Heartless Town
For 32 years, nearly half as a tactical officer, Jim Sak was a cop chasing down bad guys on the streets of Chicago.
Now that he’s retired and living in tiny Aurelia, Ia., the townsfolk are chasing him — to get rid of “Snickers,” a five-year-old Pit bull-mix service dog he needs after suffering a debilitating stroke that left him with no feeling on the right side of his body.
On orders from the Aurelia City Council, a heartbroken Sak has shipped his beloved protector off to a kennel just outside of the Iowa town where he moved last month to be closer to his ailing, 87-year-old mother-in-law. If he hadn’t gotten rid of Snickers, city fathers had threatened to seize and destroy the dog.
This isn't a stray. Or a fighting dog. We're assuming (quite safely) that the dog was trained and qualified by an organization that tests for temperament, compatibility and socialization skills.
Someone mentioned the Americans With Disabilities Act covers "helper" animals. That might be important seeing as how the City of Aurelia's attorney has stated the following:
- George Wittgraf, an attorney representing the Iowa town, said Aurelia is “simply exercising its authority to protect and preserve the rights and property of its residents — whether or not that’s trumped by” federal law.
Labels: silly people
posted by SCC at 12:03 AM
87 Comments:
Sorry dude. No sympathy from me, pit bulls are dangerous. Having been bitten by dogs I get what the Iowa town is doing.
What state is that??? Iowa?!?!
Why am I not surprised???
I think that anybody in this country that pays any attention to the Iowa Caucases for political direction should be boiled in oil. There is no way that state should be looked to for guidance in anything other than corn growing and maybe football.
Idiots Out Wandering Aimlessly.
Aurelia, Iowa sounds like a place that Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Services should know about. Whether it's Hmong, Sudanese "Lost Boys," or just plain everyday Mexicans, no one can fill up a town with needful aliens as fast as LIRS and similar organizations -- destroying its institutions and swamping its social service agencies and erasing what once was quiet and order.
Motherf__ers there think a service dog was trouble...just you wait.
A-u-r-e-l-i-a, is that correct?
Such a lovely, nineteenth-century name, too.
I cringe at having to set this in motion -- I mean, look at Postville today, a febrile shadow of its former self -- but you want "unlivable," you got it.
As one fellow said, "you gon' have to take the engine out your car ev'y night when you park out front and ca'y it in the house wit' you."
Are you sure we can't talk you out of this?
Iowa,
Idiots out wandering around.......
That really pisses me off. I'm a lawyer with 2 cop sons, I don't like seeing officers being ****ed with, and I love pooches. I'd like to help Officer Sac. And, although lawyer haters will not believe it, for free! Can you tell me how to get in touch with him? I've already signed the petition you posted.
I have some perspective on this. I managed a hotel in a touristy part South Carolina for a few years.
A hugely popular rouse with senior citizens to get around various hotel pet regulations was to call their house pet a 'service animal', usually to assist with some invisible 'disability'.
They're exploiting in a weird legal netherworld. There *are* laws in place (in most states) regarding accommodating service animals, but there are no congruent laws to ensure that an animal being claimed as a service animal is *credibly* a service animal and not just some asshole's backyard mutt. Some people now work that loophole to bypass rules about pets.
So, maybe this guy really does have a trained pit bull as a service animal... but if I were betting on that, I know how I'd bet.
iowa is so fuc*@ed up. thats where "you must retreat" if someone is attacking you and not fight to protect yorself. they also got the ball rolling on Obama over Hillary...and now stupid rules like this. Iowans need a pastime
Zip code for 3510 is 60653?
Sorry SCC, the feds only "salivate" when they can bury a cop for some BS "civil right" case!
If it was some crack smokin, welfare suckin cretin cruising on his free (taxpayer paid!) Hoveround scooter, they'd be all over it. No story here, move along!
I think they should send the dog to prison like they did Mette.
Fuck you Iowa!
Another good reason not to visit or buy anything made in Iowa. Bunch of backward hicks.
