[Marty]

Portland,OR -- The pit bull Denali whose death sentence drew the attention of animal rights groups was euthanized this week.

The dog was declared a public nuisance three years ago by Wasco County and has been locked up ever since.

The dog's advocates appealed the case all the way to the Oregon Supreme Court, which Tuesday declined to hear the case. On Thursday, a veterinarian euthanized the dog, Wasco County officials said.

Denali's owner, Karissa Ball of The Dalles, and her attorney, Robert Babcock of Lake Oswego, argued that the incidents that led to the county's ruling -- separate attacks on an elderly woman and a young boy -- were overblown and that the county mishandled the case.

"I just think it's outrageous. I think it reflects an absolute disregard for the life of an animal," Babcock said.

But first an appeals court sided with the county, and then the state's highest court declined to hear the case.

"Anyone who thinks this dog was not given a fair shake in the justice system has not looked at the record," said Eric Nisley, Wasco County district attorney.

Denali's supporters repeatedly asked the county to consider an offer from an Indiana pit bull rescue group to grant the dog permanent sanctuary.

"We felt that in this case, the dog was unsafe anywhere and under any circumstances," said Judge Dan Ericksen, chief executive of Wasco County.

-- Matthew Preusch

Related Video: in link below...

http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingn...uthanized.html

[PNWPBR]

Insider info

Denali taken and killed in secret location

According to reports, Brad Heinige, the Wasco County Animal Control
Officer,

arrived at Home at Last shelter at about 4:00 P.M. yesterday, and
without
comment began removing Denali's collar and tags. He refused to tell
staff
where he
was taking her. He then drove Denali to a secret location where she was
immediately killed. No one was allowed to know where she was going or
why.

During the time Denali was dying between 4:15 to 4:30, I was talking to
Wasco County Commissioner Dan Ericksen on the telephone about her case.
He
accused
me of being "rude" for allegedly interrupting his discourse on his
personal
need to kill Denali and hung up demanding an apology, never mentioning
that
she
was dying at the time we spoke.

Together with DA Nisley and Officer Heinige, Wasco County Commissioner
Mr.
Ericksen, plotted the secretive killing of Denali before the issuance
of the

appellate judgment and while a motion to the County Court was pending.
He
obviously chose the holiday weekend hoping that during the Memorial Day
weekend none
could reach them and this would "blow over" by Monday. It won't. Lawful
government out of concern for "security problems" doesn't abduct a
small
frightened
animal from her caretakers deny them the right to say good bye and kill
her
at
a secret location. Mr. Ericksen lied about Janna Hage's participation
in
the
decision to kill Denali. Janna Hage apparently left Home at Last as
director

two months ago and knew nothing about this government scheme. Instead,
Mr.
Ericksen's "behavioral expert" was the fine man he admires so much
animal
control
officer Brad Heinige.

Clearly this was orchestrated, a calculated plot made far in advance of
killing Denali to silence any legitimate protests or remaining legal
avenues. It is
despicable behavior for government officials to secretly connive over
the
death of a young animal who all along had somewhere to go where she was
wanted.

Animal Control Officer Heinige is now on "vacation" after his dirty
heist
and
has notified his staff at the sheriff's office "he won't be taking
voice
mail." Too bad, he will be getting voice mail. I insisted on leaving
one
anyway.
You don't hit and run over the helpless then high tail it like a
dishonest
coward. Mr. Heinige 's telephone number is (541) 296-5454. I assume he
will
be
coming back to his "work" next week.

The Wasco County Commission Administrative Assistant Ms. Mcbride, urges
all
who call about Denali to take their concerns to the County Counsel's
office.

Mr. Ericksen too wishes to run and hide from any reaction to his
despicable
conduct. Call and Fax both parties. DA Nisley has instructed us that he
only

wishes written communications. Ignore his preferences. He paid no
attention
to ours
for compassion and integrity. Feel free to communicate in as many
different
mediums as you wish: write, fax and/or call him. Pictures of Denali
were
posted on www.mcasstopthekilling.com. Karissa Ball also has many
others. If
you
google Janna Hage + Denali you will see a video of Denali joyfully
playing
with a
bowling ball on U Tube while Janna Hage attempts to justify that Denali
was
only fine in their environment not elsewhere.That is false. She needed
a
good
fence and training, nothing more It is a tough time for little
American Pit

bull dogs. They are hunted down and killed just for being little pit
bull
dogs
everywhere.

