Dogs Called To Court In Animal Neglect Case (VIDEO)

PORTLAND, Ore. -- The four members of the group subpoenaed to appear in Multnomah County Circuit Court remained mute as they appeared before the jury. One, however, did slobber on the rug.

The three Great Danes and one blue pit bull were ordered to appear this week in the animal neglect trial of their owners, Wayne Martin and Layne Woods. The Portland residents are accused of failing to give two of the dogs adequate veterinary care.

Defense attorney Chris O'Connor subpoenaed Merlin, Patches, Coco and Raven to demonstrate that they were in good shape. The group waited quietly – and without accidents – Monday and Tuesday to be called for the witness stand in Judge John Wittmayer's courtroom.

They slept on small rugs and sprawled in the hall. Occasionally, they slurped water from a metal bowl or scarfed down treats. Mostly they waited with their handlers – no barking, no yelping, and no accidents on the marble floor.

Finally, after hours of waiting on Tuesday, they were led into the courtroom. The jurors looked at each, and then the dogs were led out. Only Raven did anything untoward as she stood before the witness stand, but the multi-colored rug hid the slobber spot.

Authorities seized the four on May 12 – three days after an ailing Shar-Pei had been voluntarily handed over to authorities and was later euthanized. Witnesses from the Oregon Humane Society said all were infested with fleas, one Great Dane had leg wounds so deep they were oozing pus and the Shar-Pei had a pus-filled mass on her head.

Defense attorneys contend that the prosecution's accusations are overblown, and the dogs had food, water and shelter in a loving home.

The trial was resuming Wednesday with human witnesses.

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Comments

[kerryandjanie]

05:35 PM on 12/27/2011

I live with three cats, one a Siamese who "talks" constantly, a 13 yr old rottweiller given to me when she was under 4 weeks old (breeder didn't think she'd live) a 7 yr old german shepherd someone dumped (witnesses) when he was about 6 months old, and a 32 yr old Connemara pony I bought when she was 15 months old. Melody, my pony, is so much smarter than the other animals but she's lived so many more years and understands pretty much everything I say to her. I tell her to open her stall door because my arms are full with her food bucket and if she opens it too hard it'll bounce back and I just tell her "all the way" and she'll nudge it all the way open. Animals may not be able to talk back to us, but they certainly understand what we're saying to them and they feel sadness & hurt and every other emotion humans feel.

[catz1515]

03:50 PM on 12/27/2011

I am so happy these cases are going to court. With Animal Law now becoming a common part of most law schools we will have many more animal rights based lawyers available to push Global Animal Rights Laws until they become a reality.

[rewith85man]

12:33 AM on 12/26/2011

And this does not happen much with people of color.

[mairs]

09:08 PM on 12/28/2011

Nor whites. I guess it doesn't happen at all.

[Valerie Kirchner Lee]

11:11 AM on 01/01/2012

And what does this have to do with the article? What am I missing?

[HHUA]

01:33 PM on 12/23/2011

"Defense attorneys contend that the prosecution's accusations are overblown, and the dogs had food, water and shelter in a loving home."

Yes, because everybody knows that UNTREATED "deep pus filled wounds" are the sincerest expression of "love" right? Gee, I'm sorry you DIED because your HEAD WAS BLEEDING... I did give you food and water!!!

[Ossit]

03:33 AM on 12/19/2011

I was searching about dog stuff and came across a Pit Bull page and he discussed shelter rescue Pit Bulls, training of Pit Bull pups, myths about Pit Bulls and he had pictures of his dogs. Well I just fell madly in love. It also made me remember years ago when I got to pet this lady's Pit Bull mix when I took my Montana to the groomer. Oh my gosh! First Pit Bull I'd ever been around and touched and of course at first I was nervous. That dog was so friendly. I've gone to dozens of sites of Pit Bull owners and trainers, read lots of things about personality seen the most adorable pictures. One thing I do want to know. What if you're not an active person? What if you prefer to just sit around all day being a couch potato? Would that be a no no for owning a Pit Bull who need a lot of exercise? I know one day my Chi will pass away and I've always loved big breed dogs. How does one know if they're a good mom for a shelter rescue Pit Bull. I'm sorry. I've just fallen madly in love with this breed.

