DES MOINES – “Pinky” the Pit Bull is now a free pup. She was released Monday afternoon after a lengthy and controversial confinement.
It was an intense legal battle to bring “Pinky” home, but her owners finally got to do that.
Local 5 was there for that special reunion between “Pinky” and her owners who fought so hard for her freedom.
“They pegged her as very dangerous and so I never thought I would see her again after a year,” said Quinten Bickel.
The saying a man’s best friend, really rings true for Pinky’s former owner, Quinten Bickel.
But back in March 2016, Quinten and Pinky’s friendship came to a screeching halt. “Pinky” attacked the neighbors cat and was deemed dangerous under a city ordinance.
“It is really messed up to take a dog for natural instincts for just stuff dogs and animals do,” said Bickel.
For a little over two years, “Pinky” was boarded up at the Animal Rescue League (ARL). That was until Monday when she was released.
“Now to know she is out which has been pretty recent news it’s really satisfying and I am happy to know she is going somewhere nice and is finally out,” said Bickel.
“Pinky” is headed for a life on the farm with Diann Helmers. She adopted Pinky when Quinten couldn’t afford the legal fight.
“I knew he was pretty heartbroken about this, I’m sure much more heartbroken than me, because this is his dog who he grew up with,” said Diann Helmers. “I told him I was going to do everything I could do to get her out of there and he had to just trust me that I would do everything I could.”
And in early April, the Iowa Court of Appeals voted that Des Moines’ dangerous dog ordinance is too vague.
For the first time in years, Pinky’s freedom was finally within reach.
Even though “Pinky” is going to a new home, Quinten couldn’t be happier to send “Pinky” off to the farm with Diann for a fresh start.
“Because she is going to lots of lots land, lots of other animals, lots of food, and with someone who does that for a living, it is really nice to know that,” said Bickel.
Now Diann says there is still a chance the Iowa Supreme Court could pick up this case. And she says if they do, she will continue her fight for “Pinky”.
The ARL sent Local 5 this statement after “Pinky” was freed:
“On Monday, April 16, the city of Des Moines decided to release Pinky to her new owner’s care during the appeal process. The ARL followed the city’s instructions and released Pinky at that time. We hope that this means that Pinky will now be living in a house and hanging out on the couch watching TV – and all of the other things dogs get to do with their owners. For that, we could not be happier.”