CONTACT INFORMATION

Governor Ted Kulongoski
160 State Capitol
900 Court Street
Salem,Oregon 97301-4047

Telephone:
Governor's Citizens' Representative Message line
(503) 378-4582

FAX: (503) 378-6827

E-Mail
fill out form at : http://governor.oregon.gov/Gov/contact_us.shtml

U.S. Representative Greg Walden
website for e-mail correspondence: www.walden.house.gov
address: 210 Longworth House Office Building, Washington D.C. 20515

WASCO COUNTY COMMISSIONERS

mailing address:
Wasco County Court
511 Washington Street
The Dalles, OR 97058-2237

Telephone: (541) 506-2520
Fax: (541) 506-2521

District Attorney Nisley
same address as above, Suite 304
Telephone: (541) 506-2680
Fax: (541) 506-2681

Dan Ericksen, e-mail: DanE@co.wasco.or.us The "Decider"
( Mr. Ericksen is listed as a judge for the purposes of county
commission
administrative proceedings. This does not require a legal or judicial
background.
Mr. Ericksen is an orchardist. Forget about his fruit and nuts).
Bill Lennox, newly elected Democratic Wasco County Commissioner,
,e-mail:
BillL@co.wasco.or.us
Telephone: (541) 506-2523

Sherry Holliday, e-mail: SherryH@co.wasco.or.us

LOCAL PRESS

The Dalles Chronicle
P.O. Box 1910
The Dalles, OR 97058
Web: thedalleschronicle.com
Telephone News: (541) 296-2141
News Fax: (541) 298-1365

Letters to the Editor, e-mail: tdcnews@eaglenewspapers.com

The Oregonian, Regional correspondent: Matthew Preusch
Telephone: (541) 382-2006
Fax: (541) 610-1528
e-mail: preusch@bendbroadband.com
web: oregonlive.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------------
--
---------------------

[PNWPBR]

From:karissaball@charter.net (Karissa), February 23, 2007



What you don't know could hurt her:
Fighting to save Denali

For quite some time I have kept quiet about the truth. Some
of
you may be wondering why I am still fighting for Denali. Why do I
continue
to
try after what seems to be endless defeat?

Denali was born 12/12/2001. I had been anticipating all
week

to hear of the puppy's arrival. I picked her out, pick of the litter
and
brought her home a few weeks later. Denali turned out to be a beautiful
girl, a
companion and part of my family. She was very active, loved to go for
rides,
go
swimming, dive for rocks and catch Frisbees. She loved snuggling under
the
covers with you and playing with our other pit bull Guapo to whom she
acted
as
surrogate mother to. She's so cute how she cocks her head to the side
when
you
talk to her. A lot of people do not know what a good, loyal dog she is
and
never
gave her a chance because she is a pit bull.

I am fighting for her life because this case was built upon a lie. A
lie
that says Denali bit then 7 yr old Austin Keller. A lie that says that
he
was
knocked to the ground, attacked, bitten, in turn making him deathly
afraid
of
dogs. The truth is that Austin was greeted by an overly excited Denali,
who
jumped up on him scratching him and frightening him. The puncture on
his
hand
most likely caused the same way the puncture on his chest, by her long
claws. He
was never knocked down to the ground and was not bitten. The truth is
one of

the first things that his mother asked him was "Did she bite you?" and
he
replied "No momma, she just scratched me." Meanwhile his father comes
over,
not to
check the welfare of the child but to demand I let my dog out so that
he can

shoot her. With his wife telling him to calm down he then calls the
police
before finding out the facts and reports that Denali had bitten his
son.
Austin
Keller's wounds were so minor that he didn't go to the hospital; in
fact he
didn't go to the doctor until 2 days later. After swimming in the
Columbia
River
later that day and riding bikes out side with his brother the next day,
it
had
become infected.

