Order to euthanize dog stands, despite governor's pardon

WPXI ^ | April 12, 2017

[rightwingintelligentsia]

AUGUSTA, Maine - Maine's governor pardoned a dog set to be euthanized after killing a smaller dog.

But a judge has ordered the dog still be euthanized, saying the governor doesn't have the power to pardon a dog.

The 4-year-old husky-mix lived in Winslow with Matthew Perry. Last spring she got out and killed a neighbor's small dog.

A judge ordered Perry to keep Dakota fenced in, on a leash and muzzled when out for walks. Authorities say he violated that order. Dakota got out again and attacked the same family's "new" dog, biting it in the neck.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage said last week he was pardoning Dakota the Alaskan husky from the death sentence levied at that court hearing.

The judge said the euthanasia order stands.

District Attorney Maeghan Malony said: "The governor doesn't have the power to issue a pardon in this case."

Dakota has been waiting on her fate at the local humane society. Employees there said, "She's been very cooperative, friendly and extremely playful. We've seen absolutely no aggression."

[Celerity]

If I was the victim of that stinking dog I would execute it myself.

I’m also unique in my unbridled hatred of Huskies.

[maineman]

100% political. If Gov.LePage said the dog should be put down the liberal judge would have granted the dog a stay.

[Leaning Right]

Somebody should tell the governor that he doesn’t have to stick his nose into everything.

[Mr. Douglas]

Yeah. This is not a criminal case against the dog.

It’s not a punishment thing as much as a getting rid of a dangerous object thing. You don’t “pardon” non-humans.

[Junk Silver]

My mother had a beautiful miniature poodle that was mauled to death by a vicious dog some a-hole let run free. It wasn’t the first time this dog had attacked other dogs. It took some doing, but we finally got the dog put down.

I say do society a favor and euthanize the dog’s owner as well!

[Valpal1]

Euthanize the dog now or euthanize it later after it again mauls or kills a smaller dog or bites a child, because it will happen again.

The reason there are dangerous dog statutes is not to punish the animal or even the owner, it is done to prevent the next attack. People have gotten so tremendously stupid these days.

[gettinolder]

Not unique.

That breed seems pre-disposed to malicious mischief.

[Opinionated Blowhard]

I find a lot to admire in LePage but he made a mistake here. As an executive, you can’t respond to every sob story you see, no matter how much you sympathize with it. Its a typical Republican problem. They are for fiscal responsibility until they meet someone who doesn’t have insurance and needs medical care, then all the sudden its their Christian duty to expand the state to protect him or her. Or someone is going to execute this dog and some little kid cries about it so the governor “pardons” the dog. Its the worst form of feudal monarchical privilege. And completely undermines the rational application of the law.

[VaeVictis]

Apparently our rules in Florida are more lax. We had a dog get out in our neighborhood and it killed 7 cats in a few days. When they finally caught him we heard he was not being put down, but would instead be held until the owner came for it.

All the neighbors did take photos of the their deceased pets to put on file as evidence too.

[taxcontrol]

I believe the judge is in error. There is no language in the Maine constitution that limits the pardon power to just people.

The Maine Constitution says that the Governor has the “power to remit after conviction all forfeitures and penalties, and to grant reprieves, commutations and pardons, except in cases of impeachment.”

[Agamemnon]

I’m also unique in my unbridled hatred of Huskies.

With a disposition such as yours you would have been instantly disqualified from serving on a jury in this matter, and rightly so.

Furthermore, had the dog been convicted, identified as an Alaskan Husky as the article does, the verdict would have to be thrown out because the dog was not guilty as charged.

There is no such breed identified as an Alaskan Husky. There are Alaskan Malamutes and Siberian Huskies, but no Alaskan Huskies. It would be incumbent upon the court to find an Alaskan Husky to fulfil the charge.

I say this having been a proud owner at one time of a Siberian Husky.

In that the dog is not a "person" it is not clear whether recharging would precipitate a "double-jeopardy" situation.

But this is at its core a pissing match between the judiciary and the executive branch, and since the judiciary has no executive authority, it can order the governor all it wants to and if the governor tells him to screw-off there is not much the judge can do about it.

As it regards the facts of the case I had a pair of mixed breed German Shepherd/Labrador Retrievers who chased a neighbor's poodle out of our yard who had been taunting them My dogs at the time were behind a screen door. They broke the door and chased the poodle across the street and killed it.

We voluntarily replaced the neighbor's poodle and euthanized the dogs because they had "tasted blood."

No court charges or court action was necessary.

FReegards!

[PAR35]

First time, it got mercy. Second time, the owner of the small dogs should have shot it. Then we wouldn’t even need to be talking about it.

[PAR35]

What part of the word ‘mix’ did you not understand?

[Sans-Culotte]

The dog needs to be put down. Would the governor extend the same “mercy” to a drunken illegal who caused a death due to drunk driving? One person’s mercy is denial of justice for someone else.

[thatjoeguy]

"There is no such breed identified as an Alaskan Husky."

Alaskan Husky Bred Sorta

[Persevero]

True mercy never endangers the innocent.

Our current culture has corrupted the word “mercy.”

[Agamemnon]

What part of the word ‘mix’ did you not understand?

So you chose to play the smart ass, but at the same time you are too stupid to see how you just made my case stronger.

Dog you identified as a simply a "mix," and the article identified as a "husky-mix" is charged as an Alaskan Husky.

Republican Gov. Paul LePage said last week he was pardoning Dakota the Alaskan husky...

You clearly have no grasp of procedure.

FReegards!

[PAR35]

>>There is no such breed identified as an Alaskan Husky.<<

You are obviously more ignorant than you appear at first blush. Trying to cover up your shortcomings with name calling might work if you are a big guy trying to start a barroom brawl, but expect to get shown up by your intellectual betters on the internet.

Alaskan Husky Breed Information
http://www.vetstreet.com/dogs/alaskan-husky
“A working sled dog, the typical Alaskan Husky is a blend of various Nordic breeds, depending on the breeder’s preferences and needs in a sled dog. Pulling ability and team player qualities are more important than looks. Alaskan Huskies are not typically sold as pets but are sometimes found through rescue groups and can make good companions if their exercise needs are met.”

[aMorePerfectUnion]

Neuter the owner and give them time in prison.

Kill the dog.

Either way, really.