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Spiderman Headed for a Dirt Nap Thanks to Owner

Pit Bull Owner Blames Mayor Buddy Dyer
Orlando, FL - The owner of the pit bull that tangled with Mayor Buddy Dyer says he's being "railroaded" by animal control because of the mayor's involvement in the case. Authorities disagree. They say that James Valentine hasn't taken any of the steps required to get his dog out of confinement, where he has been held since the attack 10 weeks ago.

The only party Valentine leaves out of the "blame game" is the Jack Russell his pit bull attacked.

The deadline to comply with the rules -- which include having the dog neutered and paying a $500 dollar "dangerous dog" fee -- passed Friday, meaning the pit bull could be euthanized soon. Legally, the dog is now county property. Dil Luther of animal services, said, "We want to work with him to get his dog back, but we can't keep this dog indefinitely."

To get his dog back, Valentine must pay $1,090 to cover fees, shots and boarding. On top of that, he faces about $2,000 in fines for violations ranging from not having a collar for the dog to not having proof of a current rabies shot. He also owes nearly $1,000 to cover the other dog's veterinary bills. Since the attack, the county has paid these fees to care for Valentine's dog.

The real sticky point is that Valentine can't get Spiderman back unless the dog is neutered and guess who wants to breed? "Every time he's bred, it's worth $1,000," Valentine said. "He's a show dog." Animal Services officials said they're amenable to a payment plan, but neutering is non-negotiable. The dog will be euthanized if Valentine doesn't comply.


Dear Spiderman, your owner never loved you or even liked you. Enjoy the dirt nap.

Related articles:
04/13/08: Mayor Receives Award for Stopping Pit Bull Attack
03/20/08: Owner of Pit Bull Subdued by Mayor Steps Forward
03/11/08: Orlando Mayor Rescues Terrier from Jaws of Pit Bull