Ernest Dempsey — With the labeling of pit bulls as a dangerous breed of dogs, even those family dogs with half of this breed have been 
targeted as vicious and accused of attacking and killing. Perhaps the accusers know that they can capitalize on the state’s blindness to objectivity and the legal distortion against pit bulls for throwing the dog into the execution chamber. No different is the story of Tony, a friendly family dog in Clifton, Arizona. Since November 2011, Tony has been caged at the Greenlee County Animal Control in Clifton and has been ordered by the court to be put to death for being dangerous.
Nearly 8-year-old Tony is part pit bull and half Sharpei and has been a peaceful dog all his life. However, he suddenly fell prey to a life-threatening trial when he was accused of attacking the neighbor’s dog—a 14 year old female Chihuahua named Peanut—and causing its death, the incident happening on November 16, 2011. The following day, Tony and his two canine friends, also owned by Tony’s owner Michelle Dozier, were seized by the Greenlee County Animal Control. The other dogs were released to return home in March 2012, but Tony was held and ordered to be executed, deeming him dangerous.
However, like many other previous instances of questionable judgments, the court in this case too reportedly lacked evidence to justify its ruling about Tony. According to Dozier, there never has been any forensic report or investigation of the Chihuahua’s death. The owner of the dead dog has claimed that she saw Tony attacking her dog, out on the road—which of course puts her own measures of dog safety to questioning.
“But in her testimony in the hearing on February 23rd, 2012, she said that she didn’t see the beginning of the attack and just saw my two other dogs standing there barking,” tells Dozier.
This change of statement is not the only element putting the accusation against Tony to doubt. While the Chihuahua allegedly attacked by Tony was taken to a vet, the vet’s report as presented in the court concludes that the little dog suffered deep puncture wounds to the abdomen and the intestines were so damaged that the dog could not be saved. The interesting question here arises from Dozier’s explanation that not only has Tony been absolutely friendly around other animals – including dogs of various sizes – but also that Tony has broken teeth, unable to make deep puncture wounds. How could he kill the way claimed by the vet? The disposal of the dead dog’s body without an official investigation to confirm bite reports and other tests has put the entire case a subject of controversy: can justice be delivered without evidence?
So far, Tony is considered a peaceful dog by all except the woman who claims her dog was attacked by Tony and the judge ordering Tony’s execution. The concerned court has also denied the owner’s request for an appeal and maintained the earlier ruling. Tony has been sentenced to be put to death on June 18 while clouds of doubt and questions surround the court’s decision. Will Tony be given a chance for a fair trial? This question is being discussed on the Facebook page for saving Tony. A petition has also been launched to ask Judge Grace Nabor of Greenlee County, Arizona, for giving Tony a second chance at life given that he has been peaceful and there is no solid evidence against him proving him dangerous.
Updates on Tony’s case are posted at his facebook page https://www.facebook.com/groups/savetonytuppyfaith/.
Thank you Ernest, great. Thank you so much for being the voice of the voiceless and helpless !!!
Yes, THANK YOU ERNEST! Please continue to be their voices!
I AM STUNNED AND SHOCKED AT THE JUDGE IN QUESTION HERE….. THIS IS MORE THAN GROUNDS FOR A MIS TRIAL OR A RETRIAL…HE IS TOTALLY INNOCENT AND COULD NOT HAVE DONE WHAT HE IS BEING ACCUSED OF….IT WILL BE MURDER IOF AN INNOCENT IF THEY DARE DO THIS….
The judge must be out of her mind. How long has she been a judge for the state of AZ? It must be not long, AZ has all kinds of incidents involving Birds of prey. It sounds like a bird got to her Chi. They do this all the time in AZ. It probably picked it up which explains the puncture wounds, or dropped it in the road and that explains why the dogs were just seen barking at it. The dogs have been proven as social to other dogs. If the dog was dropped in the road by the bird it explains why they were just barking at it instead of it being in their mouth shaking it. The dog also looks more like a Sharpei than any other breed so the Sharpei breed is more prominent. Sharpeis are very laid back dogs like this one appears to be.I would dismiss the case and charge both owners for letting their dogs run at large. Don’t kill the dog. It was just being a dog the crime was letting the dogs run at large.
