After the Court of Appeals ruled upholding the lower court's ruling, the fatal shooting of a beloved pet is expected to cost Fresno County taxpayers at least $2 million, believing the sheriff violated the owner's rights and unnecessarily killed the dog.
In 2023, a jury awarded Veronica Ordaz Gonzalez and her boyfriend Jose Ramos Santiago to damage $800,000 after Fresno County Sheriff’s deputies shot and killed 4-year-old Scooby without consent. The county appealed to the California District 5 Court of Appeals, but lost the case last Wednesday.
In addition to damages, Ordaz Gonzalez received nearly $830,000 in attorneys' fees in August 2023. Fresno County Superior Court ruled Representatives violated the “Source of the Disaster Law”aimed at preventing threats, intimidation, threats or coercion.
Ordaz Gonzalez's attorney Nolan Kane estimates that the total amount of cases paid by the county will be redeemed for $2 million, with the appeals court expected to cost at least $400,000.
“I’m all about protecting us and doing things right, but this example seems to be a family dispute,” Kane said. “Of course, there are some cases where they need to be anxious, but they rush here to act unnecessarily.”
“The county understands the sensitivity of the case,” the Fresno County Legal Counsel Office, which represents the county and the sheriff's department, said in a statement.
Veronica Ordaz Gonzalez, who showed up with Scooby, asked the sheriff's deputies to provide an arrest warrant, but they did not produce it.
(Veronica Ordaz Gonzalez)
“However, it remains convinced that officials have taken appropriate action against the threat,” the statement said. “The county respects the court's ruling.”
The lawsuit stems from a reported vandalism case, which dates back to June 3, 2018.
The lawsuit alleges that a couple had called to report that their son had damaged their car, causing $500 worth of damage.
The couple told authorities that their son, Jesus Ramos, often spoke on South Lind Avenue in Fresno.
Deputies found a Ramos, who they believed was home on South Lind Avenue, rented by Ordaz Gonzalez and Santiago. Her father, Roberto and Omar Perez brother Ordaz Gonzalez, were at home with Santiago, who was sleeping, according to court documents. Ramos is not at home.
“This is because [suspect] “Damaged his parents' car, and the damage caused by his actions was about $500. My clients didn't even know who this person was,” Kane said.
One of the delegates talked to Ordaz Gonzalez through the front screen door and asked her to walk outside and identify herself. Court documents show Ordaz Gonzalez said she would only withdraw from meeting with her deputy at the back door.
The agent went to the back door to meet her. According to court records, the attorney believes that by doing so, she agreed to enter the property.
According to court documents, another deputy eventually grabbed Ordaz Gonzalez, twisted her arm and put it in handcuffs.
Ordaz Gonzalez claimed she asked deputies to show her an arrest warrant, but they did not make it. Deputies did not remember to request a warrant in court documents.
Eventually, police brought the K-9 unit to their home. According to court documents, authorities tied Scooby to a tree in the front yard and then took the police dog to the property.
As police searched for the house, Scooby loosened from the front yard and ran to the back of the house, where he was shot dead by an agent. The lawsuit alleges that the dog walked to the porch and died there without any assistance.
Kane said his clients tried to settle with the county for $250,000, but the county fought back for only $7,500 and was reluctant to offer a bigger settlement.
“It's something they think we're too far apart to find a compromise,” he said.