Approximately one year later in the summer of 2005,
Jerry
and
Austin Keller came in to my place of employment. With other employees
and
customers around, he came to me and began to apologize. He told me that
he
was
sorry he let his anger get the best of him, and that if he would have
just
calmed down then we wouldn't be in the mess. Austin then told me that
he had
seen
Denali a few days earlier and that he visits the dogs at the shelter
often.
This is coming from a child that was portrayed as being "Deathly afraid
of
Dogs"
by Senior Deputy D.A. Leslie Wolff. Interestingly enough, the Kellers
just
got
a new puppy.

So the TRUTH is that people have let Fear, Anger, and
Power
get the best of them, forgetting what is right. Some of you have heard
that
I
just flat out refuse to take responsibility. In Wasco County's eyes,
taking
responsibility is giving into what they want. I was taught to tell the
truth
and
fight for what you believe. The TRUTH is that Denali should live.
***********************************
CASE SUMMARY
DENALI'S PLIGHT, YOUNG OREGON PIT BULL ON DEATH ROW SINCE JULY 2004
Denali, a young tan and white female American Pit Bull, was impounded
by
Wasco County Animal Control in July 2004. She has spent two and a half
years
on
death row in Wasco County, Oregon. Despite the fact that humane
alternatives

have been present from the outset, that the incident was minor, and
that
future
incidents are preventable, Wasco County has refused clemency.

Subj: Denali
Date: 5/25/07 2:06:35 PM Pacific Daylight Time
From: RBabcock@wallaceklormann.com (Robert Babcock)
To: Gocbwatchdog@aol.com

Copy of letter to Nisley follows:



May 25, 2007

Mr. Eric J. Nisley FAX:
(541)
206-2681
541.506.2681]
Wasco County District Attorney
511 Washington Street, Suite 304
The Dalles, OR 97058
Re: Ball v. Wasco
County Court
Case No.:
CC04-209
CA A131672
Dear Mr. Nisley:

This will confirm receipt of your 5/25/07 letter (faxed to me at 8:10
a.m. this morning) reporting that Denali had been killed yesterday. I
have been told that the deed was done sometime between 4:00 and 4:30
p.m., about three hours after you advised me that Denali would be
killed
"unless an Order from the Supreme Court is served upon us staying this
matter" and about 60 minutes following my response to that letter.

Setting aside any questions about the legality of your actions during
the period before issuance of the appellate judgment and while a motion
to the County Court was pending, it is clear that the process
culminating in Denali's killing was already in motion when you sent
your
"will be killed unless" letter. Whether you engaged in "misconduct"
(see Rule 8.4 (a)) or simply "sharp practice" is a question for others
to answer. My own assessment is that your conduct - including the
refusal to give Karissa Ball an opportunity to say goodbye to her dog -
was reprehensible.

Pursuant to ORS 192.410, et seq., I request that you promptly provide
copies of all records maintained by your office and/or the Wasco County
Court in paper and electronic format (specifically including all
emails)
in any way pertaining to Denali or Karissa Ball. I have submitted this
request to you because of your apparent current role as "county
counsel"
but, if you prefer that it be submitted to someone other than you, let
me know. If you contend that some of the records sought are exempt
from
disclosure, please identify each such record by date, time, and basis
for non-disclosure.


Sincerely,




Robert E. Babcock


Robert E. Babcock
5800 Meadows Rd., Suite 220
Lake Oswego, OR 97035
503.224.8949
503.317.0312 (cell)
503.224.0410 (fax)

[Michele]

Omg............

[buddysmom]