Well said…..as always Ernest!! I feel very sad that little Peanut died, but 2 wrongs do not make a right! Tony is being railroaded to his death based on ZERO evidence. The Judge should be ashamed of handing down a ruling in the absence of ANY evidence what so ever!! What has happened to the intellect of Judges? Why are so many making rulings that are devoid of all JUSTICE???? The Judge in Tony’s case needs to rise above the hysteria of one woman’s baseless accusations and throw this case out of court! There is nothing, let alone any forensic evidence, to draw any conclusion that Tony attacked poor little Peanut! R.I.P. little Peanut <3
Excellent article, Ernest, as always. So many questions and so many valid points…leads me to wonder what kind of Judicial System do we now have in the USA? Where is the fairness and the innocent until PROVEN guilty? Case after case seems to all lead to euthanasia- even when there is sufficient evidence to prove otherwise. So sad that animals who cannot speak get no consideration. And even sadder that we now have dogs going to trial. What a world…what a world….
Thank You so much, Ernest, for making this situation clear and visible to so many people. Many of us have been working to free Tony from Day One. We are enclosing this link in our Petitions, links, etc. so others can fully appreciate the problem. Especially, those who have the power to do something about it. Thank You, Dottie
Free this baby!
To many loving dogs are put down wrongly accused of doing things or provoked into doing thing.i have to dogs myself a 1year old staffie who is as soft as they come and a 12 year old terrier and I could never see a healthy dog put down (murderd)
Thank you so much for this article, and helping bring the reality and injustice of this situation to light to more people.
Maybe The *** Of A JUDGE’s Should Have The Same Done To Them…….
Why wouldn’t the Judge demand peanuts owner to do a DNA sample…Why not a necropsi report with photos to measure the length and width of these punture wounds…Was peanut off a leash as well?? Because then the owner would have broken the no leash law initially..This Judge is biased and should be removed from civil court…Remember it IS Arizona and they do profile people and now Dogs …outragious behavior on the Court’s part…So sad….
She should not be a judge. She is a cold unfeeling human with no compassion. She should resign
if the dog’s teeth are broken, especially the incisors, then how can he be the culprit. A cast of tony’s teeth could have been made and compared to the bite marks.
take a look at my facebook page, see the photo of my son and his friend Tony, the obvious confusion on Tony’ face is nothing compared to the agony of impending loss my son is feeling. Judy Mortensen
Judy, time is running out for Tony. The petition still needs @500 signatures. Post link to petition on CL in Phx, Scottsdale, Tucson, i.e. every metro area in AZ. You NEED those signatures, people need to see the petition. Paste it EVERYWHERE!
“she saw Tony attacking her dog, out on the road”
WHAT??? Why on earth was her dog not on a leash??? Or better yet, in her OWN YARD? This is ridiculous…even if Tony by chance did kill her dog, it is the owner of the Chihuahuas fault UNLESS it happened in HER YARD.
She has also changed her story…so WHY would anyone with an ounce of common sense believe her NOW???
What about the dogs being in their own yard? Why is it the victims fault? Would you also blame a woman for being raped for being outside at night in a park????
in response to kjl:
Arguing with an idiot is senseless….try to use just a little bit.
I NEVER SAID that it was the victims fault. NEITHER one of the dogs should have been unsupervised and roaming around but especially not a chihuahua!
I guess you would want a hawk euthanized if it had picked up the dog..
You have to take extra precautions with a smaller animal….duh.
Calling me an idiot just goes to show that you can’t handle an intellegent debate without using repugnant phrases that only show how narrow minded you actually are.
I am using sense. You need to also. Both families are at fault. The hawk would just be using it’s pretatory nature. I would never say euthanize it.
You are attacking me because I think differently than the whole on this situation. I have a small animal myself I know how hard it can be to keep them in the yard. Though I’ve never heard of a case where a small dog has mualed a HUMAN BEING (isn’t this what the argument is about…being HUMANe?) to seriuos injury or death. What would you be saying if, instead of a dog it had been a child? Also do you not love your dog as if it were your child? Have YOU even taking that into consideration?
I also know that the owner of the larger dog didn’t even have a fence at the time to keep her dogs in. She let them out the door for hours to just roam around. Why are you taking just one side of this argument?
And if you read my other post you would see that I don’t think the dog should die, I think the owner should take responsibility for her actions. Admit she did wrong and pay any recompence the vitcims PARENT deserves.
The article was well writen and makes sense, but it only shows one side of the story. Did the writer try and talk to the owner of the smaller dog? Was any atempt made to contact animal control and talk with them?
