Onion the dog

Onion the dog is the name of a dog in Henderson, Nevada that has become the focus of a controversy after the dog caused the death of a one-year-old baby on April 27, 2012. This incident started an ongoing legal battle as to whether the dog should be euthanized or not.
Legal rulings
After much legal wrangling between the Nevada Supreme County Court and Clark County, Nevada District Court, Onion resides at the Henderson Animal Shelter. The issue at hand is whether to euthanize a dog that attacked and killed one-year-old Jeremiah Eskew-Shahan. Clark County Nevada District Judge Joanna Kishner has issued repeated legal orders allowing the euthanasia of Onion. The court case eventually ended up in the Nevada Supreme Court. As of June 8, 2012, Kishner has denied a temporary restraining order sought by the animal rescue group Lexus Project.
At the heart of the matter is who owns Onion. Onion's ownership was relinquished after the April 27, 2012, dog attack.
"Lexus does not have any property rights to the dog, so it had no legal right to seek the temporary restraining order," Kishner said in her legal ruling.
Henderson city officials stated they “will follow the city's law, which would include euthanizing the dog.” According to Henderson city ordinance, a vicious dog could be euthanized after a 10-day observation period.
Later the Nevada Supreme Court entered the legal process after Lexus officials sought legal relief from the state Supreme Court as Lexus attorneys had filed several appeals with the Clark County Nevada District court. Kishner has repeatedly approved euthanizing Onion.
The April 27 incident
The family had gathered at the 1600 block of Navarre Lane home in Henderson, Nevada to celebrate the child's first birthday. During the party, Jeremiah was given a bottle before crawling over to Onion and trying to grab hold of the dog to stand up. The boy's grandmother leaned over to pick up Jeremiah when the dog grabbed the boy's head and started to shake the child. The boy's father, along with others, raced to rescue the child
After the attack, paramedics were called. The boy was taken to a nearby hospital, later transferred to the University Medical Center, and died April 28.
Animal control response
"The dog attacked and killed a child," (Henderson) animal control spokesman Keith Paul said. "It would be irresponsible of us to allow this dog to be adopted out." Henderson animal control officials declared Onion a vicious dog after the attack. Vicious dogs according to Nevada state law are euthanized after a mandated quarantine.
Dog rescue response
Chicago dog rescuer Les Golden originally spearheaded the campaign to save Onion. "The dog deserves to be saved," he said. Golden started a nationwide campaign to save Onion. Lexus Project volunteers joined the effort to save Onion by filing legal appeals to take Onion into custody and later transfer the dog to Blue Lion Rescue located near Denver, Colorado.
Joining the effort was Lexus Project attorneys Chandan Manensingh and Kathy McCarthy who have both fought to have Onion's life saved through legal avenues. According to Lexus Project attorneys, Keller signed over dog ownership to the Lexus Project.
Family response
"My grandchild is gone, and I want my dog to be in peace. He won't be in peace until he's put to sleep," said Keller. After the dog was impounded, the family did not appeal the impounding and quarantine of Onion.
Lexus Project
The New York based Lexus Project was originally formed to defend a “vicious” greyhound named Lexus who was impounded after killing a Pomeranian dog. The Lexus Project legal defense fund now defends all breeds of dogs. The animal rights defense organization has their own web page where donations are accepted. The Lexus Project is a 501c3 organization. All donations are tax deductible.

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