Rolo the dog spared

Posted: Wednesday, February 27, 2008 4:21 PM by Elizabeth Chuck

By Chris Jansing, NBC News correspondent

In a hotly anticipated and controversial decision, a judge in suburban Denver has spared the life of a 5-year-old German Shepherd named Rolo. But the dog and his owner are definitely on probation.

As we first reported on Tuesday, a judge ordered Rolo euthanized after a neighbor said he bit her, though the extent of the injury was in dispute. While this kind of thing happens every day across America, few owners would do what Laura Hagan did. She has spent more than six months fighting to save the dog she calls her "baby" - hiring a lawyer and often carrying protest signs on the streets of Arvada. Denver TV stations and newspapers picked up the story, sparking a media sensation that was compared to the O.J. Simpson trial. Dog-lovers joined Hagan in her protest marches, one carrying a sign that said, in true O.J. fashion, "If she wasn't bit, you must acquit."

All of it has been detailed not just by the local media, but on www.rolodog.com. The Web site allowed Hagan to collect thousands of signatures on a petition to save Rolo, and collect money to pay for his defense. She hired a lawyer, but on Tuesday was convicted by six jurors of having a dangerous dog and letting him run loose. Some neighbors had started their own petition, arguing that Rolo should be destroyed, and prospects for Rolo looked grim.

But after hearing from 11 witnesses at a sentencing hearing Wednesday, the judge decided that Rolo is not a clear and present danger to the community. Rolo will live. But the judge did order a 90-day suspended sentence for Hagan, and behavioral training classes for Hagan and Rolo. If the dog stays out of trouble for a year, Hagan won't have to serve any time in jail. She also has to get a $100,000 liability insurance policy. We're still waiting to hear when Rolo might be released.

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Comments

I once got bitten by a dog and, though I almost called 911 and thought of suing, I didn't because, dogs will be dogs. Besides, I liked the dogs owners.

Jamie, Salt Lake, Utah (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 9:49 PM)

In Arizona livestock, at least, is protected. When I lived there, if a dog got into your pasture with your livestock and chased them - there need be no injuries - the dog owner is liable for three times the value of the livestock.

Any evidence that Rolo ever ran free, and ever threatened a person, should be sufficient to have him destroyed. The neighbors complaints should have been sufficient.

Owning animals entails a responsibility to select an animal that can be safely and securely controlled and contained. A dog must be trained to stay in bounds, obey commands, and not threaten outside expected duties, such as guard dogs. It is a shame the animal has to suffer for an owner's neglect.

And it is neglect. Federal courts have held that a parent is may be guilty of criminal child abuse for failing to teach discipline to the child. How much then should Rolo's owner be liable for failing to teach her dog discipline?

Have Rolo stuffed and make him a yard ornament.

Brad Kruse, Ponca City, OK (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 10:09 PM)

Good for Rolo! I think the "victim" in this case has gone way overboard for what really amounts to a scratch. I'm sure she wanted to create a big deal of this so she has material for the civil suit that is going to inevitably follow.
I can understand putting down a dog who really is a hazard to the health and safety of the community, but Rolo certainly is no Cujo.
People are such whiney little babies anymore. Get a grip, you can't live your life in a bubble.

D. Burke, Denver, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:51 PM)

Ms. Hagan has a long road ahead of her. Rolo is a spook, ( ie has bad temperament) Anyone who has bred, trained, shown or been involved with working German Shepherd Dogs will tell you this: A good German Shepherd Dog will not bite, attempt to bite or aggressively charge at people unprovoked ever. Not Ever. This includes Schutzhund trained police and working dogs unless they are on command. Rolo committed the sin of the spooky (read-mentally unsound) dog, he reacted to a situation which made him nervous with a bite, however minor. This from the standard of the GSD"The dog must be approachable, quietly standing its ground and showing confidence and willingness to meet overtures without itself making them" FYI, a German Shepherd Dog does not nip anyone as a warning, they do not have to. For those interested in the correct behavior for the breed, read the Breed Standard. http://www.akc.org/breeds/german_shepher... It is not uncommon for a good family dog as Rolo is to behave like a spook when in unfamiliar territory. A sound dog can be counted upon in all situations. She may have gotten him back but she can never, repeat never, allow him off leash in public unfenced areas again

Jan Lago, Boulder, Colorado (Sent Wednesday, February 27, 2008 11:56 PM)

Rolo is a dog and all dogs no matter how much training they have might bite in certain situations. The point is to lower those odds by proper training. You can never and i mean never say a dog won't bite.

