Judge sends Congo home, pending appeal

PRINCETON —  Two days after a municipal judge denied the same request, a Superior Court judge Thursday issued a consent order that will allow Congo — the German Shepherd facing euthanization for its attack on a landscaper in Princeton Township in June — to return home to his owners, the James family, while they await their appeal, their attorney said.
   Though he said he hasn’t yet seen the signed order, attorney Robert Lytle said he believes its conditions stipulate that the dog must be muzzled and kept on a leash whenever it is outside.
   The animal control officer can also conduct periodic inspections to ensure the judge’s order is being adhered to, Mr. Lytle said.
   Guy James reacted to the decision via his cell phone late Thursday afternoon from Save – A Friends to Animals animal shelter, where Congo has been held since the attack.
   ”We’re so ecstatic that Congo is coming home,” he said, noting that the family realizes the appeal process still lies ahead.
   He added, “Tuesday we had tears of sadness, and today we have tears of joy.”
   On Monday, Municipal Judge Russell Annich Jr. denied a request from Mr. Lytle to allow the dog release from the shelter, calling it “counterintuitive” to do so after officially labeling Congo “vicious” — which will result in euthanization, pending the family’s appeal. —Nick Norlen