By Ted Streuli
The Daily News
Published 11/14/03
Also published 11/10/03

KEMAH — Demonstrating that the appellate process in death penalty cases isn’t limited to humans, County Court Judge C.G. Dibrell on Thursday effectively granted a new trial for a 7-year-old German shepherd.

Zephyr, a dog belonging to Kemah resident Sandra Reinegal, was condemned as dangerous by Justice of the Peace Mark Foster in April. During the hearing, Mark Magee testified that Zephyr was loose and attacked him while he was jogging on Anders Lane, causing serious injuries. Reinegal countered that Magee taunted the dog, spurring the attack.

Reinegal appealed Foster’s decision, but Assistant District Attorney Ted Moira filed a motion contending that the JP’s ruling could not be appealed as a matter of law. Dibrell denied the motion and set a new trial for Dec. 13.

Zephyr has been in the care of the county’s health department since April.

For More Information Contact:
Kurt Koopmann
Public Information Officer
Galveston County Health District
(409) 938-2211
kkoopman@gchd.org