Zion: Captive since November 2022
Zion WAS held for 465 Days
UPDATE March 8 2024
ZION IS FREE TO GO HOME! Justice is finally served. After a 2.5 hour hearing, we have won. The new judge sitting for the Town of Parker ordered Zion to be released! We must comply with conditions in 30 days, but we’re working as fast as we can to send Zion home ASAP! Thank you all for the amazing support! Zion and his family will forever be grateful
The Animal Law Firm has been fighting for Zion. Learn more on their Facebook Page
Januyary 28 2004 Call To Action:
From the Animal Law Firm:
We are in the home stretch - HELP US GET ZION HOME!
The appellate court has officially ruled that the trial got it wrong! Per the rules, the appellate court is sending Zion’s case back to the original judge. Let’s make sure the town of Parker hears LOUD AND CLEAR THAT ZION NEEDS TO GO HOME TO HIS FAMILY!
The only other option is EUTHANASIA. To help us SAVE ZION call Ruthanne Goff’s office
303.825.6444 or email: rhg@hpwclaw.com and tell her to do the right thing and let Zion go home!!
Zion has been held in solitary confinement at the Buddy Center in Castle Rock for over a year on accusations of being a “bad dog.”
The Dumb Freinds League Buddy Center holds Zion for the Town of Parker.
Owner, attorney push for answers, release of dog being detained at Castle Rock animal shelter
Bergsten, who was not representing Conway at the time of this ruling, says her client did not realize pleading guilty would mean giving up the family pet.
"The prosecutor didn't advise her that if she plead guilty, she had the possibility of losing her dog," said Bergsten. "She said that there was actually no discussion whatsoever regarding what pleading guilty meant on that third incident. To me that screams prosecutorial misconduct."
Bergsten's team filed a motion to stop the court order while Conway works on appealing the case, but instead of getting Zion back, she was told to relinquish her custody to the Buddy Center, an animal shelter in Castle Rock. Bergsten said Zion is acting as a form of bond payment during the appeals process.
Coming: Zion’s Freedom Rally October 6 2023
20120 Mainstreet, Parker, CO 80138
Friday, October 6 FRIDAY 3 PM
From the Animal Law Firm: ZION UPDATE: Zion has been held at Denver Dumb Friends League for almost one year now, and the judge has denied our request for his records! PLEASE JOIN US at Zion’s Freedom Rally on Friday, October 6th from 3 - 6 PM at the Town of Parker Municipal Building in Parker, CO! The Animal Law Firm will continue to fight for Zion’s freedom!
#freezion #animallawfirm #zionsfreedomrally #alf #fightingfortheunderdo
According to the Animal Law Firm:
“The Denver Dumb Friends League has held a dog named Zion in solitary confinement at the Buddy Center in Castle Rock since November of 2022 for accusations of being a “bad dog.” It is cruel and inhumane to keep any animal locked in a cage for 24 hours without interaction from anyone. DFL and the Town of Parker refuse to give us any information on Zion or his condition, forcing us to file a subpoena which they fought to have it dismissed.”
Interview with The Animal Law Firm - Part 1
After Zion’s Dad passed away (unrelated to the incident) his Mom is addressing the court case of Zion’s altercation. Instead of a normal bond, the judge made Zion the bond for the case. Zion is in captivity since November 2023, well over 250 days now at the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center on behalf of the Town of Parker.
Interview with The Animal Law Firm - Part 2
Zion had three incidents, the first was dismissed second was deferred and the third is where we are. In this incident - his dad was walking him, fell down and let go of Zion’s leash. Zion had an altercation with a dog, but there were minor injuries. After Zion’s Dad passed away (unrelated to the incident) his Mom is addressing the court case of Zion’s altercation. Instead of a normal bond, the judge made Zion the bond for the case. Zion is in captivity since November 2023, well over 250 days now at the Dumb Friends League Buddy Center on behalf of the Town of Parker.
