53 Comments so far »

1. by Jaclyn, on November 9 2007 @ 11:43 am

   this is utterly ridiculous! any dog that protects its family should be rewarded, not put down! that man in a physically negative way grabbed his owner, if i saw someone do that to my mom i would have gone after him too! you never know a human beings intentions. but you know the dogs.

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2. by Jason, on November 9 2007 @ 12:55 pm

   I am posting this to the Craigslist pet forum. OH HE will get tons of emails. Here is my email to him below:

   Dear Sir,

   I have the utmost respect for the judicial system and believe you probably help make society better. However, in regards to the dog Congo and the James family, I do not believe justice is being served here. First of all, if someone comes on my property after I ask them not to and then proceed to physically assault me, I have every right to defend myself. The James family dog was protecting a member of his family. That is what any dog would do, regardless of how docile and loving they are. They will protect him, because they love them. Not because they are vicious, but because that is what family does. No dog should be put to death because it defined a family member on their own property! Please please reconsider your verdict. This is a family member who is loved by his family. They will be devastated, as would I.

   I know public opinion isn’t everything, but a poll (http://www.nj1015.com/personalities/casey-rossi.shtm) conducted by a local radio station has 91% of the people saying this dog was in the right. That is with over 25,000 votes! That has to count for something. PLEASE Please reconsider and see how much you will be damaging a family for a dog who only wanted to protect his owner.

   Sincerely,
   Jason Jennings

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3. by APRIL, on November 9 2007 @ 3:20 pm

   I AGREE,THIS WHOLE INCIDENT IS A COMMONSENSE THING,THE JUDGE IS DOWN ON THE DOG FOR A BITE.WHAT ABOUT THE LANDSCAPER,THIS INCIDENT IS HIS OWN FAULT,WHO MIGHT I ADD VIOLATED THE JAMES FAMILY ON A FEW THINGS,TRESPASSING, HITTING THEIR DOGS,AND LAYING HANDS ON A PERSON THERE”S THINGS RIGHT THERE,THIS COULD OF ALL BEEN AVOIDED IF HE WOULD OF LISTENED AND WAITED.

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4. by LULU, on November 9 2007 @ 3:24 pm

   NO!!!!!!!!!! That is WRONG!!! He was just trying to be a GOOD dog!!!

   Love,
   Lulu

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5. by Vanessa delRio, on November 9 2007 @ 3:43 pm

   I will have to think of how to write as professional as Jason Jennings did, cause I can rant
   and rave and that gets me know where, I think the landscapers should o been beaten with
   whatever they hit the dog with, but I will be professional and write a leatter tonite on your
   and your familes behalf and be professional to the judge. Good Luck and please keep us
   advised on the outcome. If this dog is put down this will be a total OUTRAGE. I usually have
   faith in the Judicial System but I also have seen thing that made my head spin, people
   getting away with things that they should be jail forever for.

   Thank you.

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6. by Regina Seus, on November 9 2007 @ 3:54 pm

   Please ask Judge Annich to spare the life of Elizabeth and Guy James’ dog Congo. Congo did what every good family dog should do. He protected the life of the little girl in his care. Please do not kill him for protecting her. The landscaper had no right to enter the property of the James’. He was asked to wait. He entered anyway. Then he started hitting the dogs with rakes. He then grabbed the little girl from behind and pulled her to the ground (assault). To Congo, the little girl’s life was being threatened. He acted appropriately by protecting her and should be commended for his actions, not condemned. PLEASE DO NOT PUNISH HIM FOR BEING A GOOD DOG .

   God forbid, but if I were threatened by someone I would hope that my dog would protect me too. I would also hope that Court would have the ability to see through the contradictory charges and would award my dog with life, rather than death, for protecting a loyal family member from a threatening presence.

   Please let Congo go home to his family! He is a good dog!