J Kaj, Torrance, CA (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:42 PM)

Get a grip, people! "Rolo is a spook" -You don't know this dog or it's human! Or if it bit anyone! Comment on entities that you know personally. Good grief...

Amy (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 1:56 PM)

Boy! I wish the public would spend as much time talking and debating Rapists, Mass murders, and
men who kill their families. If you will note the last week several who have commited terrible crimes
have been given life in prision not the the chair.
One murdered his girlfriend and her unborn child because he DID NOT WANT TO PAY any more child support. Another one who poisioned and then sufocated his wife. all get life. Rolo bits
his neighbor and people are disappointed that we
didn't put him down for being such a danger to
HUMAN BEINGS. Human Beings are a danger to Human Beings, We stupid.

Betty Caldwell (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:20 PM)

Has anyone asked what this woman was doing when the dog bit or scratched her? I'm not saying the dog is innocent but sometimes people provoke & threaten dogs without even realizing they are doing it. Especially if they are not normally around dogs. Just follow the simple rule of if you're not the dogs owner stay away. If a dog is hungry, tired or injured it may act out if you invade it's space. I think this lady wanted some attention & probably blew it out of proportion.

Janet Greenville, SC (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:21 PM)

The main question here is if Rolo has never bitten anyone else what did the woman do to make him bite her. dogs do not normally bite unless they are provoked, sort of like people don't you think

rebecca judkins smithville,tennessee (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 2:50 PM)

Jan Lago, I agree, and would add that I don't appreciate anyone letting their dog off of the leash in public unfenced areas anyway. That's just responsible pet ownership.

Suzanne, Raleigh, NC (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 3:08 PM)

Jan, the only thing I find "spooky"...is YOU!

Dogbert, Fort Worth, Texas (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:38 PM)

You folks are mostly wrong as you can be. Unless a dog has been driven to it or abused, he seldom will bite unprovoked. This is a creature physically quite capable of ripping your throat out, but very seldom does, mostly because it's more profitable to the dog to let you feed it.
I was taught from childhood always to treat dogs with respect. When you meet an unfamiliar dog, do not appear threatening to it. Squat down (if your knees will take it), extend the back of your hand so the dog can sniff it, then wait for the dog to make the next overtures. After he's smelled you, he will relax. At that point, slowly extend your hand. If the dog shies or exhibits any signs of nervousness, wait before proceeding any further. Let him come to you and establish that you are not a threat. Once that happens, you can try to pet him. Again, do not press him. Make it plain to him that any interaction is strictly on his terms.
I've owned dogs for over 50 years & have interacted with many others. I can recall less than half a dozen times when I've been nipped, and it always was because of a mistake on my part.

Fred Ded, Anytown, OR (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:39 PM)

Rolo bit through clothing, ripping the dress and biting into the skin while the mother was trying to hold her 14 month old baby in her arms, in the middle of the street. She was not threatening. She was just walking across the street. TWO large dogs went after her. The second dog only barked. Rolo lunged and she was able to turn so that he bit her rear end in order to protect her baby. Rolo has gone after other dogs and people, has had his voice box fixed due to his obsessive barking. I hope he will allow people and animals to live safely in this lovely neighborhood with an elementary school down the street. Does anybody care about children and the safety of people? We had a great dog who we put down because she turned agressive as she grew older. We did not want to be responsible for the possibility of someone being bitten due to her fears.

Peggy Waller (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 4:57 PM)

I had a neighbor who also wanted my dog put to sleep. I had a Rotweiler named Gretchen, who really was a sweet tempered dog, who never bit anyone. I was taken to court on many occasions by this neighbor, who eventually sued me and lost. Keep up the fight Rolo and owner.

Marilyn Mayne, Cincinnati, OH (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 5:02 PM)

I am sure it was an accident that Rolo bit this
person. We dog lovers have accidents sometimes. If our
child has an accident driving in a car we don't punish the car because it was not the cars fault.
We do our best to remedy the situation.