“Unfortunately, they won. Reasonable attempts at communication with DFL and the Town of Parker have been met with outright hostility, even going so far as to say that our requests that Zion be released to his owner or at least placed in a home until the appeal finishes is harassment. DFL’s attorney advised that her clients “owe [us] nothing,” even though we are only asking about the welfare of Zion. DFL’s incentive in this situation is to keep Zion in their facility for as long as possible because Zion’s owner is being forced to pay for DFL to keep him locked up until the appeal finishes. The appeal could take up to 2 YEARS to finish and Zion’s human father passed away right before he was imprisoned, and his human mother is suffering without Zion and his dad. Zion is all she has left of her late husband and she is desperate not to lose him, too!”
Please write emails to
The Honorable Judge Kevin Sidel at: ksidel@parkeronline.org and
Town of Parker Court Administrator Rachel Black: rblack@parkeronline.org,
Send letters to ATTN:
Honorable Judge Kevin Sidel, Mayor and Council of Parker
Town of Parker Municipal Building
20120 E. Mainstreet Parker, CO 80138
The Town of Parker Council Members:
Mayor Jeff Toborg (email: jtoborg@parkeronline.org);
Anne Barrington (email: abarrington@parkeronline.org);
John Diak (email: jdiak@parkeronline.org); Laura Hefta (email: lhefta@parkeronline.org);
Todd Hendreks (email: thendreks@parkeronline.org);
Joshua Rivero (email: jrivero@parkeronline.org);
Brandi Wilks (email: bwilks@parkeronline.org).
Although DDFl does not have any power to release Zion, there was nothing preventing them from giving the owner information
The owner pays $650/each month to board Zion.
In the news segment, there is a video of Zion at the shelter outside with a handler. Which is great. But some questions arise.
Why hasn’t any documentation of Zion’s care (like this video) been given to the owner before? The video shows a friendly dog playing with a handler. ((left)
Although DDFL is not a party to the case, it is in their power to assess Zion as a dog that is NOT dangerous and let the town of Parker know that.
DDFl was careful to say they were not profiting from Zion’s care, but when the average cost of a dog in the US is about $1200, they are receiving $650/month for boarding Zion, $7,800 annually.
Could the shelter be out of compliance with a law they wrote and fought to pass?
DDFL created and fought to pass HB21-1160 in the face of opposition that said it was poorly worded and put even more animals in danger.
The opposition said we should have protection for pets but needed better wording in order to do so. General behavioral care and enrichment were supported and although not fully embraced in the bill the way we asked, it may actually be that DDFL is not meeting the requirements of care for ZION.
The Rules 8 CCR 1202-15 state
1.24
“Proactive enrichment” means an enrichment program that is designed to provide enrichment for every animal in care during the entirety of their stay. Proactive enrichment does not require that any assessments take place prior to its implementation and can be administered safely despite any known or unknown medical or behavioral concerns. The goal of proactive enrichment is to establish a baseline of behavioral care that is proactive against behavioral decline.
1.31
“Tailored/individualized enrichment,” means an enrichment program that is designed in response to noted behavioral health issues, such as stereotypic behavior or quality of life concerns. The purpose of this approach is to assess what specific enrichment efforts meet the needs of the individual animal in order to respond to current/ongoing quality of life concerns or behavioral deterioration. Disposition of cats and dogs is at the discretion of the animal shelter or rescue pursuant to 35-80-106.3(1), C.R.S.
18.25.
Behavior and Enrichment Plans 18.25.1. All animal shelters and pet animal rescues shall create and implement a written proactive enrichment plan for the dogs and cats in their care. The plan must be submitted to the Commissioner for approval. If the plan is modified or revised it must be resubmitted for Commissioner approval. The proactive enrichment plan shall be in place for each successive year unless it is modified or revised.
18.25.2.
Animal shelters and pet animal rescues must implement an individualized/tailored enrichment plan for any dog or cat exhibiting self-mutilating behavior, stereotypical behavior, or other behaviors indicative of an unacceptable quality of life, when legally viable pursuant to 35-80-106.3 (1), C.R.S.