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7. by BUD ROGERS, on November 9 2007 @ 7:24 pm

   THIS DOG WAS PROTECTING HIS FRIEND & OWNER ONLY AFTER
   THE LANDSCAPER GRABBED HER DID THE DOG BECOME AGRESSIVE
   THE DOG DID NOT DEFEND HIMSELF WHEN THE LANDSCAPER WAS HITTING AT HIM
   HOW COULD ANYONE CALL THAT A DANGEROUS ANIMAL?
   THE REAL DANGER IS THE JUDGE…HE HAS NO TRUE CLUE OF RITE AND WRONG
   I’LL BET IN HIS JURISDICTION CRIMINALS GO FREE AND HEROES ARE JAILED

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8. by Wicked, on November 9 2007 @ 7:48 pm

   I am truly disgusted with the fact that they are actually thinking about putting this dog down. That dog did what dogs have always done forever. I know that if my dog feels that I am about to be hurt he will attack and I am happy to knpow that if I am not a round and someone tries to hurt my daughter that he will protect her. The real problem is the person who attacked the dog in the frist place. He should be charged with animal cruelty and the dog should be saved. Think about the family that the dog was protecting. What is this teaching those children about their judical system if they put this dog down?

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9. by Kim Lasater, on November 9 2007 @ 8:56 pm

   I hope that Ms. James will consider pressing charges against this landscaper for assaulting her and for trespassing. Due to the fact that he ignored her request to wait before entering the property and that he physically assaulted her, COngo was within his rights and was doing the right thing. Sounds to me like the landscaper was trying to provoke the bite. Congo was doing the right thing and should not be murdered by this judge.

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10. by Admin, on November 9 2007 @ 9:00 pm

    I can’t thank you all enough for all your wonderful supportive comments… I hope the judge will take all the emails and letters and phones he is no doubt getting into consideration and spare Congo who was only doing what he was supposed to be doing, protecting his beloved person!

    Deanna

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11. by Dawn Rogers, on November 9 2007 @ 9:43 pm

    Clear and to the Point Congo was doing what ALOT of Dog owners Dogs do….
    “DEFEND THEIR OWNER/FAMILY”
    This Dog did nothing wrong…IT WAS THE LANDSCAPER!! He was told to wait! Then He BEAT
    CONGO with a Metal Rake? I would file animal cruelity against him!!
    Does the Judge think that K-9 units are visicious?? Theyre trained to do the same thing CONGO did,
    should they be put down for biting and attacking as well???

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12. by Tammy, on November 10 2007 @ 4:18 am

    Save CONGO!!! He definately was doing what most dogs would do in the same situation. Protecting his owner/family member. The landscaper should be charged her for physically assulting the woman, and for hitting Congo! My own pomeranians would protect me if this happened…I’m guessing so would my german shepherds.

    I know of this story…of a friend that had a beautiful chow chow. He was in HIS year with a FENCE….and some kid jumped the fence with a baseball bat and BEAT THE CHOW in the head over and over…the boy ended up getting BIT & the CHOW was KILLED by the Police!!!!!! Now, what is wrong with this story & so many others??

    Chow is on that list too, but it wasn’t his fault! Who or what would not protect itself from being beat??? Whats wrong with our society?? We are not safe in this world…we have to protect ourselves and our dogs help with that, it’s their nature. Heck my grandfather Chihuahua protected him better then many shepherds I know! That’s no lie!

    You can’t get Home Owners Insurance if you own a German Shepherd, I know, cause I own two of them…but they are the best “Home Security” ever! I guess I’m supposed to own guns…I don’t know. If some man came to my house and pushed/shoved me…he is asking for trouble. Why on earth is it the dogs fault??

    I know some pretty darn good watch cats, too!! Not to mention guinies, geese, etc…should we kill them all too? This country is KILL Crazy! It makes me SICK!

    SAVE CONGO!!! Have a Heart!!

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13. by Tammy, on November 10 2007 @ 4:44 am

    Sorry for the spelling mistakes above, but wanted to say that I have written a letter to the Judge in this case, asking to spare Congo & his family from heartache! Blessings xoxo

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14. by Becky, on November 10 2007 @ 7:31 am

    I am a landscaper and I find this story appalling. This man and his company should be charged. I have never entered a property univited, if I am asked to wait til the animal(s) are taken inside, I do. To physically touch a customer, let alone throw them to the ground is unthinkable. Where did this company get this man. Our company has such a good standing with our animal families I get Christmas cards from the animals! I wrote to the judge and hope everyone else did too. I love my dogs and would fight with everything I had for them in this situation. Good luck to the James family.
    Becky

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15. by Paula, on November 10 2007 @ 8:50 am

    From all that I read these workers were there the day before and had to leave early
    for some reason or other. They knew these people had a pack of dogs - if they were
    at all fearful of dogs (people do freak out when big dogs run up to them - friendly
    or not) they should have not got our of the van until they called the owner and made
    sure the dogs were secure. These were not very good workers - I wonder if it
    reflected in the fee the peple paid them. Sometimes you get what you pay for.
    Not only was the dog protecting his human family he had a mate and kids that
    he was looking out for too - I could see no other responce for a male dog but to
    protect them therefore he should not be put down. These people seem to have
    some bucks and can get that dog any rehab he might need - the trauma of the
    bite and then having to stay in a shelter. I hope this outpouring from real people
    changes this judge’s mind.
    I help out at a city shelter - to bad we don’t have more people helping those dogs.
    Not only do most of them get put down anyway a bite ora threat of a bite at anytime
    is death without any questions asked.

