A Menlo Park couple are petitioning San Mateo County Superior Court to reverse the city’s choice stating their 3-year-old golden retriever a hazardous animal, a classification they called “quasi-criminal.”
A Menlo Park couple are petitioning San Mateo County Superior Court to reverse the city’s choice stating their 3-year-old golden retriever a hazardous animal, a classification they called “quasi-criminal.”
A husky was entrusted an injury after a run-in in August with golden retriever Bär. Bär’s owners, Menlo Park locals Tobias Kunze and Liliana Kunze Briseño, said they were not in the area at the time of the occurrence, and Bär was with a next-door neighbor. The petition submitted with the court specifies that the husky’s injury was cleaned up by the veterinarian and needed no stitches.
“The state of California has started really overstretching their response to regular dog behavior,” Christine Kelly, the family’s lawyer said.
The Kunze family preserves that Bär shows etiquette on his everyday trips. They said that Bär has actually had comprehensive training from accredited canine professionals and has actually particularly been trained on leash walking.
“(Bär is) super happy, eager to please, friendly, sunny character,” Kunze said.
The Kunze family says that having an animal that is designated as hazardous is more difficult than individuals frequently recognize.
Kunze Briseño explains the requirements as “oppressive.” They consist of 6-foot fencing around their backyard, Bär can’t go to a boarding center and should be leashed at all times. They even need to inform animal control if they move. Any infractions might lead to criminal charges, brining fines and even prison time, according to the Kunzes.
“It’s a quasi-criminal designation masquerading as an administrative decision,” Kunze said.
In an interview, the family declares that the hazardous animal choice was based upon someone’s report which the San Mateo County Animal Control officer had actually supposedly decided when she appeared at the Kunzes home. According to the petition, the animal control officer was welcomed by a docile Bär, who increased to the officer for petting. She said that Bär was charming, however required to be leashed from now on, the petition states.
The Kunze family says that this occurrence shows a bigger concern with animal control in San Mateo County.
“Its not just about our dog, there’s important community issues at play here,” Kunze said.
The owners of Bär likewise submitted 29 character affidavits from those who understand the dog, a number of which speak about Bär’s performance history playing well with both kids and other animals.
“Bär has always been the kindest, non-aggressive dog I have ever met,” next-door neighbors Ryan and Leigh Anne Williams composed in their declaration. “Bär is one of the reasons we also wanted to get a dog.”
The Kunzes said they will continue to battle the hazardous animal classification, calling their family pet a kind and caring animal.
“A dog can’t even be a dog these days, Bär’s behavior was normal dog behavior under ordinary circumstances,” Kelly said.
