Last month Chief Circuit Court Judge Nick O. Holowka ruled that while Connie and Greg Wojciechowski of Lapeer Township had not lived up to the court order they signed in December that Lefty didn’t deserve to die either.
Holowka ordered the animal held at Lapeer County Animal Control until a permanent home could be found for the dog, which was declared a dangerous animal during a December hearing in front of Judge Michael Higgins.
After declaring Lefty a dangerous dog Higgins ordered Lefty be put on a wire run with an adult present when he was outside until a fenced enclosure could be built in the spring.
However in January Lapeer County Animal Control picked up the dog after a 14-year-old neighbor boy who had lost his German Shepherd following
Lefty’s confinement and subsequent legal battles drew international attention and set off a firestorm of social media comments along with emails and phone calls to local officials.
OWNER IN DENIAL
Through it all Connie Wojciechowski insisted her dog was not aggressive and that all of Lefty’s woes were the result of neighbors who had failed to contain their own animals.
She wrote on her Facebook page, Save Lefty, “As I have been screaming from the roof tops, he is not vicious nor dangerous. He is a great, loving, family dog. We had him over eight years we should know. But the courts listened to neighbors, lies and hysteria; they mishandled the Metamora case and had to make Lefty their example. The court in its infinite wisdom took the hysteria of a revengeful neighbor who had her dog six months and knew his temperament.”
Lapeer County Animal Control Chief Aimee Orn said Lefty never had a problem with people, he just didn’t do well with other animals.
Orn said she contacted eight animal rescue operations and the only one to get back with her was Devoted Barn.
The facility opened two years ago on 53-acres in Frenchtown Township near DTE Energy’s Fermi 2 nuclear power plant in Monroe County. Run by Melissa Borden, it’s devoted to providing a haven for feral dogs and animals that have been the victim of cruelty, neglect and large-scale hoarding.
“I’ve worked with them before,” Orn said. “I have complete faith in them.”
Orn said Devoted Barn sent out a trainer to look Lefty over. She said the organization signed an agreement recognizing the Lefty had been declared a dangerous animal by the courts and agreed to provide him with a forever home.
NIMBY
This is called NIMBY = not in my backyard. Courts dump dangerous, vicious dogs into other neighborhoods, jurisdictions, counties, etc. just so they can rid themselves of the problem - and the problem owner.
After picking him up, Devoted Barn’s staff posted several photos of Lefty at his new home.
Wojciechowski wrote on her Facebook page, “I miss him so much it hurts but I’m glad he will be loved and can run.”
She urged her supporters to visit Devoted Barn’s website, www.thedevotedbarn.org, and make a donation.
“He looks good. So thankful the Devoted Barn is lovin’ my boy. He deserves it.” She wrote.
(The County Press - Aug 30, 2015)
So glad for Lefty that he found a good place to go. Devoted Barn Thank you for loving and caring for this sweet dog.
ReplyDeleteAlthough I am over happy Lefty was spared and has a wonderful new home, this case was SO WRONG it absolutely makes my blood boil. I was one of many who wrote letters to officials on Lefty's behalf. This is one of those cases where people lie and exaggerate and like their 15 minutes of fame through falsehoods. Who pays??? The innocent pooch and his loving family. Lefty was not only locked up for nearly a yesr, but he was not taken care of properly during this time either and became very depressed and despondent.....WHY???? Because irresponsible neighbors let their dog run unattended and the dog went into Lefty's yard!!!!! SICK OF PEOPLE"S CRAP JUST BECAUSE OF LEFTY"S BREED!! He is much less dangerous than the monsters who had a hand in his cruel departure!!
ReplyDeleteThe hillbilly sand neptism that permeates Lapeer county make me sick. I have known lefty for year. He was never dog aggressive imuntil the first time the neighbors dog attacked him. I my self have caught the neighbors dogs on their property. I now carry a glock 29at all times and will remove the neighbors dogs with extreme prejudice should they set foot on my parents property. Keep your dogs contained or I will put a 10 mm leash on them.
ReplyDeleteThe owner's are the bad guys. I never agree with killing animals, just people
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