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16. by Kaiser's Mom, on November 10 2007 @ 10:01 am

    I’m going to ask everyone to please be tactful with their emails even though emotions are extremely high about this. The old saying of “you can catch more flies with honey” rings very true right now!

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17. by Tiffany, on November 10 2007 @ 10:01 am

    No dog should be euthanized for protecting his family members. I feel the landscaper acted inappropriately by being on their property when he was told to wait. Had he listened, this perhaps could have been avoided. I am tired of people putting themselves in a position where they are obviously going to get bitten by a dog, and then blaming it on the dog. Animals do not have the ability to rationalize. Congo only knows what he saw, which was someone possibly trying to harm his owner. This dog was doing his job, in his mind. Had the circumstances been different, this dog would likely have been friendly to the landscaper. I would also file charges on any landscaper who took a swing at my animal companions with gardening tools. How dare they! I am really tired of people provoking dogs and then wanting sympathy because they were bitten. Use some common sense. I think it would be a crime to put this devoted companion animal to sleep because a human being was so ignorant.
    In reality, it’s the two legged creatures who cause all of the chaos and problems on this earth, not the four legged ones.

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18. by swindlesum@yahoo.com, on November 10 2007 @ 10:48 am

    no way should that precious dog be put down,thats mainly what a dog is for protection,if the landscaper was told to wait with big dogs in the yard he should have waited!!! thats his fault i do not even enter the neighbors yard when thier dog is out and he knows me you could be bit or just let them out , my resposibility is to call 1st poor puppy let the dog live with the family who loves it!!!! he loves them tooo or he wouldnt protect them!!!!

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19. by Elizabeth H, on November 10 2007 @ 11:36 am

    I just sent a letter to the judge I will post it here for you all to read and hope that you will email be in response to what you think about the letter. I am the owner of german shepherds as well and find is disgusting how they are immediately classified as vicious because of their breed. Many people see them and have fear because they are deemed vicious however if you look at the list of 75 breeds banned and restricted from being deemed vicious in the united states a pug is one of them people do not look at a pug and have immediate fear yet they are deemed vicious it is ridiculous. I also have a lab which everyone thinks is fine they are known as the loving family pet but I know for sure he would be the first one to go after an intruder and would be there far before my shepherds.

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20. by Elizabeth H, on November 10 2007 @ 11:37 am

    Dear Judge Annich,

    I fully understand your position in needing to carry out the law as well as helping to keep the city you serve safe, however, I definitely feel as though the justice system is in this case is flawed. There are so many breeds on a “vicious” list it is sickening and unfortunately a German Shepherd is one of them. I did research and there is a list of 75 dogs deemed vicious in the United States a pug being one of them now I ask you if you see a pug does it strike fear in your heart? Do you find yourself backing away in fear for your life like you have to defend yourself? Obviously the answer is no to these questions however that is what many do when they see a German Shepherd because of an unfair stereotype. Stereotypes are frowned upon in every aspect of our country if someone calls the cops on a young black male out late at night because they “assumed” he was up to no good or hostile because of his color that person is accused of racial profiling and can have adverse consequences because of it however in our society we allow people to get away with breed profiling. If this dog is truly vicious and the owners are unable to control him then I understand the position of being put down even though it will cause great heartache to the family but is it fair to put this dog down because of profiling? The laws allows for self defense using equal force, a dogs only method of defense is his teeth. The gentleman was using a weapon (rake) against this dog as well as fellow pack members had he of been a human he was within his right to retaliate in such a manner to defend himself and the life of his pack. A human is given the right to a fair trial however because of his breed this dog gets no such trial? Where is the justice in that? You are not allowed to lock up a human simply because he is African-American or any other ethnicity because it is wrong and profiling so why is this faithful companion and family member allowed to have a death sentence because of breed profiling? I ask that you give him a chance to prove himself have a highly certified trainer come in and do a temperament test with this dog see if he is truly vicious or was acting with courage on this specific occasion. If he has minor aggression issues because he is afraid there locked up without his family order the family to obtain a trainer to work with him and the family to prevent this from happening again but do not sentence him to death for protecting his family. His owner was thrown to the ground had this of been your wife you would’ve hoped you had a dog there that would have done the same thing to protect your wife in your absence. I ask you put yourself in the same situation if you had a dog of any breed that was a loving family pet and someone was beating them and then abused your wife would you not want them to intervene and protect your wife and your family? I understand you are busy and apologize for the length of this letter but greatly appreciate your time in reading it. In closing I ask that you please have a professional temperament test done on Congo to truly deem if he is vicious or was acting in self defense for himself his pack and his owners do not allow breed profiling to take this beloved family pet and guardian from the James family. Thank you.
    If any of you have comments on this letter contact me at firegodess127@aol.com and let me know please.

