Offer was to have surgical alteration
Robbinsville – A Robbinsville couple facing misdemeanor barking dog violations turned down an offer from an assistant district attorney to have charges dropped if they have their dog’s vocal cords removed.
Mike Eddings is charged in the misdemeanor case. He and his wife Katlyn live on Atoah Street and own Leo, a 7-year-old Great Pyrenees who their neighbor, David Hall, called the sheriff about because of the dog’s loud, frequent barking.
Mike thought his trial was May 31 and appeared in court with his lawyer.
That’s when Assistant District Attorney Caleb Decker made the offer, which Eddings declined.
“If I have a colicky baby, would they ask me to do the same thing with a baby?” Mike Eddings told The Graham Star following the May 31 court appearance.
The Eddings called Decker’s offer cruel and rejected it. Their next court date is Oct. 10.
District Attorney Ashley Welch issued a statement about her assistant DA’s offer to Eddings.
“I have confirmed that an assistant district attorney in my district suggested, as a possible solution to violations of a town’s noise ordinance, that a dog’s vocal cords be surgically altered,” Welch said. “Whether offered in jest or seriousness, the suggestion was inappropriate. I am unable to offer additional comment as this is now a personnel matter.”
Graham County deputies issued two noise violation citations to Eddings based on a Town of Robbinsville noise ordinance – for the dog’s barking and loud music. Sheriff Jerry Crisp said his office received complaints from more than one of Eddings’ neighbors.
There have been no other complaints since the first citations were issued. The Eddings have been keeping their dog inside most of the time.
Meanwhile, the Eddings have started a GoFundMe page hoping to raise $10,000, partly to pay their legal fees ($750 so far) but mostly to pay for a privacy fence that they hope will address Hall’s complaints about their barking dog.
The effort, titled “Help get justice for Leo,” has so far raised $680 toward the $10,000 goal.
“We need a privacy fence for Leo so he can run free, and need help paying attorney fees,” Mike Eddings wrote. “We got tickets for Leo barking and the DA thinks it’s best to have his vocal cords removed. This was the plea, if we had Leo silenced they would drop the charges. Leo does not bark excessively as one neighbor has complained about. A privacy fence for him would help him be able to run around the yard with his kids and family, roll in the grass like he loves to do, romp and play like a normal dog again, and lay soaking up the sun when it isn’t too hot, and run around/lay in the snow in the winter.”
Eight people have donated so far, ranging from one $5 donation to one $500 donation.
“I hope we can get this going for your family and Leo,” said Ruth Trinidad, who donated $25 on Friday.
A petition on change.org – entitled “Justice for Leo – Save his Bark” had 703 signatures on Tuesday morning.