Found this article too ...
http://www.thedalleschronicle.com/ne...25-07-01.shtml

May 25, 2007 Denali put to death Oregon Supreme Court rejects plea to hear petition with a May 22 order By KATHY GRAY of the Chronicle Denali, the death row dog, is dead. The pit bull whose death sentence and nearly three-year incarceration at the local animal shelter spurred a nationwide campaign for clemency and a petition for an Oregon Supreme Court appeal, was put to death at about 4:30 p.m. Thursday under the direction of the Wasco County Court and District Attorney Eric Nisley, according to Nisley. “We did it through a licensed veterinarian who does these things in a humane manner,” Nisley said. The action came after the county received written notification that the state’s high court had denied owner Karissa Ball’s petition for review. Denali, a white-and-tan female pit bull, had been held at the Home at Last Humane Society animal shelter since July 20, 2004, when the dog bit a young child who had come to Ball’s door to invite her to come swimming with his family. Shortly after that event, the Wasco County Court declared the dog a public nuisance and ordered her destruction. The dog was held at the shelter while Ball and Sherwood attorney Robert Babcock went through the lengthy appeals process. Babcock is an active animal rights advocate, who represented Ball pro bono. His wife, Gail O’Connell-Babcock, leads Citizens for Humane Animal Legislation. In July 2005, Circuit Judge John Kelly upheld Wasco County’s right to order the dog’s destruction. The decision was upheld throughout the appeals process. The Supreme Court order denying review was signed May 22 by Chief Justice Paul de Muniz. “They did not give any reason,” Nisley said. The dog’s owner and her attorney were not notified by Wasco County in advance of the court’s action. They received the same notice as the county from the Supreme Court, and the county had previously informed them of its intent to carry out the destruction at the earliest opportunity, Nisley said. “We’ve been telling them that since the beginning,” he said. “We didn’t notify them we were taking the dog to have it euthanized today. We intentionally did not tell them. We were concerned. We’d received very hateful messages, letters and e-mails from people. We were concerned about the safety of the animal shelter and that someone would try to break in and free the dog.” At least two shelter break-ins had occurred in Oregon over recent months, Nisley noted, referring to a theft of a large number of rabbits in Washington County and a break-in at the Multnomah County animal shelter. “The venom people have directed toward county employees and the county court through this whole ordeal has been incredible,” Nisley said. “The anger is really pretty amazing.” Anyone breaking into the shelter might also have faced danger, he added. During her stay at the shelter. Denali had continued to display aggressive behavior at the shelter and on one occasion chewed another dog’s tail off. Babcock said he had not had news of the dog’s death until he was reached by The Chronicle this morning. However, he said, he had received a fax from Nisley at 1 p.m. yesterday requiring a Supreme Court order if the execution was to be stopped. Given that the dog was killed at 4:30, that gave Babcock a scant 3½ hours to secure an order. He characterized such an action “typical” of Nisley and the county. “I’m disappointed at Wasco County but not surprised,” Babcock said. “It’s basically a shame that they behave in the way that they do.” Babcock said the county had failed to consider alternatives, including putting the dog in a sanctuary, which he called “a real solution,” adding that “only a lack of respect for life could justify its rejection.” He also said that in his judgment the county killed the dog because of concerns about Ball’s responsibility rather than an actual threat the animal represented. County officials withheld public comment during the litigation, but Nisley shared a number of observations following Denali’s destruction. “The appeal by the animal rights activists was not on the merits of the decision — they never challenged the court’s decision that the dog was dangerous,” he said. “They simply challenged [the court’s] jurisdiction to make the decision.” Instead, they contended that the circuit court was the proper venue. Nisley also noted that it has been more than two years since Ball visited her dog at the shelter. “That’s what’s so offensive to me about these people,” Nisley said. “She doesn’t care about the dog or she would be visiting.” Ball owes more than $10,000 in shelter fees to the Home at Last Humane Society. Under state law, Ball’s attorney had 14 days to file a petition for reconsideration, but Nisley said chances of a petition being granted are very small. The attorney made no immediate effort to halt county actions. “In our opinion, the court has upheld the decision of the Wasco County Circuit Court that we have jurisdiction to hear this,” Nisley said. “We told them we were going to do this, we’re going to enforce this immediately unless we get some kind of order. Immediately means now.” Wasco County Judge Dan Ericksen said the definitive outcome of the case represents a relief for the county after an “expensive, excruciatingly long wait” and considerable stress for those who had to look after the dog. Noting that the case was more about an irresponsible pet owner than a vicious dog, he said, “If people can’t manage their animals, then it’s up to the county court to make sure the public is safe.”

[Miakoda]

I'm confused with all the sypmathy for the dog here. The dog bit 2 different people in 2 separate incidents. The only injustice here was that the dog wasn't euthanized immediately after the incidents.

