Reunited with his dog (Decorated Vietnam Vet Arrested #6)

www.sandiegouniontribune.com ^ | November 9, 2001 | STAFF WRITER Dana Littlefield

[B4Ranch]

Homeless man is pleased to be reunited with his dog

SOLANA BEACH -- Robert Thomas Northcut, a homeless man who has walked the city's streets for a decade, got a little impatient yesterday as he waited to be reunited with his dog.

"All I want is my damn dog back," he repeated while crouching in front of the Do-It-Yourself Dog Wash. A couple of his Solana Beach friends, including Chris Tatum, owner of the dog wash, were there to wait with him.

He relaxed when T.J., his German shepherd, arrived from the animal shelter in Carlsbad, where the dog had been held since last week.

"I got him back," Northcut said as he walked T.J. -- or T.J. walked him -- along Acacia Avenue. "Everything's fine now."

Yesterday, the county's Dangerous Dog Task Force decided it would not issue a notice declaring the dog a public nuisance for barking and lunging at city and transit workers in Solana Beach. County animal control officers say T.J. bit a man in May.

Lt. Dean Maier, the animal control officer who made the final decision, could not be reached yesterday for comment.

Lt. Danielle Spilker, who previously handled the case, said she wasn't sure why the task force chose to release the dog.

"Usually when they release them at this point, there's not enough of a case," Spilker said.

Northcut, 49, was arrested last week on outstanding warrants. He had been cited earlier for trespassing on a city-owned median where a World War II memorial sits. Northcut, who said he's a Navy veteran, and T.J. had set up camp beside the concrete memorial on Plaza Street near South Coast Highway 101.

T.J. was taken to the county animal shelter in Carlsbad when his owner was arrested. Although Northcut was released after a few days, the dog was held until the task force could further examine the case.

Jennifer Lynch, a Vista attorney who appeared in court on Northcut's behalf, paid a $25 impound fee and a $17 licensing fee to release the dog. The money had been donated by the public. Residents and veterans who wanted to help had flooded her office with calls and e-mails.

"I'm not sure why (the task force) released the dog," Lynch said. "I can only hope that people's concern helped in getting the dog back sooner rather than later."

Northcut admits his dog has bitten people. He says T.J. is "feisty" and protective of his master. The dog had been abused before being rescued in Tijuana and nursed back to health by Northcut and Tatum.

When Lynch arrived with the dog yesterday, Tatum promptly muzzled him.

"We don't want any more problems," Tatum said as T.J. tried to knock the muzzle off with a paw. "He'll just bounce around for a little while, but he's going to get used to it."

[Marine Inspector]

Good job.

Semper Fi,

Marine Inspector

[RonDog]

Here is the HTML-activated version: JLL@jllynch.com

[MistyCA]

Happy birthday to you...... happy birthday to you....... happy birthday dear Marine corps happy birthday to you! and manyyyyyyy mooooooore!

[I_be_tc]

Thank you, Mr. Northcut. I appreciate you giving of yourself to protect me here in the States when you served in VietNam. I appreciate you protecting the flag of the country I love when foreign entities threatened. And lastly, I appreciate your love of animals.

God bless you and TJ.

[Mudboy Slim]

WOOOO-HOOOOOO!!! It's fun to win every once in awhile, ain't it?!

FReegards...MUD

[B4Ranch]

Pictures are in! #39 I used two different lists, so I apologize ahead of time for those who were pinged twice. Thank you all for your help in getting Thomas Northcut's dog "TJ" (Thomas Jefferson) back to him.

[Snow Bunny]

This is such great news. I am so happy for Northcut and TJ. Just sooooooooo HAPPY !!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[woollyone]

YEAHHHHHHH!!! =)

...and a happy-butt-tail-wagging bump!

[melsec]

The email reply I received from the authorities in charge of this debacle told me the dog was dangerous. Now they have released it. Sounds like a snow job. The dog was either dangerous or not, if it was then it should not have been released, if it wasn't then they were lyin'. Gee that from a government official......NAAAAAAA!..... Not possible, is it?

Bump from Aus.

Mel

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

E-mail sent. TJ's a cutie! Thanks, B4Ranch. (^:

[deadhead]

Great Pictures! I received a nice note from Jennifer and Sam. God Bless Mr. Northcut and TJ!

[TwoStep]

So much depressing news--this is wonderful. Thanks, for all your hard work! WE WON!

[RnMomof7]

Pictures are in! #39 I used two different lists, so I apologize ahead of time for those who were pinged twice. Thank you all for your help in getting Thomas Northcut's dog "TJ" (Thomas Jefferson) back to him.

Love the name..says lots about the owner:>)

[B4Ranch]

I went through all the threads to attempt to get everyones name who had made positive comments so that I could compile a list to notify you all that the picture are in at #39. I sincerely hope I didn't ping anyone three times.

________________________________________________________________________________________

Everyone:
Please send Jennifer Lynch and Sam Georges a Thank you note at JLL@jllynch.com. It is people like her and Sam Georges who help us take care of our buddies. They never expect a Thank You from anyone. So to show that you appreciate their help and that they care too. Just say a short Thanks to both of them. JLL@jllynch.com

[RnMomof7]

It breaks my heart,he looks just like me vet PTSS clients..My God keep him safe..

Is there some way FR can help this vet now? Is he homeless?

[M Kehoe]

Thank you very much for the update.

5.56mm

[RnMomof7]

Sent

[Victoria Delsoul]

Wonderful news, B4R!

Bump.

[RnMomof7]

Yea..first needs some cleaning up. Marine...he is typical of many that came back,you know that.
Some minds do not handle the trama as well as others....I would like to see a little peace for him....a job yea,but my guess is he couldn't hold one..that doesnt mean he isnt worthy of our consideration and care...