This is Leroy's Story

Fabian's Law Website: http://www.fabianslaw.com/

Care2 Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/4evrfabian/

Leroy Tyrone Brown

On October 21, 2010, my 2 year old Bichon-Poodle, Leroy Tyrone Brown was attacked in my driveway by 2 un-leashed pit bulls. He is a Gabriel’s Angels Pet Therapy Dog volunteer, which is an organization that uses pet therapy services to help children who have been victims of abuse and neglect. He has been a member of my family for the past 2 years.

I was told that the dogs were picked up by Maricopa County Animal Control and released to their owners and was shocked! How could they have just let those dogs go? How can the owners NOT have to take responsibility for this? I was even more shocked to learn that currently, there are no laws in the state of Arizona that can hold an owner civilly or criminally liable because there is no current law or ordinance to hold a dog’s owner accountable for “dog on dog attacks. Right now, dogs and cats in Arizona are considered property, which means there are no repercussions for dog-on-dog attacks except for a leash-law violation for the dog's owner which is only a $250 fine. Leroy’s medical bills are already over $7000 and he may need more surgeries in the future and is still in the hospital.

BUT- there is hope! I found out about a new legislation being introduced for a “Vicious Dog Owner Responsibility Law,” by a Glendale couple who tragically lost their dog Fabian, to an un-leashed Pit bull attack in September of 2009. Since Fabian’s death, more than 600 “dog on dog,” attacks have been reported. We must do something to protect our loved ones in the future and getting “Fabians Law” to pass is the best hope pet owners have right now. Please show your support and visit fabianslaw.com for more information on how you can help or visit care2.com to sign the petition for a law that would enforce strict penalties for “dog on dog attacks”, and give rights to victims, pet owners. It doesn’t matter what state you live in- you can still sign the petition and every signature counts right now, especially with the November elections right around the corner! I can only imagine what would have happened had the dogs attacked a child instead of my Leroy. An attack is an attack and until people who own vicious dogs are held accountable, deaths such as Fabian’s will be in vain.

An additional update: I just learned that another dog was attacked by the same pit bulls earlier that morning. Sahara, a toy poodle, did not survive. Her owner rushed her to the vet, and then returned to look for the 2 dogs. He found them wandering our neighborhood and called 911 and Animal Control. For almost 2 hours he followed the dogs taking pictures and repeatedly calling Animal Control back who told him to go home, he had already reported it and they were coming. Hours later, Leroy was attacked in my driveway when my roommate stepped out to take him for a walk. According to the report, the owner of the dogs positively identified them, had no licensing information for her dogs, and received 4 citations and her dogs back on the spot. They were never even impounded by Animal Control. Anyone you can share this story with and tell them about Fabian's Law and the petition would be so appreciated.

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Fabian's Law Website: http://www.fabianslaw.com/

Care2 Petition: http://www.thepetitionsite.com/1/4evrfabian/