    Reply - firegodess127@aol.com and let me know please.’); return false;”>Quote

21. by Rediculous, on November 10 2007 @ 12:00 pm

    Sir as I am sure you are aware of by now there is a poll going on as to if the public feels it is right to put this dog down or not and as of 12:45 PM EST Saturday November 10, 2007 there are 49,010 votes out of those votes 95.30% feel this dog should have his life spared that is 46,708 people that believe this dog should live as opposed to the 2302 (4.7%) that disagree and this is only the people that have found this one specific site. Should you feel compelled to check the ever changing results yourself the site is http://www.nj1015.com/personalities/casey-rossi.shtm The fact that this case is even being considered when it is so open and shut is just disgusting. This dog was clearly defending his family which is expected of dogs people need to understand a dogs nature and respect it if they can not they are in the wrong. I have German Shepherds as well as labs and my labs will protect us before my “vicious” shepherds will. My husband works for the Department of Homeland Security and when I took my adult male German Shepherd yesterday to pick him up a group of people ran to him shuffling their feet and scared him obviously if he bit someone from the fear he would have paid with his life and not the ignorant people that did not understand not to approach an animal like that no matter how well behaved and how well trained you can never fully predict how an animal will behave when they are afraid and feel threatened as I’m sure this dog did when the gentleman was attacking him with a rake. This does not make him vicious at best it makes him afraid and he felt compelled to defend himself against an attacker even the most docile human can not be expected to curl up in a ball if someone is attacking them if they retaliate against an attacker they are said to have been heroic in action. You are taught throughout school of the “fight or flight” reaction built in to every animal and every human if a hunter is tracking down a deer and it turns around and stomps him when he was about to kill it is Bambi going to be deemed vicious as well because he chose fight over flight?

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22. by Admin, on November 10 2007 @ 12:24 pm

    I would like everyone to know that I have emailed the Judge with a link to this story so that he can read the comments and see how everyone feels, all the support that the James’ family and Congo has.

    I can only hope that the Judge will take into consideration the public outcry and feelings regarding this case. For Congo to die would be a grave injustice on the part of the legal system.

    And please, as has been stated, keep comments ‘nice’ We’ll make our point much better saying how we feel intelligently and clearly without profanity and abusive or derisive language.

    Deanna

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23. by Tami, on November 10 2007 @ 1:21 pm

    This is my email to the Judge. As a former Animal Control Officer I felt had to write her also.

    As a former ACO For the City of Dothan, I have seen many dog bite and have been bitten many time myself.
    I have a dog that I have had for 21 years, and she has bitten only once in her life time. She bit and attacked a man who came onto our property with a gun uninvited.

    I have read the story on what happened with Congo. The reason is clear why the dog did what he did. It is not the fault of the animal but the fault of the human for not listening. This is something I try to instill in my children. Don’t walk into someone’s yard without being invited. If they have a dog he may feel that you are threatening his home. Not only was the landscaper asked to wait and did not, one of the coworkers beat the dog with a metal rake. To me that is cruelty to animals, because if they would have “Listened” the first time none of this would have happened. The next thing the landscaper did that was wrong was he grabbed one person that this animal loved, Mrs. James. This animal felt he was trying to hurt her and did what he was supposed to. He “PROTECTED” his family member. It is not right that the animal should die because he loves his family and felt it was being threatened.
    This is a prime example of someone taking advantage of the system, and could possibly have other ideas in mind, such as robbing the home at a later date.

