Support Duke

My dog and I are facing huge legal issues because Duke bit a man that was trying to break into my house. Duke has been labeled as a "dangerous dog" and I'm facing a 4th degree misdemeanor. We did NOTHING wrong! We need help with legal expenses to fight this.

My dog is NOT dangerous he is a WONDERFUL AMAZING and LOVING FAMILY MEMBER! He simply did what any good dog would do, he protected his family and his home! He should be rewarded for that not punished!

My name is Carissa, I have had Duke for over 5 yrs. I adopted him when he was just a puppy. I'm a single mother to an incredible 2 yr old lil boy and I work full time (home healthcare). It's been a constant struggle but just recently we were able to move out of my parents and get a place of our own. Which is wonderful but also means that things are extremely tight and that's why I'm reaching out for help.

I know that I need a lawyer in order to fight this but I simply can't afford one. Right now I don't even know how I'm going to pay all the fines, fees and court cost associated with this mess.

I have filed an appeal against the dog warden declaring Duke a dangerous dog. But I've never been in trouble before therefore I'm completely clueless on legal matters. I've tried to get help from every resource available to me (legal aid, ABLE, the Toledo bar association and the public defender) they have all turned me away.

So far this has already cost me a great deal of money and a lawyer retaining fee is a minimum of $1500.

If I don't win this the cost and negative effects on mine and my son's lives are astronomical. A 4th degree misdemeanor can very likely cause me to lose my license and my job. It also carries the possibility of up to 30 days in jail. I can also lose my house (owner can refuse to allow a "dangerous dog" to live here). And then there are all the cost that go along with owning a dangerous dog; yearly licensing, I'll have to completely enclose my fence including a top on it, I'll have to carry a special insurance, Duke will have to be microchipped as a dangerous dog (a label he will have to carry forever), the list goes on and on.

If you have any questions feel free to ask and I'll answer to the best of my ability. Please visit our support page on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/SupportDuke?ref=hl#

Can you please help us? Please! Even small donations can add up quickly! Thank you all so very much!