Lost Katrina Dogs Returned To Owner

Florida Women Who Adopted 2 Dogs Lost After Hurricane Agree To Give Them Back After Custody Dispute

(AP)  A custody dispute over two dogs lost in Hurricane Katrina ended Tuesday when the Florida women who adopted them after the storm agreed to give them back.

"This is what we wanted from the beginning, our dogs being back home," Doreen Couture said at an emotional news conference.

She, her husband, Steve, and their two children lived in St. Bernard Parish, La., when they lost almost everything they had in the storm in 2005. They had dropped off their dogs at a temporary shelter before fleeing.

They didn't immediately reclaim them, and in the chaos that followed, the animals — a St. Bernard and a shepherd mix — ended up at a shelter in Pinellas County, Fla. They were adopted into two different homes.

The Coutures eventually learned where the dogs were and sued last year to have them returned. The new owners claimed they adopted the dogs in good faith and vowed to fight. A trial date had been set for this July.

On Tuesday, Pam Bondi, a local prosecutor who adopted the St. Bernard, said she decided to give him back after getting to know the Coutures and visiting them in Louisiana.

Bondi said Rhonda Rineker, the Dunedin woman who adopted the shepherd mix, also agreed to return her dog to the Coutures. Rineker has not commented publicly on the dispute.

A tearful Bondi said she would be able to visit the dog she called Noah and the Coutures call Master Tank.

"Thanks to these good people, I will be a big part of his life. ... I promised to love and protect him and keep him safe his entire life, and that's what I plan on doing," Bondi said.

She had said she spent thousands of dollars for the dog's health problems that predated the storm, while the Coutures denied that his health had been neglected.

Steve Couture said the family, now living in St. Tammany Parish, planned to pick up the dogs later Tuesday and then head back to Louisiana.

[randalds]

Love the pic. Really cute! Of course the dog is cute too.

I practically live for my two dogs. they wake me up for their morning walk and, since I'm home most days, I spend all day with them. I can't imagine losing them and I agree that any city wide evacuation plan of any city has to include a way to get the pets out too. Many pet owners won't leave their animals behind and I'm one of them. Storm or (like out here in L.A.) earthquake or whatever. I'll take my chances riding it out with my dogs. Besides my dogs are better then most people, as is proved by some of the posts on this site everyday.

[ov442]

Good doggies!

[mo005]

wow a good story. This was good to read.

[kimec4-2009]

I am glad they are going back to their homes, and God bless those that took care of them. I cannot imagine leaving my pets behind though-but I have cats and not a huge St. Bernard-he's a BIG BOY!

[a-ji]

Good endings is always wonderful to read. God Bless those who cared and make the dogs their own and though is is truly a heart breaking to let go and give back to the original owners, it is still a hapy ending to all. And I agree with RandalDS, never leave your pets behind they are part of our family. Personally I would not leave my dog behind in times of chaos. Good day every one!

[bloggawa]

Good news, finally! a long overdue happy ending.

Please take note that Mr. C. did "ride out the storm" with his dogs by his side and they did just fine.

It was only after the federal levees failed, the area was flooded, and rescuers came to take him away that he was forced to leave the dogs behind.

[randalds]

Speaking of "riding out the storm" Harry and Sally (my Shih-Tzu's) just got into some strawberries. Well....ok....so I gave them some...but the point is that now I get to have the fun of throwing them in the bathtub for awhile. Oh what the hell, they need a bath anyway. (sigh)

[sclaires]

I wouldn't give up my fat cat and dog for any reason. They are like children to me and both of them understand when I say something to them. Fat cat knows what the word yogurt means and he comes running. If I want the dog to behave, all I have to do is point to the bed and she jumps up and stays there. Then there are times when a spray bottle of water works well too. If I was told to evacuate my home, fat cat and my dog would be with me. I cannot imagine leaving them to fend for themselves since I have spoiled them outrageously.

[stargate1121]

we had a cat that we called Fat Cat and he was too. have one now that isn't far behind in size, and him and our other cat, Pepper and our dog Peanut are like our children. they would go wherever we went.

[phoenix1218]

stargate1121,
This family very well may have wanted to keep their dogs with them, just as you would want to keep your cats with you. The thing of the matter is that they had NO choice about it. They had to go to a shelter that has rules. If you were in that position would you live on the streets just so you could have your cats with you? This family couldn't do that as they have kids.

we had a cat that we called Fat Cat and he was too. have one now that isn't far behind in size, and him and our other cat, Pepper and our dog Peanut are like our children. they would go wherever we went. Posted by stargate1121

[phoenix1218]

This is to everyone who has said they would NEVER leave their pets behind....
This family had no choice. The Mom left with the kids while the Dad stayed with the dogs. After the levees broke and the are was flooded he was FORCED to leave the dogs at a temporary shelter. I am sure this family would have loved to have their dogs with them. I know my heart would break if I'd been in their situation and I had to leave MY pet behind. As much as it would pain me to do so, if it came down to my life, or the life of my husband and kids I would, with a heavy heart, leave any pets behind.