Family Fights For Dog’s Life After Attack

Guy James is fighting for his dog’s life.

Congo, his German shepherd has been deemed dangerous by a judge and will be put down after an attack on a landscaper.

James, a New Jersey man, said that Congo was defending and protecting his wife, and that Congo is a friendly dog and has never had any history of violence. But animal control officers said that Congo’s attack was unprovoked.

The man who was attacked won a $250,000 insurance settlement as a result of his injuries.

James said that the landscaper, Giovanni Rivera, and another worker disobeyed his instructions to not get out of the car until he put away Congo and the other dogs. He stated that the workers got there an hour before they were scheduled to and they came when the dogs were outside eating.

Rivera and the other worker got out of the car and the dogs began to bark. James said that the worker hit the dogs with a metal rake, and James’ wife told him to stop. Rivera, who is afraid of dogs, grabbed James’ wife from behind to protect himself from the dogs and pulled her to the ground which caused her to scream. Congo then started to bite and scratch Rivera and the other dogs began biting him also.


James called off the dogs, and Rivera was treated for his bites at the hospital.

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I'm so beyond enraged after hearing about this. On Fox News Channel. I really am. You can try & save Congo here.

My family had a similar incident. But anyhow, our dog is still with us. Though hearing about this reminds me about our dog. And it breaks my heart soooo much.

Notes to mods: If this is the wrong place. Feel free to move. Sorry about that.

I read about this . such a sad story . I have shepards 2 of them . and they are the best dogs i've ever had .

I have always said if they bit anyone i would be the first to call for them to be put down. but in this case how can anyone seriously blame the dog . The guy was stupid simple as that . too any dog someone grabbing your owner and wrestling her to the ground is seen as an attack .dogs will protect .

I understand he may have been afraid and it was a reaction to grab the lady as a shield but that doesn't make it the dogs fault either . If they look into the history of the dog and find this is out of character he should be saved . I hope the right thing is done in this case .

SS79 x x x

I don't think I'd grab someone else as a "shield" in this situation. Sounds like the landscaper has a despicable character. First he grabs a woman and uses her to protect himself ("don't bite me, bite this smaller, weaker person instead"). Then he pushes to have the animal killed.... why?.... to prove that he was justified in using someone else as a shield? Of course, the life of the animal means nothing relative to the landscaper's pride.

What a scumbag.

I don't suppose the option of climbing back into his car and driving away ever crossed his mind.

I told my mom about this. And I heard my mom say that it was a setup. The owner even told the guys in spanish to get into their cars & wait. Because of the dogs in the backyard. Obviously didn't listen.

I don't think the dog should be put down.

I agree . im not condoning him at all just saying that maybe when a dog was upon him he didn't have time to think . like i said he was stupid and foolish

What a sissy thing to do...no wonder Congo attacked.

We all know that German Shepherds are very loyal. To their owner(s). And if you attack their owner(s), you're in for it.

Like if I get attacked by some stranger. My family dog Bear is going to come & try to "protect" me. Any dog will go & try to protect their owner(s) or their owner(s)'s family member.

Dogs will usually go to any lengths to protect their owners. Heck even my miniature daschund will try to defend my girlfriend when I pretend to be aggressive with her. My Cocker Spaniel on the other hand... he's a little too aggressive sometimes when people come into our house.

Sounds like Congo did the right thing protecting his family from attack and himself from being beaten! So no he should not be put down!

Thank you MoonPrincess I did not hear of this. I called the gov's office and also passed this around my office this is so WRONG!!!!! I have a german shepard she is the BEST!!! That's what dogs do they protect us. Illegal a!* hole he got big bucks and still wants the dog dead. WHAT IS WRONG WITH PICTURE!!!!

Your welcome.

And thank you! Someone agrees with me. That illegal got what he devised!

My mom is going to find out what that insurance is. And tell everyone to cancel it & find someone else. This is so dead wrong on so many levels.

We had a German Shepherd when I was younger, she was probably the most loyal dog we ever had. She died not too long ago due to hip complications though.

The German Shepaherd is still my favourate breed, and if anyone here should be put to death it should be the guy. What a scumbag, he hits the dog with a rake and then uses the wife as a "human shield".

usually when you hear a story like this it's about pit bulls and I'm usually on the other side but this is different , the dog did exactly what dogs should do (and I love German shepherds I always wanted one. maybe I could extradite Congo to my place?)

So this “gentleman” and I use the term loosely received £250,000 in compensation and still wants the unfortunate animal put to sleep, I cant use the word I want to say about this chap because it’s a family forum but it begins with “c” and ends in “t”

I agree. He had no right to do what he did. And now this dog might die at the age of 2! Congo doesn't deserve it at all!

I hope they ruin the business who hired the illegal too.

Seems like a few neanderthals managed to avoid evolveing

Haha. It does seem like that. But they're still stupid.

Ya know I work for a insurance agent and I dont understand why they would pay out on this claim to this man but here in the good old U.S.A. legal or not wrong or right you still walk away with smile on your face. My question is the police and the judge know's this guy is in this county illegal so why not arest him?

Save congo!!

he is? wow.. and he wins a settlement too? a few yearso ago.... i used to take my dog into a video store and the workers never minded it. well i rememer this hispanic guy forcing his little girl to pet my dog. he didn't even ask me for permission. and the little child looked scared. if the child is scared, then don't force her to pet my dog!!! i know my dog doesn't bite unless he wants to play but still..... if he would've bit the little girl....i'd probably be sued too.

I hope he's saved...
please Santa.....

I am actually afraid of dogs (one tried to bite my leg of once, and I cant seem to get over the fear) How ever I love all animals, and I believe this dog was protecting his owner. I will defiantly call to save Congo.

This is so sad:( Can't blame the dog for protecting its family. The worker was an idiot. He should have listened to the owner. This reminds me of the idiot workers who clean my family's pool..they don't show up on time...just waltz right into our backyard without even informing us first after we've told them to numerous times. I fear my dog (who is very skittish around strangers) is going to bite one of these days.

I haven't checked the website lately.

But I seriously hope that the dog will be saved. It doesn't deserve death at all. It was just doing what it was doing.

It's so frustating.

That is horrible. This dog did everything its instincts told it: protect itself and its family. I'd shoot whoever tried to take my dog away.

Sorry if this is old new, but I live in the UK, so I've only just found out Congo was saved.

Good news!



linky

Excellent news! I was so tearing up while reading through this, thinking I'd get to the end and Congo would have lost, because some backward a-hole did not listen....

I am so glad you posted. I read this story the first time and was worried for Congo. I am glad to know he is ok.

Thanks. I was very glade to hear this. Go Congo!

I just read that back in June 20, 08 that Congo and his siblings were euthanized because they attacked the owners mother in law........Mercer County region news. or go to lassiegethelp.blogspot.com SAD.

yeah your right ASOP... on no.

erm that's the last cause I fight for...(let down again)
bleeding irresponsible owners... they're a pack animal, if you've got four German shepherds you've got to be a strong pack leader.
Oh dear... oh dear.. it's not the dog's fault...

Yea Bill my heart sank after I read it. I am the proud owner of a German Shepard she is our family member. She is my little girls shadow and guards her 24/7 she has taken that job because thats her nature. What a truly sad story. As a guy in my office just said...go figure it had to be the mother in-law.