Jane Doe (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 5:29 PM)

Excusa MOI??? Dogs are dogs are dogs. And dogs have happy natures. A dog will not wantonly attack a random person or group of people that disagree with them (which humans do all the time; that is why we have WAR, people). And a bumble bee is more of a threat to a child than a dog; there are more of them! If you care about child saftey, then look around your neighborhood. Child abuse in schools is more common than children being bitten by dogs. Humans are so arrogant...and narcissist...No offense meant to anyone....

Kuhari Takahama (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 5:57 PM)

Irresponsiblity on Rolo's owner. All the expense and grief she is encountering is her own doing. If she is going to keep a spook dog be prepared for all consequences when not acting as a responsible pet owner. Keep your pets on leash when out of enclosure!!!!

Janet Hudson, Zephyrhills, Fl (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:08 PM)

There are no bad dogs, only bad owners.

I was thrilled that Rolo was allowed to live, but very disappointed that he is returning to the same owner.

German Shepherds (especially males) often want to be the alpha pack member and they must have an owner who is willing to claim the role of alpha pack member and teach the dog who is the boss.

Rolo's owner obviously didn't do this and that's why he bit/nipped/scratched this woman (who I do think it blowing things way out of proportion).

I have two German Shepherds (one male, one female). If GSD's are trained correctly, they are absolutely wonderful dogs. Rolo shouldn't be punished because his owner is irresponsible.

Kathleen, Colorado Springs (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:50 PM)

there are no bad dogs just dumb owners

carolynleroybaraboo,wi53913 (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 6:56 PM)

Did you know the average American plans to retire on proceeds made from the lottery or by a lawsuit? Sounds like to me neighbor was tired of working and decided to retire compliments of the pooch next door. I think Rolo should be required to have some obedience training and maybe have puppy mommy in the yard when he is outside. Guess neighbor will have to go fall over at the Home Depot.

Mare, Dallas TX (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:25 PM)

Read the transcripts people and you might learn a little more about the "victim". She went to trauma counseling and physical therapy...are you kidding me? She originally wanted over $1300 for damages and lost wages. She actually believes her actions saved her and her child from being mauled. If either of those dogs were the type to maul her nothing she did would have stopped them. Rolo is not a well-behaved, or trained dog, but to put the dog down for this would be a grievous mistake. It's obvious the neighborhood feels threatened by this animal and the owner should have taken steps long ago to alleviate the situation through training. However, if the dog has been such a threat for so long wouldn't it stand to reason that there would be more incidents?

Craig S. Akron, Ohio (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:56 PM)

I have noticed that no one has stated if this dog was neutered.Any dog can bite, just as any horse can kick. Male dogs can become more aggressive if being territorial, or if a female nearby is in heat.The owner should never have let him off leash, but a death sentence is a bit much if he had never acted in this manner before. She should be totally diligent in making sure this dog is unable to repeat this type of incident. One person injured is already too many. I have seven dogs, all of whom are altered and enfenced. It is the responsible thing to do.

Judy Norkett, Spartanburg,SC (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 7:59 PM)

To Brad Kruse and Janet Hudson and Peggy Waller- I work with dogs on a daily basis and your comments are both rude, foolish and extremely poor in taste. A dog can and will bite if it feels threatened, is sick or hurt or is provoked. If Rolo felt the woman was too close or if the child did something that the dog perceived as threatening, the dog will react accordingly. Dogs are not 'spooks' and are capable of learning behaviors - just like people. It will take time and work but Rolo can be trained and may even be desensitized to certain stimuli.

Unless you were there (Ms. Waller), and your comment does not state, I would reserve judgement until you had more facts. There are two sides to every story and I have dealt with people who for whatever reason (hate pets, dislike the neighbor, don't like what the person does for a living, etc), will use an animal as the subject of complaints or threats against that person. I have unfortunately seen more than one individual say their neighbor's pet bit their child simply because they refused to take responsibility for their child's behavior - and the animal was not even near the child when said 'bite' occurred.

Mr. Kruse, your comment on having Rolo made into a yard ornament was in very poor taste and you should be ashamed of yourself for that comment. Ms. Waller & Ms. Lago, before you start tossing around terms like'spook' perhaps you should do some research before throwing such comments about.