    Have you talked to other neighbors in the neighborhood to see if the animal has done this before? I am sure you have someone investigating this and are not just going to order an animal Euthanized for protecting his home and family. I pray that this animal be given a chance for protecting his home, and his family.

    Sincerely,
    Tami
    ACO retired

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24. by Candise Fisher, on November 11 2007 @ 8:54 am

    I hope Elizabeth is going over the landscaper for assult charges!!!! The dog is not at fault as well.
    I hope they evaluated the dog to see it’s not aggressive normally and in this situation the dog did what
    loyal an protecting dog would do. The dog bit him didn’t try to kill him, big difference!!!

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25. by ann mcgill, on November 11 2007 @ 6:35 pm

    This is Barbaric! The dog did what only what any dog in that situation would do! It protected it’s pack!
    How can they justify destroying a dog for behaving in what is a natural way which is certainly not what
    the idiot landscaper was doing! I’d be suing him for every penny he had! Charge him with Assault Why did he touch her much less throw her to the ground and I’d also sue for damage to property for hitting the dog! The laws are ridiculous both here in the UK and in the US!

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26. by Lisa, on November 12 2007 @ 11:24 am

    This dog should not be put down for protecting his owner.

    Protecting his family is in his nature, his instincts.

    Leave the dog and the family alone.

    The landscaper is the one who needs to learn a few lessons.

    Don’t tresspass and don’t touch other people are two examples.

    Lisa

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27. by Lynne Masters-Lee, on November 12 2007 @ 3:07 pm

    Here is the text of my message to the judge:

    To the Hon. Russell W. Annich, Jr.,

    I just read some of the story about ‘vicious’ dog Congo, who was exhibiting behaviour to protect his owner Elizabeth James from a man who came on the property before he was welcome, was swinging a metal rake at and connecting with pack members, and then grabbed the owner and threw her to the ground.

    If this had been a human who was resisting trespass and abuse by a visitor on his home and family, would the homeowner also be declared vicious and condemned to jail? I think not, and I do not believe that a family pet exhibiting proper behaviour should be treated like a criminal and condemned to death for the misbehaviour of a human who could not follow instructions.

    Learning that these relatively young dogs have been in many other situations with strangers and not been threatening, and have been through at least one course of obedience training, I can’t help but wonder what kind of instruction the landscapers had been through. Its obvious they couldn’t follow instructions in either English or Spanish, so they are much more at fault than the obedience trained dogs were. I hope that any vet bills to the puppies caused by being beaten by the rake are being paid for out of the settlement funds paid to the man who wouldn’t keep out of the property when told to by the owner.

    You should be lucky enough to someday have a dog protect you from intruders the way Congo defended his family. Maybe then you will understand how wrong the decision to put down Congo really is.

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28. by robin mitchell, on November 12 2007 @ 11:21 pm

    This is outragious. Congo is not dangerous at all was just doing what any other dog would do to protect their owner. The guys who came into the yard and beat the dogs should be punished not Congo. Congo needs to be sent back to his family. This is absolutely unfair to poor Congo. I pray Congo will be released back to his owners.

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29. by Congo, The German Shepherd May Die Tomorrow | Crimes Against Canines | Current Dog News, Tips and Information for You and Your Canine Companion, on November 12 2007 @ 11:25 pm

    [...] can read the original post here and the full story [...]

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30. by Tony P., on November 13 2007 @ 11:10 am

    I felt strongly enough about this story that I send the following email to Judge Annich. I hope it can help in some way before a grave injustice is committed!

    To whom this may concern:

    I am writing as a plea to spare the life of Congo the German Sheppard. As a dog owner and a dog lover, I can empathize with the pleas of his owner. The dog was merely protecting his domain from strangers who acted aggressively first.

    The decision should look at ALL the facts of the case. And in my estimation, Congo and his owners are in the right. The illegal workers should be prosecuted and punished for

    1 – Trespassing when told not to

    2 – Physical Assault

    3 – Cruelty to Animals

    Congo is not the criminal here. He is a loyal family pet and protector of his family. He should be allowed to live in peace. Thank you.

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31. by Sam Passarelli, on November 13 2007 @ 6:05 pm

    I think it is so wrong to put a dog to sleep especially when the dog was protecting his owner.
    the guy was hitting the dog and the guy was on the ladys property. no one should ever hit a dog or any animals for that matter. the guy got what he deserved. this is just not fair all the dog was is to defend is owner and i know alot of people agree with me that this the most horrible thing you can do.

