Please,
Everyone, I would really appreciate it if you would take a look at this article. This is a friend of the family's dog, and I know this dog personally, he is big and goofy. I couldn't imagine him doing ANYTHING like that - however it doesn't mean he couldn't have. But to have no proof? No blood on the dog? What are they working off of? Maybe he just simply smelled the dead goat, and went to investigatel; what dog wouldn't have?
I want to know if anyone feels strongly that this is a ridiculous conclusion, and a horrible fate for the dog. If you feel strongly, as I do, I would appreciate it if you would try to contact these representatives and state so straight out. I am going to write emails, maybe get people to sign in support of keeping the dog alive - or something. I think this is extremely unfair. I know that the owner "Mike Passanisi" isn't the best dog owner; he has his dogs off leash without any control over them - and the other dog Goldie is fairly dog-aggressive. But is this really grounds to put a dog to death? I don't think so. I think this should be a rude awakening to him - to get his act together with those dogs (whether Niko did it or not) to keep both himself and the dogs in line. He is willing to relocate in order to save the dogs life.
Please, just tell me what you think.
Thank you.

http://www.newburyportnews.com/punews/local_story_079235540.html

With the lack of evidence, the sentence for the dog is ridiculous.

If it was me, I would take the following steps.

*hire a lawyer to start an appeal process for the dog
*demand a necropsy of the goat and have bite casts taken from the goats body and my dogs jaw to compare the bites, that in itself would absolutely point to the dog, or rule him out
*conduct an independent experiment of my dog, buy putting my dog into the same situation again, and observing his reaction.

If the dog did kill the goat, euthanasia is a bit extreme, as dogs are predatory animals, but if he lives in a neighborhood with so many farm type pets, his dog is a danger to them.

Angeeleeta, your ideas were great. Do you mind if we use some of them in Niko's defense? He could really use it.

Also, I sent you a "paw mail" message on Dogster, and was hoping (if you don't check it often) that you could check out what I sent you. I would appreciate it.

Thanks!

Go right ahead and use them!

I read your paw mails, and replied back.

Welcome!

I find this whole situation crazy. you see, two years ago I was attacked by a pit bull. and although i am an animal lover i was upset because the animal control officer never came out to investigate, nor did the health department. I live with several scars on my face, and nothing was ever done about the dog. they had to put over 30 stiches in my face, including my lip which he almost ripped completely off. I live in New york and I was the secound reported bite. i can't believe they are willing to kill a dog for a goat, that he might have not even killed, and this pit bull gets to walk around everyday. the best of luck to the owner of the dog in his appeal case.

But the real perpetrator of your experience was the dog owner. It's really sad. Had the dog had a different owner, he could have been a wonderful, gentle dog.

true pit bulls arent naturally human aggressive, it takes alot to make them like that. so blame the owner not the breed

I don't blame Pit bulls, my neighbor has one and he is one of the most loving dogs i know. I just feel this paticular pit bull is now a danger to society because of his lack of training and violent tendicies. I don't think the dog should have been put down, I believe the owner should have been held responible.

I'm sorry to hear of what happened to you, but I'm glad you have a reasonable out look on it.

All bad dog owners give dogs bad names, and the pit bull is the breed that unfortunatly gets almost all the bad press.

a human do kill the dog a goat come on it is a goat! i think it is silly to wast a life because of a goat. i now the oners like the goat but it is a goat.i bet the dog did not even do it.goats get killed every day at slater houses. one dog kills one and every one goes crazy.COME ON!

It's a very drastic measure to take. But I can understand how the owners felt about the goat. Some people have dogs for pets, other people have goats. I'd be crushed if my lizard died.