Crime & Safety
Dog Spared Death After Bite Under Investigation Again
The Manatee County Sheriff's Office says Padi was involved in an incident with a service dog Monday morning.
BRADENTON, FL — The Manatee County Sheriff’s Office is investigating a dog bite incident that involves Padi, the black Labrador Retriever mix who made headlines last year when his owner successfully challenged a state law and an euthanasia order.
The sheriff’s office says Monday’s incident occurred around 9:40 a.m. at 714 60th St. Court E. in Bradenton, which is the address of The Pet Clinic. The clinic is owned by Paul Gartenberg, Padi’s owner and a veterinarian.
According to the agency, Tammy Kritz, the caretaker of a service dog, was at the clinic when she alleges Padi bit her dog. The incident is being investigated as possible reckless disregard for a service dog resulting in its injury, the sheriff’s office said. The charge, if levied, is a misdemeanor.
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No further information about the investigation is readily available.
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Padi made national headlines last year following a June incident involving a child. The dog was accused of biting off a part of the child’s ear and faced euthanasia under a state law that demands a dog's destruction if it is responsible for a serious injury to a person. In that case, the child’s babysitter said Padi attacked without provocation. Other witnesses to the incident, which also took place at The Pet Clinic, said the boy cornered the dog.
Gartenberg fought the death sentence in court and won. The case also served as the impetus for a bill that would enable hearing officers to consider circumstances in bite incidents before determining if a dog should be put down. The bill has passed both the House and Senate but has not yet been signed by Gov. Rick Scott.
Gardentberg was not immediately available for comment on Monday afternoon.
The sheriff’s office has released no further information about the latest incident, including the severity of the bite.
Photo of Padi courtesy of Lori Gurley
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