1) John Henry has been a mild-mannered loving family member for six years.  He is up-to-date on rabies vax and neutered.  One day they were hiking and John Henry was not on a leash.  He got involved in a scuffle with another dog because John Henry ran over to the other dog.

2) After the scuffle was broken up, authorities seized John Henry and his Mom Fernanda Silva thought it was for ten days.  She never signed the dog over to authorities.  Authorities have had John Henry at the pound for six months to the present.

3) During the hearing:

a) No expert testimony was presented as to John Henry's disposition such as from a dog trainer or behaviorist.

b) No evidence was offered that the injury sustained by the GSD's owner was an actual "bite." 

c) No evidence was offered that the injury sustained was caused by John Henry.

d) One of the ACOs Ralph Bace testified that John Henry was a vicious dog.

e) Judge Varon based his decision on the execution of the dog on his "feeling" that a dog would never bite their own owner and that it must have been John Henry.

4) We feel that even if John Henry had bitten the GSD owner in being separated, there was no issue of provocation (but there is not even evidence that it was John Henry that bit  the GSD owner) and therefore he could not be ordered to be executed.

We are hereby making the following demands:

1) That John Henry be immediately released so that the family does not have to incur the enormous cost of appeal.

2) That Judge Varon is removed from his position as Municipal Court judge.

3) That both ACOs that testified as to the disposition of John Henry being vicious should both be removed from their positions.