I belive I was #1000 or 999. This guy was a Veet Nam vet and this is how we treat him?
To 12:13am on 12/23- Pit are no more dangerous that you are having a thought. I was once bitten by a collie. Does that mean collies are dangerous and should be banned? I currently own a pitbull and I can assure you it is the most mild mannerd, easy going dog I have ever owned. Stop with the hysterical nonsense will you.
Why oh why would anyone live in Iowa?
Unfortunately, the petition letter is very poorly written. How do we contact the author for editing?
Sorry dude. No sympathy from me, pit bulls are dangerous. Having been bitten by dogs I get what the Iowa town is doing.
Anything or anyONE is dangerous if taught to be that way.
They're exploiting in a weird legal netherworld. There *are* laws in place (in most states) regarding accommodating service animals, but there are no congruent laws to ensure that an animal being claimed as a service animal is *credibly* a service animal and not just some asshole's backyard mutt. Some people now work that loophole to bypass rules about pets.
I'm sure there is some truth to what you say but I think in this case its not just the fact that they have outlawed that breed but also how the city handled this particular situation. So far, eveything I have read tells me that the city didn't try to work with the owner of the dog. They just told him to get rid of it or in 24 hrs they would take it and dispose of it.
Well when the Chicago media spins stories making it seem all its police officers are dirty, dont expect sympathy nationally I guess. Especially from a state that put one of our own in prison for self defense!
Ask Mette about those idiots in Iowa. Then again, why do we live here!
Iowa voted for Obama
Anonymous Anonymous said...
I have some perspective on this. I managed a hotel in a touristy part South Carolina for a few years.
A hugely popular rouse with senior citizens to get around various hotel pet regulations was to call their house pet a 'service animal', usually to assist with some invisible 'disability'.
They're exploiting in a weird legal netherworld. There *are* laws in place (in most states) regarding accommodating service animals, but there are no congruent laws to ensure that an animal being claimed as a service animal is *credibly* a service animal and not just some asshole's backyard mutt. Some people now work that loophole to bypass rules about pets.
So, maybe this guy really does have a trained pit bull as a service animal... but if I were betting on that, I know how I'd bet.
12/23/2011 02:42:00 AM
And then the elderly tourist filed a Federal suit knowing that he/she would have to prove that their dog was a legitimate service animal. You're lucky you're not betting because you would lose!
signed up, its up to 10% now.
zip is 51005, this town doesn't even have a stop light. This dog looks like it isn't trained, is being held back by the debilitated (yes I see the walker he is sitting in). But Jim is holding this dog back forcefully..
http://stubbydog.org/wp-content/uploads/2011/12/snickers_350p.jpg
Not sure where being a big city cop has anything to do with this, but if he plays that up too much, it can rub small towns. We all know the history of Iowa and Chicago cops.......Not that he shouldn't be proud of his service to country(and I consider the work of the police to be service to country).
if any one talks to Jim, tell him to post a nice calm dog, sitting at rest to him(no restraint) and with Jim and his walker. And maybe tone down the bad
-ass look(get rid of the bomber jacket and cpd hat).
I'm just saying, he looks so tough, what does he need a dog for.....
...and let's not forget how the great state of Iowa railroaded one of our own in the not too distant
past!
Fuck Iowa! I will never forgive that state for what they did to Mette, NEVER. To play with a man's life like that, who wasn't at fault at all, is just unconscionable. It's too bad that retired cop, his wife & the dog just can't
pack up and leave.
Over a dog.
I wonder if they have a "sanctuary city" policy, if they get Federal Aid, I'm going guess they'll have one or get one. Then when the 'disease' spreads, pit bull mixers will be the fashion, then come currency exchanges, Crickett Mobile, title loans & gold.
My opinion is that when provoked ANY dog will bite, they have teeth right?
Hayseed mentality.
The Justice Department added to the ADA last summer because of a similar issue in Colorado with a disabled vet and his pitbull, that service/assistance dogs cannot be banned by any municipality based on their breed.
He needs to move the old lady OUT of that state. Don't buy anything in Iowa, not even gas.
