[longhairshepmom]

http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS/80618054

TRENTON — Congo, a dog who sparked a debate on immigration after biting a Honduran landscaper, has been euthanized after attacking its owner's mother in Princeton
Township.

Police say Congo and three other dogs jumped on Constance Ladd Tuesday afternoon, causing her to fall as she left Elizabeth James' house. Police say the 75-year-old had puncture wounds and lacerations to her forearm, chest and head.

It was not clear which dog or dogs caused the bites.

James' husband, Guy, notified police the dogs had been euthanized Wednesday morning.

The Times of Trenton first reported the story.

It was more than a year ago that Congo was ordered euthanized after the landscaper was attacked. The owners said the attack was provoked.

Gov. Jon S. Corzine's office received over 10,000 pleas on the dog's behalf and the German shepherd was spared under a plea bargain.

 

[CindyM]

what is going on....

 

[WVGSD]

I just read the story after the newspaper link was posted on petfinder.com. Apparently all four of the owners' dogs were euthanized after they attacked the wife's elderly mother.

RIP Congo. So sad.

 

[acurajane]

wow how unfair. It doesn't sound like the situation was investigated very well.

 

[nathalie1977]

I hate to say it, but it sounds like Congo's first attack was not necessarily as isolated it was portrayed.

RIP Congo et al.

 

[Clare]

I dont know the details but does anyone else think poor training was involved in this?

Just my two cents

 

[ebrannan]

I'm sorry that these dogs' owners were not responsible individuals. They:
1. Obviously did not take the time to train their dogs;
2. Were irresponsible allowing the elderly mother to leave the home without walking her out;
3. Allowed an atmosphere where an aggressive pack mentality in the dogs was able to come out.

It is sad, especially for the elderly mother. It must have been extremely frightening for her and probably will be a painful healing process for a woman her age.
However, I don't see it as unfair that these dogs were euthanized. I would like to know the breeds of the other dogs and if they knew the elderly mother.
Where exactly are they suppose to go after an incident like this?
Man, lately, I just seem to be the nay-sayer on this board, but in reality, what would their future be. Where are they going to live where you can guarantee they won't have contact with another individual that they may think is a threat? She had bites on her head and chest ... they weren't just giving her warning bites.

 

[JeanKBBMMMAAN]

Do we have the old Congo thread anywhere I wonder? Or an original article-here are some:
http://www.itchmo.com/family-fights-for-dogs-life-after-attack-3823

http://dogblog.dogster.com/2007/11/20/ne...rarily-delayed/ talk about hindsight

http://wcbstv.com/local/german.shepard.doggie.2.566960.html

New article: http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2008/06/german_shepherd_congo_involved.ht
google news: http://news.google.com/news?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=congo%20german%20shepherd&um=1&sa=N&tab=wn


This happened before.

It shouldn't have happened again.

Those owners did not learn and the dogs paid for it.

I believe they were breeding those dogs, so they were a related pack and apparently in charge.

Wow-good search there KShort!

 

[kshort]

Here's one of the old threads, but probably has similar links to what you posted, Jean.

http://www.germanshepherds.com/forum/ubb...true#Post603792

The dogs were related and bred by this family.

 

[ninhar]

Originally Posted By: ebrannanI'm sorry that these dogs' owners were not responsible individuals. They:
1. Obviously did not take the time to train their dogs;
2. Were irresponsible allowing the elderly mother to leave the home without walking her out;
3. Allowed an atmosphere where an aggressive pack mentality in the dogs was able to come out.

It is sad, especially for the elderly mother. It must have been extremely frightening for her and probably will be a painful healing process for a woman her age.
However, I don't see it as unfair that these dogs were euthanized. I would like to know the breeds of the other dogs and if they knew the elderly mother.
Where exactly are they suppose to go after an incident like this?
Man, lately, I just seem to be the nay-sayer on this board, but in reality, what would their future be. Where are they going to live where you can guarantee they won't have contact with another individual that they may think is a threat? She had bites on her head and chest ... they weren't just giving her warning bites.

I agree with you. The owners didn't have control over the dogs when the gardener was attacked and they obviously didn't have control over them again. The owners screwed up, people got hurt and the dogs paid the price.

The other dogs involved were also German Shepherds. They were Congo's offspring.

