Pam Bondi’s bizarre court battle over dog she ‘stole’ from Hurricane Katrina survivors

If Donald Trump had hoped tapping Pam Bondi for lawyer normal would put an finish to the controversy over the position he could have been barking up the incorrect tree.

The choice has delivered to gentle a weird canine custody battle during which the Tampa lawyer was blasted as having ‘no compassion in any respect’ by Hurricane Katrina survivors who accused her of stealing their huge St Bernard canine.

Bondi, 59, served as lawyer normal for Florida from 2011 to 2019 and likewise represented Trump in his first impeachment trial earlier than the Senate. 

She has been thrust into the highlight as soon as once more after Trump’s preliminary Cupboard choose, Matt Gaetz, was engulfed in scandal amid claims he had intercourse with a minor. Gaetz denies the allegations.

However Hurricane Katrina survivors Steve and Doreen Couture knew who Bondi was lengthy earlier than her notable political appointments. 

Through the 2005 hurricane, Steven had determined to journey the storm out with the canine whereas his household evacuated. 

He had thought he made the precise determination till the levees broke and flooded the St Bernard Parish, leaving about seven ft of water in his house. 

The household determined to go away their St Bernard canine Grasp Tank at a short lived shelter, underneath their identify, till the canine have been later turned over to the Pinellas Humane Society. 

Bondi served because the lawyer normal for Florida from 2011 to 2019 and likewise represented Trump in his first impeachment trial earlier than the Senate

‘He was dying from heartworms. That they had stuffed his coronary heart. That is what was incorrect with him earlier than the hurricane. If I assumed I used to be sending him to a steady surroundings, the place he can be cared for, as arduous as it might be, I might put him in my automotive and drive him again myself,’ Bondi mentioned

However in amidst of the chaos of the storm, Bondi was capable of foster the canine, altering its identify to Noah after she had misplaced her personal beloved St Bernard, Donovan, to most cancers. 

The Couture household tracked the canine right down to Bondi’s house in Tampa Bay in January of 2006 and requested he be returned to them, however she refused and as an alternative accused them of neglecting the canine. 

She advised the St Petersburg Occasions that she ‘took the canine who was a strolling skeleton’, reported the Unbiased. 

‘He was dying from heartworms. That they had stuffed his coronary heart. That is what was incorrect with him earlier than the hurricane.

‘If I assumed I used to be sending him to a steady surroundings, the place he can be cared for, as arduous as it might be, I might put him in my automotive and drive him again myself,’ she added. 

‘I made a promise to him that I might defend him.’ 

The Couture’s denied the allegations and revealed the canine suffered from heartworms since he was 10 months previous.  

This was when the Coutures sued her in what grew to become the start of a 16-month authorized battle.

The lawyer ultimately received a brand new St Bernard, Luke, who has been seen together with her on many events together with in her political profession

The canine was reunited with its homeowners in 2007 after Bondi promised to pay for its medical and meals payments, which the household declare she did not do

Inside days of the trial date being set, Bondi’s representatives approached the unique homeowners ‘and mentioned it may be worthwhile to sit down down and have significant discussions,’ mentioned the Couture’s lawyer, Murray Silverstein, reported Tampa Bay Occasions.

The canine was reunited with the Couture household in Might 2007. 

Plans for Bondi to obtain pictures and updates on the canine’s wellbeing quickly fell aside, after the Couture’s claimed that Bondi didn’t honor her guarantees to pay for his meals and medical payments for all times.

‘It was a burden, it actually was,’ Doreen advised the St Petersburg Occasions in 2010, reported the Unbiased. 

‘Financially, emotionally, it was a very powerful time.’ 

When requested if there had been any plans to maintain Bondi up to date in regards to the St Bernard’s life, Couture responded: ‘Why ought to I? She stole my canine… She has no compassion in any respect.’

The lawyer ultimately received a brand new St Bernard, Luke, who has been seen together with her on many events together with throughout current political appearances. 

She mentioned of the incident within the aftermath: ‘I’ve obtained an incredible quantity of assist from individuals and animal rights activists, and no criticism in any respect. Actually, it has not been a difficulty.’