Feb 27, 2008 12:19 pm US/Mountain
Neighbors Testify Against Rolo At Sentencing
ARVADA, Colo. (CBS4) ―
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Laura Hagan visits Rolo almost every day at the Table Mountain Animal Center.
CBS
Neighbors of a dog in Arvada that attacked a mom last August testified Wednesday morning that they were afraid of the animal and felt it was dangerous. The testimony came during a sentencing hearing at which a judge will decide if the animal should be destroyed or given some other punishement.
A jury convicted Laura Hagan Tuesday of owning a dangerous dog and having an animal running at large. Her German shepherd, Rolo, was the dog that attacked Kathy Hardin and her 14-month-old son last August. Hardin's dress was torn and she was bruised and scratched, according to court records.
After the attack, a city judge ruled Rolo should be destroyed, especially after neighbors of Hardin said Rolo was dangerous. A stay of execution was ordered, which led to the trial.
Hagan disagreed, saying "I don't think two scratches justify death."
Supporters of Rolo were obviously disappointed with the verdict.
"I think destroying a dog should be an absolute last resort, and a person who suffers an abrasion from this incident isn't a reason to destroy the dog," Rolo supporter Wendy Weiman said.
The judge has a number of options in this case short of euthanizing the dog. He's expected to rule later Wednesday.
One neighbor testified about the number of children in the neighborhood. Another person talked about the dog's constant barking and previous complaints that led to Rolo to have an operation to tone-down the noise.
Rolo has been in custody for months.
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