Help Bring Bella and Mimi Home

Bella and Mimi were taken away by animal control after they were in a fight with my neighbor's dog and deemed dangerous on Wednesday, July 6th. The neighbor’s dog is alive and suffered injuries just like Bella and Mimi. We are working hard to get our babies home but unfortunately due to structural changes within their department and being short-staffed, animal control is planning on keeping Bella and Mimi for MONTHS as we await a trial date. There are 8 dogs ahead of Mimi and Bella that are awaiting trial and one of them has been there since January! We are extremely heartbroken and devastated. This is the first time Bella and Mimi have been involved in an incident like this. We immediately requested a preliminary hearing to give us the opportunity to have them home. However, they have denied our request for a preliminary hearing following a breed evaluation that solely consists of visual identification. They are stating that because they categorized both dogs as Pitbulls they do not deserve the right to a preliminary hearing. This is a completely biased and subjective way of doing a breed evaluation.

We have provided animal control with prior adoption records stating Bella is a Labrador Retriever Mix from Montgomery county, which is more concrete evidence of her breed than just visual identification. She has been legally registered in PG County as such since 2014. Mimi is also NOT a pit bull. Mimi’s dad is a Yorkshire terrier and Havanese mix and her mom is an American bulldog and Labrador retriever mix.

The last communication that we had with the county regarding the preliminary hearing was on Monday, July 11th. Thankfully, we found a team of lawyers that are willing to take the case and fight against this injustice. However, with all things in consideration we do need help with legal costs. Denise and Sophia are in school and the financial burden of school loans is enormous. Any little bit will help and we thank you for anything you may have to spare. If you cannot donate at this time, please please please share. Thank you so much for your unconditional support as we continue to fight for Bella and Mimi!