[gmb007]

12:00 AM on 12/20/2011

I'm madly in love with Pit Bulls, too. :)

Never, ever thought I'd have one but one day...a very friendly, stray three-mont­h-old Pit Bull puppy came down the sidewalk and jumped into my car as I opened the door to get out!

I'm so glad she did. It was fate. :)

Her name is Zoe. Total couch potato. Sweetest, gentlest, most docile, smartest dog I've ever had. Loves the other dogs and the cats.

I'm not very active but Zoe and I go out a few times a day in the back yard and I throw her rubber toy for her to fetch till she gets tired. Then she's happy to come inside to be with me till next time.

Each dog is different, but a couple walks a day and/or playing in the back yard I think would probably work fine. :)

[Ossit]

08:03 PM on 12/20/2011

Wow! Zoe definitely picked you. Thanks for the advice gamb007. A couple walks a day and playing in my small back yard would be perfect.At least I'll know when my beloved Chi passes away there'd be a Pit Bull somewhere waiting me to find them and I can pass the love on.Maybe by then I'll finally have a car again and we can walk in the metro park like I did with my Chi who loved it and gave me a big kiss when we got home. She actually enjoyed herself which amazed me. I know Pit Bulls are allowed because two neighbors had one. One passed away at only 8 months old and I never saw another neighbor's Pit Bull puppy again. He was the cutest little thing.

[evilpinklolita]

04:24 AM on 12/18/2011

The pic of the old Great Dane was really adorable. I've had Great Danes for 18 years, and have been involved in Great Dane rescue as well. How anyone can be cruel to any dog, much less this sweet breed, just breaks my heart.

[Valerie Kirchner Lee]

11:14 AM on 01/01/2012

I feel the same way, even the ugliest of dogs are loveable! I rescued a homely dog at Adopt-A-Pet that was positive for heart worms, we put her in a drug research program and she is now Heart Worm Free and after coming into her own in the home, she is now sweet, nice and oh so loveable!

[Ossit]

07:55 PM on 12/17/2011

I see Huffpost is censoring again. Who are these censors! People or a computer program! To my post about my not liking abused dogs, let me again try to post this. It's not that I don't like abused dogs for existing. I despise the fact that abused dogs are targets to people who feel the need to abuse to make them feel good. spidermom, I'm thrilled that you've taken in Pit Bull rescues. I'm thrilled they worked out. Nor do I consider one a "special person" to take in rescues. Love to an animal is love be it a dog, cat, or even a goldfish. All dogs need love and being a good pack leader.

I grew up with pets. I had my first guinea pig when I was twenty. Had guinea pigs until about 11 years ago along with my rabbit Rusty, but I was terribly allergic but gave them to a home with kids who had guinea pigs and rabbits. I'm on my third Siamese. I never thought I'd get a third after my Taco passed away a few months before his 13th birthday but I needed a cat and my Manny is now 12 years old and my Chihuahua will be 10 years old in March. Without my Manny and Montana I never would've survived some pretty rough times.

[Sharon Hunt]

05:33 PM on 12/17/2011

I hope they took pics.

[aliengirl]

12:38 PM on 12/16/2011

WTH? Last May, a lot of things change since then. They were obviously put back into good health by the Humane society. How about using pictures or video from May when the neglect took place not how they look months later into account of the animal cruelity.

[NunyaBus99]

07:20 PM on 12/15/2011

If the jurors take the condition of the dogs now after being taken care and brought back to good health by the humane society as proof to how they looked when they were taken an I.Q. test should be given for jury duty,

The humane society only takes dogs when the conditions are bad and the animals life is in danger. If it is a minor case they will give owners time to correct the issue before taking the animals.

[lisaman]

03:20 PM on 12/15/2011

Who knew that animal control should have continued the horrific treatment so the dogs would not look improved or healthy? What an incredible argument. I get it though, if you stab someone and they live, then they had better have the trial before the wound heals or it is as if it never happened, right? Sleazy lawyers give them all a bad name.

[hlnpayne]

12:14 PM on 12/15/2011

some people should never own animals or have chuldren

[patriciaagerard]

04:31 PM on 12/15/2011

I AGREE! Any A- Hole can have a child.... But it takes alot more to be a good parent. OH- And that goes for puppy dogs too!

