Texas dumping their problems on to California. At least the next victim of this pit bull will be able to collect from the new owner, millionaire Cesar Milan

TEXAS -- A yearlong struggle to save a pit bull put on death row after ripping open a woman's arm and chest has ended with an out-of-court settlement that requires he be treated by TV's "Dog Whisperer" Cesar Millan.

Gus has spent the last 425 days caged in a Montgomery County animal shelter after his attack on animal foster care volunteer Amber Rickles at her Magnolia home in February last year.

 
He was sentenced to death shortly after but animal rights groups got involved and now Gus will go to the Dog Whisperer in the hope of being transformed.

Rickles claims the brown and white pit bull mix she was fostering for Houston rescue group Maggie's House Rescue, tore into her arm after getting his toe caught in a kennel door.


According to Rickles, during a 20-minute struggle that followed, Gus bit into her left breast, broke down a laundry room door and attacked another dog.

Jennifer Romano, a Millan trained dog handler who runs Maggie's House Rescue, teamed up with other animal-rights groups to spend the last 14 months trying to save Gus. They say he was actually being abused and reacted out of fear.

Rickles admits she did use a taser on the dog in what she says was an attempt to subdue him, but said Gus didn't give up and required three adult men to pull him off of her.

[Why does it say she "admits" - as though she were trying to hide it? She stated that she used a taser on the dog which obviously HAD NO EFFECT.]

Montgomery County attorneys said an agreement was reached Tuesday just minutes before the case was to go in front of a jury in a plan devised to end what could have dragged on months if further appeals were pursued.

The agreement banishes Gus from Texas where he will be labelled a dangerous dog and says he must be re-homed in California with famed dog trainer Cesar Millan within a week.

Assistant County Attorney Stuart Hughes confirmed Tuesday that they have a letter from Millan's foundation agreeing to take Gus.

Romano and Maggie's House Rescue were also supported by the Lexus Project, which provides legal support for dogs on death row.

"This is something that the Lexus Project kept insisting on, that this dog can get adequate rehab at this facility," Hughes said.

Once there, Gus will undertake a two-week rehab program at a cost of $85-100 a day to see if he is safe and suitable to be re-homed.

"They don't just accept any case, Gus is a very special dog," said Jennifer Romano who believes Gus can be a pet despite the bloody injuries he inflicted on Rickles, "I trained Cesar's way, I trained with him and under him, (Gus) can be re-trained, he can get a second chance at life."

Gus' supporters have instigated an online campaign to try and raise money to pay for the treatment, court and shelter fees, which must be met before he can be released.

Cesar Millan's foundation could not be reached for comment Wednesday but the TV star is well-known for rehabilitating dangerous dogs.

The case has led to a vicious online battle between dog supporters and supporters of the victim.

Rival Facebook pages were set up, one called Save sweet Gus, the other, Save sweet Amber with neither side holding back when it came to commenting on the case.

Montgomery County Attorney JD Lambright said he hoped the agreement would finally bring closure.

"We hope that putting this matter to rest, along with avoiding any potential appeals that the animal rights group would likely pursue had the case gone to trial, will allow the victim to continue her physical, mental, and emotional healing from the effects of this vicious attack," Lambright said in a news release.

A civil case between Rickles and Romano is still pending.

(Houston Chronicle - April 11, 2014)