Burbank, CA – A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has ruled that Conan, an 8-year-old pitbull/Labrador mix, will be returned to his owners under specific conditions after he bit a neighbor earlier this year. Despite determining the dog’s attack was unprovoked and that Conan is a vicious animal, the judge opted not to have the dog euthanized.
Ruling Details
On Tuesday, Judge Alison MacKenzie issued her decision regarding the petition filed by Nelson Grande and Sylvia Franco, the dog’s owners, challenging the city of Burbank’s decision to euthanize Conan. The city had deemed the dog dangerous following an attack in July on Deborah Drissi, who was bitten on the arm when the dog lunged at her outside the property.
Judge MacKenzie stated that while the attack was indeed vicious, the city did not provide enough evidence to show that Conan’s return to the owners would pose a significant threat to public safety. Therefore, the judge ruled in favor of the dog being returned to its owners but under strict conditions.
“While the court concludes that Conan is a vicious dog, it does not find that the city has established by a preponderance of the evidence that releasing Conan to Grande and Franco would create a significant threat to the public health, safety and welfare such that Conan should be euthanized,” MacKenzie wrote.
Conditions for Returning Conan
The following conditions were set by the court for Conan’s return:
- Proof of rabies vaccination and licensing.
- Proper vicious dog designation.
- Leash and muzzle required when the dog is outside the property.
- Secure enclosure or outdoor space where Conan cannot escape.
The dog’s owners, Grande and Franco, along with the victim, Drissi, provided testimony in the nonjury trial. While Franco argued that Drissi provoked the dog, the judge found the evidence did not support this claim, concluding that Conan approached Drissi and attacked without provocation.
Community Support
In a display of support for Conan, former Los Angeles County Sheriff Alex Villanueva and his wife, Vivian Villanueva, both retired LASD members, spoke on behalf of the dog outside the courthouse last week.
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