HOUSTON – A woman undergoing chemotherapy has been reunited with her dog after filing a lawsuit against a Houston animal rescue group.
Rhina Cantu of Houston alleged PugHearts of Houston illegally kept possession of her pug, Lily, who is 7 years old.
"Lily recognized me right away, I got on the floor and she was licking me, so happy," Cantu said.
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In August, Lily escaped from the Cantu's yard. Someone found her and dropped her off at an animal shelter. The shelter contacted PugHearts of Houston, and the rescue group picked up the dog.
But according to Cantu, when she learned the dog's fate a few days later, PugHearts of Houston was unwilling to give her the dog.
Channel 2 confirmed through a phone conversation in August with PugHearts of Houston director, Cindy Rothermel, that the group was not convinced Cantu owned the dog because she could not prove ownership with paperwork.
"This is not an indictment of rescue. I fully support it, I own three rescue dogs. However, some rescue groups get overzealous," Zandra Anderson, Cantu's attorney said.
Anderson contends that animal rescue groups have no more legal standing than anyone else to demand identification in order to retrieve property, in this case, the dog.
Throughout the ordeal, Cantu provided or attempted to provide photos of her family with the dog over the years.
Rothermel was unconvinced and declined to let the Cantus see the dog in person or know where the dog was being kept.
Cantu sued PugHearts of Houston, and in a legal answer filed with the court, PugHearts of Houston claimed the dog had been adopted by a person in Illinois.
But it appears this was not the case, and PugHearts of Houston relinquished possession of Lily this week.
The lawsuit is ongoing.
Channel 2 Investigates was unable to reach Rothermel. An attorney for the group did issued a short statement Friday.
"Litigation into this case continues, and discovery into the facts is ongoing," Jeff Gilbert, the attorney, said.