News

June 21, 2008

Our client Giovanni Rivera, a Honduran immigrant, was brutally attacked by a German shepherd named Congo and four of his pups while working at the dog owner’s home. Mr. Rivera received a $250,000 settlement for injuries caused by the attack through the representation of Kevin Riechelson. This case received national and international attention because it raised issues related to immigration.

The German shepherd, Congo, was spared the death sentence by the Appeals Court in April. The owners paid a fine and agreed to restrain their dogs from threatening to attack others. Congo was allowed to return home under strict limitations after months in captivity.

However, it was revealed today that Congo and three other dogs were put down by their owner for attacking a family member at home. Mark Johnson, the Princeton Township animal officer, said that he “prayed to God that (another dog attack involving Congo) never would happen, but in the back of my mind I knew it would. It was just a matter of time."

This development demonstrates that the dogs that attacked our client were dangerous, and the attack against Mr. Rivera was unprovoked (as was claimed by the dogs' owner). Sadly, too many people identified with the attacking dogs instead of our client, who was merely trying to make a living. We found very few web sites that identified with our client’s position, and we remain proud of our legal work on behalf of our client, and all of our immigrant clients. All people have rights in our society, and that’s the way it should be.

The blogs and articles in the New Jersey newspapers yesterday and today have all taken the position that the dogs were dangerous and deserved to be put to sleep. It is unfortunate that it took a second vicious attack for them to realize this. It is also unfortunate that some media outlets and posters on various blogs were supportive of the rights of animals over the rights of a human being who was a victim and severely injured.