Organization Seizes Man's Service Dog Over Leash Rule

In 2009, Dr. Gael Yonnet of Salt Lake City received a precious gift from Canine Companions for Independence: a service dog named Elon. On January 29, 2011, the organization crossed state lines and took the gift back.

Elon was sent to a kennel in California to wait on a concrete floor. Canine Companions for Independence believes Dr. Yonnet's active lifestyle was putting Elon's life and health in danger, but Dr. Yonnet and many others disagree.

With the help of Seizure Alert Dogs for Life, Inc., Dr. Yonnet is fighting CCI to get Elon back. A Facebook page has been created in support of reuniting them.

Though Dr. Yonnet is wheelchair-bound due to a snowboarding accident five years ago, it hasn't slowed him down. Because of Elon, he has been able mountain bike, climb and stay active in the Wasatch Mountains.

Elon was allowed off-leash in designated areas in the mountains and at parks. Dr. Yonnet stated that, "while in urban areas or near streets, or even during meetings at the hospital, Elon was always on leash."

On occasion, Dr. Yonnet had to briefly drop the leash at grocery stores in order to complete transactions, grab items and hold bags. This is not an uncommon practice for those with service dogs.

Being a senior resident at the University of Utah Hospital's neuro-rehabilitation department means Dr. Yonnet  — with Elon by his side — puts in long hours. Dr. Yonnet felt the long, hard work days required some long, hard play days. Any veterinarian, dog trainer or animal behaviorist will agree dogs need exercise; it's even one of Cesar Millan's big rules. But Dr. Yonnet says he would never have put Elon in danger.

Most mountain trails are far away from streets and traffic. Hundreds of dogs romp and play together on the trails while owners hike, run, mountain bike, climb and snowshoe behind. Utah leash laws were not broken.

CCI wouldn't hear it, though, and says Elon was never really Dr. Yonnet's dog; Dr. Yonnet simply had "custody" of Elon, not ownership. However, Seizure Alert Dogs for Life's corporate attorney states that no organization retains ownership of a dog after it is given to a client.

Jon Sabin, president of Seizure Alert Dogs for Life, points out that a court order is needed to take a service dog from his owner, and says that, "no judge in the country would ever issue an order for anything so frivolous as what CCI claims Dr. Yonnet did."

CCI has experienced the loss of 53 dogs over the last 35 years because of off-leash traffic accidents and now has a strict no off-leash policy.

Sabin is angry with CCI, and in a formal statement said:

Dr. Yonnet is a revered physician in his community. He has never had an issue working in the hospital with his service dog Elon or any place that he has been with him. Taking his service dog away from him is like taking his wheel chair from him. Canine Companions for Independence has taken away an extension of Dr. Yonnet. We find this act to be reprehensible."

Elon wasn't starved, beaten or neglected. Upon request for removal, CCI looked at Dr. Yonnet's tear-streaked face as he held Elon and said, "if it's easier, we can call the police to take him from you."

Seizure Alert Dogs for Life has already been in contact with the Utah and California Attorney Generals to address the issue.

If all it takes to get him back is to keep Elon on a leash, Dr. Yonnet is eager to oblige. Dr. Yonnet says he misses Elon terribly. "I want him to come back home where he belongs."

Sign the petition and help return Elon to Dr. Yonnet.

Photo credit: Gael Yonnet