Please Help Us Fight to Save Our Dog Layla!

Please sign this petition to show your support for her to not be euthanized and be released from Clatsop County Animal Control. 

On June 16th, after an unfortunate set of events, our newly adopted dog Layla killed a cat that was outside in a neighbor’s yard in Astoria, OR. That same day she was classified by the Deputy Chief of the Astoria Police as a Level 5 Dangerous Animal, which in Astoria means the animal will be euthanized. She has been held at the Clatsop County Animal Shelter ever since.

We appealed for a hearing in Astoria municipal court assuming that a judge would see the value in releasing her to us because laws in Multnomah County, where Layla lives with us, have more latitude regarding this issue. Our hearing on June 22nd resulted in the municipal court judge ordering Layla to be euthanized. This decision was made despite us providing two letters from professional dog trainers explaining the difference between hunting behavior and aggression. The judge overlooked professional opinions and injected conjecture into his decision saying that Layla is an aggressive dog and will eventually direct that towards people. Layla has never been aggressive towards people. The arresting Astoria PD officer, Clatsop County Animal Control officers and shelter volunteers have indicated that she has only ever been sweet while in their possession.

So the Astoria municipal court judge ordered that she should be euthanized. The Astoria city attorney supported the judge’s ruling 100% even though he was also provided the professional opinions of the dog trainers indicating that Layla is not aggressive. I believe this situation would not be happening if Layla was not a pitbull.

I feel terrible that the cat was killed, and I apologized to the cat owners at the hearing. But I don’t feel that Layla should be euthanized as a result and I wanted to fight for her. So I lawyered up.

We submitted an appeal to get the case reviewed by the Circuit Court. The Deputy Chief of Police was kind enough to issue a stay on the order to put Layla down. But the Astoria city attorney blocked his effort, saying the Police did not have the jurisdiction to place a hold on the order to euthanize Layla. Then the same municipal judge that ordered to put her down stepped in to put a hold on his own order. We are very grateful for this.

On July 5th the Astoria city attorney filed a motion to dismiss our appeal for the Circuit Court hearing and claimed I owed him legal fees. This is after the Animal Control officer told the Astoria city attorney that it is his professional opinion that Layla is NOT an aggressive dog and that she should be released to us to take her home to Multnomah County, where the laws regarding dangerous animals are more humane. The Astoria city attorney clearly wants Layla to be euthanized instead of finding a humane and reasonable resolution to the situation, which is what we have been striving for all along.

On July 15th, the Circuit Court judge ruled in favor of our appeal thus granting us the trial de novo we requested. This will be on August 17th, and will be a completely new trial in the Circuit Court during which we will have legal representation and Layla will have a voice. We are happy with this outcome, but still feel it is unacceptable that Lalya is considered a dangerous dog and in threat of being euthanized. She will remain in the Clatsop County shelter until at least the trial. We have seen her once since June 16th. 

I have advocated for disadvantaged dogs over the years—especially bully breeds—by adopting 4 amazing dogs, donating to pitbull rescues, and volunteering for a program that helps people in need care for their animals. I don’t often ask for help, but I am asking the dog community to rally for Layla. If you have a second, please share this post. If you have a minute, please email Clatsop County Circuit Court and encourage them to do the humane thing and release Layla, and suggest they change their laws regarding dangerous animal classifications. Please use the following format:

Email comments to civil.clatsop@ojd.state.or.us and:

1. address email to Your Honor, and

2. state how (email) and when (date) you are sending the message and

3. copy the two attorneys involved in the case - Attorney Blair Henningsgaard (blair@astoria.law) and Attorney Geordie Duckler (geordied@animallawpractice.com).

(Feel free to use this letter format, but FILL IN DATE and YOUR NAME)

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Your Honor,

I am sending this email on (ADD DATE) to give Layla a voice and to oppose euthanasia of Layla.

Layla is a good dog with no instances of aggression. She has been recognized as well behaved and NOT aggressive by professional dog trainers, Astoria Police Officer Thomas Litwin, Clatsop County Animal Control Officer Stephen Hildreth, and several Clatsop County shelter volunteers. Shelter volunteers have said she gets extra attention because she is so sweet.

I signed a petition that now has over 30,000 supporters that are encouraging you to do the right thing and release her to her family. https://chng.it/hpBKfmJsSt

One tragic mistake is not undone or made better by ending another life.

Respectfully,

YOUR NAME

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Thank you for reading Layla’s story. We miss our girl and want her at home where she belongs. Please sign this petition to show your support for her release. 

With much gratitude,

Layla, Kristin, and James