Here's a solution.
Move.
Another good reason not to visit or buy anything made in Iowa. Bunch of backward hicks.
12/23/2011 05:51:00 AM
Yeah, buy Chinese instead, that'll show em!
I am sure the dog was an honor roll student at the kennel.
Done.
So get a service dog of a different breed....who the fuck ever heard of a pit bull service dog anyway?? come on now....
Why doesnt he just take his dog and move one town over? problem solved. Pit Bulls have a bad rep and for good reason. If you were walking up to a house and seen a pit bull meet you at the door are you thinking thats ok he is probably trained well. Hell no you are first hoping he doesnt charge you and you are probably grabbing your gun in case he does. Sorry P.O. but I agree with the town on this one.
Yes, pitbulls can be a scary and aggressive breed....but we cant condemn the whole breed especially when this dog is a disabled persons worker dog. Ive been bit before by a shizhu where the little mutt broke skin, should we condemn them too.wtf?! This officer is gonna get paid
This reminds me of something that happened to me when I was younger and had just moved to a small town in Iowa. I began dating the local minister's daughter and we were in the barn one night listening to my car radio when I began to dance. It was then she told me that dancing was illegal in their town and........ wait a minute, that was the plot of a Kevin Bacon movie....... nevermind!
It's a no brainer.
A service dog trained by a credible organization and assigned to the retiree? It's a slam dunk. Aurelia has tugged on Superman's cape. The ADA has very sharp teeth and the feds will use them.
A pretend service dog? The retiree will be calling Mayflower or Bekins to relocate where he can reunite with his pit bull.
I hope the retiree has them by the sensitive pieces, but how could Aurelia's lawyer, apparently a trained and educated professional, be so callous and foolish? If the pit bull turns out to be a true service dog, Aurelia best rid themselves of their attorney because he has no idea how to do his homework and keep the Aurelia taxpayers out of the dung pile.
<>
Over 600,000 Americans died in a civil war over that very question, Mr. Wittgraf. And your side lost. Badly. Get over it.
So, no, your little town cannot unilaterally nullify federal laws, doofus. Sheesh, man, are your law books that old?
I thoroughly despise northern neoconfederates.
Sorry dude. No sympathy from me
Ok "dude" what dog exactly bit ya dude? Lab doodle? The dog in question is a service dog moron, not a dog that is trained by some ghetto asshole who has dog fights in between throwin dope and shooting people. Think about moving to Iowa, you sound like a perfect fit.
For anyone who blames the dog, get yourself educated. The problem is with the dog owners, not the dog. Pits can be great dogs if trained and socialized properly. To punish people who have properly trained and socialized pits is wrong and un-American. It's like blaming guns for causing crime.
One of the criteria for selecting a service dog is it's temperament. If all pit bulls were really bad, one would not have been selected for this retired officer. It seems that we are dealing with a bunch of morons running the town council who never bother to research on how service dogs are selected. I should know, I am eligible for one due to my hearing disability. But I do not feel the need for one. Iowa is a nice place but morons are everywhere. Merry Christmas & a Happy Hanukah to all! Get well, SCC!
Bridgit Hubbard in TX begain the online petition for Jim Sak. In an email she states she only needs 5,000 signatures. Let's show them how we stand behind our disabled retired officer.
Thank you and Merry Christmas to All
http://www.change.org/petitions/aurelia-ia-city-council-a-disabled-retired-chicago-cop-vietnam-vet-denied-pit-bull-service-dog
Well the lawyer for the town has an interesting perspective.
Someone please inform him of the outcome of the civil war and the supremacy of the federal government. Then take his law license.
Do we really want to live in a society where every little town or big city gets to decide which federal laws they obey?
Imagine Richard M Daley and free speech issues for city employees if you do. Imagine RMD and no civil service if you do.
I hate two things:
1. Illinois Nazis
2. Northern Neo Confederates
oops and Richard M Daley
Is somthing missing from this story? Was there some trouble with this dog? It does not make sense.
