Contact: Brenda Collier
Just Save The Dog
brenda@collierlaw.com
512.680.5401
JUST SAVE THE DOG SUPPORTS LEGAL APPEAL
AGAINST UNCONSTITUTIONAL ORDINANCES IN
CITY OF ROUND ROCK, TX
PLEA CITIES ACROSS TEXAS TO STOP ABUSE OF CITIZEN RIGHTS THAT LEAD TO THE DEATH OF COMPANION DOGS
DALLAS (March 31, 2021) – Just Save the Dog announced support today for the filing of an appeal in a ‘Dangerous Dog’ case originating out of Round Rock, Williamson County, Texas.
The case began when Municipal Court Judge Alan McGraw deemed a dog named ‘Santana’ as a ‘Dangerous Dog’ in a case where no bite had occurred. The judge ordered her 71-year-old owner, Miriam, to remove Santana from the Round Rock city limits or face having her euthanized by the county. Having lost her husband of 31 years in October 2020, and living alone in the home she shared with her husband where she is reliant upon family and friends for support, Miriam was in no position to sell her home and move to a new city. This put Santana at risk for euthanasia as ‘dangerous dogs’ are rarely eligible for intake into ‘rescue’ organizations.
An analysis of Round Rock ordinances revealed a minefield of unlawful provisions related to ‘Dangerous Dogs’, and Santana was just another victim of these unlawful ordinances.
“The City of Round Rock has created its own ‘Dangerous Animal’ ordinance intentionally to circumvent the state Dangerous Dog statute and the rights granted to citizens under that state Statute. It is a blatant abuse of power and denial of citizen rights,” stated Don Feare, counsel for Santana’s owner and member of the JSTD Advisory Board.
The Round Rock ordinance grants the City rights that are specifically not granted to municipalities under the state Dangerous Dog statute; does not provide dog owners the right to appeal a finding of ‘Dangerous Animal’; grants animal control officers the authority to seize a dog without a seizure warrant; and requires that a ‘Dangerous Animal’ be euthanized or removed from the city which contradicts the state statute which sets forth very narrow situations and conditions under which a dog may be euthanized.
“The legal overreach of the city of Round Rock is unacceptable. Our Texas dogs only have the rights that are granted to them ‘through’ their owners. When cities deny owners their constitutional and due process protections, it’s not just about saving the dog anymore, it’s about saving citizens basic rights.” claimed Lauren Babis, president of Just Save the Dog. “We want to support Miriam in her efforts to seek justice for Santana, and all dog owners in their efforts to find just and equitable resolution to these very difficult cases.”
You can follow JSTD’s efforts and upcoming events on their Facebook page and website.
About the campaign:
Just Save the Dog is leading an effort to level the field for dogs and their owners caught in enforcement of Texas’ confusing ‘Dangerous Dog’ statute. The community can learn more about this ground-breaking lawsuit and the Texas Dangerous Dog statute at justsavethedog.com or join the conversation on Facebook at ‘Just Save The Dog’.