Victor C. Scotts, Portland OR (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:03 PM)

I'm sure the lady with the baby was frightened, but why scream at the dog. He probably did not know what she was screaming for or if she was going to harm him the dog. I'm sure there was more on the ladys mind then the bite. Why did she take pictures of herself right away unless there was another motive. People that don't like dogs or know anything about them want them put down right away, without regard of what the owner has to go through. after awhile a pet is part of your family and that is why so many people stood up for the dogs owner. Those with out pets do not understand the relationship of a pet. So just kill the dog!!. I don't think so. Look at what dodgs do for the blind and other handicaps that people have. Thanks to the judge for saving Rolo's life.

J.Deers Thornton Co. (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:16 PM)

I worked for veterinarians for over 12 years. There are some simple rules: all dogs bite, all cats scratch, and all cats bite. If it has nails or teeth, it deserves caution and respect. Animals are like us. Some are completely nonagressive. Some are freaky. Some are outwardly agressive. In an unfamiliar situation, all bets are off.

I've seen German Shepherds and Rottweilers who were incredibly well behaved and Labs who would happily chew your arm off if they had a chance. The first dog who took a nice bite out of me was a Golden Retriever.

Regardless of the dog's personality, it's the owner's responsibility to keep the animal contained and trained. Letting an animal run loose is irresponsible and dangerous. We as owners are doing the dogs a huge favor by teaching them basic manners and how to be considerate of others. Just because the owner loves little (or big) Fluffy does NOT mean that everyone does. If the dog doesn't know how to behave, the fault rests with the owner.

V Turner Roswell GA (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 8:33 PM)

I have 3 dogs so i like to think that i know dogs pretty well, first and for most it takes a lot to "Bug" any of my dogs and if they do get to that point they get up and go lie down some where else. so unless there highly provoked they just lie down looking for a tummy pat. and while i dont tie my dogs up they do have shock collers ( electric dog fence ) and that keeps them in the yard and at most they bark at the passing cat. also if you see a dog dont auto asume its friendly. just because it lieing down and looks cute and cuddely doesnt mean it wont defend itself , i mean sure if youve know the dog for years it will happy accept a belly rug , but if its not your dog dont get close enough to pet it unless the owner is there to.

chris bennet (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:35 PM)

In MI. we have a " leash law" that is very effective, concerning dogs,and enforced upon complaints.

sam ancic Burton Mi (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 9:39 PM)

I honest believe unless the dog in involved in an altercation with another animal...dogs will only attack if provoked...i was bitten quite a few times over the weekend by 2 dogs..one of which was my own and the other was a german shepherd...it was a case of being in the wrong place at the wrong time. Both dogs wanted my full undivided attention, when i was unable to the shepherd ( who is much larger than the other dog who is my dog) because jealous and then the fight was on...i dont blame the dog...my own dog has been the only dog in the family for nearly 7 years...yes i was bitten quite a few times but i was trying to break up the fight because they had me cornered in my small bathroom....

Susi Eaton (Sent Thursday, February 28, 2008 11:16 PM)

Remarkable judgments given that no one, or possibly only one person above, knows the victim or the dog. I hope none of these people ever serves on a jury wherein they must listen to evidence before rendering a verdict.

From the comments so far we learn that there seem to be dog defenders who are not interested in truth as much as in protecting any dog, no matter what facts are presented. The facts presented include those that the dog had its voice box changed to overcome its barking; that it routinely charges the fence; that it routinely threatens people; that it routinely gets out of its yard and off its leash; that the week before this event it attacked a neighbor man across the street who warded it off; that the dog did indeed bite through the victim's flesh; that it threatened not only an adult but a small, defenseless child; that neighbors have complained before; that there was another dog also charging. And yet the dog defenders ignore all this to slander the victims, claiming they exagerate the circumstances and are only wanting money and attention. Really? Are they getting wanted attention? Are they getting money? Of course not.

Instead of imagining yourself as a cute furry pooch, picture yourself as a human mother to under 5 feet tall, holding your only child of 14 months, crossing the street to avoid some loose dogs, and then finding the two of them charging you, one of which is a German shepherd about your weight, snarling, snapping, and leaping for your child. Tell me what you do? Reach down and pet the pretty poochie?