Is this about Pit Bulls or the fact that he is retired CPD. Been noticing more and more CPD current or former are discriminated against. It's the ever popular "they are corrupt" theme?
...pit bulls are dangerous...
I had a pit that loved people and was great around kids. If you find any bad dog, blame the owner, not the canine.
Mandatory minimums are never the correct answer
Sorry dude. No sympathy from me, pit bulls are dangerous. Having been bitten by dogs I get what the Iowa town is doing.
The dog is only as bad as the owner who trained it. Saved a pit bull from the ghetto and is nothing but a lap dog. I was bit earlier in my life by a doberman, guess we should erradicate them also.
Illinois politicians are noted for their criminality.
Iowa has to be the Capitol of Stupidity.
its our responsibility to know the laws. Find someone to take the dog or find somewhere else to live. Those dogs don't just bite when they get pissed, they can kill. Why the hell do we have pitbull service dogs?
There is nothing inherently dangerous about certain breeds of dogs, only how they are trained, treated, and maintained. Ive been bit by more small "harmless" breeds than any other type.
If that's truly his service animal, Iowa you'se got some splainin' to do.
The fact that the towns attorney George Wittgraf indicated that they're knowingly superseding federal law makes him a great candidate for Chicago Corp.Counsel.
Iowa...AND some payin' out too!
similar thing happened to a girl going to college. Was in the paper a day or two ago. They wouldnt allow her to have a 4 lb dog which she said was a service dog for her anxiety attacks. He supposedly would put his paws on her hands or something to stop the anxiety attack. She appealed it and the school agreed and said bring a doctors order for the need for a service dog and the dogs certifcation certificate that he was trained to be a service dog and she would be allowed to stay in the dorm.
Thats where it stands now
Anonymous said...
Zip code for 3510 is 60653?
YES
There are no bad dogs!
Bad dogs are products of bad owners! No different than gangbangers families!
The town is fucked.the law is on the retiree's side
The Pitbull dog is always thought to be a bad dog.
This place sounds like chicago, I would move all involed if I were him.
Free Snickers! Demand justice!
Contact City Clerk Barb Messerole at:
(712)434-2025
barb@aureliaia.com
Remember Mette.
Their town, their rules. Don't like it, get the F out.
they don't like big city cops in these hick towns time to move on.
Move to another town. Why stay where you and your dog aren't wanted?
OT - It's Like Deja Vu All Over Again!
Rosemont Investigating Casino Fight Involving Police Chief, Detective
Rosemont police are conducting an internal investigation following a scuffle at the Des Plaines casino involving a Rosemont detective and the police chief, authorities said Friday.
http://triblocal.com/des-plaines
/2011/12/23/rosemont-investigating-casino-fight-involving-police-chief-detective/
Gee! Thought it was only OUR bosses that did this shit...
My wife and I have volunteered at an animal rescue for over 11 years. We have worked extensively with pit bulls and pit bull mixes. They are not inherently viscous or unstable dogs, they are however, very intelligent and physically powerful. Unfortunately those same traits make valuable to the professional dogfighter.
Through systematic, brutal abuse any dog can be made to be aggressive and dangerous.
If socialized in a normal environment, pit bulls pose no more risk than any other breed.
The flaw of the pit bull is not aggression, but that they love their owners to the extent that they are clingy and needy. Attempts by those that "know what's best for us" might be well intentioned, but is misguided and is really nothing more than a flavor of the month witch hunt.
Anonymous said...
its our responsibility to know the laws. Find someone to take the dog or find somewhere else to live. Those dogs don't just bite when they get pissed, they can kill. Why the hell do we have pitbull service dogs?
12/23/2011 02:25:00 PM
So if you are correct, then a local ordinance trumps federal law? I hope you are not the police. You cannot be that stupid. The town will suffer a huge law suit and the officer will win. It is called civil rights, the ADA act. Stupidity also can kill.
Their town, their rules. Don't like it, get the F out.
