Katrina dog reunited with owner - New Orleans woman sued Humane Society of Central Illinois
HOLLY RICHRATH
347 words
2 February 2007
Peoria Journal Star

BLOOMINGTON - A New Orleans resident and her dog, separated since Hurricane Katrina, were reunited Thursday.

Deborah Marks sued the Humane Society of Central Illinois for taking her dog, a golden retriever mix named Goldie, whom they found wandering the Big Easy after Hurricane Katrina struck.

The humane society was helping to rescue dogs and cats that had been abandoned or lost. Goldie was taken to McLean County and adopted by an area family.

Marks' lawyer, Dominic Salvati, reported the reunion to Judge Charles Reynard at what was to be a civil trial Thursday in McLean County court.

"I reunited the dog with Miss Marks this morning," he said. "We are very grateful to the family (that adopted Goldie) for being so understanding."

The story began when Marks had to leave Goldie to take care of a diabetic aunt. After the hurricane struck, she was not allowed back into the city to retrieve her pet.

Marks lost most of the documentation proving Goldie belonged to her in the hurricane, with the exception of a few veterinarian records.

Scott Umland, representing the humane society, previously said Marks lost all rights to the dog when she abandoned him in Louisiana. He also said he was concerned with the "permanency" associated with humane society adoptions.

Salvati said the humane society should still have an amount of control in the matter, based on the adoption contract.

Thursday morning, Salvati visited the family that adopted Goldie and explained the situation. He said they were "great people."

"My client is very grateful to them for caring for the dog for the last 19 months," said Salvati.

The family agreed Goldie belonged with Marks and turned him over to Salvati, who took the dog to his office.

Marks came to his office with her two sisters and mother. Salvati said when Goldie saw her, "his tail started wagging and he started jumping all over her."