Credit: Buddy's owners

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SAN ANTONIO -- Local activists and pet lovers have something to celebrate this weekend: 'Buddy the Dog' is back in the loving arms of his owners.

Buddy was released Saturday morning from a veterinarian who had been caring for the dog since Jan. 16, when a judge ordered Buddy to be released from Animal Care Services.

The Golden-Retriever mix and his owners, Homer and Kathryn Mojica, will not return to their apartment, however -- the same apartment complex where Buddy allegedly attacked a 9-year-old girl last year. Instead, the elderly couple and their pooch are staying with someone in a private home that was approved by ACS while they search for a new residence.

Under the settlement that was reached between Buddy's owners and the city, the Mojicas must move to another home -- just one of several restrictions placed on Buddy via the agreement with the city.

Michelle Maloney, who legally represented the Mojicas, said Buddy's new address would not be disclosed to the public, in order to protect the privacy of his owners. Maloney said the couple fears retaliation and would like nothing more than to move forward.

Updated photos of Buddy are expected to be released soon.

Buddy the Dog free to reunite with owner

By Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News : January 24, 2014

SAN ANTONIO — Buddy the Dog's long wait to be reunited with his owner is just about over.

About 6:30 p.m. Friday, Animal Care Services spokeswoman Lisa Norwood said the agency completed an inspection of the dog owner's new home and it successfully met all of the requirements of the agreement to release the 6-year-old golden retriever mix.

Buddy and Homer Mojica, his 83-year-old owner, have been apart since early November, when Judge Daniel Guerrero ordered the dog's euthanization for attacking a 9-year-old girl at a Northwest Side apartment complex in November.

Mojica said the dog was startled by the little girl when she screamed at him. But the girls' parents say the attack was unprovoked and required stitches and surgery to her face.

Last week, after weeks of negotiations between Mojica's attorney, Michelle Maloney, and city officials, the city agreed to release Buddy to the custody of Mojica's veterinarian until the last details of his release were finalized.

ACS is not releasing the new location to where the canine will be released.

“The terms of the settlement necessary for the release of Buddy were successfully abided by,” Norwood said.

But it was unclear Friday night if Buddy and his owner had already been reunited.

“It is our understanding they have free access to Buddy,” Norwood said.

The saga of Buddy the Dog comes to a close after days of supporters questioning why the canine hadn't already been released to his owner.

While negotiations were underway, more than 6,000 people signed an online petition for the dog's release. Supporters held a “Send Buddy Home,” rally Saturday at Alamo Plaza, seeking a change to the state law of “serious bodily injury,” and language, which allows dogs to be euthanized if they cause an injury resulting in severe bite wounds or severe ripping and tearing of muscle.

The girl's parents said their daughter suffered a torn eye duct, a gash on her cheek and a cut on the corner of her lip. They said she received 100 stitches to her cuts and a tear duct had to be mended during an hour and a half surgery.

As Mojica's attorney and city officials worked on the agreement, Mayor Julián Castro said “he believed an agreement could be reached that would allow Buddy to live.”

Even after the city backed down on their plans to euthanize them, it's taken almost a week to actually release him.

In an email on Thursday, animal activist John Bachman said ACS has been reminded of a paragraph that states the city agreed to release Buddy upon signature of the agreement.

“It seems apparent that the city, at least Animal Care Services and the city attorney's office cannot be relied on to act in good faith in this matter,” Bachman said. “This is not some contest and should not be treated as such.”

Norwood said they were waiting for the owner to meet the requirements of the agreement, which would address keeping the public safe from possible future incidents. Once all terms of the settlement were met, she said, ACS would release Buddy.

Norwood said the sticking point was where Buddy's owner new home would be. Supporters said management at Mojica's old apartment complex notified him that Buddy would not be allowed to return to the property.