Marilyn Mayer, Glen Ellyn, Illinois (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 2:18 AM)

Any dog can bite. They are not little humans in furry suits, they are animals with millenia of hardwired instinct that no, and I do mean NO, amount of careful breeding can fully override. Dogs nip and bite each other while playing as a matter of course. I have to agree with the man in the video that commented that if the dog was really serious about agressively biting that he could have maimed the woman. It is sad that this situation was allowed by the owner though, no dog should ever be running free on the street no matter what. A responsible owner knows that even if their dog is the friendliest dog in the world, it won't save them from being hit by a car or getting into a fight with another dog. That being said, accidents do happen - gates get left open, dogs dig under the fence. Even the most careful owner is at risk of this situation happening, especially because human instinct is to scream and act agitated when threatened and a dog's instinct when they see that behavior is to chase and catch. Again, they are animals and they do the things that animals do. Training and socialization can help that but it cannot change nature and instinct.

Lori, Indianapolis, IN (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 4:08 AM)

We all need to get a grip. I too have a dog that is dearly loved, but I also have a son whose face was torn apart by a German Shepard and the owner was right there. If the dog is agressive and a threat to any human large or small, it should be put down.

Debbie M Clermont Florida (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 5:11 AM)

If there are leash laws, then this dog should have never had the chance to bite anyone...clearly the owner is at fault. What if this dog roaming at large had roamed into the street and caused a wreck resulting in loss of human life??? Wouldn't be the dog's fault either. Owners are responsible for their dogs. It's interesting how many people let their "babies" and "members of the family" roam at large to get into fights, get hit by cars, eat toxic items, etc. If people let their human children run at large like this, they would be "neglectful" and "unfit". It's also interesting how many people are blaming the victim by saying she provoked this animal. Not everyone likes dogs and even if they do, they don't have to like your dog.

Tracy Beeler (DVM), Washburn, TN (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:23 AM)

I find dog owners to be prejudiced. Any dog can and will turn on you. A five year old girl was decapitated by a German Shepherd when I was in high school and 41 years later it still haunts me to imagine how that little girl must have been terrified. German Shepherds have wolf lineage in them so don't say "My dog would never harm anyone." Doberman Pinschers, Rottweilers, pit bulls (and Pythons, Boa Constrictors) should all be illegal to own, with a heavy fine for having one. Any pet or animal that can kill (and eat) you should be illegal. How many more small kids and adults is it going to take before they are not allowed to be pets. Sorry, some people cannot and will not see the obvious....THEY ARE DANGEROUS!!!!!!!!!!!!

L. Greene, Greenville, SC (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 6:38 AM)

i agree with betty caldwell......go after the real problems in life and quit worrying about the dogs!!!

janie (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 8:19 AM)

Brad from OK
What if the neighbor had a vendetta against the owner, what if the neighbor taunted the dog? Did you ever think of that? Why should the dog die when there is no proof that he even caused an injury? Do you have kids? I say your kids hit me I have no proof but let's kill them anyway. Why is it that if a human rapes, robs, kills, or injures another human they get to be rehabilitated but an animal must die? Society can be judged by the way it treats their animals-some famous guy said that you may have heard of him-Gandhi.

scott Pisciotta, East Wind Gap , PA (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 8:33 AM)

Kuhari
I think love you, or at least your ideas on animals. Yes we are the most narcissistic creatures to ever walk this or any other planet. We kill randomly and for fun what other animal does that? Yes I realize most people have forgotten we too are animals and of the lowest nature. We kill our own children, we kill each other, we kill other innocent helpless animals, we have destroyed the planet basically we are a plague. What gives us these “rights” is it the opposable thumbs or our so called higher reasoning skills? This is why I donate between $1,000-$2,000 a year to animal causes and $0 to human causes. I would instantly stop to help a lost or hurt animal of any kind. I once saved an owl that had been hunting to close to the side of the road and hit his head on a car. What did the 10 cars in front of me do? They drove around him, mind you all stopped to gawk but no one to help. Yes I had to drive 50 miles to a wildlife rescue and yes I made a large donation but I saved that animal. He was aware I had done so as on the car ride to the rescue he sat on my shoulder and rubbed his head against mine, I was told this was not typical owl behavior at all. Just like all the “kind and caring” people that drove around him (not even to just move him out of the road) I had commuted over an hour home and worked an 8 ½ hour day but I have compassion and love for all animals. I am no “tree hugger” I am a Marine and a combat vet but I have a heart, something sorely lacking in most humans. I am glad to see you have a heart too.

