In the town of Roscommon, Ireland, an 85-year-old man was granted a month to satisfy the court’s conditions to spare the life of the man’s six-year-old Jack Russell terrier.
According to the Irish Mirror, Donal Rogers had been ordered to euthanize his dog, Kim after the pooch bit a 60-year-old woman. On Tuesday, the Circuit Court in Athlone granted the dog a reprieve. Judge Karen Fergus stated she will allow four weeks for Mr. Rogers to put certain dog control measures in place.
Rogers is required to erect a fence around his property and must microchip the dog. In addition, Kim will have to be kept on a leash at all times when she is outside of the property. If the instructions dictated by the judge are all satisfied, the order to destroy Kim would be permanently stayed.
In early March 2022, Kim bit a woman in the leg; the dog had no history of aggression or any other violent encounters. According to the petition Change.org.,Rogers immediately apologized and offered to take the woman to the hospital, but she refused to travel with the retired police officer. In addition, he offered to compensate the woman financially.
My little dog was lying in the sun on the front lawn of my house on a Sunday morning. Strangers came down the road, walking, and she ran out on the road and she nipped the person on the leg. I offered to take her to the hospital, but she refused to travel with me.
Petition
Weeks later, Rogers received a summons and subsequent hearings about Kim did not go well. The woman demanded the dog be euthanized.
Rogers was so upset and when the disturbing news hit social media, the petition organized by Assumpta Gaffney, garnered more than 176,000 supporters. The petition drew the attention of celebrities Ricky Gervais and Kate Beckinsale.
Rogers was also ordered to pay a $5,000 to the woman as well as $1,500 for her medical costs.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
