Blaze's owner promises to fight city on collaring

WASHINGTON -- The owner of Blaze the dog threatened to fight back if the city attempts to charge him with violating recently passed animal care and control laws.

On Nov. 2, Kari Ilonummi presented the Arlington City Council and various city staff with copies of a handwritten note from Dr. Tim Cavanagh, director of All Creatures Veterinary Services in Arlington.

The letter, dated Oct. 27, explained that Cavanagh had cleared up Blaze's infection, but is still treating him for Sarcoptic Mange, a disease that's highly contagious between dogs, and caused by mites burrowing into the skin, causing the animal's hair to fall out and creating a persistent itch.

As such, Cavanagh insisted that Blaze "temporarily needs his collar to prevent self-mutilation" until his skin condition clears.

When asked how long that might be, Cavanagh declined to offer specifics, but did note that he would be rechecking Blaze in about three weeks.

"Obviously, the end game is to get the collar off him," Cavanagh said. "This case has gone on a long time, but chronic disease can take a long time to clear up. Believe me, I'm as frustrated as anybody right now."

 

In the event that Cavanagh is unable to resolve the matter, he said he'd probably refer Blaze to a dermatologist.

In the meantime, Ilonummi claimed to have received a visit from Officer Val Copeland two weeks prior, ordering him to remove Blaze's protective collar.

"I took that cone off, we stood back about ten feet, and he went to town on himself like a steak," Ilonummi said, adding that Copeland ultimately instructed him to place the cone back on Blaze. "She told me to break the law, so if I receive a ticket for this, I'm taking it to trial."

In a statement that was called out twice for going beyond the two minutes allotted for members of the public to address the council, Ilonummi claimed the city would look "very foolish" for adopting tighter restrictions on the tethering of animals in September, a move that he derided as "appeasing the masses" without considering the consequences.

"I've tried to alleviate this situation, but I'm prepared to fight," Ilonummi said.

(Arlington Times - Nov 8, 2015)

Earlier:

• Concern over ‘Blaze’ the dog stirs debate over tethering law in Arlington

Concern over ‘Blaze’ the dog stirs debate over tethering law in Arlington

WASHINGTON -- A heated conversation is brewing in Arlington over the laws surrounding the treatment of animals.

One dog in particular has the attention of thousands who are rallying online. They  feel "Blaze" is being neglected by his owner and they want the city to step in to "free" him.

"I usually cry every time I drive by that house," a local resident said. "I have cried many nights thinking about that dog."

Blaze, a black Labrador retriever, is at the center of a growing debate in Arlington.

 

"No animal should be tied to a tree with a cone around its neck for five years," said the resident, who asked not to be identified out of fear of retaliation.

She's heading up a petition, already 1,500 signatures strong, demanding that the city step in and rescue Blaze.

But Kristin Banfield, of the city of Arlington, said Blaze is "not tied up 24/7 and the cone is on there to keep him from hurting himself further with his allergic condition."

Apparently, the dog has mange and is being treated for it.

The city says no laws are being broken, including the tethering law.

 

 

Banfield said that law states that animals have "access to food and water, access to shelter, and room to be able to maneuver around so it doesn't cause them any injury. And that's what we have in this case."

She said the city has received dozens of 911 calls from people, dating back to 2012, expressing concern about the dog.

"The dog is well-fed, has adequate water and access to that. Also has a shelter out there, has a dog house that he's able to easily access," Banfield said.

The city also said Blaze's owner has provided officers documentation from a vet ordering he wear that cone, which protects him from scratching himself when his skin allergy flares up.

"The dog is in a healthy condition and, while it's not ideal for a dog to live like that, that is acceptable under the law," Banfield said.

Some say the current law just isn't enough -- and what they're seeing just isn't right.

"My biggest fear is that, as has happened in the past, nothing's gonna happen and that dog will die laying on the ground alone," the petitioner said.

Q13 FOX News made several attempts to contact Blaze's owner, but have yet to hear back.

While no laws are being broken, the city says it is researching tethering laws in other cities and states in the hope of narrowing the current law.

The City Council will likely address the issue in a few weeks.

If you wish to know more about the petition for Blaze, click here.

(QFox - Sept 4, 2015)