scott Pisciotta East Wind Gap, Pa (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 8:49 AM)

Robert
I agree Jan is a little spooky. I have worked with the best and I do mean best trained GSD's in the world in the Marine Corps and if provoked they will defend themselves. It is not the dog it is the owner. No such thing as a bad dog-bad owners yes-bad owners who through their ignorance make their dogs bad-yes, bad dogs-no. It had been my pleasure to work at a wolf sanctuary in MN many years ago and the big bad wolf one of the most feared animals in North America will if raised without human pullution (intervention) or with proper human intervention as a puppy will either be shy and anything but aggressive or they will be as gentile as a any other dog. If you add an ignorant human to the mix now you have a problem.

scott Pisciotta, East Wind Gap Pa, (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 8:58 AM)

Bobby Cutts kills his girlfriend and unborn child and it was determined that he had previously did good things; so killing him wasn't an acceptable means of punishment. Rolo, the dog, commits one act that evidently won't even require plastic surgery; and people are screaming for him to be killed. Guess the moral is: if you want to kill or maim someone, make sure you have 2 legs not 4.

Linda D. Fox, Hernando, FL (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 9:24 AM)

What did this so-called "victim" do to Rolo to provoke him?? She is the one who should be on probation!

Emily G. Shepherd, Ft. Worth, TX (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 2:48 PM)

Good for you Linda Fox, I was almost going to write the same thing. Some of the heartless comments, the worst being from Brad of OK proves how sad the mental stability in our nation has gotten. With comments like that, I think the local authorities should bring him in for a mental evaluation. He sounds like he is seriously unbalanced and a potential threat to others. Perhaps he should be put down.

Now, does my rational sound parallel to the 2 digit IQ's that can't see that this was a minor incident that was exagerated and possibly provoked by the plantiff?

America is rapidly going down the toilet and the negative comments of those above support my claim.

Aaron, Denver, CO (Sent Friday, February 29, 2008 9:40 PM)

WOW, I am scared and blown away by the way society is going. Down hill. I remember when people used to be held accountable for their actions. I remember when a person got bit by a dog, child or adult, the first thing people would say is, "What did you do to the DOG?" "If you were abusing that animal, then you deserved what you got." Children USED to be taught respect for life, which included people and animals. I was to NEVER abuse an animal, was taught to respect my elders etc.. I was told to never approach a dog that I didn't know, I was taught to ASK the owner if I could touch the animal. I was taught to respect other people's property, which included animals. What happened to that? What happened to common sense? An animal can't speak, all they know to do when they are scared or feel threatned is to bite. How dare we expect an animal to take abuse, neglect, threats and NOT react. We teach out children to scream, kick, BITE, fight hard when confronted with any danger. How can anyone expect an animal to just take it so humans don't get their feelings hurt and still feel superior.It makes me afraid to own a dog. I have 2 cats and my husband wants a dog. I am thinking maybe the best thing to do for the sake of the DOG is to stick to cats. I don't want to end up in court because my dog was defending itself against a money hungry, ignorant, and selfish woman who can't keep her hands to herself.

SB, COLO (Sent Monday, March 03, 2008 1:43 PM)

I think it is absolutely so grossly evident that 90% of the main stream media including NBC and there commentators want Hillary Clinton to win the Democratic Presidental Nomination. Consistently when anything is discussed or reported on about the primaries or related items, she is always given more coverage. It is very easy to see that Hillary is the media's favorite! Even when her oicture is put on the web pages, it is always her 1st then Obama. That gives the preception that she is always ahead. Why is she being forced down the veiwers throats? I think NBC and others should practice non-bias reporting.

Jack Prutzman, Seneca Falls, NY (Sent Tuesday, March 04, 2008 4:29 PM)

I am the trainer that is now working with the dog in this case. I have trained approximately 19,000 dogs over the past 30+ years - about 5-10% of which I would consider to have aggressive issues. After getting to know the dog and listening to all the testimony, I believe I know what happened and why it happened.

Rolo had a dog door that left him with continuous access to the outdoors, even when the owner wasn't home. This left him to develop a feeling that he was in charge of the whole neighborhood - as many herding breeds will do when given this opportunity. He would charge the 4' chain link fence when people walked by - giving those people the impression that he was a vicious dog. He never attempted to jump the fence to go after people even though he was more than able to do so. Whenever people walked into his house or yard, he was always friendly.

