FREE BRINDI!

Brindi was impounded on July 24, 2008 when two Animal Control Officers presented her owner Francesca Rogier with an order of euthanasia and a warrant to seize her dog. One of them had issued a muzzle order a few months earlier (exploiting a request from a dog owner that he refrain from issuing a fine, to insure Francesca could afford to pay an inflated vet bill for a minor injury to her dog). On July 20, Brindi accidentally got loose when she sensed a dog approaching her property, prompting the third such report, but with no serious injury or damage involved. Yet now, for getting loose without her muzzle on, the officer deemed Brindi dangerous and ordered her killed - a dog that never even bit a human!

Francesca was horrified. Brindi means the world to her. Given no way to appeal the order, Francesca filed suit against the city. Then, as a lawsuit would take at least a year to begin, she challenged the by-law itself.

In January 2009, a judge quashed the part that unfairly enabled an AC officer to order euthanasia without need of a court order, and with it, the order itself was quashed. Without any other legal authority to keep her locked up, Brindi should have gone home. But the city held on to her. It ignored a professional evaluation stating that Brindi was not dangerous. AIming to parlay a guilty verdict into a new kill order, on January 19, the last day before the six-month limitation period ended, the city laid charges against Francesca for 3 violations. The alleged offenses, which are normally fined, stem from the July 20 incident. The charges were the first ever for Francesca.

With the city maintaining its unreasonable position regardless of legalities or humane considerations, the fight for Brindi's freedom continues - and Francesca's legal costs continue to mount.

Profits from the sale of items in the store go to Brindi's Legal Defense Fund. Your support is greatly appreciated! Wear your t-shirt proudly, so we can help FREE BRINDI!!