Odin and Lucy have spent 13 months behind bars at the Anne Arundel County Animal Control and have been deprived of any outdoor access – not even a few minutes to go outside and relieve themselves, because they were accused of killing a cat named Big Boy back in January 2021. Oddly enough, the only witness had submitted two conflicting versions of the incident, never signed the complaint and failed to show up for the trial.
According to Wmar2News, Nola Lowman and William Dillon’s two dogs – Odin and Lucy were seized and convicted. Since that day the couple had been working non stop to free their dogs and bring them home. The dogs had never shown any aggression and had frequently been around both chickens and cats. Lucy, an Akita, and Odin, an American bull dog were subsequently deemed “vicious” by Anne Arundel County Animal Care; meaning they would be euthanized.
And despite the owners appealing, the Anne Arundel County Animal Matters Commission sided with animal control. With just one more chance to save the lives of the dogs, the owners with their lawyers, appealed to the Anne Arundel County Circuit Court, and Monday, a judge reversed the decision and sent it back to the Board.
Even with the ruling, the dogs remained locked up. Attorneys for the family – Ed Middlebrooks and Stephanie Kimbrell, were determined to free the dogs with the evidence that showed a wild coyote had been stalking cats in the neighborhood where Big Boy died. At least four other cats had been killed since Odin and Lucy had been locked away.
Anne Arundel County Executive Steuart Pittman issued a statement on Friday, calling for the dogs to be returned to their owner with restrictions that require the owners to keep the dogs muzzled in public and to erect a safer fencing system at home. Pittman stated he was convinced the dogs were not guilty and ordered a review of the entire case.
Once Odin and Lucy are back with their family, I will ask my staff to do a thorough review of this case and propose a way forward that protects both public safety and the welfare of the animals we cherish.
Stuart Pittman
Even though the couple had to pay $700 in fees to the shelter, they were relieved to have their dogs home.
Follow the National Pet Rescue on Facebook for the latest animal related news.
© Rescue Writers, 2016, All Rights Reserved
Own your own one-of-a-kind design! All sales help support the continuation of our site. Pick your favorite color and style at this link.
