Texas: Rainbow Bridge, a non-profit supposed to help abused, neglected and abandoned animals, using their donated funds to help owners of court-declared vicious dog

Owners, whose pit bull has been declared dangerous, complaining about why they have to comply

TEXAS --  Bonham couple says the city is making them jump through hoops to get their dog back.

Simon and Ashley Johnson have owned their dog, King, since he was six weeks old and say seeing him locked inside the Bonham Animal Shelter brings them to tears.

"He's like our child," Ashley said.

But on March 14, King bit a mail carrier outside their home. He was brought to the shelter where state law requires he remain under a rabies quarantine for 10 days.

Ashley says she was told by the animal control officer, "That we could have him back after the tenth day."

That was nearly 40 days ago and now Simon says, "They're just trying to hold my dog ransom to try to get as much out of me as they can."

The Johnsons now face more than $1,000 in fines.

They feel they're being punished for raising concerns about the shelter but Bonham Police Chief Mike Bankston says that couldn't be farther from the truth.

"They're getting the same consideration and held to the same standards that we would hold anyone to that owns an animal that bites someone," Bankston said.

Because King has been deemed dangerous, Bankston says the law requires the Johnsons take specific steps before getting the dog back, including putting up a kennel and taking out a $100,000 insurance policy.

"They have not met those needs," Bankston said.

"I'm trying my best and we've had blessings from many people." Ashley said.

Rainbow Bridge, a local animal rescue group, has stepped in to help cover the cost. The group is also paying for the dog to stay at a vet clinic instead of the shelter.

According to Rainbow Bridge's petpoint page, "We are a rescue organization, a 501(c)3, non-profit, tax deductible, cater to the welfare of abandoned, abused, and neglected animals here in Bonham, (Fannin County), Northeast of Dallas, around Sherman and Paris area." Has this dog been abandoned? No. Has this dog been abused? No. Has this dog been neglected? No. What this dog has done is attacked and bitten a person and been declared dangerous.

Someone want to explain to me why this group is WASTING funds - meant to save animals - and giving these idiots the donated money?  Rainbow Bridge, you f'd up.

"We'll do, just like I told them, I said I'll do anything just like if it was a human," Ashley said.

The mail carrier is okay.

The Johnsons are due back in court on Thursday. The dog may face euthanasia if the requirements aren't met by the end of the month.

(KTEN - April 22, 2015)