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32. by Natalia, on November 13 2007 @ 6:17 pm

    I went to the rally this morning. I stayed from 11:00 to 3:30 and was fortunate enough to get a pretty good seat in the courtroom. That is, until the judge kicked us all out. Yes, kicked us out!! He obviously could not stand the heat and pressure on himself (some judge!) and decided to UNCONSTITUTIONALLY dismiss us all. So much for a public trial. Guess he didn’t want 130 angry Congo supporters (and taxpayers) voicing our opinions. Anyway, the ironic part of the story is that this very judge’s house caught on fire a couple years ago. He pleaded with tears in his eyes to the firefighters to save his Golden Retriever whom he believed was still in the house. One of the firefighters (who was present at the rally), who was an animal lover, decided to take the risk and search for the dog inside the house. After searching the entire building and not finding the dog, he returned outside, where he saw the dog which had escaped the fire. HOW CAN THIS JUDGE PASS THIS SENTENCE IN HIS RIGHT MIND!!!! It is beyond ridiculous, and I will most certainly follow this case, and am willing to do anything requested by the James family to help them fight this battle. YOU ARE NOT ALONE!!

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33. by Kim, on November 13 2007 @ 8:38 pm

    Disgraceful. I have a german shepherd. If this dog is put to sleep you will be condemning part of what this breed was bred for. And thats just part of it. You will be condemning their loyalty, love and intelligence. It seems Congo had a lot more sense than these idiots that came upon the property at a time they should not. They did not listen to direction. Please do not put this animal down. Not all but most animals will protect their own litter and without saying their beloved owner if threatened and what these guys did was clearly a threat to them. They were given a heads up and they did not adhere. By the way, are these guys U.S. citizens?

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34. by suzanne ware, on November 14 2007 @ 10:01 am

    I am so upset about Congo. I cannot sleep and I cry all the time. I am trying to do whatever it takes to help this wonderful dog. I am a dog lover and had dogs ever since I was 5 years old. I am 49 years old. I feel so, so bad for the children who love this dog so much. Dogs have helped so many people, in the war, in 9/11, in every day life to deal with edical problems. PLEASE CALL GOVERNOR CORZINE’S OFFICE AT (609) 292-6000. Governor Corzine is a wonderful governor who I know will not let Congo die. Please call. We need all the calls we can get.

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35. by Brenda Redford, on November 15 2007 @ 2:52 am

    I think this dog should be returned to the family but with restrictions ie: muzzled when strangers are around. Also a notice on their gates etc. to let people know that dogs are around and that any persons must wait until they are allowed in. No dog should be destroyed for doing what is a natural thing to them in protecting those that they love.

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36. by Patricia C. Matook, on November 15 2007 @ 8:39 am

    This dog did nothing wrong. He “protected” his family and himself…thats what dogs do…what else was the dog suppose to do…yell for help? the man did not get “mauled”, he got bit….thats a warning for the man…..he shouldn’t of been there, when he wasn’t expected, knowing they have dogs. If a family member was protecting his family or himself….would he be put down? A pet, a dog, is a “family member”, putting them down for something he was “taught” to do is ridiculous, and outrageous.

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37. by Barbara Meadows, on November 15 2007 @ 12:13 pm

    I think that it is an injustice to the decision to have this dog destroyed .The dog was protecting the family and should not be destoryed. The immagrants should not have got out of their truck until the dogs were put up. Please do not destroy this dog.

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38. by Patricia Howell, on November 15 2007 @ 1:17 pm

    I think this dog’s life needs to be saved. I don’t think this dog would have attacked the man, if he had not attacked the dog’s owner first. The dog was just protecting it’s owner. I think it would be a great injustice to have this dog killed. Please find it in your heart to save this dog’s life.

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39. by Ally, on November 15 2007 @ 2:41 pm

    Congo was just protecting hes owner please dont killed this beloved pet

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40. by Tammy Simmering, on November 15 2007 @ 8:45 pm

    I Can only imagine what the James family and Congo must be going through. The gardner was in the wrong and if he threw mrs. James to the ground and was hitting the pups, Congo did what any animal or human as far as that goes would do. Protect what it loved and adored. Do spare the life of this dog. If the man was told not to enter the yard then he should have done just that and not entered until he was told so.

