Obie will stay put for now
An Oregon judge says an obese celebrity dachshund should remain in the custody of his foster mom until the courts can determine his legal owner.
That means Obie — and we’re guessing the 70-pound dog is fine with the interim ruling — will be staying put for now.
At a court hearing today, a judge decided that the dog will stay with Nora Vanatta, a veterinary technician who volunteered to foster him – and put him on a diet — when his owners decided they could no longer care for him.
The court hearing today — and it’s just a first step — resulted from a lawsuit filed by Oregon Dachshund Rescue owner Jenell Rangan, who claims that, since the foster arrangement was set up through the rescue, the dog is legally her’s.
Rangan’s lawsuit was filed after Obie and his diet garnered some fame — but she has said she filed it because she didn’t feel Obie was being taken care of properly.
“They say I’m exploiting him,” Vanatta told KATU. “They say I’m misusing his funds and they claim he belongs to them.”
She added, “He’s famous and he’s touched so many people and I think they regret not taking him on in the first place,” Vanatta said of the rescue group.
Oregon Daschund Rescue was asking that the dog be turned over to them until ownership is decided, but the judge declined.
KATU reports that the case will go to arbitration, and could still possibly result in a trial.
Vanatta says Obie has lost 15 pounds in the last two months.
She’s collected thousands of dollars in donations for Obie from supporters, and said the money is being used for his care.
(Photo: KATU)
Posted by jwoestendiek October 29th, 2012 under Muttsblog.
Tags: 70 pounds, animals, battle, court, custody, dachshund, diet, dieting, dog, dogs, fat, hearing, jenell rangan, judge, lawsuit, nora vanatta, obese, obie, oregon, oregon dachshund rescue, overweight, ownership, pets
Comments
Comment from smoketoomuch
Time October 30, 2012 at 9:09 am
The ODR had the opportunity to take on the task of restoring “Obie” (not his real name) to health, and they opted instead to foster him out. Now that Nora is making progress (and has become a minor celebrity. they’re rethinking their position. Hey Bozos, it is (or should be) about the dog. PERIOD.
Comment from Barb
Time January 24, 2013 at 9:03 pm
Just read that Obie won the lawsuit & gets to stay with Nora. He’s down to 49 pounds.
Nice to read some great news.
Comment from Michelle
Time October 29, 2012 at 6:36 pm
It sounds to me like all of these Team Obie fans have been conned. Nora has received over 10,000 in donations that goes into her personal checking account.