Spork the dachshund (February 22, 2010) |
LAFAYETTE, Colo. - Spork is a 10-year-old, 17-pound dachshund that has been featured on magazine covers and named dog of the month. He's also a vicious dog according to the city of Lafayette because he bit a veterinary technician.
The idea that Spork is vicious is something Spork's owners have a hard time accepting. "Every night I tuck him into bed. If he doesn't have a blanket on him, he starts crying, I have to get up and make sure he's covered," Kelly Walker, Spork's owner says.
She and her husband Tim are charged with having a vicious dog, after taking their dog to the Jasper Veterinary Hospital for dental surgery. "I was holding him and he bit her on the chin," Kelly Walker says. She also says the vet tech got too close to Spork's face with some scissors, and that scared him.
Under state law, people that work with animals are exempt from filing charges in dog bite situations. But the city of Lafayette told Spork's owners that city rules apply in this case and they will face charges. "To have this happen... the city of Lafayette just wanted to go out for blood and prosecute my husband and I and possibly execute our dog," Kelly Walker says.
The Walkers' attorney says the charges should be dismissed. "It'll put a scare, a fear into people with animals, that they can't bring their dogs or cats to health care facilities in the city of Lafayette for fear of criminal charges and fear their family friend will be euthanized," says Jennifer Edwards of the Animal Law Center.
The Walkers say they'll do anything to make sure their dog isn't euthanized. "Not everyone would spend their life savings protecting a 10-year-old dog, but we feel we need to."
The owner of the Jasper Vet Hospital says he couldn't comment because the case is set to go to trial in April. The city of Lafayette did not return phone calls from FOX 31 Monday.
The idea that Spork is vicious is something Spork's owners have a hard time accepting. "Every night I tuck him into bed. If he doesn't have a blanket on him, he starts crying, I have to get up and make sure he's covered," Kelly Walker, Spork's owner says.
She and her husband Tim are charged with having a vicious dog, after taking their dog to the Jasper Veterinary Hospital for dental surgery. "I was holding him and he bit her on the chin," Kelly Walker says. She also says the vet tech got too close to Spork's face with some scissors, and that scared him.
Under state law, people that work with animals are exempt from filing charges in dog bite situations. But the city of Lafayette told Spork's owners that city rules apply in this case and they will face charges. "To have this happen... the city of Lafayette just wanted to go out for blood and prosecute my husband and I and possibly execute our dog," Kelly Walker says.
The Walkers' attorney says the charges should be dismissed. "It'll put a scare, a fear into people with animals, that they can't bring their dogs or cats to health care facilities in the city of Lafayette for fear of criminal charges and fear their family friend will be euthanized," says Jennifer Edwards of the Animal Law Center.
The Walkers say they'll do anything to make sure their dog isn't euthanized. "Not everyone would spend their life savings protecting a 10-year-old dog, but we feel we need to."
The owner of the Jasper Vet Hospital says he couldn't comment because the case is set to go to trial in April. The city of Lafayette did not return phone calls from FOX 31 Monday.