12/23/2011 08:12:00 PM
Remember that statement next time you bitch about this Dept or this city. And THEIR rules violate federal law goof
If you were walking up to a house and seen a pit bull meet you at the door are you thinking thats ok he is probably trained well. Hell no you are first hoping he doesnt charge you and you are probably grabbing your gun in case he does. Sorry P.O. but I agree with the town on this one.
12/23/2011 10:44:00 AM
How is that any diffrent than walking up to a house with a german shepard behind the door? Let me guess your a "Cat Person"
its our responsibility to know the laws. Find someone to take the dog or find somewhere else to live. Those dogs don't just bite when they get pissed, they can kill. Why the hell do we have pitbull service dogs?
12/23/2011 02:25:00 PM
hahaha you are an idiot
What difference does it make that the guy is a retired cop or why he has the dog. Its a pit bull dog and the city banned them.
It may not have been the best way to handle a spreading pit bull problem, but it is still the law.
That retired P/O is going to be made whole and then some.
As another poster stated, The ADA HAS BIG SHARP TEETH!
As far as blanket condemnation of Pit Bulls?
We came across a young slightly built woman who had one she rescued. It was snow white, 70 pounds and would literally walk figure 8's between your legs, drop her squeaky ball at your feet to play, etc. A sweeter, more affectionate dog you would be hard pressed to find.
A pit pup with the remains of chewed through clothesline interrupted our conversation with a citizen by nudging our ankle then walking away about 20 feet then coming back to nudge our ankle again... He was trying to tell us something, even the citizen said so. As much as we wanted to take the little guy into protective custody, fleas and other critters ARE a concern... He would have made a wonderful companion but we already have 3 big boys on patrol.
Moral? All things being equal, the dog is just as good or rotten as the owner and the training the owner gives it.
For anyone who blames the dog, get yourself educated. The problem is with the dog owners, not the dog. Pits can be great dogs if trained and socialized properly
So can polor bears and mountain lions. That doesnt mean they should be allowed as pets. Fuck pit bulls. Try to control one when it attacks.
The federal ADA law does not apply to every person that says his dog is a service dog. A doctor would have to say you are disabled and need a service dog and the dog would definately have to be trained and certified as a service dog. You can't just say Fido is a service dog so the laws don't apply to me
Rev. Jesse Jackson will be holding a 'Free Snickers' rally in Aurelia Iowa next week. Father Phlager will march on the Iowa tourist office on Tuesday. Cardinal George will excommunicate any Catholics living in Aurelia. The Chicago Cubs will ban any ticket sales to Aurelia residents, and Vlasic Pickles will prohibit the shipment of that bright green relish that make Chicago Style Hotdogs so Special to all of Iowa. IOWA! This means WAR!!!
Simple, dress him like a poodle!!!!
There has to be 200 different dog breeds out there. And this idiot just happens to pick the one involved with 99% of fatal dog attacks for a "service dog"?? That's brilliant!! Ever heard of a Golden Retriever Einstein?
TO: Anonymous said...I'm a lawyer with 2 cop sons, I don't like seeing officers being ****ed with, and I love pooches. I'd like to help Officer Sac.
Nice to see a good hearted lawyer in the world and G_d bless you for helping this PO.
There has to be 200 different dog breeds out there. And this idiot just happens to pick the one involved with 99% of fatal dog attacks for a "service dog"?? That's brilliant!! Ever heard of a Golden Retriever Einstein?
12/24/2011 03:54:00 PM
Damn why you be hatin Joe?
The policeman probably did not pick the breed for his service dog. It was probably picked by the agency that trained the dog. If the dog had any adverse attitudes or tendencies it would have been screened out of training.
There has to be 200 different dog breeds out there. And this idiot just happens to pick the one involved with 99% of fatal dog attacks for a "service dog"?? That's brilliant!! Ever heard of a Golden Retriever Einstein?
12/24/2011 03:54:00 PM
Who the fuck are you to repeatedly insult this retired police officer without knowing all the details? That makes you the idiot. What a brilliant move there, Einstein. And fuck you very much.
Anonymous said...
