City of Lafayette and Walkers agree to deferred prosecution

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: The Animal Law Center announces that an agreement has been reached in the criminal case against the owner of Spork, the 10-year-old Dachshund in Lafayette. Tim and Kelly Walker have accepted a deferment of their prosecution in the criminal case. This means that if Spork does not inflict injury against any person for 6 months, the criminal case will be dropped entirely. 

“This agreement is a win for Spork and the Walkers,” said Jennifer Edwards, founder and attorney at The Animal Law Center, based in Wheat Ridge, Colorado. “It spares the Walker family and the City of Lafayette any more expense or time. It’s a deferred prosecution, which is rarely - if ever - extended to defendants. In addition, it’s clear from Judge Roger Buchholz’s decision from Tuesday, March 9, that the City’s hands are tied in this matter due to home rule. In his comments, he validated our position that Lafayette’s ordinance should be amended in order to prevent any other pet owner from facing a plight similar to the Walkers. Now the City of Lafayette has an opportunity to do just that.”

The case against the Walkers could be dropped even sooner than the date set by the court. If between now and the time the judge sets today, Lafayette’s City Council were to amend the law to exempt health care workers from filing charges against animal owners for injuries experienced during the course of their work, the case against Spork will be dropped.

“We are relieved that Spork is out of danger for the moment,” said Tim Walker, owner of Spork. “While we know that we would have prevailed in court, this case has been incredibly upsetting for our family. We are happy that we will be able to return to a normal life and know that this misguided case against us will be dropped in a determined number of months. We thank all the friends we know and don’t know for their support during this ordeal.”

About The Animal Law Center: 

The Animal Law Center provides an array of legal services for animal owners and guardians.  We are the only dedicated animal law practice in Colorado and are one of the few firms through the United States that practice animal-related law on a full time basis.  While individual members of The Animal Law Center hold political and ethical beliefs related to animals, the ALC considers ALL cases, regardless of a potential client’s political and ethical views. The ALC is a firm that practices law as it pertains to animals, not necessarily animal-rights law. For more information: www.theanimallawcenter.com