“It's our understanding that the Mojicas' are in the process of looking to relocate, so once they do so, we'd be happy to schedule an inspection for them,” Norwood said, before Buddy's release. “We can come to their apartment, duplex or house, whatever the case may be. We want to do an inspection of the location to ensure not only that the location is secure, but to again make sure there's not going to be future events.”

Norwood said the agreement detailed several restrictions to be completed before Buddy could be released back to Mojica. Terms of the settlement for Mojica and his wife, Kathryn included: Buddy being kept in a secure enclosure when not on a leash, muzzled when outdoors and kept on a leash no longer than 6 feet when in public. As Buddy's owners, the Mojicas will have to keep liability insurance of $100,000 as long as he's their dog.

vtdavis@express-news.net

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SAN ANTONIO --  Buddy the dog has been released to a veterinarian. 

The dog had been in Animal Care Services since November after a girl said the dog attacked her at a local apartment. 

A judge ruled in December the dog should be euthanized. 

Lawyers for Buddy's owners filed a temporary restraining order while an appeal on the decision is pursued. 

The dog was released to a veterinarian and the city said it will continue to discuss a possible resolution with the owner of the dog. 

The city also said the move is to ensure public safety pending an appeal by the dog's owner.

Buddy the Dog released

Vincent T. Davis, San Antonio Express-News : January 16, 2014 : Updated: January 17, 2014 12:11am

Buddy The Dog Released Pending Appeal Of Euthanasia Order

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Credit cc

Photo of buddy from the rally's Facebook page.

San Antonio Mayor makes statement about the fate of Buddy the dog

KENS5

Marilyn LittAnimal Rescue Examiner

The family of Buddy, a Golden Retriever mix, has been fighting for his life against the city of San Antonio since Buddy was detained November 1st for injuring a girl. The case is creating ill will with local animal rescuers, who are planning a protest in Alamo Plaza on January 18, and is a continuing source of bad publicity for the city of San Antonio. Last night, January 14, Mayor Julian Castro commented on the high profile case:

"It's important of course that there are consequences for the fact that a little girl got harmed. However, I'm confident that something can be worked out short of euthanizing the dog," said Mayor Castro. "I'm confident that another agreement can be reached so that the dog can live, and we'll go ahead and take a look at the way that these cases are handled in the future."

Buddy's family wants to spare Buddy, but they may not want an agreement with the onerous restrictions of a "dangerous dog" designation. The family says Buddy scratched the victim because he was startled when she screamed in his face. If Buddy is allowed to live, but is designated dangerous, his owners will have to carry $100,000 in insurance each year, muzzle Buddy when he is outside, and comply with other measures meant to protect the public. (statute)

There are questions about how and why the city is prosecuting this case. One local news station believes there is a double standard pertaining to who gets the full court press and who does not; because Animal Care Services was told not to comment on the case of an actor's dogs who escaped his yard and attacked a dog on leash.

Animal Care Services has commented on this case. The Director of Animal Care Services has characterized the injuries as quite severe (see Emergency Room photo above), although nothing this detailed has been submitted to the court:

"The 9 year old girl suffered a crushed tear duct, a large/long gash that laid open her cheek that started just below her eye and extended to her lip. The corner of her lip was also lacerated/torn and had to be sewn back on. In all, her injuries required over 100 stitches to her face. She was hospitalized and had to undergo surgery to repair the tear duct. There is still a drain in her tear duct and she may require additional surgery. According to her parents, she also has emotional issues to deal with following this incident."

The only medical evidence introduced in Buddy's case is the Emergency Room photograph at the top of this article and the testimony of an Animal Control Officer. Court watchers, particularly Gilbert Garcia who has followed this case closely, are puzzled that more medical records were not offered in evidence as well as testimony by a medical professional.

A photograph taken in court two weeks later would seem to show no evidence of any physical injuries or stitches having been recently removed.

Animal lovers, Buddy's family and friends, as well as Buddy, are currently waiting to hear the results of his appeal.

Buddy the dog's future remains uncertain