We need to stop with this bleeding heart-save them all mentality when it comes to dogs that bite people. If we want to save our own innocent dogs, then the bad dogs need to pay for their actions..........or else all dogs will pay.

EDIT: Ok, so I just saw the part (dunno why I missed it the 1st go round) about how the dog biting the boy was a lie. Well, as a vet tech, let me just use my professional opinion here & state that people do NOT get puncture wounds when a dog's nail scratches them. Think about it people. Unless that dog had nails like an ice pick & jabbed them in at just the right angle, a dog scratching this boy would've left just that....scratches, not punctures. And 2nd, I noticed she didn't bother addressing the bite on the elderly woman. IMO this owner had a dog that was out of her control & it caused problems. Maybe she should think twice about owning dogs.

[Patch O' Pits]

I have mixed feelings because I don't know if the stories about the bites where true or not. HA can not be tolerated, but I defintely don't like how the end result has handled.

RIP Denali

Originally Posted by Miakoda I'm confused with all the sypmathy for the dog here. The dog bit 2 different people in 2 separate incidents. The only injustice here was that the dog wasn't euthanized immediately after the incidents. We need to stop with this bleeding heart-save them all mentality when it comes to dogs that bite people. If we want to save our own innocent dogs, then the bad dogs need to pay for their actions..........or else all dogs will pay. EDIT: Ok, so I just saw the part (dunno why I missed it the 1st go round) about how the dog biting the boy was a lie. Well, as a vet tech, let me just use my professional opinion here & state that people do NOT get puncture wounds when a dog's nail scratches them. Think about it people. Unless that dog had nails like an ice pick & jabbed them in at just the right angle, a dog scratching this boy would've left just that....scratches, not punctures. And 2nd, I noticed she didn't bother addressing the bite on the elderly woman. IMO this owner had a dog that was out of her control & it caused problems. Maybe she should think twice about owning dogs.

i think this was more about having an irresponsible owner rather than a bad dog. i can't make the call on whether the dog bit or not. if it did, put it down! simple as that. not the second time. the first. too bad for the dog that an irresponsible owner letting it run free to be put in the situation it got in. this dope should be looking at themselves in the mirror and see who is really at fault.

[buddysmom]

I agree it's irresponsiible owners, as always. What makes me saddest is they let him sit in a shelter for three years before it came down to this. How could someone do that to their dog? Better off PTS regardless of the "case" they had or didn't have.

[Patch O' Pits]

Originally Posted by buddysmom I agree it's irresponsiible owners, as always. What makes me saddest is they let him sit in a shelter for three years before it came down to this. How could someone do that to their dog? Better off PTS regardless of the "case" they had or didn't have.

That is what I was thinking too

[Michele]

what i'm wondering is if this wonderful person got another dog while her dog was sitting at the shelter for three damn years.....

[DenalisMom]

Originally Posted by Miakoda I'm confused with all the sypmathy for the dog here. The dog bit 2 different people in 2 separate incidents. The only injustice here was that the dog wasn't euthanized immediately after the incidents. We need to stop with this bleeding heart-save them all mentality when it comes to dogs that bite people. If we want to save our own innocent dogs, then the bad dogs need to pay for their actions..........or else all dogs will pay. EDIT: Ok, so I just saw the part (dunno why I missed it the 1st go round) about how the dog biting the boy was a lie. Well, as a vet tech, let me just use my professional opinion here & state that people do NOT get puncture wounds when a dog's nail scratches them. Think about it people. Unless that dog had nails like an ice pick & jabbed them in at just the right angle, a dog scratching this boy would've left just that....scratches, not punctures. And 2nd, I noticed she didn't bother addressing the bite on the elderly woman. IMO this owner had a dog that was out of her control & it caused problems. Maybe she should think twice about owning dogs.

