Duke the bulldog may get training

[bigdoglover]

Newsday

By Carl Macgowan

Duke, the year-old English bulldog involved in mauling a 4-year-old East Meadow boy in April, will be retrained and possibly put up for adoption, under terms of a settlement being discussed by Town of Hempstead officials and the dog's defenders.

The dog faced death by euthanasia soon after the attack that left Matthew Henriques with 250 stitches. But after weeks of court appearances, lawyers for the Town of Hempstead, the Henriques family and a Stony Brook dog rescue group discussed an out-of-court settlement yesterday that would save Duke's life.

The proposed settlement stipulates that Duke must not be adopted by a family with children. Matthew's parents, Carina and Luis Henriques, have agreed to the deal in principle, said their attorney, Glen Faber.

"Mrs. Henriques' primary interest is protecting children from this dog," Faber said.

If the parties agree, Duke will be examined and trained by Elite Animal Trainers of Islip Terrace. Company president Jeff Kolbjornsen said Duke could be put up for adoption if he is successfully trained.

Duke was one of three dogs involved in the April 28 attack. The other two dogs, both rottweilers, were euthanized May 9 after the dogs' owner, Lawrence Kelly, consented.

A dangerous-dog hearing scheduled for yesterday at Nassau District Court in Hempstead was avoided while lawyers worked out settlement terms. Judge Valerie Bullard adjourned the case until June 29.

Len Egert, an attorney for the rescue group, told the judge that Kelly intends to sign over ownership of Duke to the rescue group.

"I think Duke was a great dog," Kelly said outside court. "I'm just happy to see that everybody is on board with this and that the Henriques kid won't have to deal with him."

Kelly said he graduated recently from Hofstra University and is working as a lifeguard in New Jersey.

"I'm sympathetic to the whole situation," he said. "I'm willing to be there for whatever the boy needs."

[c0_re]

What the hell happened? There was 3 dog attacks all at the same time and place? There's got to be more to this story.

[bigdoglover]

Here is the original story...

http://www.globalpaw.com/dog-news-wo...e-process.html

[c0_re]

Originally Posted by bigdoglover

Here is the original story...

http://www.globalpaw.com/dog-news-wo...e-process.html

Thanks bigdoglover the original story still doens't say exactly what happened. Sounds like maybe a dog fight broke out and this poor little boy got caught in the middle of things. Does anyone else know more?

[Crossfire Bulldogs]

Originally Posted by c0_re

Thanks bigdoglover the original story still doens't say exactly what happened. Sounds like maybe a dog fight broke out and this poor little boy got caught in the middle of things. Does anyone else know more?

Yes, Long Island Bulldog Rescue took on this case because Duke was believed to have been a victim of circumstance. The bully lived with the other two dogs and all three were running at large together. Several witnesses to the attack stated in the investigation that the Bulldog never attempted to bite the child but was only present when it happened.

You can read more about Duke and the case here: http://libcrescue.tripod.com/id20.html