Update: Last Call to Change Lladk's Fate...County Still Refuses to Consider Rescue
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On March 10, 2021, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals denied the Kollenburns’ motion for a stay of execution pending appeal. The stay ends March 27, 2021. Lladk will be killed immediately afterwards unless the Clackamas Board of County Commissioners relent and allow him to go to a rescue.
On March 15, 2021, the Kollenburns again requested that the United States District Court stay the scheduled euthanasia to allow transfer to a rescue organization in order to save Lladk’s life and lessen the psychological harm done to the Kollenburns. That request was denied by Judge Marco Hernandez the following day, March 16.
On March 17, 2021, a second appeal, challenging that denial was filed with the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals while the appeal of other issues continues at the 9th Court of Appeals. The appeals are difficult and, given the short time before the end of the current stay of execution, are unlikely to save Lladk.
The real and urgent question is why Clackamas county is willing to expend thousands of citizens’ dollars and devote immense legal time in order to kill the Kollenburns' emotional service dog, Lladk, when by no professional objective standards is he vicious or dangerous and humane options are available.
Appeals are difficult. Most often courts consider only how the law was applied, not whether the law is fair or reasonable. The content of the law is seldom reviewed, even when the law equates any bite, no matter how minor, preventable, or understandable, sufficient for the label “Dangerous” and a death sentence. Only the county commissioners can correct that law or through the exercise of executive authority grant an exception to a death sentence.
To date the County Commissioners have refused to consider any of the humane alternatives that can preserve Lladk’s life, mitigate the psychological harm done his family, and honor public safety concerns. And, most tellingly, all discussions by the commissioners about this case have been conducted behind closed doors, completely off limits to the public, and excused by a claimed need for “executive privilege.”
The only county comment has been:
- "After considering the original requested accommodations of returning the dog to the Kollenburns and sending it to a Rescue, they [the Commissioners] decided that those options are not reasonable under the circumstances. Of particular concern is that there is no way to ensure the dog is kept away from children in the future. That is true regardless of whether the dog is returned to Kollenburns or whether it is released to a Rescue where it would likely be re-homed.”
The county portrays Lladk as a child chasing predator intent upon injuring children. All the evidence indicates otherwise – it is clear that Lladk avoided confrontations and removed himself from stressful encounters. In order to justify a death sentence, the County has fictionalized and sensationalized the “crime.” By hiding behind executive privilege, the commissioners permit no questions about their irrational and embarrassingly simplistic conclusion.
Do not tolerate this government abuse of power and travesty of justice: E-mail, call, and Fax the county commissioners until they respond. Hiding behind silence should not be tolerated.
Clackamas County Board of Commissioners
Contact Information: The Board of Commissioners have one common E-mail, Fax and address.
Phone: 503-655-8581
Fax: 503-742-5919
bcc@clackamas.us
Mailing Address
2051 Kaen Road
Oregon City, OR 97045
Tootie Smith, County Commissioner - Chair
Paul Savas, County Commissioner, Position 2
Martha Schrader, County Commissioner, Position 3
Mark Shull, County Commissioner, Position 4
Sonya Fischer, County Commissioner, Position 5
For more information on County Chair Tootie Smith go to:
Tootiesmith.com, and Tootiewatch.com
Other contacts
Mike Bezner, Assistant Director of Transportation,
Supervisor of Clackamas County Dog Control
Telephone: 503-742-4651
E-mail: mikebez@clackamas.us
Kristine Wallace, Manager, Clackamas Dog Control
Telephone: (503) 655-8628
E-mail: kristinewil@clackamas.us
Commission Meetings: Public participation
The last opportunity to encourage the Clackamas County Board of Commissioners to reconsider their order to kill Lladk is on Tuesday, March 23, 2021.
I do not know if the public can attend virtually but call and ask to be included. In past meetings about Lladk there was no mention of him either as an agenda item or a discussion topic.
Absent change, his death will otherwise proceed immediately following March 27, 2021.
Please contact them no later than Monday, March 22, 2021.
Note on Commission web site
- "During this time, commissioners are encouraging the public to participate digitally in our Business Meetings and Listening Sessions.
Please contact us by email, phone, or mail. We will work to respond as quickly as we can, but we do ask for your patience as we focus on providing public service and keeping our community and staff safe."
Phone: 503-655-8581
Please leave a voicemail message, and your call will be returned within one business day.
Email: bcc@clackamas.us
Emails are usually returned within one business day.
Weekly Schedule
Board of County Commissioners Tuesday, March 23, 2021
Mar 23
8:30 am - 10:00 am
Executive Session - March 23, 2021
Board of County Commissioners
Mar 23
10:00 am - 12:00 pm
County Administrator Issues/Updates (In-Person and Virtual) - March 23, 2021
Board of County Commissioners