by Timothy Rutt
Shortly after taking a fall at her Altadena home, Lynn Walker, a special education teacher with the Los Angeles Unified School District, began losing muscle function. In 2009, she was diagnosed with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
In 2010, she spoke elequently from her wheelchair at a meeting in the Altadena Public Library about improving access to the disabled. Today, she has lost use of her arms and can no longer speak. Walker speaks via a communication board, lighting up words, letters, and phrases with a laser pointer attached to her glasses.
Her constant companion for the past three years has been Shadow, her Shih Tzu, who often rode on her lap as they went through the day.
That ended Thursday, June 20, when two loose dogs killed her friend.
Walker, Shadow, and a caretaker usually go for a walk in the early evening. Walker said, “Most of the time we go together, but I did not feel good, so I just said I will not go today.”
According to Walker’s husband Alan, the caretaker took the dog on its leash along their usual route up St. James Place, where they live She hadn’t gotten far when they were confronted by two dogs, a pitbull and Rottweiler, who had escaped from their yard. According to Alan Walker, the dogs belonged to a young man who lived just up the street.
Alan Walker said that Shadow was killed immediately and one of the dogs tore the caretaker’s pantleg as she fled screaming.
“Within a minute, every neighbor within five houses was down there,” Alan Walker said. One of the neighbors gathered Shadow up with a towel and took him home. The sheriff was called, and they responded quickly.
In the turmoil, it took awhile for the word to get to Lynn. “The sheriff was even there before I knew all about it,” she said. When she was told what had happened, “I just feel I went into shock,” she said. “I just feel that [it] could not be true.”
Walker said that she wanted to see where it happened, so sometime later they went to the place where Shadow was killed. Walker said that the dog owner’s mother came out of the house. “It’s your bad dog’s fault, she shouted,” Lynn Walker said.
When Walker returned home, she insisted on seeing her friend. “I had to see him one last time,” she said. “His face, his weight on my lap one last time … I cry so much my head felt like a balloon about to burst.”
According to Alan Walker, the sheriff said that it was a matter for animal control and that one of the dogs was taken away.
Over the next few days, friends, neighbors, and church community expressed their love to Lynn and Shadow. Her pastor came by with a prayer shawl, and on Saturday afternoon during a family barbecue a rescue pooch was there, taking it all in.
One of the things that keeps here going is her faith, Walker said. “I know you must trust God in all things — I know that more today than yesterday,” she said. “When I see his work in my life, I know the power of God is here for us all. I have ALS, you know [yet] I feel peace and acceptance.”
UPDATE: Altadena animal control officer Artemio Manchaca said that the owner surrendered the pitbull but kept the Rottweiler — Animal Control cannot seize animals without due process. Currently, animal control has cited the owner for mulitple violations, Manchaca said, and is pursuing a “possession of dangerous dog” case against the owner for keeping the Rottweiler. The owner has also been ordered to fix any problems with the fence and gates, which must be accomplished by Thursday. Mancheca said that the investigation is ongoing.
The pitbull has been taken to the Baldwin Park animal shelter, and Manchaca said it is unlikely it would be adopted out to the general public.
Margaret said…
Such a sad story. My heart goes out to Mrs. Walker. May the little rescue dog give her comfort.
Monday, June 24, 2013 at 12:51 PM
Michele Z said…
Heartbreaking. I find it impossible to believe people who pretend not to know how vicious their dogs can be, don’t keep them adequately controlled, and then blame any of their victims. I can’t count the times I’ve witnessed really bad dog behavior on trails or other public places — nipping or biting people or knocking them down — and the owners invariably say “My dog’s NEVER done that before. . . you must have done something.:” You would think people are accountable for pet behavior, but it turns out they usually are not — which is why we hear so many stories like this. Most dogs are fine and would never attack.
Monday, June 24, 2013 at 02:44 PM
Ericka Lozano-Buhl said…
This absolutely breaks my heart. When we bought our house – actually before our offer was even accepted – we were standing in the driveway and Lynn came up to introduce herself and little Shadow. Just a few days ago, she was out on a walk with Shadow and her caregiver and stopped to say hello. We chatted and Shadow was just as snuggly and sweet as ever. This is a terrible tragedy and I hope that the young man is held responsible. There are many people in Altadena who own dogs, mistreat them, raise them to be aggressive, and let them run loose. This has to stop!
Monday, June 24, 2013 at 04:44 PM
Revvell said…
This is extremely sad and heart-breaking. I can’t even imagine Lynn’s grief at this point.
Having said that ~ I’ve had dogs… large dogs and more than once I came home to find them gone and/or a notice from animal control telling me they had my dogs. I didn’t “let them run loose.” It became a mission of mine to find a way to keep them in. When dogs want out… I’m sure others here know. I finally found the solution and was very lucky no one was ever injured or killed even though they were not aggressive…dogs can be and are unpredictable.
Second thing as I’ve said over and over ~ Pepper spray, pepper spray, pepper spray! I see people walking their little dogs all over Altadena and up in the hills…. One morning when I was out two women were walking their 3 little dogs when a shepherd attacked. One grabber her one, the other…. just stood their unsure what to do. Pepper spray! C’mon folk! I don’t have a dog and I will not leave home without my spray in my hand (having been bitten a few years ago..) and do NOT carry it in a purse or pocket! And NO, I am not saying Shadow “deserved” to die yet, can this be a lesson in self-protection for yourself and your fur-kids?
No one can take Shadow’s place yet, as Margaret said, I hope the little rescue dog will give her some comfort.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 05:24 AM
erika said…
This really weighs on my heart – so sad that this happened. As you referenced, I’m also relived Mrs. Walker wasn’t there to witness it. I agree w/ Ericka – While walking my dogs, I’ve come across so many dogs that have broken out of their gates. The owners have been careless in maintaining their gates and property to ensure safety. many of the dogs aren’t walked, and are just kept in the yard, without exercise, bursting with frustration and restless energy. I sincerely hope the book is thrown at the owner.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 07:58 AM
Laura Monteros said…
How well I remember Mrs. Walker’s eloquent speech at the library meeting! Her courage impressed everyone. I am sad to hear about Shadow. Thank God it was quick. Hopefully, beefing up patrols and equipment will help cut down on these incidents, but the fundamental problem is irresponsible dog owners.
Had a nice talk with Marlin Miller from the Pasadena Humane Society at Happy Birthday Pasadena. He says the mandatory spay/neuter law being considered is partly to address violent dogs (as well as over-population in general) and avoid banning certain breeds. It would be difficult to ban pit bulls, anyway, as they are not a true breed.
Maybe we should just ban stupid pet owners.
Tuesday, June 25, 2013 at 10:07 PM
Sylvie Andrews said…
This is so sad! Lynn and Shadow are frequent visitors to our street. I can’t believe Shadow is no more and my heart goes out to Lynn.
I’m glad the caretaker wasn’t hurt as well.
Speaking as a cyclist who’s been chased more than once by big dogs in the area, I think Altadena could do a lot more towards punishing bad dog owners.
Saturday, June 29, 2013 at 07:43 PM