Faithx2
All good things in 2016!!
Member since 8/05 20181 total posts
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Re: "save duke" ......... updates????
I got the local paper today and on the cover was Duke and his owner reunited and kissing. Here's the full article....
“I am very excited about this,” Menendez said. “There was a huge hug-fest over at the [Islip Town] Animal Shelter, where they’ve taken such good care of Duke, and I’m so happy, and proud of everyone who has become Duke’s family over the past few weeks.”
As reported in Suffolk Life last week and in early June, Duke is an American pit bull who has been put on the canine version of death row for allegedly biting another dog two years ago. In July of this year, the New York State Appellate Court ruled that Duke was a “dangerous dog,” and scheduled him to be euthanized on August 25.
The Islip Town Animal Shelter, where Duke has been housed, along with independent animal trainers and town officials have all stated that Duke is a gentle animal that could not have been capable of harming anyone or anything.
“I examined Duke extensively, and I see no reason why anyone thinks he is a dangerous animal,” said Jeff Kolbjornsen, a canine behavioral specialist who said he was instrumental in saving another pit bull, also named Duke, from a similar plight in Massapequa. “I am really thrilled that steps have been taken to exonerate Duke,” he said.
On Tuesday, August 22, at about 6 p.m., Menendez received word from her attorney, Amy Chaitoff, that Judge Daniel Angiolillo of the Appellate Term Division of the New York State Supreme Court in White Plains had awarded Duke a stay of execution while their appeal was being reviewed, according to Chaitoff.
It was at that point that Chaitoff’s law offices were able to provide court documents to Matt Caracciolo, director of the Islip Animal Shelter, telling them not to comply with previous orders to euthanize Duke. A statement by the Appellate Court, reads, in part, “Respondent, his agents and the Town of Islip, The Town of Islip Animal Shelter, its officers, directors, employees, agents, representatives and/or assigns, or anyone acting on their behalf, are hereby enjoined and restrained from killing, destroying or euthanizing Appellant’s dog named Duke pending final determination of this motion.”
“The Islip Animal Shelter did not at all mind adhering to this ruling,” said Kolbjornsen.
“This is a great victory for Duke, but it’s far from over,” Chaitoff said. “We have to wait for our appeal to be processed by the courts, which usually takes six to eight weeks, which is fine with us. During that time, we’re going to hear from the Appellate Division as to whether they’re going to uphold, deny or ask us to re-argue our appeal. What we really want is to get him out of the shelter, and now, since we know he’s going to stay with us. That is our focus.”
Duke has long been adored by many who work in Islip Town Hall. Islip Town Supervisor Eric Hofmeister has publicly championed Duke’s cause, and Councilwoman Pamela Greene has visited Duke at the shelter. At the Islip Town Board Meeting on August 15, there was a large demonstration involving dozens of Duke’s supporters — many of them children.
“There may be more public gatherings supporting Duke in the future,” said Menendez.
“There’s a lot to feel good about when it comes to this story,” said Greene. “I’m glad the courts issued this stay of execution, and I am looking forward to being involved more and more in helping this story end with a positive outcome.”
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