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41. by Carolyn, on November 15 2007 @ 11:40 pm

    My family owned a GSD in the 1960’s and 70’s and I have personally been owned by GSDs for some 17 years. My first female GSD, along with my current male, saved me and my house when I had a kitchen fire and I was in the back of the house in my home office. I hope that if a stranger ever enters my property and grabs me, that my GSDs will react the same way Congo did. He should not be condemned to death because a stranger on his turf acted stupidly. I’m sorry the man got bitten but he brought it on himself.

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42. by Danielle, on November 17 2007 @ 9:13 pm

    CONGO=GOOD DOG
    CONGO’S DEATH= NOOOOOO
    LANDSCAPERS= BAD

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43. by Dave, on November 19 2007 @ 9:53 am

    Congo shopuld have justice. He was protecting his owner and friend after the landscaper grabbed ahold of her. Congo was not aggresssive before the landscaper grabbed ahold of her and that should say it right there. I would expect the same out of my dog if that happened.

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44. by Leigh, on November 19 2007 @ 10:00 am

    Congo was protecting his family and should have justice for doing it. They said the Congo is not an agressive dog other then in this case where the lndscaper grabbed ahold of the owner. I would want my dog to do the same if someone was attacking part of my family.

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45. by Loretta Rafferty, on November 22 2007 @ 10:09 am

    I am outraged by this story. The dogs owners were responsible in informing the workers of the dogs and to wait. I do the same with my dogs, three pomeranians, the largest is 28 lbs he is capable of defending us by biting the object or person he fears is of harm to us. Get real America, these dogs also had pups, and it’s a parents instincts to protect the young from strangers invading their space, that goes for the human world and the animal kingdom.

    Lets hope the judicial system gets real on this one.

    Good luck to this family and their beloved dog.

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46. by miranda, on November 27 2007 @ 11:12 pm

    He should NOT be put to sleep! That is what dogs are for. The gardener deliberately disobeyed the owner, and threatened the wife. This is an amazing dog and should be rewarded for his actions, not put to sleep! I think that judge should be put to sleep. They disobeyed directions, and tresspassed into the dogs territory.
    Good Luck to this amazing Dog and his family

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47. by cody, on February 23 2008 @ 11:13 am

    I have a german shepard,so i know how they are,and they are “loving” pets and are loyal and “PROTECTIVE” of there owners.Can anyone tell me how Congo is doing? The judge in this case doesent see that he was protecting his family,If some one threw my wife down,my GS would attack to,and would be justified.

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48. by Save Congo! We Need to Act NOW! | Crimes Against Canines | Current Dog News, Tips and Information for You and Your Canine Companion, on March 26 2008 @ 8:59 am

    [...] was sentenced to death for doing what he felt was the right thing to do, for protecting his pack, his family. While waiting for the appeal he was allowed to go home with his family under many restrictions but [...]

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49. by Admin, on March 26 2008 @ 9:36 am

    For those of you waiting for updates and wanting to know what you can do, this is it!!

    SAVE Congo! We Need to Act NOW!! Please leave comments on this newest post at the link and share it to get the word out and above all, get letters out ASAP!!!!!

    Please read and act!! Help to get the word out as quickly as you can, our time is severely limited!

    Deanna

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50. by Mugzzi, on April 3 2008 @ 4:02 pm

    GOOD NEWS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    CONGO HAS BEEN SAVED….WE DID IT EVERYONE! Yahoo, my friend’s called the courthouse and we were told that Congo has been released to his family. He is safe!!

    I think it is amazing and wonderful that so many people rallied together to save this animal. It proves that miracles do happen.

    I don’t know about you, but this makes my heart sing.

    Happy Days,
    Mugzzi

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51. by Tony P., on April 3 2008 @ 5:53 pm

    I think we can all give a big “WOO HOO” now that Congo has been rightfully spared!

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52. by Becky, on April 3 2008 @ 6:42 pm

    WOW I’m really impressed it finally did some good to send a letter, I hardly ever do that but because of being a landscaper and dog lover (5 of them) I knew I had to say something
    YEEHAW
    Becky
    notahyle@comcast.net

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53. by cody, on April 4 2008 @ 11:31 am

    Thank GOD!!!!! Thats Awsome,this should have never been a issue,he protected his faimly,but he is at home w/his faimly,were he belongs.god bless congo,and all who helped him.I seen this awhile ago and got involved,Im from IDAHO,and I wrote a letter to the judge.Now congo can go w/life.
    Cody.

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