Hard to keep a small dog in a yard??? really??? my dog has no problem staying in her yard where she belongs because she was “trained” that way. Now the fact that Tony is “part” pit has nothing to do with it and it has been my experience that Chihuahua’s are nasty little dogs. Why aren’t they on the “BAD” dog list? There should have been an investigation right from the start when it happened but this woman just wanted a scape goat and figured she could use her new neighbor’s. Why did she wait so long to call the police? Because she had to think of a story that’s why!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The neighbor, let her two small dogs out into her front yard, when she has a perfectly nice fenced in back yard.
I have to agree with the point you make that dog owners should face the penalty for their dog’s bad behaviour. Dogs are dogs and are going to act like dogs. Our job as pet owners is to make sure our dogs don’t frighten anyone, harm anyone or get into harms way themselves. They count on us to navigate the way through a world they don’t understand for them and to keep them safe. Causing a situation where your dog gets out and hurts someone or get hurt themselves is your fault, not your dogs. Fine the owners, let them do jail time or community service. Make them sorry and insure they keep control of their dogs. None of this is either dogs fault. You are right about that. At least in my opinion. I do feel very sorry for the Chihuahua and it’s owners. And I feel sorry for Tony. He deserves a better human companion
omg…what a sick comparison!
I know this dog. I also know that it isn’t as sweet as the owner says. She let her dogs roam all over the place in the neighborhood. She didn’t leash or fence them in. They terrorized several family and animals. Came home once and puked up a whole rabbit. I don’t think it should be put to sleep, but i also think the owner should stop actin the victim and take responsibility where it is due. She was told to keep the animals under control and she just refused. She is getting so much attention, how about asking her why her dogs were running around and how often they did so?
Who are you…the neighbor who is accusing Tony? You sound like it, or at least you are a friend of the accuser. There is no proof Tony has been running around the neighborhood. There is no proof it was Tony who attacked her dog…especially since the dead dog had puncture marks, something it would have been IMPOSSIBLE for Tony to do since he has broken teeth. I don’t believe for a second the deceased dog’s owner knows what happened to her dog…she is just using Tony as a scapegoat, and so is that judge, solely because Tony is part pittie.
You should be most satisfied with the decision then, you ****. Hopefully it won’t ever be YOUR dog. What an *** hat you are!
KJL, you don’t know anything about whats going on so just shut up.!!
I know as much as anyone else in this thread. Though I know more due to actually knowing the dog in question. I suggest you watch what you type. These cannot be erased or made to belive you typed something different. I just want you to know I’ve saved what you typed to me in FB and am planing to see what the justice system thinks about your threats against my safety. I PRAY that the justice system does it job.
Whoa! You pray that the justice system does its job. How crazy is that? Basically what you are saying is that you hope she gets it for what she has said, that’s your revenge? Don’t use God to get back at someone. That doesnt say much about you! I read all your posts and you seem so ignorant. Ugh!
Yeah you clearly sound like that kid in school who tried their best to look and sound smart, as well as verbally daunting. You’re argument, though articulated well, is pointless. The outcry here is that because Tony is part pit bull, he has to be put down. If tony was a completely different breed, then there would be no discussion, because it would’ve probably received a much lighter sentence. You’re more concerned with pinning blame and fault where YOU think it’s due. I own two dogs, coincidently, a pure breed pit bull, and a chihuahua, and the little one was placed on house arrest once for “attempting” to bite someone. And my pitbull? She was disrespected once by a woman saying she was dangerous, all because my dog walked up and raised her paw at her without touching her, attempting to say hello. That’s the real injustice. Respect the outcry to save a dog from being wrongfully put down with out proper evidence.
HELLO KJL!
I am not interested in power for power’s sake, but I’m interested in power that is moral, that is right and that is good.
As quoted in The Civil Sphere (2006) by Jeffrey C. Alexander, p. 388
The most important thing to realize in an action for defamation is “truth”, which is an absolute defense to an action for defamation.
Defamation actions are “privilege”. For example, statements made by witnesses in court, arguments made in court by lawyers, cannot support a cause of action for defamation, no matter how false or outrageous.
Recognized in most jurisdictions is “opinion”. If the person makes a statement of opinion as opposed to fact, the statement may not support a cause of action for defamation. Whether a statement is viewed as an expression of fact or opinion can depend upon context – that is, whether or not the person making the statement would be perceived by the community as being in a position to know whether or not it is true. If your employer calls you a pathological liar, it is far less likely to be regarded as opinion than if such a statement is made by somebody you just met.
