Disabled man’s service dog deemed dangerous and ordered to spend his life at animal sanctuary

A four-year-old Alaskan Malamute, who has been a service dog for his owner who suffered a traumatic brain injury in an automotive accident more than 10 years ago, will be removed from his home in Lancaster, New York and transferred to an animal sanctuary for the rest of his life.

According to Against All Oddz Animal Alliance (AAOAA), who has been providing legal representation for the dog named Bandit, owned by Joshua Gilley states his dog helps him work through seizures.

It had been on June 28, when Bandit accidentally got out of his home and wandered over to another street where he bit a neighbor outside of her home.

The woman testified in court last Thursday she had seen the dog approach and was frightened because Bandit had previously nipped at her husband. The woman stated she grabbed Bandit by his collar, after the dog approached her young son and a neighbor’s young daughter, in an effort to protect the children. That’s when Bandit turned around, bit the woman in her arm and didn’t let go until she fell through her glass storm door and neighbors rushed over to help free her.

The woman required treatment for her arm injuries and stated in court she still is in pain.

On Thursday, Lancaster village Justice David Stabler, deemed the dog dangerous, but decided not to order the dog euthanized. Instead, Bandit, who the judge believes can be rehabilitated, but not by his owner, will be sent to a sanctuary, be neutered and live there for the rest of his life.

Against All Oddz Animal Alliance Inc. is asking for donations.

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UPDATE: Today, the Judge made his decision that Bandit will not be coming home. Instead, he ordered Bandit to be permanently confined in a sanctuary… which in sum and substance, means he will be coming to live with us. Josh and his family are devastated but said they would not want Bandit anywhere else except here with us. The reality is there really isn’t anywhere else like us around here or maybe anywhere.

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Since the incident, Bandit has been locked up in a kennel, but now his living conditions will significantly improve. He will be out of that kennel and into fresh air and acreage, love and affection. Josh and Mary can take comfort in that, and they will be allowed to come visit and spend time with their dog. Sadly, Bandit is not going home anytime soon, however an appeal to the judge’s decision has already been filed.

There are a number of things we will have to do to get ready and make it so that Bandit can join us and be a part of our family. Currently, our occupancies are full. Many of our dogs live in fully climate controlled insulated 14 x 14 cabins on our acreage near our home. We will need to build another to get ready for Bandit.

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Gilley has also been ordered to pay a $1,000 fine and reimburse the victim for her medical expenses.

To donate and help Bandit, please click here.

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