Thank You for Helping Kota!!!

Kota Blu is a 5 year old Australian Cattle Dog that was shot by a Cherokee County Sheriff Deputy (located in Canton, Georgia) on Monday, 14 May 2012 at approximately 10:15pm when he came onto her property looking for someone. Before the officer gave her human, 20 year old Travis the opportunity to put her inside, she was shot.

See Kota is deaf "“ 100% DEAF "“ a trait that is common in Cattle Dogs or Blue Healers as they are sometimes called. Kota is ALWAYS kept on a lead, for well her humans don't want her out in the street "herding" cars or doing other dangerous activities unsupervised since she can't hear them call or things approach her.

This Officer basically snuck up upon both Kota and Travis, failing to identify himself, only yelling that he wanted to know who Travis was and to call off the dog. He never listened to Travis state the dog was deaf and couldn't be called off. He ignored everything that Travis said to him. As Travis was attempting to put Kota in the house this officer continued to approach Kota, Travis and the house, we can only assume that Kota could smell the adrenaline and fear on the Officer. There were two officers at the house but Kota was only bothered by one, the one that shot her.

Kota came loose, she went towards the officer, nipping at him as cattle dogs are trained to do "“ not bite mind you but nip "“ the office pulled his hand away and there was a scratch, in the officers mind he was bitten, "viciously attacked by a dog that was lunging after him in a biting manner" "“ whatever the heck that means.

He told Travis to call her off or he would shoot. Travis was leaning down to pick up Kota when BOOM!!! a shot was fired, right next to Travis's head and barely missing Travis.

Kota was hit, yelped and ran off. Now remember that Kota is 100% DEAF and therefore the next 3 days that her humans looked for her was like looking for a needle in a haystack "“ have you ever tried looking for someone that can't hear you call? Thanks to fliers that were printed off by a family friend Kota was found alive and semi well Wednesday night but could not be caught until Thursday afternoon.

For three hours the Cherokee County Sheriff's Department swarmed Kota's parents house because it has now deemed a "crime scene" "“ the entire family was interrogated including the 14 year old son that had been asleep and the 11 year old son that had also been asleep "“ but then we are getting off subject here and we are not trying to turn this into a Political thing.

When Kota was found she was immediately taken to her Veterinarian where the extent of her injuries was discovered. Her lower mandible was obliterated "“ there are tooth, bone and bullet fragments all in her face, she has a huge hole in her bottom jaw, her teeth are mangled and missing, she is covered in tics and well her whole face is just mangled. Though if you think about it she is a very determined dog! Spending three (3) days in the woods, unable to bark, eat or drink, so we thought and then collapsing into her Momma's arms when she was again located on Thursday.

Kota is resting as comfortably as she can with pain meds and antibiotics being administered while we attempt to raise at least $3,300.00 for the orthopedic surgeon to fix her mouth and then another $500 "“ 1,000 for the Veterinarian who is taking care of Kota as the funds are being raised.

In the mean time Kota's family has been told that the County Animal Control has decided that Kota is rabid (even though she is up to date on her shots and is NOT an outside dog) and Kota has been labeled vicious. Kota is under a mandatory 10 day isolation/observation for rabies and while the Sheriff's Department investigates the incident and decides if she needs to be put down for being a killer attack dog "“ to which Kota's Veterinarian states she is NOT.

Kota's Mom has been charged with "failing to keep Kota restrained" "“ a leash in Cherokee County Georgia is not a proper restraint, and Kota's Mom has been charged with "allowing Kota to bite a police officer". To which Kota's family must hire an attorney and go to court to fight these charges with the court date being June 5, 2012.

Oh and did we mention that Travis was almost shot? Well the shot was fired right next to his head where he continues to have ringing in his ear and severe pain. He is undergoing treatment to see the extent of his injuries which could lead or be nerve damage or worse.

Everyday there is new developments and everyday Kota is deemed a horrible dog and her humans' even worse people. It is heartbreaking, heart wrenching and extremely difficult on the entire family, a family that is madly in love with their disabled dog that they have had since she was 6 weeks old.

We aren't really asking for anything more than the ability to fund Kota's surgery and recovery even though there will be other expenses associated with this> attorney, fines, medical for Travis and who knows what else. We just want our Kota back!!!

Thank you for taking the time to read this and to listen to our story. If you are able to make a donation to help Kota, her humans would greatly appreciate it, but times are tough and we all know it, so thoughts, prayers and love are good too : thank you!!!