Similar to opinion is “fair comment on a matter of public interest”. If the mayor of a town is involved in a corruption scandal, expressing the opinion that you believe the allegations are true is NOT likely to support a cause of action for defamation. Generally speaking, defamation is the issuance of a FALSE statement about another person, which causes that person to suffer harm. NO statements or comments by thousands of people have not been defamation because NONE of the comments are lies or false! Thank you for the kind advice of suggesting what people type on here, but none of us require any threatening statements from you either. If you have something you disagree with, that’s your right. What you claim to know and so on, is just words and words alone. Why, if you really fear your safety…are you on here? Thanks for praying that the justice system does it’s job. Be advised..ANYONE at ANYTIME can use the old…”i fear for my safety” card at any given moment. Old tactic, esp. for one who’s blatently posting here. I don’t agree with you and know my rights but you and people like you do not have what it takes to make me question my safety. Sorry. It’s not impressive either, to ride the coatails of TRASHY, dishonest small town low-lifes. Be a leader, not a follower. Get some self esteem. That starts by helping grease the wheels of justice. I challenge you to do that instead of this garbage and bluffing you’ve regurgitated on this site. Have a lovely day, KJL!!!
kjl:
Also, if the dogs were roaming the neighborhood terrorizing other animals and family then WHY on earth would she allow this small dog to get in a predicament like this knowing that the owners were being irresponsible with her own dogs and nothing was being done about it?
She should have known that her small dog wouldnt stand a chance if these other dogs could possibly encounter her dog???
Stupidity on both parts if what you say is true.
KJL:
You said it in your post. “IF the dogs were roaming the neighborhood…..etc, etc,”. IF IF IF IF…..”If” u think everyone is STUPID, again….why aren’t YOU doing something to help educate people who do STUPID things? STARTING WITH GRACE N. just sayin’….
KJL, I know who you are..you were actually one of the people that let my dogs out to “roam around” so you are just as guilty as I am. I have already paid what I owed to the neighbor and I have a fence. You know my number if you would like to call me and discuss this and ask questions. I have been to court and done what I was asked to do. Now I am trying to save my dog Tony from being wrongfully put to death for something he couldn’t have done. Know the facts before you start placing blame, just because you are mad at me.!!!
@KJL I have 5 dogs of different breeds(one of which is a pit) but its my LABS who comes home and throws up rabbits, moles, possums….they are hunting and that does not mean they are viscious towards other dogs! People need stop profiling pits! Too much media hype is all it is!
LOL. I said nothing about the dog being a pit and that being the problem. I have several family with pits. I don’t care what breed a dog is as long as they are good with people. Why did you assume that I was talking about the breed of the dog?
yes thank you for saying this, it is in their nature to hunt.
This does not surprise me at all. Something simular happened to my niece in SC. I went as a witness and could not believe the nonsense presented by the judge’s decision. Her dogs were put down(pitbulls of course) Good Luck!
PRAYING FOR YOU TONY..XOXO
The Only reason that little dog is dead is because of the size difference.Dogs sometimes fight.Most times they want to play.No judge should be ordering the killing of any dog because of what is THOUGHT OF AS A DANGEROUS BREED,PITBULL TYPE DOGS ARE ONLY MENTIONED AS SO BECAUSE MOST LOURNALISTS ARE COWARDS &BRAINWASHERS.
I just want to say, I can see a situation unfolding in a possibilty of what COULD of happened. I have a pittie, yes a very sweet pittie. She loves her walks. There is also a neighbor across the street who has a chi. They allow their lil dog to roam around and this dog has major aggression issues, as a lot of them do. (Google small dogs with aggression and chi’s are number 1). Anyways, this dog will follow us and growl and snap its teeth, and when I stop and turn around he will stop and all the hair on his body is standing up and he is growling viciously, yes I said viciously, and stares me down. When we continue to walk, he charges at us again. Now my pittie pays no attention to him, but what if he were to attack my dog? And what if my dog defended herself? I think everyone here knows what would happen and who would be blamed.
Please email the Prosecutor of this case of Tony the half Pitbull breed:
Please use this form letter, plugging in your city and state, and your signature to send an email to the address on the heading in order to save a dog which stands accused w/o proof of his crime.
TO:
Deputy County Attorney
Donielle Wright
dwright@co.greenlee.az.us
Dear Ms. Wright
We are contacting you from Las Vegas, Nevada regarding the case of Tony the 1/2 pittbull and 1/2 Sharpei Breed who is scheduled to be euthanized on June 18th.
