€™ that stands in the middle of the room. I have little tolerance for those who tell me to look the other way while legal professionals violate the rights of hardworking, taxpaying people. One of the most common pink elephants is when a judge deviates from the law because of political pressure or personal gain (in the form of future policial favors) which we all know too well. Either this judge is working on making his way to the Superior Court (heaven help us) or he was sleeping during the trial (some of you have had this experience, I know I did when I sat on a jury in Burlington County in 2004). The Trenton Times article on this story is below and following that are statements from the expert, animal caregivers, friends, and family. Goes to show you anyone can be a judge these daysâ€¦you just have to know the right people and nothing really about the law or the process involved in analyzing it. What can you do to help? Send letters to support the James Family (whom I have met and wholeheartedly endorse as well as their dogs) to the following: Use the Subject â€™SAVE CONGOâ€™ Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· <a href="mailto:letters@njtimes.com">letters@njtimes.com</a> Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· <a href="mailto:caseyandrossi@nj1015.com">caseyandrossi@nj1015.com</a> Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· <a href="mailto:ahuston@pacpub.com">ahuston@pacpub.com</a> Ãƒâ€šÃ‚Â· <a href="mailto:letters@trentonian.com">letters@trentonian.com</a> If you want to do more on November 13, 2007 beginning at 10:00 a.m. at the Adminstrative Building on Witherspoon Street in Princeton there will be a protest of the judgeâ€™s decision labeling Congo as â€™viciousâ€™ and ordering Congo to be put to death. If you want more details please contact me. Trenton Times Article Judge rules dog should be put down Defense to appeal ruling in landscaper attack Thursday, November 01, 2007 BY LINDA STEIN PRINCETON TOWNSHIP â€” A German shepherd that attacked a landscaper was ruled vicious by a Municipal Court judge and four other dogs were found to be potentially dangerous. The ruling may be a death sentence for the German shepherd named Congo because a dog found to be vicious is required to be euthanized under state law. But the defense has vowed to appeal the judgeâ€™s ruling. In his opinion handed down Tuesday, Judge Russell Annich Jr. said that workers came to the Stuart Road house of Guy and Elizabeth James on June 5. Giovanni Rivera, of Trenton, was one of five day laborers hired to perform landscaping work at the 10-acre, fenced property. The crew had arrived at about 7 a.m., which was earlier than the couple expected them, the judge wrote. According to the ruling, Guy James saw the workers drive up and told them to wait in their car until he returned and told them the dogs were inside. The men waited about 13 minutes, then two got out and started work, the judge wrote. After a minute, Elizabeth James told them to get back in the car. Several of the dogs ran over, barking. One of the workers was frightened and repelled the dogs with a rake, the judge wrote. Elizabeth James shouted for the worker to stop hitting the dogs with the rake, and Rivera, who was frightened and seeking protection, grabbed her from behind, according to the ruling. She began screaming. Rivera then fell to the ground. At that point, Congo began to bite him and the other dogs joined in, the judge said. After about three minutes, Guy James came out of the house and stopped the dogs from attacking, according to the opinion. Rivera was taken to The Medical Center at Princeton where he was treated for multiple bite wounds. In his opinion, Annich said Rivera â€™suffered substantial injuries.â€™ Attorney Robert Lytle, who represents the homeowners, said he will appeal the ruling to Superior Court. â€™Although we respect the judgeâ€™s decision we disagree with it,â€™ Lytle said. â€™There was overwhelming evidence the incident in this case was provoked unintentionally by the workers on the property, swinging a rake at the dogs, hitting the dogs in the head, injuring them.â€™ Kim A. Otis, the municipal prosecutor, said, â€™I thought it was a very fair</p>
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		<title>By: Seth</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-60460</link>
		<author>Seth</author>
		<pubDate>Sat, 22 Sep 2007 10:52:05 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-60460</guid>
		<description>If I lived in Jackson county, MI I'd call up the police and ask if I could buy the dog corpes and take 'em to the butcher shop.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>If I lived in Jackson county, MI I&#8217;d call up the police and ask if I could buy the dog corpes and take &#8216;em to the butcher shop.</p>
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		<title>By: Mary</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43693</link>
		<author>Mary</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2007 02:42:16 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43693</guid>
		<description>My husband is a biker and is one of the gentlest men I've ever met. It's the SUV drivers I worry about.

But back to the issue at hand: "They say that dogs should be given a second chance to correct their behavior before being killed."

The dog should correct its behavior? It's the irresponsible owners who need to correct their own behavior.  Anyone who owns a dog -- especially a high profile breed like a PBT -- should know the risks they take if they allow the dog to run free or condone aggressive behavior in any way.  

