Guy and Elizabeth James and the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office have agreed to a settlement one day before the appeal that was going to be heard by Superior Court Judge Mitchel Ostrer.
From Save Congo, via e-mail this evening:CONGO IS FREE
We just got back from the court house, and the nightmare is over. Congo and the pups are free. No labels have been imposed, I will update the website with more info it should go live in a week or so. But most importantly I want to thank everyone for everything they have done to support us all.Congo was sentenced to death after being declared a vicious dog by the Princeton Municipal Court last year. This in return provoked a clear and present outcry of support by thousands of animal lovers, welfare and rescue people thru out the state and country.
Right after the trial in 2007 the James’ appealed the ruling against Congo and the 4 pups that joined in the attack. The 4 pups, Shadow, Bear, Hunter and Magnus, were declared potentially dangerous dogs and Congo was declared vicious and sentenced to death.
Picture of the Pups
Under the settlement the James’ would pay a fine of $50.00 per dog and they pleaded guilty to violating a township ordinance according to their lawyer Robert Lytle. The James’ will continue to have the dogs behind the fencing and the warning signs will stay on the property. Elizabeth James was charged with maintaining a potentially dangerous dog and a vicious dog. Those charges have been dismissed.
Thank you goes out to all Best Friends members and volunteers who took part in the letter writing, e-mail and phone call campaigns.
You can read more about the breaking news and make comments in support of Congo by
clicking here.
Be sure to visit
Congo's myspace page and say hi.
Posted by George DeGiovanni, Best Friends Network.
Photo Credit: Pictures courtesy of the James Family.