An out of court settlement has been reached between the owner of a pit bull and the Pet and Wildlife Rescue (PAWR) in Chatham.
Zeus was deemed to be 100 per cent pit bull after DNA testing was done over the past month and results were released on Monday.
PAWR lawyer Steve Pickard said his client has accepted an offer made by Zeus' owner Shawn Hall to not charge him any fees, fines, charges or surcharges of any kind in respect of Zeus’ care or kennelling from December 23, 2020 through to the date of his removal if Hall withdraws all of his claims to allow each side to pay their own costs in this matter.
According to Hall's lawyer David Sandor, Hall was seeking reimbursement of some legal fees because PAWR did not follow the Dog Owners’ Liability Act (DOLA) and " should bear some responsibility” for dragging his client through legal proceedings that cost Hall thousands of dollars to fight for his dog.
Pickard said both sides have mutually agreed to release each other from all liability and Zeus will now be up for adoption as soon as possible in a region that allows pit bulls if Hall officially withdraws all of his claims. However, Pickard said any decision by PAWR following the withdrawal shall be shielded from any further review.
Both parties must now advise the court about the settlement and Hall will have to file a notice to withdraw his application.
Pickard said it's unknown when Zeus will be sent out and animal control facilities do not release where a pit bull will be sent to help ensure that they are not brought back. He added in general, pit bulls are sent to Canadian provinces without a pit bull ban or to a nearby state in the United States without a ban.
Pickard always maintained that his client followed the Act (DOLA) and should not bear any responsibility in this case. He also said the Zeus case didn’t cost taxpayers any money because he handled the case for free.
Zeus was found roaming the streets in Chatham December 23, 2020 and was seized by PAWR because it looked like a pit bull.