Truck driver Nathan Stewart adopted his dog, a female pit bull named Sophie, 5 years ago at a shelter in Iowa. Since then she’s been the best travel companion he’s ever had.
In an interview with Land Line, he described her as very sweet and affectionate but still intimidating looking enough to keep away would-be thieves. She has also saved his life twice from driving fatigued.
Sophie was taken away from him on April 3rd while he was visiting a friend in Salina, Kansas.
Salina has a strict law against any dog that can be considered a pit bull-type breed, that includes American Staffordshire terriers, American pit bull terriers, Staffordshire bull terriers and several other similar breeds. They are all banned from the city.
Stewart spends about 50 weeks a year on the road and only stopped in town shortly to visit his friend. On March 29th, he left Sophie at his friend’s house while he went out for a bite to eat.
While he was gone, Sophie somehow got out of the house. His friend was able to usher her back inside, but not before a neighbor saw her and called animal control. Stewart came back before authorities showed up.
The officers demanded to see Stewart’s dog but Stewart refused, telling them to come back with a warrant. According to Vanessa Cowie, Animal Services Supervisor at the Salina Animal Shelter, they didn’t need a warrant since the dog was out and visible by witnesses.
After officers took one look at her and determined that she was a pit bull, they placed Sophia in their van and issued Stewart a citation for violating the Salina pit bull ban.
“I tried to explain that I am a truck driver, that I am in town temporarily, but animal control went ahead and took my dog,” he told Land Line.
A court day has been set for April 14th and Stewart could be fined up to $2,500 and could be sent to jail for one year.
Vanessa Cowie assured Stewart that Sophie would not be euthanized as that policy has changed since she assumed her job over a year ago. Now most pit bulls would be sent out of town to other rescue groups, but in Stewart’s case, he should be able to get Sophie back if he pays the fine and promises to keep her out of town.
