Dear Judge Erickson,

I am contacting you in regards to the female pit bull referred to as “Denali”.

 I have been in contact with Mr. Babcock on this matter on several occasions.

Recently I sent an e mail offering sanctuary for this dog. I offered this to

Mr. Babcock to pass along to the courts during her hearing. As of this date no

one from the courts has contacted me regarding this offer of sanctuary for this

animal.

I felt compelled to e mail you directly and go over the situation this animal

would be entering into if there is a decision made allowing her to live and be

relocated into a safe haven.

I operate my own rescue here in the state of Indiana, where I also am employed

by Animal control for the county.

My Goal here with my rescue is to not only rescue, but to educate the public on

the proper care of dogs, I work closely with several individuals maintaining a

data base on animal laws as well as animal welfare issues from both the animals

perspective as well as the communities perspective, I have had great success in

furthering education on both sides.

I am very strict and diligent on maintaining an active role in many animal

welfare organizations as well as the school programs on animal education.

 I am also currently the co sponsor for a high school k-9 service program,

which involves teenagers getting hands on experience with animals at an age

where they can be most impressionable, I feel that involving the kids in animal

care and rescue  at the high school level makes a stronger more well rounded

young adult.

Working in Animal Control myself, I have dealt with many animal abuse cases, as

well as working with the courts, and or prosecutors on difficult cases.

I have worked in rescuing pit bulls from areas where there have been Breed

specific legislation in effect. In most have been approached by the animal

control facilities directors and asked to help them.

I assure you I have a very upstanding place in the community as I welcome

anyone to inquire into.

I maintain current records on any and all of the dogs in my care. All records

of which are on file with the local animal control facility.

 I became deeply involved in the pit bull dog via an animal cruelty case we

prosecuted 4 years ago, in which 2 baby pit bull puppies were bound and gagged

at the mouth with duct tape and had their ears severed off brutally with a pair

of office scissors, we seized the animals, issued a search warrant and the case

went to trial, we got a guilty verdict and the man was sentenced to 1 year in

jail.

The dogs are in the care of my Rescue to this day. Very healthy very friendly,

socialized & trained in obedience.

I understand that Wasco County is concerned about the liability with this dog

leaving its county to enter another one; however, I would be open and willing

to at least discuss her situation with the courts if I may.

I do not take my rescue work lightly by any means, as a matter of fact. We are

very diligent here with the protocol our rescues have.

I do not allow situations where I feel would set a dog up for failure. The dogs

I have dealt with in the past and currently are very sound, well rounded dogs.

We feel that sanctuary for this animal is possible and very realistic, I

believe if we were to be able to present a situation where as the animal could

have annual or bi- annual checks set up for the remainder of her life through

your animal control or courts  to ours to ensure her whereabouts here at casa

del Toro, I feel confident that this could be a step in the right direction in

resolving this matter for all parties involved. 

I ask that you please review my offer to help Denali reach sanctuary placement

with us.

I offer any and all of our rescue information to you upon your request.

I am including a daytime phone number where I may be reached from 8:00 am

central time to 4:40 pm.

As well as an evening number.

I’m also including a link to our current website where you may access our site

and read more about what we offer here.

Sincerely,

Laurie Adams

Casa Del Toro Pit bull Rescue

http://www.casadeltoro.org/

Dear Ms. Adams,

The County Court (County governing body consisting of two Commissioners and the Chairman whose title is Judge) voted to deny the motion to "Reconsider" and our "Findings and Order" were sent out on Thursday, August 9. The appeals period deadline is August 23.

Concerns the Court has to relocating the dog are numerous as are the facts the Court had to deal with.  Unfortunately, a decision has been rendered and the time for providing information for that decision is past.

For my own information, do you notify local governments (city and county) when you bring relocated dogs to their jurisdictions, knowing that they have been declared public nuisances and have histories of actually biting or attacking people? And, are the dogs adopted out to all parts of the country or do they go to (your) local area residents? If so, do your local jurisdictions have concerns about that?

Unfortunately, the issue has become focused on pit bulls by the owner via her legal counsel and advocates. Our issue is, and always has been, public safety, whether it be our own constituents or those of someone else.

Sincerely,

Dan Ericksen,

Wasco County Judge