** PK Update ** At 9:00a.m. tomorrow, the Williamson family will go before the countys hearing officer for PKs Potentially Dangerous Animal (PDA) hearing and will present their case as to why PK should be returned to them. PK, a 4-year old female Akita, has been in animal control since May 3rd after she killed a small, loose dog on her familys property in a small Northern CA town on the CA/Nevada border. After Budd and Kim Williamson contacted us on May 7th, we contacted animal control on the Williamsons behalf and stated our position that while this was truly an unfortunate event, blame could be shared by the owners of both dogs. Yes, sometimes things happen and taking responsibility is the first step in making things right. We also stated our position that PK has been with the Williamson family since they rescued her at 4 weeks old after being dumped by a local backyard breeder. We advocated that it was in PKs best interest to be returned home to the Williamson family with reasonable conditions and restrictions, and opened dialogue with AC as to what AC would require of the Williamson family before they would consider returning her to them. Their list, as dictated by the county, included fines/fees; a PDA license and application fee for the first year; PDA licensing for 3 years; kenneling/boarding costs for PK at $25/day starting on May 3rd until released; and a $300K dog liability policy for 3 years. Their list also included modifications to the Williamsons property, such as the installation of steel screened security doors at the front and rear doors in the home to ensure PK would not break out should another small dog enter the property again; and a large kennel and/or enclosure in which PK could be secured and/or contained when she went outside to relieve herself or get some sunshine. We knew this list would amount to a substantial amount of money-something the Williamsons do not have. These are hardworking Americans who have never taken advantage of all the free things America offers. Instead, they worked hard their whole lives, lost their home when the economy crashed, and instead of complaining, they downsized to a more humble and affordable home which was just fine with them. Kim told me during our second conversation how they debated having tv or internet because choices had to be made. See, Budd Williamson is a retired United States Navy Veteran and having worked his whole life, was declared 100% permanently disabled following several back and spinal surgeries. As much as friends and others people promised to show up this weekend and help, many of course, did not. After all, people have the best of intentions and life happens, so things come up, and after all, its a holiday weekend. We know that the Williamsons are still not complaining and are grateful for whatever help they did get. This includes major help from the local Home Depot who allowed us to purchase construction materials almost at cost to create an extra large break-out proof enclosure for PK. We decided early on, that if there was a list the county required, we were going to tick each item off that list together and money was not going to stand in the way of the Williamsons having their beloved dog returned home. The Akita community, all-breed dog lovers across the US and abroad, and several store managers at Home Depot of Stanford Ranch, CA agreed. With your donations, PKs family was able to make to purchase the materials and supplies needed to modify the property and they completed the modifications and construction of the 24 x 12 enclosure this afternoon. This was no easy feat. This was also no easy feat because we had to convince Budd Williamson that sometimes its OK for the go to guy to get some help from others. Budd is always the one lending a hand, or lending money to someone he thinks might need it just a bit more than they do. But, PK is like their child, and while they were willing to do whatever was required of them to get PK returned, the one thing that I recall from my first conversation with Budd was his desire to do this all on his own and not take help from others. We resorted to telling him that we were not helping him, we were all helping PK, because it was in PKs best interest to be returned to them, and, as advocates for The Dogs, we were doing this for her. If the hearing goes well tomorrow and PK is returned to them, she will be able to go from the inside of the house to her 24 x 12 enclosed kennel and vice-s versa through a breezeway they created off of the patio area. We just talked with Budd and Kim at length this evening and went over what is likely to occur tomorrow morning. We are also prepared to immediately pay any and all fines and fees immediately directly the county should the Williamsons prevail. Thats all for now. Please send your prayers to the Williamson family and we promise to provide updates first thing tomorrow morning following the hearing.
Posted on: Tue, 27 May 2014 04:42:12 +0000
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