Please help a dog in danger - Arlington Police & AWLA DISGUSTING (Alexandria: house, pit bull)

[Mearth]

Just received this from a local dog park listserv, regarding a dog that frequents Ft. Barnard Dog Park.

Channel Four News will be at the dog park tonight and will arrive between 6-6:30pm after interviewing Dante at his home.

This is NOT the first time something like this has happened in our area -
Police Raid Berwyn Heights Mayor's Home, Kill His 2 Dogs - washingtonpost.com

I know the director of Animal Control for Alexandria, and have left him a message, but I don't know if there is anything he can do.

For the most up-to-date information, please visit Help Zeus the Lovable Pit Bull!

[cool rob]

Even though it probably shouldn't matter, what type of dogs were these?

[Alicia Bradley]

If Arlington Police entered the house in error (which would obviously mean they wouldn't have had any legitimate warrant, right?), weren't the dogs within their/their owner's rights when they attacked the intruders? I mean, some people keep guard dogs for this very purpose... I feel bad for the police officer involved, of course, but it is rather odd that he waited for two days to have the injury(/ies) treated, if it/they were very serious.

[Mearth]

Originally Posted by cool rob

Even though it probably shouldn't matter, what type of dogs were these?

I don't know, and it DOESN'T MATTER

[Mearth]

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

If Arlington Police entered the house in error (which would obviously mean they wouldn't have had any legitimate warrant, right?), weren't the dogs within their/their owner's rights when they attacked the intruders?

Exactly. I bolded the part of the email that refers to the applicable ordinance.

A dog protecting property or a person is exempt.

Not only was the raid a fantastic display of stupidity and irresponsibility, the seizure of the dog was illegal.

Originally Posted by Alicia Bradley

I feel bad for the police officer involved, of course, but it is rather odd that he waited for two days to have the injury(/ies) treated, if it/they were very serious.

Also one of the key points. How could he even prove it was caused by the dog?

[Mearth]

I have contacted a trainer/board member of the local dog owners' association, a Maryland group lobbying for new legislation on exactly this sort of abuse, and a Washington Post Staff writer who has written on the subject.

[SCBeaches]

I just hope there is enough public outcry and news coverage to save this dog in time! The dog was in his own home and the police were not within their rights to be in that home, if all info. in the article is accurate. Perhaps petitions and picketing the AWLA are in order!? Please post the outcome of this sad event here.

[fjennell]

See if you can get 7 on your side or some local news station to cover this story. This will surely help - these agencies don't want bad publicity and are usually scared to death over what comes up in the news about them.

[oneasterisk]

Dog bites an intruder? Give that dog a steak!

[Mearth]

"The police, not AWLA were attempting to have the dog declared dangerous. She said that the police initiated that process after they learned that AWLA was not going to do so. "

That's something.

No word yet on the outcome of the hearing.

My trainer is contacting the Vice-Chair of the County's Board of Supervisors, and the past Chair/current Board member to inform them of this situation.