[antiquepicker62]

10:49 AM on 12/15/2011

The wife and I have 5 pugs they are totally usless. They are stuborn they sleep most of the day and snore all night. Only food motivates them. But I wouldn't give em up for a farm down east

[floodberg]

03:13 PM on 12/15/2011

Antiquepicker62, Faved and Respect!  I'm with ya!!! Mr. Brownie came to me 8 years ago, a starving stray orange and white juvenile cat with massive pneumonia.  After his shots and 3 weeks of antibiotics, the vet wrote him off; but I'd buried my wife and mother and wasn't gonna lose him.  I turned my spare bath into a sauna, made him homemade chicken stew, put vaporub on his collar and kept him company at night.  Then it was back to the surprised vet for neutering. 

He snores like a chain saw because of scarring on his lungs, drools when he purrs because he has a scraggly tooth (his purrer is apparently stuck in the 'on' position), OCD scratching issues so it's ecollars and vet visits, had his privates removed when he got a blockage this year ($$$) and when he isn't living on my lap he's begging, stealing food, keys, watches or anything else (and swallows anything he can, if he can't I dunno where he hides it and he never gives it back.)   He's my best bud and makes me laugh constantly. 

I'm still ruminating on how he and his big brother got so spoiled rotten since I've  lived alone...

[lisaman]

03:23 PM on 12/15/2011

Mr. Brownie is very lucky!!

[LisaLisa1234]

11:59 PM on 12/15/2011

Bless you.

[lisaman]

03:22 PM on 12/15/2011

The pooch in the picture was rescued from the APA and I have the opposite problem, he is too smart! Opens doors and windows, escaped our yard with a privacy fence only to lay in the front yard waiting for us to get home. And I can think of nothing that would even temp me to let him go. He is my boy!

[floodberg]

03:38 PM on 12/15/2011

Lisaman, windows?   Geez, he is smart (and I'm very glad my cat doesn't know him!!)   Brownie learned how to open all of the deadbolts (even on the heavy glass door), but never went out until I was battening down before Irene.  His OCD got triggered with the wind and neighbors, and he CAME OUT to find me (first time ever) and my neighbors who were outside heard me panic and came over immediately.  He was brave enough to jump into Daddy's arms.  I let everything else go (and d*mn the consequences), and went inside to take care of him. 

I then changed one deadbolt to key only, he swiped the extra keys by opening the kitchen drawer (no idea where he put them) and before I could get duplicates he swiped the only originals from a hook six feet above the floor with no way up.  Just bought new locks, supposedly childproof.  I give it a week before he shows Daddy he's smarter, again. If he ever learned how to open my windows, I'd go nuts ~ oh, it's too late...

Your dog is very lucky to have you...and I'm very lucky to be owned by Brownie and his big bro Cooper.  (They let me live here...not for free, but it's still a nice gesture.)

[olitenup]

02:16 PM on 12/17/2011

I have a rescue pit, that is out of this world terrific. However, he is relentless in opening window to get out.

[morekare]

10:39 AM on 12/15/2011

If these dogs were members of a loving home/family, then a dog having a pus-filled tumor on the head is not a reason to euthanize somebody's dog. This is a horrible case of injustice against the owners of these dogs. The animal shelter is not a loving family for these dogs. May the dog who was euthanized RIP.

[lisaman]

03:31 PM on 12/15/2011

If, exactly. But the terminology was not a pus-filled tumor, it was pus-filled mass which I have seen on a cat once and it is most likely cancer. I also don't understand your defense of the family if you read that because it is in a sentence that also says the dogs were infested with fleas and that one of the Danes had an infected leg wound.

"Witnesses from the Oregon Humane Society said all were infested with fleas, one Great Dane had leg wounds so deep they were oozing pus and the Shar-Pei had a pus-filled mass on her head."

Obviously the family that had them were not very loving. Shelters take care of animal and find them loving homes. Having volunteered at one, I know that getting attached is extremely hard when the animals find homes, you are happy for them but also miss them. So know, animal shelters are not the place for love but they also don't hate them.

[spidermom]

07:53 AM on 12/16/2011

I didn't see the details about this dog except that it was elderly. The condition and the age together might have been the reason for euthanize and an injection is very humane. They just go to sleep.I have held most of my pets when this has had to be done.

[IndependentGadfly]

09:59 AM on 12/15/2011

Your Honor, I object. These are hostile witnesses and, by character, are known b itches.

[SoulOfDespair]

11:56 AM on 12/15/2011

That would work if they were all females. Just saying...