If you would like me to send you a pic of Denalis nails, i will send you a pic. She had a really bad habbit of jumping on people, She did not bite the elderly woman, and she said that she didn't. She said that Denali was startled and jumped on her catching the side of her finger breaking the skin both times. With the little boy, she was excited and jumped on him. He didn't have a shirt on and when she scratched him he screamed and that scared her. He pulled his hands up as she came down and caught the webbing of his finger. There were no other puncture marks on his hand and he did not go to the docter for 2 days after the incident. He had scratches on his chest and a small pucture like the one on his hand, only they said the one on his chest WAS from her nail. So much for being a vet tech! He also told his mother when she asked him if she bit him, that NO she did not. The father also apologised to me about the whole thing saying if only he hadn't let his anger get the best of him, we wouldn't be in this mess. So yes it was all misconstrued and blown majorly out of proportion. I loved my Denali, she was my baby. She was well taken care of at Home At Last, by people that loved her alot, so much that they are putting a memorial there for her. And yes I do have another pitbull but i have had him since Denali was 11 months old. He is a great dog and doesnt get into to trouble. He is our little boy. I never let denali run loose. She was spring loaded. She could jump our six foot fence, I got her 10x10x7 ft kennel. she dug out of it. She would get out of her collar. I put up an electric fence, that didn't work either. She wasn't a bad dog. People are just freaked out about pitbulls and it isn't fair. You don't have to beleive a word I say but I loved her with all my heart and truly thought she would live.

[PNWPBR]

There has been a lot of information on the internet about the killing
> in 'secret' of a dog called Denali at Last Home Shelter in Wasco Cty
> by an animal control officer. Could you direct me to valid
> information concerning this case vs internet information that I have
> received. Thank you.

His reply:
Here are the articles we've written about the dog, with the most recent
first:
http://blog.oregonlive.com/breakingnews/2007/05...l_euthanized.html
http://www.oregonlive.com/oregonian/stories/ind...40.xml&coll=7

I hope that helps. If you want more info, try the local paper in Wasco
County: http://www.thedalleschroniclecom/


From a Judge involved:

Thank you for requesting more information. The dog had been in custody for approximately two years and nine months. The County Court (County Commission in Deschutes Co.) decision had been upheld in Circuit Court, the Oregon Court of Appeals, and the Oregon Supreme Court. Upon receiving word of the decision from the Supreme Court the District Attorney notified the attorney representing the dog's owner that we would be putting the dog down if we did not get an order staying that action. The attorney did not indicate that he was seeking further review (after having been denied "without opinion" at both the Appeals Court and Supreme Court, there is very little chance the Supreme Court would reconsider), he only responded that he had 21 days to seek further review (actually only 14).


Our animal control officer was leaving for two weeks vacation, I was leaving for the Memorial Day long weekend, and this had been made into a very high profile cause by the attorney's wife, an animal rights activist by the name of Gail Babcock. With people being gone for the weekend, the Home at Last people having grown somewhat attached to the dog, and the Supreme Court decision just having been announced - I made the decision late in the afternoon on Thursday that this had gone on long enough. I ordered our animal control officer to put the dog down before going home since he was leaving early the next morning for his vacation.


As to the "secret" killing, putting animals down is not a public event. Animals have always been euthanized as part of the animal control program and we generally have tried to avoid making those issues highly publicized. We do very little euthanizing now that Home at Last is running the Animal Shelter, but some is inevitable. Putting Denali down may have appeared secretive, but it was responding to the events and situation at the time. Those that had been taking care of Denali were not notified specifically, but they we not "sent away" either. Whoever was manning the shelter at the time the dog was picked up would have been aware of the situation and I believe it would have been improper to "call in" people and make a spectacle of the event.


As to the dog's owner, she has not visited the dog for over two years and any complaint of not having had an opportunity for a last good-bye would seem to be disingenuous. She apparently broke her ties long ago.


The real issue that has created animosity for Gail Babcock is the denial by Wasco County to send Denali to a sanctuary. We do not disagree that there may be a sanctuary available, but the Court has discussed the logistics and liabilities that go along with a decision to move a dog that has shown propensity to be dangerous to a jurisdiction beyond our control. At some point in the future, the Court may entertain that possibility but would want to create a set of criteria that would have to be met that could be weighed at the time of the original hearings. We have discussed this issue at various times over the last three years and at this time Wasco County is not willing to go there. Even the Humane Society has weighed in on the sanctuary issue and advises us to be very careful if we choose to go the sanctuary route.