I respect your position as a caregiver of justice however feel it is unjust to condemn a living creature to death without proof of a crime. I would like to appeal to your compassion, mercy and sense of justice in reconsidering this ruling. I would like Tony’s life graciously spared. It has been shown beyond doubt that this dog has never had any agression toward other people or animals even cats which is a rarity in itself!
I feel for the person filing charges but fear this person has done so falsely in hopes of a monetary reward in this very difficult economy. I have never ever heard of a case like this involving a he said, she said animal accusation warranting condemnation without the burden of proof given.
As a pet owner, I feel for both the missing dog and the accused. However I see no fairness or justice being meted in this particular case.
I appeal to your sense of compassion, mercy, and justice once more. Please don’t let this family member, Tony be wrongly euthanized. He has a home and it is my hope that you will reunite this family with their beloved pet instead of wrongly murdering this animal without any proof other than a claim from a person new to the area. She may not have even HAD a dog.
With my kindest appeal to your urgent decency in this matter, I hope the Court will reverse the ruling of Tony’s euthanization immediately.
Sincerely,
I think we need to flood their inboxes! dwright@co.greenlee.az.us is the email of the Prosecutor. Be cordial enough to keep her attention. Make sure you let her know where you are from and how this story has gotten world-wide coverage on the internet. Thanks!
PS: USe the letter above if you want!
just be sure to take out my city/state and put in your own. 
Pray for Tony’s release!
praying for Tony and his family….Hug’s xx
I would like to see the accuser on trial.
NO BAD DOG , why killing an innocent animal who does n’t ask for anything but ” to be loved ”
All that BS is baised on ” breed ” without justice , why judging and who are they to judge
I bet that the judge just ” hates ” animals , grrrrrrrrrrrrr
In heart and thoughts with you Tony and your beloved family
We keep fighting and we will go on being the ” voice for the voiceless “
a friend of mine just went through the same think with her dogs , they escaped the fenced yard but came back three minutes later . A woman claimed that the dogs killed her dog however there was no body of the other dog , the woman has demanded that my friends dogs be put down and has harrassed my friend . The dogs had all kinds of tests done and passed all of them , however now they are on a dangerous list and cant be outside without a muzzle or leash . when people go to her house they also have to be muzzled .
THe power of people ‘s lies hurt everyone . I love my fiends dogs and hate that this is happening to someone else.
The Vet should be held to account, daft to ask the judge to be lenient. You need to get a superior state legal representative to investigate that she is presiding over over unlawfully conducted trials.
Get her to hear about this letter to the senate and let it slip that you want all her previous will be investigated if this happens.
Go to the Local Court building and ask How you could obtain these court transcripts
Ask the Question “How many can I obtain” “How much each” Mention you have a legal rep waiting for them, and tell them you have opened a Paypal account for the promised donations.
Ask the Court on what grounds did she deny an appeal, and you want that straight away.
Go to the Higher Court and ask that question “On what…………………
Disgraceful. Innocent until proven guilty.
Sooooo, when it comes to animals of misguided breed prejudices, the burden of proof isn’t on the person making the claim? Seems like the judge needs a new profession.
Just wanted to say that I emailed my letter. I hope everyone else takes the time to do the same. Sometimes there is strength in numbers. I am praying that this family is reunited.
How can anyone who believes in justice or opposes animal abuse ever serve as a juror in his judge’s court?
Would you not have your respect for the judge tainted as one who would give someone a death sentence with no evidence.
Last comment to KJL. This is all I have to say to you because you have told so much about your personality with your last post and seem to think you know everything and NO ONE WILL CONVINCE YOU OTHERWISE.
Obviously you think nothing of letting your own dogs roam and you think…
‘nobody elses dog better mess with my dogs because I try to keep mine in a fenced yard but because its a small dog, they better understand’…BLAH BLAH BLAH
I have a toy poodle and a large Lab/boxer mix. Both inside pets and a fenced in back yard.
Having a small dog is no EASIER to get out of a yard than a large dog.
FIX YOUR FENCE and if its not the fence they get out of…go take a dog ownership training course –
and I dog mean to train the dog but so that YOU maybe will learn what stupid actions of your own is causing it to happen…
Oooops I forgot… YOU know it all already though, so that wont help.
Obviously you are a…
* that should have read….
