I just emailed and called. I'm sure there is no limit on how many times you can call, because the gentleman on the other end just said, "The Governor is taking a tally and I can pass along your message to him."

<redial> <redial> <redial>

I called, my parents, sister and hubby called and I sent the numbers and articles to some friends here in the western states and they are calling as well.

My fingers are crossed. With Rhino glue.......

Wow! Congo made it onto Channel 7 EyeWitness News at 5:00!! That's the biggest news channel there is here - New York, New York City, New Jersey. The scoop:

They showed judge reading the sentence to put him down. They said the judge complained that he has been inundated with emails, calls, letters at work and at his home (Yippee) so much so that it is disrupting his life (good!). The showed the family, the kids crying, the father crying, etc. The showed a pic of the dog - what a beauty. They showed a picture of the dumbass landscaper who caused the problem and showed his wounds.

Apparently the dog's sentence has been put off until the appeal goes thru. The family asked for Congo to be able to go home with them until the appeal. The judge said only if they tattoo the dog a vicious dog but the family didn't want to do that.

They said the dog isn't doing well in the shelter so, my personal opinion, tattoo the dog with anything, just take him home.

That's where the story ended. Keep calling Governor Corzine's office!!

Cool, there is a light at the end of the tunnel, or so it seems.

I am with you Judy, I would do anything to get the dog out of the shelter.

I saw the story on CBS 2. It was shorter than channel 7's, but it did show the judge saying that nothing would be done with Congo until the case was looked at by a higher court. They also showed the family with him, and not only is he quite a nice looking GSD, but he was clearly in his element with all those people. At one point he even trotted up goofily with a ball in his mouth, to the camera man. MOD EDIT
I bet that tattoo issue was discussed with their attorney, and the attorney advised them not do to back pedal in any way, if they have a chance to win this.

For the record, I certainly would want my dog to protect me if some guy I never met grabbed me. MOD EDIT

I agreee with Julie, writing and calling the Governor plus signing petitions temporarily appears to have had a positive impact.

Wow. I am thoroughly disgusted.

I passed the articles on to people on another board I frequent.

 Quote: Carol Boche

It is frustrating and tiring to see that people who are obviously uneducated about dogs and their behavior get to sit in judgement.

What I don't inderstand is where was the insurance companies law team? These judges jobs are to make unbiased judgement. Obviously the landscaper's lawyer made the case believable and swayed the judge to make his judgement whether it is right or wrong. Somebody did NOT do their job IMHO. Cripes just on this board alone there is so many dog behavior experts a insurance company could easily get expert witnesses. I'm sure that poor family and Congo would not be in the mess that they are in now if the insurance company's lawyers had done their job correctly.

Another thing that puzzles me is why didn't the owner have the landscaper charged with 3 offenses? Trespassing for one thing, 2. then damage to property (the assault on the dogs) 3. assault on the wife. Grabbing her and pulling her to the ground is not much of a defense from a dog attack, if it was a dog attack.

I read this thread and I can't help but shake my head in disbelief.

My exact thoughts Geoff. I don't understand what went down there. Why the owner didn't press charges, I'll never understand. Very backwards.

Adding to my post above. Not only would I press charges, I'd file a lawsuit against the gardener in civil court for $250,000. Boot in the a**, so to speak.