 

[JenM66]

My blood is boiling. I cannot use the words I want to here or I'd get kicked off. I supported those people, I fought tooth and nail, I wrote letters, I made phone calls, I made friends write letters and make phone calls. I am so angry that the dogs had to pay with their lives. When can we start euthanizing stupid owners.

I am sorry if this is too strong and I understand if it gets deleted or I get yelled at. I am beyond angry.

 

[BowWowMeow]

Wow, I am really confused. What was the name of the dog whose life was saved and then was rehomed because the man had a heart attack shortly after the dog's life was spared? I thought that was the same dog. Because the same thing happened in that case!

Really sad outcome for all of the dogs.

 

[Guest]

Originally Posted By: JenM66My blood is boiling. I cannot use the words I want to here or I'd get kicked off. I supported those people, I fought tooth and nail, I wrote letters, I made phone calls, I made friends write letters and make phone calls. I am so angry that the dogs had to pay with their lives. When can we start euthanizing stupid owners.

I am sorry if this is too strong and I understand if it gets deleted or I get yelled at. I am beyond angry.

I understand how you feel, Jen. I'm right there with you.

 

[reiner]

Was Congo even involved in this attack? I havent read all the articles yet, but it looks like they havent said which ones. I honestly feel the owners are to blame and not the dogs. To begin with, they sent the dogs clear cross country for training. There are several REALLY good trainers here in NJ where you can go WITH your dog!!! Second, if it were my dogs, I sure would be super certain that I didnt put them in jeopardy by taking any chances with them. There HAD to be clues that the pack was taking over... I find it hard to believe this is the first epidode!!!

 

[reiner]

okay.. I just found this article:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS01/80618041

this says that the dogs DID not attack.. the jumped on her and knocked her down. Supposedly he had them PTS because he knew the town would make him anyway.

I wonder what the truth really is???

 

[wsumner26]

Quote: these dogs' owners were not responsible individuals.

My thoughts exactly!!!

Sweet pups. I am sorry.

 

[ebrannan]

Actually it says:

Congo and three other German shepherds jumped on Constance Ladd on Tuesday afternoon, causing her to fall as she left Elizabeth James' house, according to Princeton Township police. The 75-year-old had puncture wounds and lacerations to her forearm, chest and head, police said, and she complained of pain in her hip.
Police said it was not clear which dog or dogs caused the bites, but David Henry, the local regional health officer, said it may have been all four.
James' husband, Guy, notified police the dogs had been euthanized Wednesday morning.
"It was a tragic end to a tragic situation," Henry said, adding that it was the family's decision to have Congo, Lucia, Hunter and Bear euthanized.
A call to the listing for the James family rang unanswered Wednesday, but Guy James told The Times of Trenton the incident "wasn't an attack at all. It was dogs jumping."
"I don't want people who were supportive of Congo (after last year's landscaper mauling) to think they were supporting a bad dog," Guy James told The Times, which first reported that Congo had been euthanized.
Guy James said his mother-in-law forgot the dogs were there when she went outside.
"They wanted to come into the house, heard the door knob open and they jumped up," he said.
According to The Times, Guy James said he thought the local animal control officer, Mark Johnson, would push to have the dogs euthanized, and that's the only reason he put them down.

I am really angry at the owners now. Not for euthanizing the dogs, but for thinking that people are that ignorant to believe that his mother-in-law would have that many puncture wounds from being knocked down.
He is back peddling, trying to avoid any future lawsuit, and probably being dropped by his home owner's insurance and using the ACO as a scapegoat saying he would have fought to have the animals euthanized after this incident.

 

[ninhar]

Originally Posted By: Reinerokay.. I just found this article:
http://www.courierpostonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080618/NEWS01/80618041

this says that the dogs DID not attack.. the jumped on her and knocked her down. Supposedly he had them PTS because he knew the town would make him anyway.

I wonder what the truth really is???

Then what caused this?

Quote:The 75-year-old had puncture wounds

 

[reiner]

I have no idea of what happened, and agree, the "puncture wounds" sound awfully suspect, BUT I also know from many other dog related incidents that older people have thinner skin and the puncture could have been from the nails. I dont know how deep these are and if they are bite punctures, but from everything written it sure sounds like he was hoping not to have to answer any questions!! I think he really thought no one would really find out, since he euth'd them before he even told animal control!!!

This guy deserves to be grilled for answers! HE did all these dogs wrong and should be accountable!

 

[JenM66]

Originally Posted By: ReinerHE did all these dogs wrong and should be accountable!

AMEN!!!!!!!