For anyone who blames the dog, get yourself educated. The problem is with the dog owners, not the dog. Pits can be great dogs if trained and socialized properly
So can polor bears and mountain lions. That doesnt mean they should be allowed as pets. Fuck pit bulls. Try to control one when it attacks.
12/24/2011 12:45:00 PM
I have to agree, Pit Bulls are like walking time bombs. There is no way in the world that I would want one as a pet anywhere around me, or on the block I live on.
The dog was just turning his life around....
www.ada.gov
Lots of good info there. These elected idiots should be required to pay their town's legal fees personally when they lose. They're fighting a lost cause.
if any one talks to Jim, tell him to post a nice calm dog, sitting at rest to him(no restraint) and with Jim and his walker. And maybe tone down the bad
-ass look(get rid of the bomber jacket and cpd hat).
I'm just saying, he looks so tough, what does he need a dog for.....
12/23/2011 08:37:00 AM
Hey Mr DeMille, look at the picture, he's not restraining his dog. Anyone who owns a dog and has tried to get them to "smile for the camera" usually has to help the dog so they don't just get the dog's back or rear in the picture. Most move around, get it?
Not every dog, but alot.
He's not choking out the dog. Also, why shouldn't he wear what he probably wears everyday, looks like a nice guy to me with a nice smile. I think that's the message he is sending...nice guy, nice dog. Leave us alone.
Now I think the Kardashian tramps are on some magazine cover somewhere, go critique their air brushed shot already, would ya?
There has to be 200 different dog breeds out there. And this idiot just happens to pick the one involved with 99% of fatal dog attacks for a "service dog"?? That's brilliant!! Ever heard of a Golden Retriever Einstein?
12/24/2011 03:54:00 PM
Hey brainiac, the professionals who train these animals go to alot of trouble and find just the right animal for the intensive/expensive training they must do to qualify.
Maybe this dog was not only smart but sweet and turned out to be a great choice.
Ya know, I don't think there's a catalog somewhere where a person in need flips thru and picks out their favorite breed or color.
You are unbelievable dense.
I have to agree, Pit Bulls are like walking time bombs.
You obviously do not know much about dogs, just I guess what you read in the papers. Pit Bulls are very loyal dogs to their owners and because of that and their strength, is why the shitbirds train them to be aggressive and fight. Have you ever seen how these animals (two legged) train Pits? It is obscene.
WBBM Radio has picked up this whole story now; it was presented in a fair, positive light. The officer has apparently gotten a court date Wednesday to see if he can get the town to reconsider.
Very embarassing for the town...and it can get unimaginably worse if the "activists" decide to make a hobby out of "improving" Aurelia.
I think the place needs a great big new mosque or something. Hm?
"It was snow white, 70 pounds and would literally walk figure 8's between your legs..."
You are describing a cat.
That's really funny.
--12/24/2011 09:43:00 AM
"Moral? All things being equal, the dog is just as good or rotten as the owner and the training the owner gives it."
There is, however, the problem of "reversion to type" with dogs that are so highly bred and selected for killing behavior. That is what concerns me about pit bulls and other similar breeds considered "dangerous," even the "sweet" ones; I once posted a good statistic here about how many of the attacks are sudden, first attacks.
A switch has been wired in there, and a nice shampooing, a new ribbon, and a few months or years of kind treatment isn't going to neutralize it, despite our talk of "rescues." It represents a higher degree of risk that probably should not be borne by innocent people in the vicinity.
This is a sad case; I like small towns, feel they should be able to preserve their way of life, and would like to see fedgov leave them alone. Frankly, an ordinance like this would have the effect of discouraging residence by some of the worse gangbangers and meth-labbers and general scum who have the yard-full-of-savage-pits as part of their obnoxious "lifestyle." I'm sure that's what the town had in mind -- since "civil rights" precludes any other way of keeping them out.
I think Aurelia could have found a path to just quietly "live and let live" in this particular case; now it is going to be a big, expensive mess.
As of this posting, the judge ordered an injunction which will allow the dog to be reunited with the owner until the matter is fully settled in court.
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