Justice For Fred
Donation protected
Dearest Supporters:
I am raising funds for a legal retainer, in order to begin working with the law firm that will file Fred's case in civil unlimited court.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW UP FRONT IS THIS: I have zero interest in profiting off of the most horrifying and devastating experience of Fred's and my life. SHOULD ANY MONEY COME TO ME AS THE RESULT OF THIS CASE, IT WILL BE USED TO ESTABLISH Fred's Foundation. Furthermore, I will post itemized spending reports here, so that donors know exactly where their money is being spent.
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As many of you know, my dog Fred was my heart.
He was my life and work partner, my soul-dog, best friend and destined companion against all odds and in spite of any obstacle. He was the closest anyone has come to being my child; he was the root of everything sacred and meaningful in my world. He was also a source of healing, light, and love for anyone blessed to know him or meet him even once. Named after his spirit-twin, Mr. Rogers, Fred communicated to every single soul he touched..."It’s you I like…just the way you are".
As a service dog to two different children with autism (and their families), and a therapy dog whose work touched the lives of countless people both in his local and worldwide/social media communities, Fred served human beings every day of his life.
That life was senselessly, tragically, and devastatingly cut short last September 2nd, when he suffered fatal heat stroke at a boarding facility in Santa Clarita, CA.
I sought legal council almost immediately after Fred died (with the money raised at that time, which paid for a $5000 flat fee retainer -- in addition to Fred's necropsy, freezer hold, and cremation). Until very recently, I have been working closely with the the Law Offices of Jarrod Wilfert. Their lawyers have provided me with sound, valuable, and compassionate legal guidance for several months. In addition, they prepared an evidential binder that should've accompanied LA County Animal Control's report pursuant to a criminal charge, had AC's "investigation" not ended, abruptly and prematurely, with their pathologist's failure to even speak to the attending veterinarians, or pathologist responsible for Fred's post mortem histopathology report.
Wilfert's law firm continued consulting with me while I prepared a small claims case, as I simply wanted to make something tangible happen quickly. All the while feeling that the small claims modality simply DOES NOT FIT the unique nature of Fred's case.
Enter: Jill Ryther -- http://rytherlawgroup.com/media/.
Ultimately, we have determined that civil (unlimited) court is the most sensible and viable path forward, specifically with counsel from a law firm that specializes in animal cases similar to ours.
The fee to retain Ms. Ryther's services is $7500, to which the funds raised here will be dedicated.
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Fred’s legacy is much too vast to be minimized in any way (as it surely would be were this case to be given five minutes worth of attention by a small claims judge). This is not a “money dispute”. It is not simply about lost wages, although that is part of it, being that Fred was a highly trained working therapy dog, and my professional partner as director of the Miracle Mutts program @ Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue, and an independently contracted animal-assisted interventionist @ Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.
However to even think of Fred in these diminutive terms is revolting. Obviously, to the extent that the laws surrounding animals are still so ludicrously antiquated, seeking monetary damages is, indeed, what this will boil down to in the end. But the fundamental importance of seeking punitive damages - most pertinently for PAIN AND SUFFERING - in a civil lawsuit is to hold the responsible party ACCOUNTABLE. Period. This is why I will continue working toward justice for Fred...until justice has been served.
From the darkness of his passing, there must shine through a way for us to harness Fred's angelic love and let it fuel us forward; a way of honoring his glowing legacy. And -- so says my heart, mind and gut in unison -- working with the Ryther Law Group is the way to do this moving forward.
Simply put, the healing process will begin with attaining for Fred, the justice he so richly deserves. #JusticeForFred #justiceforfred
From the bottom of my heart -
THANK YOU for your help.
Sincerely,
Liz Kover
I am raising funds for a legal retainer, in order to begin working with the law firm that will file Fred's case in civil unlimited court.
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW UP FRONT IS THIS: I have zero interest in profiting off of the most horrifying and devastating experience of Fred's and my life. SHOULD ANY MONEY COME TO ME AS THE RESULT OF THIS CASE, IT WILL BE USED TO ESTABLISH Fred's Foundation. Furthermore, I will post itemized spending reports here, so that donors know exactly where their money is being spent.
**********
As many of you know, my dog Fred was my heart.
He was my life and work partner, my soul-dog, best friend and destined companion against all odds and in spite of any obstacle. He was the closest anyone has come to being my child; he was the root of everything sacred and meaningful in my world. He was also a source of healing, light, and love for anyone blessed to know him or meet him even once. Named after his spirit-twin, Mr. Rogers, Fred communicated to every single soul he touched..."It’s you I like…just the way you are".
As a service dog to two different children with autism (and their families), and a therapy dog whose work touched the lives of countless people both in his local and worldwide/social media communities, Fred served human beings every day of his life. That life was senselessly, tragically, and devastatingly cut short last September 2nd, when he suffered fatal heat stroke at a boarding facility in Santa Clarita, CA.I sought legal council almost immediately after Fred died (with the money raised at that time, which paid for a $5000 flat fee retainer -- in addition to Fred's necropsy, freezer hold, and cremation). Until very recently, I have been working closely with the the Law Offices of Jarrod Wilfert. Their lawyers have provided me with sound, valuable, and compassionate legal guidance for several months. In addition, they prepared an evidential binder that should've accompanied LA County Animal Control's report pursuant to a criminal charge, had AC's "investigation" not ended, abruptly and prematurely, with their pathologist's failure to even speak to the attending veterinarians, or pathologist responsible for Fred's post mortem histopathology report. Wilfert's law firm continued consulting with me while I prepared a small claims case, as I simply wanted to make something tangible happen quickly. All the while feeling that the small claims modality simply DOES NOT FIT the unique nature of Fred's case.
Enter: Jill Ryther -- http://rytherlawgroup.com/media/.
Ultimately, we have determined that civil (unlimited) court is the most sensible and viable path forward, specifically with counsel from a law firm that specializes in animal cases similar to ours.
The fee to retain Ms. Ryther's services is $7500, to which the funds raised here will be dedicated.
**********
Fred’s legacy is much too vast to be minimized in any way (as it surely would be were this case to be given five minutes worth of attention by a small claims judge). This is not a “money dispute”. It is not simply about lost wages, although that is part of it, being that Fred was a highly trained working therapy dog, and my professional partner as director of the Miracle Mutts program @ Marley's Mutts Dog Rescue, and an independently contracted animal-assisted interventionist @ Kern County Behavioral Health & Recovery Services.
However to even think of Fred in these diminutive terms is revolting. Obviously, to the extent that the laws surrounding animals are still so ludicrously antiquated, seeking monetary damages is, indeed, what this will boil down to in the end. But the fundamental importance of seeking punitive damages - most pertinently for PAIN AND SUFFERING - in a civil lawsuit is to hold the responsible party ACCOUNTABLE. Period. This is why I will continue working toward justice for Fred...until justice has been served.
From the darkness of his passing, there must shine through a way for us to harness Fred's angelic love and let it fuel us forward; a way of honoring his glowing legacy. And -- so says my heart, mind and gut in unison -- working with the Ryther Law Group is the way to do this moving forward.
Simply put, the healing process will begin with attaining for Fred, the justice he so richly deserves. #JusticeForFred #justiceforfred
From the bottom of my heart -
THANK YOU for your help.
Sincerely,
Liz Kover
Organizer
Liz Kover
Organizer
Bakersfield, CA