The claims that Rolo was ever at large, aside from this event, are in judicial question, so I can't comment on those.

On the day of the incident, Rolo was off leash in front of his home with his owner when the victim and her toddler were walking down the sidewalk nearby. Rolo trotted towards them because, in my opinion, he is a very social and curious dog. When the woman saw him approaching, she screamed loudly and lifted her son away from the approaching dog while she was standing in the middle of the street. Rolo, sensing that the woman and/or child were in trouble, now ran towards the woman barking in his attempt to intervene. He then grabbed the screaming woman by the posterior and tried to pull her to "safety" - from his perspective.

Rolo never realized that he was the cause for the woman's panic. We can spent a lot of time surmising what danger the dog thought the woman was in. It is an established fact that he did not break the skin on the woman's posterior even though he grabbed and pulled on her twice. The injury she has stated having trouble with had nothing to do with the dog's contact. She is complaining of a pinched nerve that she suffered when she hurriedly bent over to pick up her 14 month old boy.

I was quoted as guaranteeing on the witness stand that Rolo would never bite again, which was selectively pulled from my complete argument that Rolo never bit anyone in the first place.

No one should blame the woman for screaming or attempting to protect her child from a perceived danger. Her instincts took over as they would with many of us in similar situations. It can be said however, that if she had just stood still quietly, I suspect no one would ever have heard of this dog.

Ted Terroux, Arvada, CO (Sent Tuesday, March 11, 2008 11:54 PM)

darn this poor little german shepard,they are not asking the "victem" what did YOU do to the dog.I have a rottweiler and a german shepard/great dane mix and both of them have never bitten a person (besides the time when some guy with a baseball bat waas screaming at them)i think dolo and his owner should be spared

Danny Ali,Providence,Rhode Island (Sent Wednesday, March 12, 2008 10:11 PM)

Dog owners beware. Owning a large dog like Rolo, he'll be in the category of "breed discrimination" just for being a large size... It will not matter whether your dog is expressing himself in a happy way of joy, maybe jumping up, tail-wagging... he's not a little poodle so his behaviour can be scrutinized into a dramatic story and he can be condemned into "godzilla" just such as Rolo was. If your dog is a little poodle, don't worry.
Rolo was victim of an ignorant greed-driven person, who proved herself to be very unstable on the witness stand, out for drama and self-pity, bringing on a group of witnesses all very inconsistent and pre-staged. The dog law is so poorly written, that anyone who perceives your dog's behaviour as scary, even if it would not be at all, that person can persecute you based on his perception of "fear". Not only have people in this case over-reacted, they have not been willing to open their minds to understand canine language or behaviour.
Dog owners beware: Own a large size breed ? He might be the next pawn on someone's agenda to take advantage of our pathetic system, where stories can be exaggerated into dramatic soaps, driven by greed and deception.
Rolo suffered in confinement while the world around him went to the "dogs"... This case shed light on how desperately our dog laws need to be revised. Not only to protect your dog from fraudulent intents, but to protect yourself from being milked for greed, when the reasons are clearly based not on the incident's validity itself, but because our system allows it, and common sense does not prevail, it has been lost.
So watch your dog. He is at risk, and so are you.

Monika Courtney, Denver, CO. (Sent Sunday, March 23, 2008 10:35 AM)

to L. Greene from Greenville, SC: German shepherds do not have wolf lineage in them anymore than miniature poodles do. You should get your facts straight before insisting that certain breeds be banned. while I understand you have witnessed a horrible dog attack caused by a german shepherd, for which I'm deeply sorry to hear of, realize too that there are many things that pose a far greater danger to children's safety than dogs but which we don't ban, e.g. cars and other people. Also realize that ANY dog can bite and any individual dog within any breed can happen to be vicious, whether german shepherd or small fluffy dog. People may freak out more over german shepherds, but countless more service dogs for the disabled and search-and-rescue dogs for saving lives, and police dogs, are german shepherds. If entire breeds are banned altogether, how many disabled people will go without service dogs and how many criminals will not get apprehended and how many victims lost in the wilderness or in urban disasters will die for not being found? Cars kill far more people (and children) than dogs do, should we ban cars?

German Shepherd owner, Boulder, CO (Sent Monday, March 24, 2008 2:23 AM)

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