“go take a dog ownership training course –
and I DO NOT mean to train the dog but so that YOU maybe will learn what stupid actions of your own is causing it to happen…”
People stop bickering among yourselves as this is not what can be considered helping Tony…
I do not need a seeing eye dog to see the photos of Tony and know this dog is not aggressive than or now… I do know Chihuahuas are outwardly aggtressive with everyone, I have been bit by several of them over the years… I am a woman who is not likely to be afraid of any large dog (Pits, Dobermans which I had around my children also growing up, German Shepherds, Rotties, or any dog that gets the bad rap), I am terrified of such breeds as Chihuahuas, poodles, pomeranians… Such small breed dogs run and attack first without thinking out what they are doing & their sharp razor type teeth can and do draw blood…. There was NO BLOOD ON TONY & IF HE WERE GUILTY HE WOULD HAVE BEEN COVERED IN THAT CHIHUAHUA’S BLOOD, it is my utmost opinion, knowing dog behavior as I do,TONY DID NOT KILL THAT CHIHUAHUA AND IS INNOCENT…
It is my opinion that a higher Court Official should have been raised to override this Judge’s decision and a Stay be granted to Tony so a new trial lawyer can exhonorate this dog for a crime the dog did not commit. Without substancial evidence in photos, with no blood on Tony then, this case should be declared a mistrial and, if it was wrongly pushed for a retrial then it should, by all means, go before another Judge that is not biased… It is also my opinion that it seems to be decided due to Pitbull Hysteria that is so wrongly condemning the non-vicious breed known as the pitbull. I, myself, have had pitbulls and pitbull mixes over some 55 years tending to canines & none of them were ever aggressive. As a matter of fact a friend of mine described his own, now late, pitbull as a dog who was born with his legs on the wrong side of his body because if Snuggles was born with legs on his back he wouldn’t have to drop down on his back to get his tummy rubbed as he does whenever he sees anyone, even the mailman through the gates…
That´s so cruel!!!! I just lost my dog because of some desease and couldn´t keep him with me for long and now, laws that are cruel to animals states to kill our loving pets!!! Unvelievable!!! LET TONY LIVE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I feel I need to comment on this for I have a pitbull and had a chihuahua in the same home together.which I must add Im a pit lover have had 14 in my family home with my children from puppies to adults and none have ever harmed people, children or animals. On the other hand my chihuahua has been aggressive to my children and even attacked my pitbull which just sat there and looked at her like she was crazy. I wasnt there when Tony was accused of this crime but it sounds like he was judge from the door because of his breed.It makes me sad to think the judge made that kinda ruling.All dogs can be aggressive to other dogs at any moment depending on the situation and even a chihuahua with its little complex thinking hes big will fight another dog bigger then itself.I hope that he gets another chance to live a full happy life with his owner.And I pray that people stop labeling all pitbulls as being BAD dogs.Its all in the raising and owner on how ANY dog behaves.IM a proud owner of a pitbull named Sasha and a doberman named Chaos.Another breed with a bad reputation but sweet as can be…Thank you for sharing your story and god bless you and Tony..
The way that pit bull cases are handled everywhere is reprehensible. They don’t ever stand a chance. I have personally fought on many fronts to keep breed specific laws off the books and also to disallow insurance companies from showing bias. Your dog is your property, by law. Chihuahua lady should have been more diligent in her care of her dog. What was it doing down by the road, and if I know anything about chihuahuas, and I do, they have a tendency to have a serious Napoleon complex and probably challenged the larger group. Listen – dog behavior is dog behavior. If someone walks up to you and starts puffing up their chest and yelling in your face, you might push them, yell back, walk away or take the preemptive strike. In any case you react, so do dogs, by the dog rules- which ARE NOT people rules. No bad dogs- just rotten owners who have no clue. Tony should no more die based on hearsay testimony than you should if your neighbor says you shot her husband because she said she may have seen you do it. Or do you think you should be euthanized too just because someone says that may have seen do something. Well Judge – maybe you should. What have you been doing in your life? Do you have a pet dog? Has he ever even turned his head around another dog? I am guessing – yes. Well you will answer to a Higher authority, I hope you will be proud of your answers. Do the right thing. Just do it.
In Pima County there is another option when it comes to dogs that bite or are accused of biting or attacking another domestic animal. Its called a Dangerous Dog Evaluation. If the dog bites a human or attacks an animal there is a scoring process which determines if a dog is Dangerous. It is then up to the dog owner to get the required confinement and insurance to keep the dog at home. The owner can always have the dog euthanized too, but that’s a decision on the owner, not the court.
