Rottweiler frees wild vet from ‘death row’

A rottweiler attacking a Tauranga veteran† Leaving her with meat hanging from her arm, unable to pick up animals and with permanent scars, allowed to go home after a court ruled the owner was not at fault.

The dog, Chopper, has been held at the shelter since October 2021, after he killed holistic veterinarian Dr. Liza Schneider had bitten in the parking lot of her clinic, where owner Helen Fraser had taken him to be sexless.

Fraser picked up Chopper from the pound on Tuesday, nearly eight months later. It comes after a judge ruled that Chopper could return to his owner’s care, rather than be euthanized.

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† Mental scars remain for victim of dog attack

The case that decided Chopper’s fate was struck by lengthy delays, sparking a community campaign to save the dog called ‘Free Chopper’†

The judge-only lawsuit finally began last month, with Fraser being charged under the Dog Control Act for owning a dog that seriously injured a person.

Supporters involved in the campaign to free the dog claimed to subdue Tauranga City Council, which manages the pound the dog to animal cruelty by keeping him locked up for so long in conditions they said were inhumane†

The bare hutch by the pound, 4x4m and 2.5m high, was nicknamed ‘death row’ by the dog’s supporters.

It had no bedding, blankets, or toys, and lack of exercise and exposure to sunlight had affected Chopper’s health, causing him to have ulcers, his owner Stuff told.

Signs on Chopper’s door said “under investigation” and “aggressive dog, no sports”.

As Fraser drove off on Tuesday, accompanied by Chopper barking in the back seat of her car, supporters heard her cheering.

The court heard that the attack took place when Schneider greeted Fraser in the parking lot, while Fraser’s young son kept the dog on a leash.

Chopper lunged for the vet, his teeth clinging to her arm, causing Schneider to fracture her right arm and damage tendon, muscle, and nerve. She had to have a record placed in her arm and it took five months before she was able to work fully again.

She was still in pain, unable to pick up some animals and had permanent scars, the court was told.

Fraser’s attorney James Carter argued “a lack of guilt” on the part of the owner, and in court insinuated Schneider, a 22-year-old veterinarian, was to blame for the attack. The vet rejected this.

Supporters of the campaign erupted in joy at the news of Chopper’s release, with hundreds of posts this evening on social media celebrating the news with the hashtag #freechopper.