Judge States That Woman Should Have Shot Dogs

KUTV
Apr. 12, 2006

(KUTV) You're allowed to have two dogs and one woman had eight. She admits being in the wrong. But you won't believe what the judge allegedly said about her dogs.

Nicole Hunter has more.

Everyone I have talked to from both animal control and the Human Society say what the woman was doing with eight dogs was very noble.

When she was sent directly to jail by the judge people were shocked. They say he showed little sympathy for the three dogs sitting in the woman’s car at the time.

Now she and her attorney are just glad it's over.

Janet Lane who was placed in jail by 3rd District Judge Stephen Henriod Monday night can now walk away a free woman.

"She's still quiet - kind of subdued," said Lane’s lawyer Victoria Cramer.

Her troubles began in October when some of her dogs were running lose - animal control had to come to her home and realized she had eight dogs...city ordinance allowed her only two.

Janet Lane admitted in court that she was indeed guilty of having too many dogs, but she was providing a service for the Humane Society.

"Rather than euthanize them we send them to foster homes," said Gene Bairschmidt of the Humane Society.

Some 80 families act as foster families for the organizations overflow dogs...Janet lane is one of them.

"She's probably saved hundreds of animal’s lives by fostering them."

So imagine the shock when at her sentencing Judge Henriod not only put her in jail but also said “she should have taken a gun and shot the other five before she came back here.”

"What sort of a message does that send...value on animals," said Baierschmidt of the Humane Society.

Attorneys for the Humane Society plan to file a complaint with the judicial conduct commission.

Just before releasing Lane with a 12 month court probation Judge Henriod apologized to her for his comment saying he himself is a lover of animals and quote: "I didn't mean to imply your animals should be hurt."

"I'm glad he acknowledged that was inappropriate," said the woman’s lawyer.

According to both animal control and the Humane Society the judge's remarks were in fact suggesting an illegal act.

Janet is returning home and her dogs will remain in custody at the Human Society shelter - they are not up for adoption at this time.