From TexasMonthly.com:
Under current Texas law, even a provoked dog kept on a leash can be euthanized if its attack results in "severe bodily injury," which the statute defines as "severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle that would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek treatment from a medical professional and would require hospitalization without regard to whether the person actually sought medical treatment."
That very vague definition offers a lot of discretion—which isn't subject to oversight—to local officials who hold the lives of people's pets in their hands. In the case of Buddy, that meant that San Antonio judge Daniel Guerrero ordered the dog put down with minimal testimony. - TX Monthly
Fortunately, grassroots efforts from petitioners here, and elsewhere, have helped attorney Michelle Maloney save Buddy's life and reunite him with his owner. But that was just the beginning. Now it's time to focus on changing the law so NO domestic animal is ever put in such a harrowing situation again.
This petition is to ask the Texas Supreme Court to create "Buddy's Law" - a law that will provide all animals with the right to due process. Like humans, dogs react aggressively when provoked, but that doesn't make them a bad human or a bad dog. And like humans, we believe that dogs deserve the chance to be defended in court and given an appeal. Executing an animal should not only be an absolute last resort, but it should ONLY happen after full testimony has been provided, and all appeals exhausted.
Sign here and ask Texas lawmakers to write "Buddy's Law."
**This petition will be sent to Michelle Maloney, Buddy's lawyer.
