Yep, thank you.
I posted some comments regarding the whole situation under the article.
UGH, some of those people are stupid!!!!

In line with this issue, several AKC all breed clubs are sponsoring campaigns to send your elected officials Holiday Cards with pictures of your dogs to let them know: You are a dog owner and you vote.

That's good news that Congo can go home during the appeal process.

Congo is home!!!!

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1195212261160850.xml&coll=5

right on !! I been back and forth to NJ in the past 3 years... and I havent seen any large dogs walking around..hehe. I frequent the Washington Township area in Bergen County..

This was on the tv news last night with regard to Congo. Seems like this is unfortunately going to be a prolonged legal fight.

http://wcbstv.com/local/german.shepard.doggie.2.566960.html

What both enrages and terrifies me is the sheer incompetence and buffoonery displayed by the animal warden in this case, Mark Johnson.

My favorites:

"Animal Warden Johnson has even said he believes the family may have intentionally wounded one of the pups to make it look in worse shape than it was."

"Mark Johnson, the local animal-control officer (who said he lost all his written statements on the incident because a stray dog ate them)..."

“He fed them raw meat and dead rabbits,” he said. “That puts aggression in a dog.”

That last statement almost made the top of my head pop off...he would be laughed off this and most other dog discussion boards for making a statement like that, and most of us posting here are amateur dog behaviorists at best (admit it).

Here's the terrifying part: how many similarly unqualified animal enforcement officers are roaming the streets of our towns, cities, counties, and states making life and death decisions regarding our pets?

Ed, I hope this case is on your radar. We need people like you in times like these to make clear, informed statements to cut through the hysterical fracas this has caused.

We need less "Please don't kill the dog" and more "Here are my credentials, and this is why you are wrong."

-Chris

This is a related article on some pending legislation inspired by Congo's case, and it also offers some interesting insight from the judge and municipal prosecutor on the case:

http://www.nj.com/news/times/index.ssf?/base/news-3/1195425033289320.xml&coll=5&thispage=1

Way to go Carol!

The animal control officer should be fired for his ignorance in animal behavior as well as for his incompetence while on duty.

 Quote: chris hartman

Here's the terrifying part: how many similarly unqualified animal enforcement officers are roaming the streets of our towns, cities, counties, and states making life and death decisions regarding our pets?

Ed, I hope this case is on your radar. We need people like you in times like these to make clear, informed statements to cut through the hysterical fracas this has caused.

We need less "Please don't kill the dog" and more "Here are my credentials, and this is why you are wrong."

-Chris

Exactly Chris, I agree with my whole heart with you.

I has said this earlier that someone at the insurance company right down to the owner of the dog did not approach this situation correctly.

First of all the landscaping company should've been charged with trespassing, 2nd the landscaper who assaulted the dogs with the rake should be charged with damage to property i.e the dogs. Then the landscaper should've been charged with assault for wrestling the woman to the ground, that is what in effect sealed his fate with the dog going for him.

The biggest mistake of all though was the insurance company caving in to a settlement of 250k that's a lot of money to pay for someone's own stupidity.

I said in a previous post where was the insurance company's law team? They could've gone to court and beat that suit with expert dog behaviour witness(es) someone there at the adjuster's office is not doing their job.

As much as this entire incident has upset me, the part I take least issue with is the settlement with the landscaper.

As dog owners, we are ultimately responsible both morally and legally for the actions of our dogs. In this case, someone was attacked and injured pretty seriously, and it's not a stretch for me to believe he should be entitled to damages.

The more I read about this case, the more "spin" I see coming from both sides. I can understand it from the family: they want to save their dog.

I can't say I understand what's coming from Animal Control Officer, Mark Johnson, who continues to deny the families version of events, relying solely on witness statements from the other landscapers to back HIS version of events. Statements, I might add, that were lost when they were later destroyed by a "stray dog in the front seat" of Johnson's service vehicle.

Unbelievable.

His desire to see Congo dead is disconcerting, and the cynic in me wonders if he wants to see the verdict upheld, thinking in some way that it will mask his clear incompetence.

The family last week announced their intention to sue Johnson and the township for defamation, so let's hope he gets his comeuppance.

The legal element of this case is going to come down to provocation, and both the prosecutor and judge cited the lack of established case law in dealing with provocation in animal attacks. It's clear they chose to err on the side of community safety, and then pass this along to a higher court to render a final decision.

This is a case we should all follow closely, as it may someday impact all of us in the "dog community."