Unfortunately I am being portrayed as a dog hater, or at least a pit bull hater All of the Commissioners look at each case on its merits and in most instances we find solutions that are acceptable. In this case, the Court found that there was an aggressive dog with an irresponsible owner that created a dangerous situation for the citizens of our community. If I have to err, I will err on the side of protecting people.



I believe that the attached editorial by The Dalles Chronicle is a fair evaluation of the situation. Thank you for being open minded enough to ask what transpired.



From A Commissioner:

There was no secret killing. As a new Commissioner this case happened before my time. I was not involved in the decision.

Thanks for writing.

[DenalisMom]

Originally Posted by Miakoda I'm confused with all the sypmathy for the dog here. The dog bit 2 different people in 2 separate incidents. The only injustice here was that the dog wasn't euthanized immediately after the incidents. We need to stop with this bleeding heart-save them all mentality when it comes to dogs that bite people. If we want to save our own innocent dogs, then the bad dogs need to pay for their actions..........or else all dogs will pay. EDIT: Ok, so I just saw the part (dunno why I missed it the 1st go round) about how the dog biting the boy was a lie. Well, as a vet tech, let me just use my professional opinion here & state that people do NOT get puncture wounds when a dog's nail scratches them. Think about it people. Unless that dog had nails like an ice pick & jabbed them in at just the right angle, a dog scratching this boy would've left just that....scratches, not punctures. And 2nd, I noticed she didn't bother addressing the bite on the elderly woman. IMO this owner had a dog that was out of her control & it caused problems. Maybe she should think twice about owning dogs.

If you would like me to send you a pic of Denalis nails, i will send you a pic. She had a really bad habbit of jumping on people, She did not bite the elderly woman, and she said that she didn't. She said that Denali was startled and jumped on her catching the side of her finger breaking the skin both times. With the little boy, she was excited and jumped on him. He didn't have a shirt on and when she scratched him he screamed and that scared her. He pulled his hands up as she came down and caught the webbing of his finger. There were no other puncture marks on his hand and he did not go to the docter for 2 days after the incident. He had scratches on his chest and a small pucture like the one on his hand, only they said the one on his chest WAS from her nail. So much for being a vet tech! He also told his mother when she asked him if she bit him, that NO she did not, that she scrathced him. The father also apologised to me about the whole thing saying if only he hadn't let his anger get the best of him, we wouldn't be in this mess. So yes it was all misconstrued and blown majorly out of proportion. I loved my Denali, she was my baby. She was well taken care of at Home At Last, by people that loved her alot, so much that they are putting a memorial there for her. And yes I do have another pitbull but i have had him since Denali was 11 months old. He is a great dog and doesnt get into to trouble. He is our little boy. I never let denali run loose. She was spring loaded. She could jump our six foot fence, I got her 10x10x7 ft kennel. she dug out of it. She would get out of her collar. I put up an electric fence, that didn't work either. She wasn't a bad dog. People are just freaked out about pitbulls and it isn't fair. You don't have to beleive a word I say but I loved her with all my heart and truly thought she would live. They say that i won't take responsibilty, well the whole fight is about not getting a fair trial. A trail where i would be cited as the owner and not Denali. I agree she should not have behaved the way she did that day, but she did bite anyone and did not deserve to die. I made a video for court that had the kids that played with denali and dog Guapo. They all begged for the court to let her come home, said she never was mean to them. The D.A. turned it on me saying that i was iresponsible because i continued to let my other dog around kids. He is the biggest baby and this whole thing is bogus. I'm not the only one they have done this too.

