The proprietor of a pitbull pet that Irvine police alleged overdosed on fentanyl is disputing claims made by police after the canine’s drug urine take a look at got here out destructive.
The Orange County District Legal professional’s workplace has not but filed fees in opposition to the couple, who had been arrested Sept. 6 on suspicion of possession of medicine and drug paraphernalia, in addition to animal cruelty.
Police say the drug take a look at didn’t particularly take a look at the 8-week-old pet, Myla, for fentanyl. Further blood work testing is being accomplished, in keeping with Irvine Police Sgt. Karie Davies.
In the meantime, as of Friday, Sept. 22, her proprietor has 3 days left to pay $2,586 the town of Irvine needs for vet payments and room and board for Myla, in keeping with police.
Paying the tab will permit Caleb Gibson of San Juan Capistrano to retain authorized possession of the pet, police mentioned, although he wouldn’t get the canine again till the investigation is resolved.
Myla is presently being held on the Animal Care Heart in Irvine.
Gibson, 27, mentioned he’s a full-time pupil and might’t afford to pay. But when he doesn’t, the pet could be thought of deserted by the Metropolis of Irvine, Davies mentioned.
On Sept. 6, Gibson and his 25-year-old girlfriend parked in a Walmart car parking zone to feed themselves and their canine, he mentioned, when he was approached by an Irvine police officer, who he mentioned accused him of littering and pointed to a wrapper from his breakfast burrito on the bottom. Gibson mentioned he apologized and instructed the officer he deliberate on choosing up the wrapper after he completed feeding his pup.
At that time, Gibson mentioned, his automotive was surrounded by 4 to 5 cops, who instructed him to get out of the automotive.
He mentioned he handed the canine to his girlfriend and instructed police there have been medication within the automotive. Afterward, he mentioned, he sat with Myla on the curb for nearly an hour and mentioned she appeared playful and didn’t present any overdose signs.
The pet didn’t start exhibiting signs of a attainable fentanyl overdose till she was in police custody, in keeping with police and the proprietor. Gibson mentioned he was taken to a separate room on the station and didn’t study Myla’s reported overdose till he was questioned hours after. He was shocked to listen to about it.
“How come the canine is simply overdosing now, you guys have had the canine for a number of hours,” Gibson mentioned he instructed police after being questioned.
In a Fb publish, Gibson mentioned a number of officers dealt with the medication within the automotive and allowed Myla, who was teething, to chew on their fingers afterward.
He additionally disputed a press release by police that his girlfriend instructed officers the pup had overdosed as soon as earlier than. Gibson mentioned what his girlfriend instructed police was that the pet may very well be overdosing, and that she had beforehand seen a canine overdose.
“That’s ridiculous, no. I’d suppose that if a pet was really given fentanyl it could die, sadly,” Gibson mentioned. “I simply really feel like they’re attempting to take my canine away from me with no matter motive they’ve.”
Davies, citing the continuing investigation, declined to touch upon Gibson’s accusations in opposition to the officers.
After beforehand coping with drug dependancy, Gibson mentioned, he’s now in a methadone upkeep program in Santa Ana. He additionally mentioned he’s presently learning welding full-time at Summit Faculty.
He mentioned he fell in love with Myla after serving to a pal look after a litter of puppies when the mom fell unwell.
His girlfriend couldn’t be reached for remark.