If the dog scores out as Dangerous, the owner has to have a kennel with headers and footers, the kennel has to be pad locked and Dangerous Dog signs must be posted on the entrances to the property. The dog can not ever be walked outside its kennel without a muzzle. The dog has to have a microchip and a Tattoo which identifies the dog as Dangerous. The owner must have $50,000.00 homeowners insurance. If the dog ever gets out, or is walked without being leashed or muzzled it is mandatory jail time for the dog owner.
This all sounds extreme, but the dog gets to come home and be a member of the family. The alternative is Death as in this case. San Francisco also has a similar Dangerous Dog ordinance. I urge you to look into it and plead to the court. Maybe this will be a viable option the court will consider.
Good luck to you and your beloved dog. I hope Greenlee County will set a precedent with case and allow the dog to be labeled as Dangerous instead of killing it.
There is a website were you can RATE THE JUDGES in your county. Start
fighting back.
Write/call or email the GOVERNOR.
Why on earth are we punishing this sweet dog. Punish the owners, not by setting an example of killing the dog-makes no sence.
Volusia County Florida had the same issure a few month ago. A smaller dog attacked a pitt, and the pitt killed the smaller dog. He was also going to be put down but won the right to live after people like you an I petitioned to save him. The owner was fined heavily with the agreement like the commenter Kelli above. Its worth it.
I went through something like this a few years ago,our dog Dozer who is part mastiff and rottie got out and one of the neighbors said he had bit her,there was no proff of a bite mark but because of his breed he spent a week in the pound. It is a hard thing to go through and I feel for Tony..some people just like to cause trouble because they dont want to take responseability for their actions. My heart goes out to Tony and his family and I hope and pray that this dog is set free.
Still appears a predjudice judgement against Tony due to his breed. Though I live nowhere in Greenlee County I advise those who feel this is so, park your beachchairs at the Greenlee County Animal Control tonight with banners claiming this is PitBull Hysteria and that Tony MUST NOT DIE!!! Some do the same at the Courthouse where an unhonorable, in my opinion, Judge Gloria Nabor, presides over her bench…
I have also sent notice to some groups over the weekend and pray they take heed and save this dog… Without positive proof and seemingly a coverup to hide truth by refusing the dead Chihuahua for evidence tells me we need some pooper scooper detail cause the lies are knee deep in the Prosecution side, the case, in the least, should have been tossed out… But again we come back to Pitbull Hysteria, and no knowledge of the gentle giant dogs they really are by history and nature… President Teddy Roosevelt, Helen Keller are just 2 noted public figures who loved their own pitbulls…
If nothing else, Recind the Order to Kill Tony, and, if he were put in a No-Kill Sanctuary with his family visitation rights throughout the remainder of his life, is this not better than killing a dog with no proof it did any harm to anything????
my heart goes out to all involved in this story, I am deeply saddened that a chihuahua has lost its life in a horrible way but it does not seem to justify killing another dog when their isnt proof that Tony is to blame. There has to be another way rather than killing this dog. I feel courts are very quick to judge pit bulls very quickly. If a labrador was being accused, he woiuldnt be put to death. I own both breeds and love them both and if another dog harmed my dog, i still would not be able to put the other dog to death. My chihuahua hates other dogs, but it doesnt mean he would harm a child.I do not let my chihuahua out of my sight or allow him to come in contact with another animal without me by his side because he will go after another dog and it wouldnt take much for him to be killed, it wouldnt mean the other dog savagely killed him, he is fragile. I think pit bulls are judged and feared by people that do not understand the breed. my heart is sad for both dogs but their is still a chance to save one.
The justice of the peace is not a judge. She is not an attorney, just an elected offical. How dare she make a decision to kill an innocent dog! She ignored the evidence…I would definitely vote her out!!!
AZ. needs to vote for change! unless the laws are changed, sick old bags like Grace that have severe issues will continue to smile and so forth as they render their uneducated and lack of sense verdicts. c’mon…WHY do u think she is a justice of the peace??? on the totem pole she’s on the bottom and that’s all it took for her to pull an act!!! her no education requiring position makes her the FIRST LOSER of the judicial system. when i saw her photo(s), i’m sorry…but i was really shocked! i was imagining being in that courtroom and having to look at that frog-faced thing smirking and rendering that uneducated verdict and going on to say all the other things that were so emotionally damaging to Michelle and fam. like a real freak show!