[DenalisMom]

If you would like me to send you a pic of Denalis nails, i will send you a pic. She had a really bad habbit of jumping on people, She did not bite the elderly woman, and she said that she didn't. She said that Denali was startled and jumped on her catching the side of her finger breaking the skin both times. With the little boy, she was excited and jumped on him. He didn't have a shirt on and when she scratched him he screamed and that scared her. He pulled his hands up as she came down and caught the webbing of his finger. There were no other puncture marks on his hand and he did not go to the docter for 2 days after the incident. He had scratches on his chest and a small pucture like the one on his hand, only they said the one on his chest WAS from her nail. So much for being a vet tech! He also told his mother when she asked him if she bit him, that NO she did not, that she scrathced him. The father also apologised to me about the whole thing saying if only he hadn't let his anger get the best of him, we wouldn't be in this mess. So yes it was all misconstrued and blown majorly out of proportion. I loved my Denali, she was my baby. She was well taken care of at Home At Last, by people that loved her alot, so much that they are putting a memorial there for her. And yes I do have another pitbull but i have had him since Denali was 11 months old. He is a great dog and doesnt get into to trouble. He is our little boy. I never let denali run loose. She was spring loaded. She could jump our six foot fence, I got her 10x10x7 ft kennel. she dug out of it. She would get out of her collar. I put up an electric fence, that didn't work either. She wasn't a bad dog. People are just freaked out about pitbulls and it isn't fair. You don't have to beleive a word I say but I loved her with all my heart and truly thought she would live. They say that i won't take responsibilty, well the whole fight is about not getting a fair trial. A trail where i would be cited as the owner and not Denali. I agree she should not have behaved the way she did that day, but she did bite anyone and did not deserve to die. I made a video for court that had the kids that played with denali and dog Guapo. They all begged for the court to let her come home, said she never was mean to them. The D.A. turned it on me saying that i was iresponsible because i continued to let my other dog around kids. He is the biggest baby and this whole thing is bogus. I'm not the only one they have done this too. Also the reason that i havent seen her as much is because I was having a baby. I lost a baby due to to stress and did not want to risk it if I must address this issue of me not visiting. I have close connections, friends and family that work for home at last and always knew the status of her well being. My baby is my priority but that doesn't mean i didn't love Denali. Also Brad Heinige would not disclose to them what he was doing with Denali or where he was taking her at 4:00 pm May 24th. I have spoke with the person a friend whos care she was in that day. Everyone did want to say goodbye. Alot of opeple were attached to her. It wasn't fair to anyone.

[PNWPBR]

Question:


If Denali was "spring loaded" as you said, why was she not contained indoors?

Just an honest question.

I don't think the county is out to "kill all pit bulls" as I work with that county and several others in Oregon state. Did Denali get a harsher sentence than a lab would have? Sure she did! BUT that does not excuse her for being lose and having multiple incidents... im sorry for your loss, but it's not an excuse.

Your actions, your dogs actions, and even Joe Schmoe over there on the street corner with his Pit Bull..... they all affect EVERYONE who owns one.

Just keep that in mind please.

[DenalisMom]

I was young 21 years at the time and living in a rental. I did what I was able to do. When we were gone they were in the house but any time they were out if she got a chance she would jump the fence. I never ecused her behavior and I said that I should have been cited not her. I was in the process of buying a home with a yard that would contain her. I did and video taped it and brought it to court but that still wasn't good enough. My other dog Guapo got in trouble for menacing but since we moved to our new house in 2004 he had never been in trouble. The heighbor hood was scared of pitbulls, there was some mean ones that would get out on the same block. I did my best and always had her best interest in mind. I have lots of pics that show how happy and what a good dog she was.

[Michele]

People are just freaked out about pitbulls and it isn't fair.

See, this is why, when owning this breed you really have to know what you are doing. This dog was spring loaded. You, as the owner, should of made sure this dog was contained. I'm sorry for your loss, I really am, but this was your fault. Please learn from it. Hopefully, you will remain a member here.

[DenalisMom]

LIke I said, I did what I could and was in the process of buying a home with a yard that she could not get out of. Unfortunatly this all occurred before I was able to move in. This happened in july and I moved into my new house August 13th. I should have been punished not her. Most of you will probably not understand because you were not in the situation. People who know me and know my dogs are the ones that support me and know the the truth. People should be a little more open minded.

[Michele]

[QUOTEI should have been punished not her. Most of you will probably not understand because you were not in the situation. People who know me and know my dogs are the ones that support me and know the the truth. People should be a little more open minded.][/quote]

The human never gets punished. It's always the dog that suffers. Again, i'm very sorry for your loss. Stick around the forum. There's alot of cool people here.....