Two of the three dogs cited in the article bit someone. One charged the police officers. What would you have them do? Risk being bitten themselves? 

In rescue, we called these dogs "known biters" and could not accept them into rescue because of insurance and liability reasons. Yet a police officer, who is sworn to protect the community, should sheath his guns and what, offer the dog a treat and wait and see if the dogs bites again, *then* take action?  A second chance could lead to a child getting their face shredded or worse.  

PBT or labrador retriever -- the dog bit and then charged the cop. Think about this.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>My husband is a biker and is one of the gentlest men I&#8217;ve ever met. It&#8217;s the SUV drivers I worry about.</p>
<p>But back to the issue at hand: &#8220;They say that dogs should be given a second chance to correct their behavior before being killed.&#8221;</p>
<p>The dog should correct its behavior? It&#8217;s the irresponsible owners who need to correct their own behavior.  Anyone who owns a dog &#8212; especially a high profile breed like a PBT &#8212; should know the risks they take if they allow the dog to run free or condone aggressive behavior in any way.  </p>
<p>Two of the three dogs cited in the article bit someone. One charged the police officers. What would you have them do? Risk being bitten themselves? </p>
<p>In rescue, we called these dogs &#8220;known biters&#8221; and could not accept them into rescue because of insurance and liability reasons. Yet a police officer, who is sworn to protect the community, should sheath his guns and what, offer the dog a treat and wait and see if the dogs bites again, *then* take action?  A second chance could lead to a child getting their face shredded or worse.  </p>
<p>PBT or labrador retriever &#8212; the dog bit and then charged the cop. Think about this.</p>
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		<title>By: Baaboo</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43666</link>
		<author>Baaboo</author>
		<pubDate>Wed, 08 Aug 2007 00:46:33 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43666</guid>
		<description>I think 90% of people "should be taken care of" !!!</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I think 90% of people &#8220;should be taken care of&#8221; !!!</p>
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		<title>By: Sandy</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43647</link>
		<author>Sandy</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2007 23:46:31 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43647</guid>
		<description>I know Jackson Michigan and they have a lot of scum who do fight these dogs...a lot of crime..The fact the dogs bit people sez something to me..In this issue and knowing what I know I DO support the police in this case and would if it were any othet breed of dog.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>I know Jackson Michigan and they have a lot of scum who do fight these dogs&#8230;a lot of crime..The fact the dogs bit people sez something to me..In this issue and knowing what I know I DO support the police in this case and would if it were any othet breed of dog.</p>
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		<title>By: Cathy</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43625</link>
		<author>Cathy</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:56:45 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43625</guid>
		<description>Furrli says: 

August 7th, 2007 at 5:26 pm 
So i guess since gangsters, bikers, and sexual predators are known to be violent, vicious, and dangerous.. itâ€™s ok to just go out and shoot them? 

just cuz theyâ€™re roaming the streets?



Well, that might just be a good idea that you brought up.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Furrli says: </p>
<p>August 7th, 2007 at 5:26 pm<br />
So i guess since gangsters, bikers, and sexual predators are known to be violent, vicious, and dangerous.. itâ€™s ok to just go out and shoot them? </p>
<p>just cuz theyâ€™re roaming the streets?</p>
<p>Well, that might just be a good idea that you brought up.</p>
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		<title>By: Furrli</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43620</link>
		<author>Furrli</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2007 21:26:41 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43620</guid>
		<description>So i guess since gangsters, bikers, and sexual predators are known to be violent, vicious, and dangerous.. it's ok to just go out and shoot them? 

just cuz they're roaming the streets? 

i think its time for ppl to wake up ..</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>So i guess since gangsters, bikers, and sexual predators are known to be violent, vicious, and dangerous.. it&#8217;s ok to just go out and shoot them? </p>
<p>just cuz they&#8217;re roaming the streets? </p>
<p>i think its time for ppl to wake up ..</p>
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		<title>By: catmom5</title>
		<link>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43517</link>
		<author>catmom5</author>
		<pubDate>Tue, 07 Aug 2007 13:56:10 +0000</pubDate>
		<guid>http://www.itchmo.com/michigan-police-shoot-third-pit-bull-in-two-weeks-2079#comment-43517</guid>
		<description>Wonder if there were any other dog bites in the same three week period . . . and how the "officers" handled those.  Sounds typical ~ shoot first, ask questions later.</description>
		<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Wonder if there were any other dog bites in the same three week period . . . and how the &#8220;officers&#8221; handled those.  Sounds typical ~ shoot first, ask questions later.</p>
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