Susan Scullin
YOU have said it BEST out of ALL the comments here.
Most of the comments from others, I agree with but YOU hit the nail on the head, so to speak.
Others here, if you havent read what she wrote…please do.
It would be fantastic if the judge comes across this site and reads your comment Susan.
I am shocked and deeply saddened. Not only by the unnecessary death of Tony, but with such disregard for a living being. Those responsible should be embarrassed beyond comprehension by their deeds. The citizens of that community should be outraged and should be demanding resignations from those monsters. What sad excuses for humans.
This is ridiculous. What is wrong with the law in AZ. Every time I hear some crap its’ always AZ and the stupid rules there. I’m so appalled that without any proof whatsoever, with no blood on the suspected dog that he is being put down. That in itself is retarded.
The courts of AZ need an overhaul. Take it to the Supreme Court
Judge Grace Nabors did not accept the word of 34,000 Petitioners who plead with her. She would not honor the lawyer who represented
Tony to stop the euthanasia. It is said that she was smirking in Court and that the Prosecuter, D. Dwright(?), said that she was “tired of this case.” The lawyer had tried to contact the Superior Court Judge. However, she was on vacation and they had to appear before Judge Nabors again. Tony was killed around 9:30 this morning. We thank everybody, here, with their kind comments. I am very concerned about the poster who left very unkind comments, here, if they contributed to Tony’s demise. If you meant to hurt Michelle, you, certainly did. And all her friends. I have known her for about ten years and she and Tony, certainly, did not deserve this. Good night. Please pray for them! We are in deep grief tonight. We are all leaving our porch lights on tonight to help Heaven guide in its newest angel.
Ernest, thank you, again, for this beautiful article and for trying to help Tony.
Justice of The Peace Grace Nabors snicked and smiled as the Attorney for Tony argued that this case be heard by a superior court. What a disgrace. She is an elected official and needs to be gotten OUT of her position. She probably does not even have a formal legal degree. What an idiot!
Karma is Bitch she will pay hope you are reading this I pray so hard for tony my prayers didnt work :*(
This is not right to put this dog down, When I was in VA. another dog killed my small dog and the dog warden would not even pick it up because it was back in it’s own yard. Nothing ever came out of the ordeal but my broken heart! There was more then just 1 witness to this as well as the blood on the dogs. Without the PROOF such as more witness’s or proof then he should be returned to his loving home! Did the judge ever think this person has it out for you for some reason or that breed of dog?
If people would READ THE FACT’S a pit is one of the loving-est breeds to have! If they are raised correct and not used as fighter dogs! It is society that created the horrible rep for these animals! Every pit I have ever seen that was raised RIGHT, I would take any day! They are so tender and loving, they just are as dominant as a poodle is when it come’s to family and protecting. Other then that, and that is not a bad thing, they are one of the best breeds to own!!!!!!
The ultimate betrayal of justice by this Judge Nabor was her refusal to turn over the pet’s remains to his family. She has much reaping in store for her.
Attn:KJL You must surely be rejoicing at the execution of Tony, by the tone of your posts. Knowing the heartache and sorrow of this family, one could only hope for a little understanding and mercy, which seems far out of reach for you. The guilty accuse certainly seems to fit the bill in your case.
Comparing dogs not in their enclosure to rape is not worthy of a reasonable response. However, because you made this outrageous comparison, I will say, yes if a woman is ignorant enough to go to a park at midnight alone, unarmed, and unprotected she does bear some responsibility for what happens if she is attacked. IF both dogs were off lead why should one dog have to pay the penalty with his life? This incident has done untold damage to a family. KJL, and being in the same community, one would think a little understanding would be in order. Where I live there are no leash laws. Are there leash laws where you reside? Why was the smaller breed off lead? These are inquiries that might need to be questioned before you make a determination based on hearsay. Which one are you friends with? Grace or Donelle? Be careful…either is toxic.
my dog was a rottweiler and she was 2 1/2 yrs old and she had just given birth to 8 puppies, when my neighbour accused her of bitting her son when he was in my garden. A couple of days later she was taken along with here babies and they where all put down. This was without any evidence and the 9 year old boy was in my garden with friends messing about near the garage where the puppies where kept, all this after he was told not to come into the garden, he also stated that nothing happened and there was no bit marks on his body.