By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Hank the dog’s human family will fight on.
After yesterday’s emotion laden court hearing about the fate of a pit bull terrier implicated in killing livestock, Lewis County District Court Judge R.W. Buzzard signed an order that Hank be euthanized by the close of the business day tomorrow.
[1]Detained April, 2016
But today, a Lewis County Superior Court judge issued a “stay” meaning the dog cannot be put down during the next 30 days.
Hank’s owner, rural Centralia resident Jann Propp-Estimo, is represented by Bellingham animal lawyer Adam Karp.
Karp said after yesterday morning’s court proceedings, he would appeal and / or file a new lawsuit against the county.
Under Lewis County code, there was no option other than death for the canine after he was deemed in an administrative hearing to be a dangerous dog, for the events of last year in rural Winlock. However, that was delayed as county employees worked to find a lawful way to potentially declassify a dangerous dog.
Meanwhile, the pet that those at the Lewis County Animal Shelter felt was really not an irredeemable killer, found himself with a new name and then adopted out to a new family. Propp-Estimo knew nothing of Hank’s past until Lewis County Prosecutor Jonathan Meyer learned that someone bypassed the rules and had Hank impounded last month.
The Lewis County Board of County Commissioners yesterday approved an amendment to the dangerous dog ordinance which allowed the appeal that took place in Lewis County District Court.
The new rules allowed for the judge to take into consideration new evidence including present behavior, character and disposition of the animal. Judge Buzzard wasn’t convinced.
Karp laid out a case that suggested Hank’s mother was the actual killer of the two goats.
Today’s order signed by Lewis County Superior Court Judge James Lawler notes the matter was brought to him at the request of Karp and Lewis County, with both having agreed to the temporary reprieve.
The action gives Karp time to file his appeal.
However, Hank, formerly known as Tank, shall be euthanized no late than 48 hours following the expiration of Lawler’s order, unless he or another court intervenes.
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For background, read “Possible reprieve for dog implicated in goats’ deaths” from Wednesday May 31, 2017, here [2]